Crowner Royal (Crowner John Mysteries) [Paperback]

Bernard Knight (Author)

Book Description

Series: Crowner John Mysteries | Publication Date: March 5, 2010

London, 1196. At the command of Richard the Lionheart, Sir John de Wolfe has left his beloved West Country for the Palace of Westminster, where he has been appointed Coroner of the Verge. But with the king overseas, embroiled in a costly war against King Philip of France, Sir John is dismayed to discover that the English court is a hotbed of greed, corruption and petty in-fighting. The murder of one of the palace clerks, stabbed in broad daylight and thrown into the River Thames, leads John to suspect that there's a conspiracy underway to overthrow King Richard. And with the visit of the dowager Queen Eleanor fast approaching, the new Coroner must risk his life to prove his suspicions are right, root out the traitors within, and prevent a national catastrophe.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set in 1196, the intriguing 14th entry in Knight's Crowner John series (The Manor of Death, etc.) takes Sir John de Wolfe to Westminster, where Richard the Lionheart has appointed him Coroner of the Verge. One hot summer day, from the window of the coroner's office, one of de Wolfe's officers chances to observe a stabbing by the river below. The assailant flees, while the body of a palace clerk is extracted from the Thames. As de Wolfe investigates, he must assert his authority over the haughty and incompetent London sheriff's department. The victim, the coroner learns, appears to have heard something not meant for his ears while servicing the palace's guest chambers. The murder fuels the king's suspicions that traitors are plotting to overthrow his rule. Straightforward, descriptive prose, spiced with a few period terms, brings 12th-century England to life. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Fans of Crowner John won't be disappointed."  —Kirkus Reviews

"Another stellar historical whodunit from the practiced pen of a master."  —Booklist Online

"Detection and suspense are combined with historical authenticity."  —Daily Mail

"Brings medieval Exeter to life with gritty realism, smells and all, but with an underlying sympathy and humor."  —Historical Novels Review

"Rayne's wealth of intriguing characters and situations has you continually putting two and two together and making five, but when the truth emerges, you wonder why you didn't see it coming. Clues to all the bizarre twists and turns are there, but so well constructed that each time you are taken by surprise."  —Western Daily Press

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (March 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847393284
• ISBN-13: 978-1847393289
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Murder in the time of Richard I, September 2, 2010

By 

Rich "rls" (van nuys, ca ,usa) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crowner Royal (Crowner John Mysteries) (Paperback)

I really liked this series. I made the mistake of buying one to see if I cared for the author's style without checking to see where it was in the series. That was dumb. This is a series (as are most to be honest) that should be read from the first book straight through to the last. I am impressed with the character development, even the good guys aren't perfect and the bad guys are real stinkers. It is slightly repetitious to re-read some of the basic setting info in every volume. The author apologized for that around book 7 or so; but in case you just pick one at random you do need some of the core setting to enjoy it, so I can't really knock him for that. Historically it seems to be pretty accurate and in the prolog he explains what diverges from history. I appreciate that as well. All in all I have had a fun read with the 12 books ZI've finished so far.

4.0 out of 5 stars Crowner Royal Review, December 23, 2011

By 

Avis Gill "gemini" (New Auburn, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crowner Royal (Crowner John Mysteries) (Paperback)

Received this book in very good condition.
I have periodically purchased one in the series and find them interesting
with a good story line and very descriptive. I recommend this to anyone
who enjoys a good mystery.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Hire A Proofreader, Please, July 7, 2011

By 

Lisa Small - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crowner Royal (Crowner John Mysteries) (Hardcover)

I don't like to leave a negative review because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but Mr. Knight has made a fortune from this series and I'm sure can put one reader's disappointed remarks in perspective.

Sir. You have thirteen books in this series (at least thirteen). You have made sufficient money from them that if your publisher refuses to pay an editor, you yourself can and REALLY SHOULD hire at least a proofreader from your own pocket.

Commas appear where they ought not and don't appear where they should. Someone should tear the key cap off the exclamation point on your keyboard. That same someone should blue-pencil you when you fall in love with a particular word. Example: one lovely lady is "languorous" three times in four pages. All other attractive women are referred to, over and over, as "delectable." The crowner himself is forever "snapping" or "growling," more so than any dog I've ever known. And aside from the annoying syntactical monotony, can't you find any other words to limn his character? Don't you think he snaps and growls a bit much, particularly when nothing in the scene calls for it?

Also, though the historical lore you have put in is most welcome, you've got to work on the transitions. Work on making these tidbits a little less conspicuous, both in their placement (not during a crisis, please! it's ridiculous to wander off on an architectural note during a squabble among the main characters) and in their too-sharp edges. Blend them in!

Despite the frustration over the above points, you get an extra star for including the map, the explanatory foreword, and moving the glossary up front. Good for you! And very good for the reader, thank you. But DO hire someone to police your adjectives and punctuation.