The Tinners Corpse (Crowner John Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Bernard Knight (Author)

Book Description

Series: Crowner John Mysteries | Publication Date: August 1, 2001

When coroner Sir John de Wolfe is summoned to investigate the murder of a tin miner, he has little idea how difficult this new investigation will prove to be. The victim worked for the powerful mine owner, Walter Knapman, and the motive seems to be sabotaging Walter’s business. But the tinners have their own laws, and they are none too pleased at Crowner John’s interference. And then Walter Knapman disappears. Only Gwyn, Crowner John’s right-hand man, seems to be of any help—until he’s arrested for murder and put on trial for his life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Shots John de Wolfe is a truly powerful character

Historical Novels Review Knight brings medieval Exeter to life with gritty realism, smells and all, but with an underlying sympathy and humour

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.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 330 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671029665
• ISBN-13: 978-0671029661
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 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: #683,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 12th Century Exeter, May 17, 2003

By 

Gerre S. Deibert "erregz" (Lakeland, Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tinners Corpse (Crowner John Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Fifth in the Crowner John de Wolfe series, this book details life in 1194 A.D., including, as always, a glossary at the beginning. In addition to reality of sights, sounds and smells, the author ensures the reader's sympathy with the all too human Crowner, despite his moral failings, as he pursues justice. Enjoy a fascinating mystery as you increase your knowledge of medieval times.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 12th Century England, January 11, 2007

By 

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

This author not only provides a well written mystery, but I think that they are a great lead into the 13th Michael Jecks Templar Mystery Series. They are soundly based in the historical periods so one gets a social history of England at the same time.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fifth Book in the Crowner John Series, December 17, 2006

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tinners Corpse (Crowner John Mysteries) (Mass Market 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.

Sir John de Wolfe, better known to both his friends and enemies as Crowner John, a name that refers to his post as county coroner of Devon, find himself out on the bleak moors investigating the murder of a tin miner. The moor is a cold and forbidding place, but anything that takes him away from his shrewish wife and her mood swings and constant nagging is a bonus in John's book. The victim worked for one of the most successful mine owner's in the area, Walter Knapman.

The tin miners have their own laws and rough justice and are none too please at the Crowner's interference and then Knapman disappears. Sir John realises that he will get little if any help from the miners. The only assistance he can rely upon is from Gwyn, his right hand man, but when he too gets arrested for murder and put on trial, Sir John's task becomes ever more difficult . . .