Nightshade: A Hugh Corbett Medieval Mystery (Hugh Corbett Medieval Mysteries) [Kindle Edition]

P. C. Doherty (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Whodunits don't get much better than this outstanding historical, Doherty's 16th Sir Hugh Corbett medieval mystery (after 2010's The Waxman Murders). Edward I dispatches Corbett, keeper of the secret seal, to Essex to recover an ornate cross claimed by the Templars from Lord Oliver Scrope. The king also wants Corbett to censure Scrope for exceeding his authority in ordering the massacre of the members of a religious sect the orthodox Scrope had labeled heretical. On arrival, Corbett finds Scrope's community plagued by a killer known as Sagittarius, who has already claimed multiple victims. The murderous archer has created an atmosphere of terror with his apparently random attacks, heralded with the blast of a hunter's horn. Another murder committed in a locked room on an inaccessible island considerably ups the ante. The first-rate pacing will have readers racing through the book to learn the truth, which the author has artfully concealed. (Apr.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Product Description

An unscrupulous manor lord has reneged on his promise to hand over a priceless ornate cross stolen from the Templars during the Crusades. Furthermore, he has massacred as heretics fourteen members of a religious order. The King sends Hugh Corbett, devoted emissary of King Edward I to Mistleham in his stead...

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 399 KB
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; Reprint edition (April 12, 2011)
• Sold by: Macmillan
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00457X7P4
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,362 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Hugh Corbett great, June 10, 2011

By 

Hair Balls (Anchorage, Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nightshade: A Hugh Corbett Medieval Mystery (Hugh Corbett Medieval Mysteries) (Kindle Edition)

P.C. Doherty tells his tale so well I feel like I could be in Hugh Corbett's shoes. There are interesting intrigues around the varying loyalties of the characters. Hugh is always true to his tasks, his love of family, his loyalties and to always do the right thing. Part of his effectiveness as an investigator is knowing when to speak and when not to speak as well as when to act and when not to act. Timing is elemental in this story. I particularly liked the scene where they find the old bridge underwater and are able to walk along it unseen. The potential for drowning and hypothermia was foremost in my mind. The scenes in the woods where the hanged and the dead are left unburied leaves me as sickened as Hugh. P. C. Doherty writes like it really could have happened. I felt as though I was there in the story. Definitely hard to put this book down.

5.0 out of 5 stars super historical whodunit, April 15, 2011

By 

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

This review is from: Nightshade: A Hugh Corbett Medieval Mystery (Hugh Corbett Medieval Mysteries) (Hardcover)

In 1304 King Edward I directs his most-trusted aide and the keeper of the secret seal Sir Hugh Corbett to travel to Essex. There Sir Hugh is to retrieve an ornate cross from Lord Oliver Scrope who took it from a sect the latter declared heretical. The monarch also orders Sir Hugh to censure Scrope for going outside his power when he slaughtered the members of the sect.

Corbett arrives in Essex to learn a serial killer Sagittarius stalks the residents. The attacks by this predatory hunter have left everyone fearful as the killer seems to randomly choose who is next to kill before the sound of the hunter's horn announces an arrow has been sent at a target. When an impossible homicide occurs on a remote nearly unattainable island inside a locked room, Corbett knows he must end the reign of terror.

The latest Corbett medieval mystery (see The Waxman Murders) may be the historical whodunit of the year as P.C. Doherty provides a super investigative tale. Fast-paced yet setting time and place so that fans will feel they accompany the hero in January 1304 England on his regal mission. Set aside plenty of time as Nightshade is nearly impossible to put down.

Harriet Klausner