A Haunt of Murder [Hardcover]

P. C. Doherty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 2009

As night sets in, Chaucer’s weary pilgrims find themselves in a Kent copse, rumored to be haunted. Huddling around the fire, they persuade the Clerk of Oxford to tell a ghostly tale of love and death that will further chill their blood...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1381, a series of inexplicable murderspits the impoverished peasants of Maldon, Essex, against the upper-class residents of Ravenscroft Castle in Doherty's diverting sixth Canterbury Tales mystery (after 2002's The Hangman's Hymn), told by the clerk of Oxford. Ralph Mortimer, a clerk at Ravenscroft, must figure out who's been slaying villagers and castle dwellers alike. With practically everyone in Maldon a suspect, bringing a killer to justice won't be easy, especially when friends aren't always who they claim to be, and evil spirits are at work within the castle walls. Meanwhile, Mortimer seeks Brythnoth's legendary golden cross from pagan times—and is distracted by grief after his fiancée,Beatrice Arrowner, falls to her death from the castle parapet. Evoking the medieval world through sparing use of period detail and language, veteran British author Doherty weaves an intricate and suspenseful tale sure to please both longtime fans and newcomers. (Feb.)
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About the Author

Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough. He studied History at Liverpool and Oxford Universities and obtained a doctorate for his thesis on Edward II and Queen Isabella. He is now headmaster of a school in north-east London and lives with his family in Essex. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition edition (February 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312359616
• ISBN-13: 978-0312359614
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #656,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Another good yarn, May 27, 2003

By 

Valerie Adolph "Coast Journal" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Haunt of Murder (Hardcover)

Paul Doherty, one of the most prolific mystery writers working today, has produced another in his Canterbury Tales series where the pilgrims tell stories guaranteed to make the flesh creep. And this one is the creepiest to date.

Here he explores alternate realities - one of the main characters is a spirit and her character development is that of a spiritual character rather than a human.

If you like your spine tingled, this tale will do it. It's full of action, with beautiful maidens (albeit dead) handsome swains and evil doers. Paul Doherty always delivers historical accuracy, with a full dose of the religious and supernatural fears and feelings of the time.

Doherty is a master story teller - the pace is crisp and the setting and characters carry the tale well.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fine medieval mystery, February 21, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Haunt of Murder (Hardcover)

The travelers on their way to Canterbury stop at Maldon, Essex where rumors abound that ghosts and killers live. A debate breaks out whether there are spirits haunting the woods as some reject the concept of ghosts.

The Clerk of Oxford makes an anecdotal case in support of the paranormal. He tells the tale of his peer Ralph Mortimer the clerk of Ravenscroft who in 1381 was researching documents at Ravenscroft Castle in hopes of finding a clue that will lead him to Brythnoth's legendary treasured jeweled cross. So far he has been unsuccessful. Meanwhile he, his fiancée Beatrice Arrowner and some friends were on the greens by the castle celebrating May Day. However, Beatrice apparently fell from a parapet to her death. Shattered, the despondent Ralph believes she was murdered though his friends insist a tragic accident occurred. He vows to find Beatrice's killer, but he will soon learn there is more to life than death as his beloved is fighting evil demanding her soul while she waits for her beloved to uncover her killer.

Perhaps the lead author of the medieval mystery (besides the Canterbury Tales, there are also the tales starring the Royal Clerk Hugh Corbett and Brother Athelstan), P.C. Doherty provides another terrific entry in his homage to Chaucer. The story line provides a deep window into the late fourteenth century through the eyes of the travelers while the investigation looks into whether Beatrice died from an accident or a homicide is cleverly devised. Fans will enjoy the latest entry in this fine medieval mystery series with an apparent touch of the paranormal (see The Carpenter's Tale: THE HANGMAN'S HYMN).

Harriet Klausner

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Clerk of Oxford's Tale, November 11, 2006

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Haunt of Murder (Canterbury Tales Mysteries 6) (Paperback)

Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough and is the consummate professional when it comes to writing historical mystery novels. I for one do not know how he can be so prolific with his offering of books and yet make sure that each of them is well researched. Whether they be 13th, 14th, or fifteenth century they are always true to the period. He also writes about Ancient Egypt and Alexander the Great.

A group of pilgrims have joined together, both for company and also for protection, as the roads and forests are littered with thieves and rogues, only too willing to relieve a traveller of their purse and most probably their lives as well. What adds even more spice to the journey is that several of the pilgrims know their fellow travellers but are not letting the fact become public knowledge.

The pilgrims have agreed that at the end of each day's journey when they stop at an inn or other resting place one of them will entertain the others with a tale. Whether the story is true or not only the storyteller will know.

The pilgrims have foolishly found themselves lost in a Kent forest, and night is falling. Also the forest is rumoured to be haunted. Huddled around a fire they have hastily made, they huddle close together and try to ignore the sounds of the forest that seem to be much louder in the darkness than they are during the day. The Clerk of Oxford agrees to tell a ghostly tale of love and death. A tale that makes even the knight with all his experience of battle and fighting shiver and tremble.