The Poisoned Chalice [Paperback]

Bernard Knight (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1998

A historical "whodunnit", set in 12th-century Devon. When Christina, the daughter of an Exeter businessman, is raped, Crowner (coroner) John must bring the unknown assailant to justice. Then Lady Adele de Courcey dies after an illegal abortion, and John suspects that the two events are related.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bernard Knight is the author of the Crown John Mysteries series and is a member of The Medieval Murderers.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: New York University Press (December 31, 1998)
• ISBN-10: 0167516744
• ISBN-13: 978-0167516743
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crowner John at His Best, February 1, 2005

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poisoned Chalice (A Crowner John Mystery) (Paperback)

December 1194 and Crowner John is away from Exeter in his capacity as Coroner of all Devon. He is called to the remains of a shipwreck in Torbay, but not everything is as it seems. Bodies from the wreck have been found among the debris and some of them carry injuries not conducive to being drowned.

While Sir John is away with Gwyn his bodyguard and his clerk Thomas de Peyne, trouble is brewing in Exeter, a rape has been committed on Christina Rifford, the daughter of a rich merchant. Sir John returns to Exeter to find the city in uproar with accusations flying around from the families involved. Then just before she is due to be married Lady Adele de Courcy is found dead underneath a pile of rubbish in the poorest part of the City. She also appears to have suffered a sexual attack. Suddenly Sir John has most of the influential people of Exeter banging on his door for justice.

The common factor in both killings appears to be the silversmith, Godfrey Fitzosbern, who by chance is Crowner John's next door neighbour. Can john protect the man until the truth emerges . . .

Bernard Knight is a consummate writer of the medieval novel and this is as good as any he has written.

4.0 out of 5 stars Murder in the Middle Ages, May 31, 2010

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Poisoned Chalice (Crowner John Mysteries) (Paperback)

First Sentence: The chamber was almost in darkness.

Sir John de Wolf's life has challenges enough with a cold, social-climbing wife and her brother, the power-hungry Sheriff. He now has to solve crimes against women in Medieval Exeter. The betrothed daughter of a wealthy merchant has been raped, and the betrothed daughter of a local noble has died of a botched abortion. While signs point to the town's silversmith, John must fine the guilty person without the two families killing each other or the Sheriff hanging the wrong person.

It is always a good start when an author includes Author's Notes, a map and a glossary at the start of an historical mystery. It lets what license the author has taken, defines the locale and saves me running to the internet. More than that, from the very beginning, it brings the book to life.

What wonderful characters have been created by Knight. Sir John, his bodyguard Gywn of Polruan and his clerk Thomas de Peyne are a wonderful, not completely harmonious, combination. Then you have John and his relationship with his wife. I am normally opposed to a protagonist having a mistress, but I'm willing to make an exception here. You empathize with John's frustrations and cheer his constant struggle to enforce the new law.

Knight takes us into the 12th century, making it come to life without ever glorifying it. These were hard times and people with hard lives, poor sanitation, the demands of taxation and eternal political wrangling. The legal process was in formation yet laws would change with the kings. I always appreciate an author who can educate and entertain me simultaneously.

The story is well plotted with plenty of intrigue, conflict and drama. The mystery is definitely there and the killer well concealed. The ending felt abrupt and slightly unsatisfying, which is why my rating is lower than it might have been.

Even so, the author's voice and the principal characters make this a captivating series. I look forward to reading the next book.

THE POISONED CHALICE (Hist Mys-Sir John de Wolf-England-Middle Ages/1194) - G+
Knight, Bernard - 2nd in series
Pocket Books, ©1998, US Paperback - ISBN: 0743492064

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Poison to Your Reading, March 19, 2007

By 

P. Schaum "prussblue" (St. Louis area, MO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Poisoned Chalice (Crowner John Mysteries) (Paperback)

Knight continues putting out a fine historical murder mystery product. I hope that he has some books left in him. We are of an age that I hope so.