When an unidentified body is discovered in the harbour town of Axmouth, twenty miles from Exeter, Sir John de Wolfe, the county coroner is called to investigate. The manner of the young man's death is a matter of some dispute - but, as Sir John soon discovers, it was no accident. The victim did not drown, as the manor reeve alleges, but was strangled to death. In the ensuing murder investigation, Sir John is frustrated by what appears to be a conspiracy of silence among the seamen and townsfolk. Just what is the local population trying to hide? As Crowner John is to learn, there are those who would go to any length to ensure the shocking truth remains hidden. And the coroner must draw on all his resources of courage, cunning and determination if he is to escape from Axmouth with his life.
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"Detection and suspense are combined with historical authenticity." --"Daily Mail"
About the Author
Professor Bernard Knight, CBE, became a Home Office Pathologist in 1965 and was appointed Professor of Forensic Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, in 1980. During his 40-year career with the Home Office, he performed over 25,000 autopsies, and was involved in many high profile cases, including that of Fred and Rose West, and the child killer, Mary Bell. The author of numerous popular and academic non-fiction books, he has written thirteen novels in the Crowner John mystery series. Professor Knight lives in Cardiff.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Sarah
Format:Paperback
I started reading Bernard Knight books nearly two years ago. Bernard weaves history into a story, using records of Devon in the early 12th century. Juxtaposed to current day Coroner practice, many aspects of Crowner John series are still in place. The books are easy to read, very comfortable and I personally do not like to be disturbed when reading these books. Bernard has a knack of enthralling the reader into the characters of the book. Excellent at keeping character personalities stable. Crowner John faces issues direct and overcomes issues preventing his duty, with a tenacious approach.
The History of the era has been thoroughly researched enabling the reader with a pictoral vision of what Britain was like.
My advice to new readers - read one book first then scour amazon for the remainder - these are addictive reading books.
The History of the era has been thoroughly researched enabling the reader with a pictoral vision of what Britain was like.
My advice to new readers - read one book first then scour amazon for the remainder - these are addictive reading books.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By J. Chippindale
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
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 twelve 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 a running battle with. the corrupt Richard de Revelle, Sir John's brother.-in-law, and ex-sheriff. 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 rank distaste. Sir John, a staunch supporter of Richard the Lionheart, has no time for Sir Richard, who is siding with Prince John while Richard is away.
The post of Crowner (coroner) is a relatively new one and Sir John is still treated with a great deal of mistrust, not least because of the fines that he must impose when there has been a violent death of any kind. So when Sir John is called to investigate an unidentified body found in Axmouth, he is not particularly concerned to find that the inhabitants of the town close ranks and are unwilling to divulge what, if anything they know about the manner of the young man's death.
It is only later that Sir John realises that the reticence among the seafarer's and townsfolk regarding the suspicious death is something far more sinister than the normal lack of interest in the duties of the newly appointed Coroner's office. Sir John will need all his powers of persuasion and his strong sword arm to see this case through to it's conclusion.
The books are set in 12th century Devon where Crowner (coroner) John has a running battle with. the corrupt Richard de Revelle, Sir John's brother.-in-law, and ex-sheriff. 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 rank distaste. Sir John, a staunch supporter of Richard the Lionheart, has no time for Sir Richard, who is siding with Prince John while Richard is away.
The post of Crowner (coroner) is a relatively new one and Sir John is still treated with a great deal of mistrust, not least because of the fines that he must impose when there has been a violent death of any kind. So when Sir John is called to investigate an unidentified body found in Axmouth, he is not particularly concerned to find that the inhabitants of the town close ranks and are unwilling to divulge what, if anything they know about the manner of the young man's death.
It is only later that Sir John realises that the reticence among the seafarer's and townsfolk regarding the suspicious death is something far more sinister than the normal lack of interest in the duties of the newly appointed Coroner's office. Sir John will need all his powers of persuasion and his strong sword arm to see this case through to it's conclusion.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By P. Schaum
Format:Hardcover
I will be concise. If Bernard Knight wrote it, I read it and that includes his non-fiction. One is never disappointed with a "Crowner John" read and one knows that he is "right on" with his history. I look at Knight and Jecks as a team so to speak. You expect and receive excellence in writing
despite the book market these days.
despite the book market these days.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Added to the collection
Husband really enjoys these books and in time hopes to have read them all. Not got into them my seft.
Published 1 month ago by Aunty Wainright
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well researched and a real page turner.
One can be certain that the forensic details are accurate! The rest of the novel is well written and often exciting.
Published 2 months ago by D. C. Davies
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant service
This service is better than visiting a second hand bookshop or charity shop. I don't know how you manage to deliver such an excellent service at the price but I like it. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Peter Mayhew
5.0 out of 5 stars
More medieval mayhem
If, like me, you like your whoddunits with a historical flavour, you will enjoy this, and other stories of Sir ( Crowner ) John de Wolfe, his man-at-arms Glyn of Poldruan, who... Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2010 by J. D. Ryan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Detailed read
This series are proving an excellent read, able to picture actual area of the read. Well written, very detailed and captivating.
Published on 24 Aug 2010 by Memoore
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Manor of Death
Another Excellent Crowner John Mystery.A pivotal story in which many of the previous story lines are bought to a close and a new future opens up. Well worth reading.
Published on 10 Jun 2010 by A. L. Gutteridge
5.0 out of 5 stars
Crowner John overall Review
It would be impertinent in the extreme to comment on the series created by Bernard Knight, other than to compliment the Author on his creation. Read more
Published on 24 April 2010 by Dr. Nicol J. Murray
4.0 out of 5 stars
Crowner John novels
I have now read the whole series of Bernard Knight's Crowner John novels. They must be good because I always manage to read one of these novels within a couple of days or less.
Published on 21 Mar 2010 by Geoffrey H. Haberfield
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not disappointed - Crowner John again!
I bought this, and a companion volume, to continue reading the Crowner John stories in order and I enjoyed it just as much as all the others. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2010 by Dianne Davies
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, but a slow drag.
This was my first 'Crowner John Mystery ' which I found long winded and very predictable..not much of a mystery here !... Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2009 by RCR
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