The Sanctuary Seeker (Crowner John Mysteries) [Paperback]

Bernard Knight (Author)

Book Description

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

It is 1194, and appointed by Richard the Lionheart as the first coroner for the county of Devon, Sir John de Wolfe, an ex-Crusader, rides out to the lonely moorland village of Widecombe to hold an inquest on an unidentified body. On his return to Exeter, the coroner is incensed to find that his own brother-in-law, Sheriff Richard de Revelle, is intent on thwarting the murder investigation, particularly when it emerges that the dead man is a Crusader and a member of one of Devon's finest and most honorable families.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Knight, a retired British forensic pathologist, presents the first in a new medieval mystery series featuring Sir John de Wolfe. It's 1194, and Sir John has just been appointed coroner for the county of Devon. His first case unfolds when an unidentified, rotting corpse is discovered on a nearby riverbank, and no one knows who it is. The sheriff arrests a suspect, but Sir John is sure he's got the wrong man. When the corpse is identified as the son and heir of a rich country squire, the sheriff is determined to hang his suspect to curry favor with the squire. Can Sir John find the real killer in time to prevent a dire miscarriage of justice? Knight realistically depicts life in the twelfth century--physically demanding, harsh, violent, and raucous. His descriptions of injuries, corpses, and physical maladies are convincing and stomach-churning, but it's his gift for creating engaging and believable characters that makes the book such an enjoyable read. Emily Melton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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: 320 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743492056
• ISBN-13: 978-0743492058
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First in the Crowner John Series, December 13, 2006

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sanctuary Seeker (Crowner John Mysteries) (Paperback)

Bernard Knight, or to give him his correct title, Professor Bernard Knight, CBE, was a pathologist to the Home office until 1980 when he was appointed Professor of Forensic Pathology at the University of Wales College of medicine, 1980. He has written the extremely successful Crowner John series of medieval mysteries, of which there are now ten or eleven books, His character Crowner John is certainly among my favourite characters in medieval mysteries.

The books are set in 12th century Devon where Crowner (coroner) John has just been appointed to his new post. His office is quickly called in when an unidentified body is found in the village of Widecome. However he soon finds that there is a large stumbling block in his way, the corrupt Richard de Revelle, who is not only the sheriff, but also Sir John's brother.-in-law.

On the surface, for the sake of his wife, Sir John de Wolfe attempts to keep up a working relationship with his brother-in-law, but secretly he regards the sheriff with distaste. A staunch supporter of Richard the Lionheart, he has no time for Sir Richard who is siding with Prince John while Richard is away.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good historical mystery., September 25, 2005

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sanctuary Seeker (Crowner John Mysteries) (Paperback)

Knight creates a picture of 12th century England and explaining the system of justice without bogging down the story. I found myself caught up in the characters of Sir John, his uncomfortable relationship with his wife and brother-in-law, loyal bodyguard and somewhat weak, but dogged, clerk. These are characters I should like to follow further. Happily, there are more books to this series for me to enjoy. I certainly recommend this those who like to combine their history and mystery.

4.0 out of 5 stars A New Officer of the King's Law Arrives, January 7, 2012

By 

Nash Black "Troubadour" (Jamestown, KY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The Sanctuary Seeker (Crowner John Mysteries) (Paperback)

Bernard Knight's THE SANCTUARY SEEKER is a well written story of when the King's coroner system came into being. History tells us this was originally another ploy of the court to extract monies for the King's treasure from the populance, but these appointed officers did a magnificent job to establish the rule of law for unexplained deaths.

Sir John de Wolfe must confront his brother-in-law who holds the office of sheriff to do his job. The ex-crusader is a man of honor who answers only to King Richard I, but he is aware of the king's failings.

This story of both a killing long hidden and an even older death will keep you reading. The background is perfect if a little heavy on the mud, but it is an excellent historical. I discovered this author in the bibliography of another book and he is one I will follow.

Nash Black, author of SANDPRINTS OF DEATH