The Magician's Death: A Hugh Corbett Medieval Mystery

In 1303 French scholars arrives at Corfe Castle in Dorset to decipher the coded writings of Roger Bacon; his tome allegedly contains designs for weapons that would make France or whoever possesses the book the continent's superpower. The Keeper of the Secret Seal of King Edward I, Hugh Corbett has agents who successfully steal a copy of Bacon's book. They struggle to bring their treasure to Corbett, but someone stalks them trying to kill all the thieves. At the same time, a crossbow killer has murdered women at the castle. Finally several of the scholars have met with lethal suspicions accidents. Corbett begins to see the interconnecting pattern, but ending the murder spree seems impossible as he is targeted for death too. The latest Hugh Corbett Medieval Mystery (see CORPSE CANDLE and THE TREASON OF THE GHOSTS) is an excellent early fourteenth century whodunit as Corbett's investigations provide an engaging tale while also spotlighting life in the era. The cases are difficult to solve until the hero begins to see the merging of what he originally thought was separate serial killers at work; he remains resolute to solving both though he knows he is on the death list. As always Paul Doherty provides another winner in a strong saga. Harriet Klausner

This is the fourteenth 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 master spy to Edward I has been instructed to organise some of his agents to steal the `Book of Secrets'. A book written by the monk and scholar Roger Bacon, a man who claimed to have seen many of the secrets of both science and nature and written them all in the book. But he had written the book in what is so far an unbreakable code. The agents steal the book but pay a heavy and violent price for their efforts. Now Philip IV of France requests a meeting between the scholars of England and France so that they may pool their minds in an attempt to break the code. King Edward feels he has no alternative but to allow the meeting to take place at Corfe Castle. The castle becomes a place of murder and intrigue. Young women from the castle are being slain and weird and horrific things are being witnessed in the forest close to the castle. Matters become even worse when two of the French scholars died in mysterious circumstances. Corbett and Ranulf his servant are up against one of their most difficult opponents. One who will give and expect no quarter.

Paul Doherty's Hugh Corbett is a wonderful character. This is the most recent in this series, and in it we have all sorts of things happening when Corbett and his team arrive at the castle at Corfe for a meeting with his arch-enemy, de Craon. Thre are all kinds of deadly goings-on here, and Hugh must try to solve each puzzle while trying to protect himself and his companions from double-dealings and attempted murder. Doherty's stories are so realistic and his description in this one of an attack on the castle is as realistic as any you'll find by any author that writes in this genre. I heartily recommend this series and suggest that you read it from beginning to end. You will not be sorry.

In "The Magician's Death," the 14th in Paul Doherty's popular Hugh Corbett English medieval series, we find the erstwhile Corbett doing what he does best: solving mysteries. It's 1303 and Edward I of England and his nemesis Philip IV of France continue to joust for European superiority. As the English king's "chief spy," Corbett once again pits his wits against Philip's No. 1, Amoury de Craon. What's at stake are the "secrets" that reputedly Friar Roger Bacon had written in code. Both sides are trying deperately to find the "key" to Bacon's code, for, to them, this Friar/Scientist has untold secrets, secrets that would tip the balance of power, perhaps forever, to the one who discovers them first. Thus, as both sides have copies of Bacon's work ("Secretus Secretorum), they agree to send envoys (headed by Corbett and De Craon) to Corfe Castle on the English side of the Channel to work out differences and possibly a solution to the secrets. At the same time, a series of grisly murders (aren't they all?) has plagued wintry Corfe Castle and environs. Young maidens have been found murdered, with no hint as to the perpetrator or motive. Corbett vows to the families of these maidens that he will find and punish the murderer or murderers. And added to these intrigues, Doherty fleshens this worthwhile episode with the usual inter-dynamics of Corbett and his two aides, Ranulf and Chanson. Coupled with excellent local color and praiseworthy characterizations, Doherty's latest episode is his best. "The Magician's Death" is longer and more fully developed. Murder, intrigue, treachery, a little romance, and lots of action combine to give the reader an excellent read. Doherty's historical fiction (his other series included) flair makes his eras come alive and well worth the time it takes to read his works.