Nightshade. Paul Doherty

I thought "Nightshade" was going to be similar to "The Waxman Murders," Doherty's preceding Hugh Corbett mystery, because of the jacket copy, publisher's review, etc. But the use of a bow as the murder weapon turned out to be the major similarity. This was another good Corbett mystery that reinforced why it's my favorite mystery series. Basing it on an historical event, Doherty draws the reader into the medieval world, evoking street life, home life, and even unsparing in his vocabulary (I always pick up a few new obsolete terms after reading one of these books). The mystery is enigmatic, the solution complex, and there's an unusual twist at the end. I look forward to more adventures of Hugh Corbett.

Paul Doherty is my favorite British author, anything he writes is always a pleasure and informational of the period he is writing about.

I have come to expect nothing but the best historical information from Paul Doherty and his Hugh Corbett mystery series. Mr. Doherty is an English historian, and he knows his field. His Hugh Corbett series is an absolute winner. Lots of true historical facts and heart-stopping action and a first-class mystery to boot. This book (the 16 in the series) is no different. This time Hugh and his two retainers are sent to Essex to try to find what has happened to his King's treasure. They find a community that is in terror because of an unknown long bowman who is terrorizing the community, and they find a Lord who is truly evil, and who appears to be hiding some grievous secrets. There is lots of murder and mayhem, and the book is so cracking good that I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this wonderful historical series. The time of the series is the late 13th and early 14th centuries. This book is set actually set in January of 1304. If you love historical mysteries, this is not a series to miss.