Sanctuary Seeker

If Bernard Knight wrote it, it's worth reading and adding to your collection.

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. The books are set in 12th century Devon where Crowner (coroner) John has just been appointed to his new post. His office is quickly called in when an unidentified body is found in the village of Widecome. However he soon finds that there is a large stumbling block in his way, the corrupt Richard de Revelle, who is not only the sheriff, but also Sir John's brother.-in-law. On the surface, for the sake of his wife, Sir John de Wolfe attempts to keep up a working relationship with his brother-in-law, but secretly he regards the sheriff with distaste. A staunch supporter of Richard the Lionheart, he has no time for Sir Richard who is siding with Prince John while Richard is away.

Knight creates a picture of 12th century England and explaining the system of justice without bogging down the story. I found myself caught up in the characters of Sir John, his uncomfortable relationship with his wife and brother-in-law, loyal bodyguard and somewhat weak, but dogged, clerk. These are characters I should like to follow further. Happily, there are more books to this series for me to enjoy. I certainly recommend this those who like to combine their history and mystery.