The Poisoned Chalice (Crowner John Mysteries) [Paperback]

Bernard Knight (Author)

Book Description

Series: Crowner John Mysteries | Publication Date: April 1, 2004

In December of 1194, the well-born ladies of Exeter are not having a good week. First, Christina Rifford, the daughter of a rich merchant, is raped. Then, just months before her marriage, Lady Adele de Courcy is found dead in one of the poorest areas of the city.The common factor is Godfrey Fitzosbern, the local silversmith. But despite Crowner John's suspicions and the vengeful accusations of the families, it is John's duty to protect Godfrey until he can find definite proof of his guilt. Aided by his mistress Nesta, and hindered by his social-climbing wife Matilda and her power-hungry brother, Sheriff Richard de Revelle, John slowly begins to put the pieces together. But a final, brutal act of violence will bring a new twist to the investigation.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Professor Bernard Knight, CBE, became a Home Office Pathologist in 1965 and was appointed Professor of Forensic Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, in 1980. During his 40-year career with the Home Office, he performed over 25,000 autopsies, and was involved in many high profile cases, including that of Fred and Rose West, and the child killer, Mary Bell. The author of numerous popular and academic non-fiction books, he has written thirteen novels in the Crowner John mystery series. Professor Knight lives in Cardiff.

Product Details

• Paperback: 356 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743492064
• ISBN-13: 978-0743492065
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 4.5 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #763,763 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > British > Historical

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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.