The Bishop Must Die (Knights Templar Mysteries 28) [Paperback]

I've followed the Michael Jecks series about Bailiff Puttock and Sir Baldwin since the first book in the series many years ago. In my view the characters are richly drawn and weave in and out of the events of the early 14th century with Michael Jecks showing great knowledge of the times. Yes there are occasional inconsistencies, criticism is often leveled about his use of modern vernacular English but that is necessary in order to keep the stories well paced; and that they certainly are. Yes there are the odd historical inaccuracies but that can be inevitable when you're attempting to place fictional characters into positions of consequence in actual historical events - I'd point you toward Robert Graves' two (fictional) books on the life of the Emporer Claudius as example. So there is required to be a balance of historical accuracy and artistic license and in my view Jecks and several other authors of the genre manage it quite well. If you want total historical accuracy then read academic texts on the period. If you want a cracking series of books to read then buy these.

The Bishop Must Die has started the process of the fall from power of Edward II and the hated DeSpenser it will be interesting now to see where the series goes, who survives, who falls. I can see that Jecks has cleverly designed the story lines in such a way that he can send his characters either way and there will be a number of twists and turns to come. Where the story goes after Edward II dies (Murdered? or anonymous exile as some histories contend?). It may turn to the eventual overthrow and death of Mortimer in 1330.

If you haven't read the backstory then please read the books before dismissing them. The whole series is excellent. As Edmund Blackadder would say: "They have more twists and turns than a twisty turny thing". It's also important to see the development of the characters over the years and their motivations. If you bought this one as a quick read then I can understand the dissapointment, as a stand alone read you'll miss a great many of the subplot lines and nuances that have built up over the previous 27 books that may cause some degree of dissatisfaction.

I read a lot of the authors who write historical detective / crime / mystery novels who are now into the 10+ title stage of character development (Ellis Peters - Cadfael; Susanna Gregory - Matt Bartholemew / Chalonner; Lindsey Davis - Falco; Steven Saylor - Gordianus; David Wishart - Corvinus; Peter Tremayne - Fidelma; John Maddox Roberts - Mettellus; Doherty/Harding/Clynes - Corbett/Athelstan/Shallot to name but a few) I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of their books that could be read in isolation and Jecks series is no exception.

Before anyone confines this book to the airport trash can, remember it's the 28th book of a series navigating a period of complex political and cultural upheaval. Remember also that it's a fictional interpretation of history and try to suspend pedantry.

Suffice it to say that Jecks has once again outdone himself in this latest in his series. I could not wait until an April, 2010 release in the U.S., so obtained it from Amazon U.K. (prompt service). It was worth the price from the U.K.!!! I read it while traveling, and found it difficult to put down. I very much look forward to the next title in the series. I should note that a few years back, when I was first introduced to this author, I was compelled to find every one in the series beginning with number one. I did not regret that move. I find that Michael Jecks, and his friend, Bernard Knight, are the masters of medieval murder mystery.

I've been a fan of this series since I read The Last Templar some years ago. Jecks is right up there with Ellis Peters, Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler as a writer who can breath life into his fictional characters or bring historical characters back to life. The Bishop Must Die tells the story of the murder of Bishop Walter de Stapledon on 15 October 1326 from the prospective of friends who love and respect the Bishop, Sir Baldwin and Simon. It offers a prospective of life and death in a time of civil war between King Edward II and his Queen Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer. Jecks brings you into a time you can only be glad you don't live in! I highly recommend the entire series to anyone who is a lover of mystery and historical fiction.

Paul Neimoyer