Spy in Chancery

This is the third book in the series of medieval mysteries featuring Sir Hugh Corbett. Obviously this is one of Paul Doherty's earlier offerings and he has since written many more books and is now an established author of medieval novels and has also added a number of novels on Egypt to his ever growing list of titles. Having said that it is one of his earlier offerings does not mean that it is inferior to his current books, quite the opposite. The Hugh Corbett mysteries were and are extremely popular and Paul Doherty is still adding to them. Paul Doherty has the happy knack of making anything her writes about come to life for the reader. This book based on treason in the English and French courts is no exception. The sights and sounds of medieval England seem vividly real in this entertaining novel. Edward I every the wary monarch suspects that his No. 1 enemy Philip IV of Spain has an ear at the English Court, in other words he has a spy ensconced at Edward's very door.. Hugh Corbett is commissioned to find and destroy the man or woman who is passing secrets to Spain. But this is no ordinary spy and rather than lose faith with the Spanish King, they will stop at nothing to ensure their anonymity.

Espionage is not a new game. It has been occurring for centuries. This book outlines the historical treason of a trusted citizen of King Edward I. The book is based on historical fact. In it we see Hugh Corbett and his squire Ranulf on the trail of a traitor. Someone very close to the king has been informing the French King Philip of everything that has been going on in court. It's a dangerous mission for Hugh, and we see him in France and Wales and back to France again while he chases this elusive prey. This series by P.C. Doherty is a very interesting one. Each book is based on well-known historical fact, and Doherty weaves his fictional characters seamlessly into the tale. I recommend this series highly for those interested in English history, and for those who like a good historical thriller.