The Angel of Death

This is the fourth 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. Sir Hugh Corbett has risen rapidly in status and is now chief clerk to the King, Edward I. Hugh has the ear of the King and Edward has come to rely on Corbett when there is anything of a delicate nature that needs solving. Such a case has just occurred. It is January, 1299 and at High mass with the King and other English nobles, Walter de Montfort, the dean of St. Paul's has dropped dead, poisoned. Sir Hugh is commissioned to solve the crime and with the aid of his servant Ranulf, Corbett discovers that the victim was not the man his religious trappings would suggest. Far from it, the Dean owned a brothel and was also a fence for a gang of outlaws. However the clerk comes to suspect that despite the Dean's criminal background, he was not the intended victim. Can Corbett find the key to unlock the mystery before he himself becomes a victim.

Charecters clearly defined and well thought out and all based on historical events a very nice touch. For some strange reason it reminded by of that old Sean Connery movie "In the Name of the Rose". This is the first time I tried this series. I intend to look for more. Overall-Highly recommended

This is the fourth in the Hugh Corbett series set in England during the year 1299. The book is totally based on true fact - the massacre that Edward I and his army did in Berwick in Scotland, and the poisoning of a Church official right during a mass. Edward I isn't sure whether the poison was meant for him or not, so he asks his Master Clerk, Hugh Corbett to investigate. As usual Hugh jumps to help his King, but he places himself in danger investigating this crime. More than the previous books in the series, this book is more a pure mystery. It's a tough one to figure out too. This is a very enjoyable series. I like the fact that each book is based on a true historical happening.