The Butcher of St. Peter's (Knights Templar) [Paperback]

Michael Jecks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2005 | Series: Knights Templar

When a villager's property is burned to the ground, the locals think no further misfortune could befall him—until they find his son's body among the ruins. As a sinister twist emerges in what seemed to be a tragic accident, Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock arrive to unravel the mystery. But then threats are made against Sir Baldwin's own family, and the investigation becomes a lot more personal.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Nicely detailed and tightly argued, with involving and memorable characters. The whole series belongs in any collection where historicals are popular."

From the Publisher

In the richly atmospheric Medieval West Country series of medieval murder mysteries, Michael Jecks gives us tales steeped in intrigue and historical detail. Skillfully evoking the colorful, but often brutal tableaux of the Middle Ages, Jecks has drawn comparison with Ellis Peters. Now former Knight Templar Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock, his savvy sleuths, are on the case again in another compelling, well-crafted tale. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 396 pages
• Publisher: Headline Book Publishing; New Ed edition (December 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0755322983
• ISBN-13: 978-0755322985
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Jecks gave up a career in the computer industry when he began writing the internationally successful Templar series. There are now twenty books starring Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock, with more to follow. The series has been translated into all the major European languages and sells worldwide. The Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association for the year 2004-2005, Michael is a keen supporter of new writing and has helped many new authors through the Debut Dagger Award. He is a founding member of Medieval Murderers, and regularly talks on medieval matters as well as writing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent story of Medieval Devonshire, September 10, 2005

By 

Mary Jo Neyer "Mother of 9" (Cincinnati, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Butcher of St. Peter's (Medieval West Country Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Mr. Jeck's most recent book, THE BUTCHER OF ST. PETER'S, is a vivid account of life in Medieval England for people of a wide range of social class. His research gives us gems of information such as the description of "chimneys" as new-fangled inventions, and details such as the danger of wandering hogs to infants in cradles. I found myself very involved in the story and ended up reading it in one day because I was so fascinated by the scenes and the people. His description of the physician's difficulties in being considered a "foreigner" because he wasn't born in Exeter is a nuance that is hard for us to grasp, but a very real factor in the time period being discussed.

I particulary enjoyed seeing Baldwin's interactions with those people close to him, especially Jeanne, and to those not so close to him, such as Sir Peregrine. The painful reality of frequent death in previous centuries, and the persistence of faith, or lack thereof, was handled in a very sensitive manner. If you are interested in what life was really like in Medieval England, this is an excellent book.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well Written Mystery, August 18, 2005

By 

J. Jones (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Butcher of St. Peter's (Medieval West Country Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Overall, I enjoyed "the Butcher of St. Peter's although somewhat less than some of Jeck's earlier works.

In general, I had two problems. The large number of characters in the story and the way the plot jumps from scene to scene required frequent reference to the list of characters at the front of the book, interrupting the flow of the novel.

I also found the explanation for one of the murders to be less than convincing and thought that the premise somewhat stretched the imagination of the reader.

One hopeful sign - there might be a new series of books utilizing the characters of the coroner and physician who appear to be an interesting duo.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Medieval Mystery, August 4, 2006

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Butcher of St. Peter's (Knights Templar) (Paperback)

For those readers who are familiar with Michael Jecks books, this one is just as good as all the rest. For those who have not read Michael Jecks, but like historical novels, particularly about medieval England, you are in for all real treat.

Michael Jecks has got his subject matter down to a fine art. His characters are so well established that they are like old friends to the reader. Also to write about the area in which he lives is a masterstroke and must make researching the books so much easier.

This is another book in the series of Knights Templar Mysteries set in Exeter and the surrounding areas and features Sir Baldwin de Furnshill , once a member of the now disbanded Knight's Templars and now Keeper of the King's Peace.

When a boy disappears, the local idiot, who lost his own children many years ago is immediately put under suspicion. The local law officer whose own son disappeared years ago is determined to solve the mystery.

Sir Baldwin is asked for his assistance in solving the crime and he follows a lead to the manor of Bishop's Clyst. While he is there the body of a boy is found under a bridge, but strangely it is not the one who so recently went missing . . .