The Death of a King (Missing Mysteries) [Paperback]

P C Doherty (Author)

Book Description

Series: Missing Mysteries | Publication Date: December 19, 1985

The fate of kings is not always glorious.... Indeed, England's Edward II so angered his wife, her lover, and his subjects when he flaunted his male favorites that they revolted, deposed him, and made him prisoner. History records Edward II was eventually murdered most foully in Berkeley Castle and buried most publicly in Gloucester cathedral. But was he? The heir, Edward III, charges Chancery Clerk Edmund Beche with uncovering the truth of the matter. Beche's investigation is torturous, blocked by hidden records, outright lies, unexpected confessions, double crosses, and a high body count. Grave-digging, burglary, and soldiering at the bloody battle of Crecy await him. But he's a most determined man.... When you read it you will see why there is no sequel.
This edition contains a full bibliography with all pseudonyms.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a medieval whodunit that's livelier than Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose and more sharply plotted than Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael stories.
-The Denver Post

From the Back Cover

The fate of kings is not always glorious...

Indeed, England's Edward II so angered his wife, her lover, and his subjects when he flaunted his male favorites that they revolted, deposed him, and made him prisoner. History records Edward II was eventually murdered most foully in Berkeley Castle and buried most publicly in Gloucester cathedral. But was he? The heir, Edward III, charges Chancery Clerk Edmund Beche with uncovering the truth of the matter. Beche's investigation is torturous, blocked by hidden records, outright lies, unexpected confessions, double crosses, and a high body count. Grave-digging, burglary, and soldiering at the bloody battle of Crecy await him. But he's a most determined man...

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press; First Trade edition (December 19, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890208116
• ISBN-13: 978-1890208110
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,033,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing medieval mystery!, January 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Death of a King (Missing Mysteries) (Paperback)

For those with a fascingation for things medieval, P.C. Doherty's The Death of a King is a tale worth reading. Although minimal knowledge of the basic events, the death of Edward II and the eventual rule of Edward III, is helpful, it is not necessary to enjoy this book. I also appreciate it when the author concludes the tale by separating fact from fiction as does P.C. Doherty. For the history buff this book will stimulate your desire to 'learn more about it.'

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A brief but compelling fact-based historical mystery, November 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Death of a King (Missing Mysteries) (Paperback)

The author has obviously done much research on this topic and time period; it shows in this story. While basing the book on some facts about the alleged murder of Edward II, Doherty uses that as a starting off point and weaves a very credible tale of what-ifs and possibilities. The book has the flavor, smells, sights, and sounds of the middle ages. Caution: this book may make you want to go dig through the musty files of history yourself into the details of the baffling death of a king.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Epistolary Engaging Mystery, May 21, 2010

By 

C. Irish "Read On!" (Placerville, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Death of a King (Missing Mysteries) (Paperback)

Intrique abounds in Paul Doherty's book, The Death of a King. Told through letters to a contemporary Prior, a humble clerk embarks on a journey for King Edward III that would make anyone's feeble heart beat. Edmund Beche tries to pick up the trail on King Edward II thought long dead, murdered and buried by his wife the Queen Isabella, a.k.a., She Wolf.

Told through letters, Beche's journey is explained and the astounding mystery unfolds.

If you are interested in the lives of England's medieval kings and queens and all of the political intrique, cover-ups, spying and mystery that surrounds them, you'll enjoy this story where unknown history and mystery is given new breath and secrets thought long dead are explained in fictional portrayals as though they could have really happened, and the way Paul Doherty explains it he could be right, but you'll have to be the judge.

I enjoy medieval books by this author and he is so knowledgeable of the history of the English court that his books are a real treat to read. I learn a lot by Paul Doherty's books and I am wonderfully entertained in the process.