Nightshade: A Hugh Corbett Medieval Mystery

Hugh Corbett #16

by Paul Doherty

An unscrupulous manor lord has reneged on his promise to hand over a priceless ornate cross stolen from the Templars during the Crusades. Furthermore, he has massacred as heretics fourteen members of a religious order. The King sends Hugh Corbett, devoted emissary of King Edward I to Mistleham in his stead...

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Crime, Medieval, Historical, Fiction

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.

Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.

Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.

Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.

He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.

Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.

Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.

His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in 2010, and its the 16th volume of the wonderful "Hugh Corbett" series.

Set in the beginning of the year AD 1304, and we find Hugh Corbett in a place called, Mistleham in Essex.

Send there by King Edward I on a dangerous mission to retrieve an ornate cross, which a manor lord there stole from the Templars during the Crusades.

This same manor lord has massacred as heretics fourteen members of a religious order, and when Corbett arrives in that village the situation has worsened even more.

Now a mysterious bowman is killing village people at random, and that will set questions for Corbett to investigate.

What is to follow is a mysterious and thrilling mystery, in which Hugh Corbett must use his wits and cunning to catch the culprit in time, and so save lives at the village of Mistleham, and besides that return the treasure to the King.

Highly recommended, for this another splendid addition of this wonderful series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Captivating Nightshade Mystery"!

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it really hard to get into this one despite liking the series as a whole. There was a long bit in the middle which really lost pace and I had to force myself to read on. Very interesting historical detail although the mention of cement (discovered in 1824) in a book set in the early 1300's did jar.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very complex case for King’s man, Sir Hugh Corbett. P. C. Doherty’s Nightshade (Hugh Corbett #16) has Edward I sending Sir Hugh, The Keeper of the Secret Seal, and his two ‘henchman’ to Mistleham in Essex to question Oliver Scrope, ‘lord of the manor’ concerning a certain jeweled cross taken from Acre, a Templar stronghold, which eventually was overrun by the Infidels. Scrope, realizing Acre was lost to the Infidels, raided the Templars’ treasure held there. Scrope took as much treasure that he and ‘his shadow’ could carry including a jeweled cross and ran to the port to catch a ship for England. Enough time has passed, and King Edward demands to have this jeweled cross. When Sir Hugh, Ranulf, and Chanson arrive, the situation at Mistleham is disastrous and extremely dangerous. Will Sir Hugh’s logic solve this problem? Will Sir Hugh and his team survive long enough to discover the whereabouts of the jeweled cross? As in previous Sir Hugh’s adventures, Dr. Doherty has based his story on true historical facts. Well done, but so dangerous! 5 stars.

[Tracey Allen at Carpe Librum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't believe this is the 16th in the Hugh Corbett Medieval Mysteries series, and I have them all!!! Not only that, I'm now up to date, with the next in the series due to be published in paperback on 1 November 2010.

I've enjoyed the character development throughout the series. Sir Hugh Corbett wants to spend quality time with his wife, and is anguished each time the King sends him away on a new piece of business. Meanwhile Ranulf is power hungry and keen to advance, eagerly accepting secret instructions from the King. Ranulf's investigative skills and powers of observation continue to grow and he is beginning to emerge as a force to be reckoned with.

In Nightshade, we're transported back to 1304 as Sir Hugh Corbett, Ranulf and Chanson are dispatched by the King to Mistelham. They are to retrieve items stolen from the Templars during the Crusades as well as get to the bottom of the hideous slaughter of 14 seemingly innocent members of a religious order, their corpses left to hang in a deserted area of the forest. Tales from the Crusades, hidden clues, tightly held secrets and a deadly bowman stand in the way of Sir Hugh restoring order and finding the culprit/s.

Doherty conjures the sights, sounds and smells of the period extremely well, which is the main reason I continue to follow and enjoy his series. His descriptions of the biting cold and the fog make me appreciate the luxuries of the present day all whilst snuggling down deeper into my doona. Doherty follows the familiar plot construction of the series, which makes for a predictable style but pleasurable read.

[Alon Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILERS for this book and House of the Red Slayer below:



I enjoyed this a lot but so far, the book I like most by this author is still the first one, The Nightingale Gallery. Mostly because the plot there was more focused on the mystery aspect...

this one and The House of the Red Slayer were both good but they seemed to be more focused on the drama between the characters. Red Slayer was all Knights Templar drama. Nightshade is a bit similar and the murder only happens halfway through the book.

It's still very good. It doesn't matter if you are religious or anti or not...Paul Doherty strikes me as the go to author if you like a decent to good puzzle with a historical background. I don't think the puzzles are on the same level as a Christie or a Carr but that's the whole point- they only work very well in a historical setting. His descriptions of the past are also effective without going overboard. I kind of wish we got to see a tv series of the Brother Athelstan series or this one; they would probably be even better than the Brother Cadfael series in the 80s and that one was one of my favorites...

Also, I think Hugh Corbett and his sidekick Ranulf are decent leads but they're a bit bland, personality wise. Brother Athelstan and John Cranston were more interesting, IMHO.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very hard to get started on this one. I had to re-read the first 10 pages a couple times before i was ready to roll into the book. Maybe if i had started at the series beginning I would have an easier time. It was interesting. The historic side was fascinating but i don't think i'd put these books on the top of the TBR list. Maybe i'll see if Doherty has done some non-fiction (just the fact :) ) i might like those better.

[Karen Mundo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not as good as…

I’ve read several volumes of the Hugh Corbett series… it’s that good. This is the first one that’s disappointed. There’s a lot of padding, that is, unnecessary writing in order to expand the length of the book but does not advance the plot.
But still, requiring your authors to hit the mark every time is unrealistic.
I still have hope as I plunge ahead with number 17.

[Maeghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, I am not objective about this series: I have read them all up to this one (there are more) and love the characters and detail. When you spend more than two decades with people, even fictional people, you get quite attached. If you are a medieval history buff as well as a mystery lover, Doherty is among the greats.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale that combines the aftermath of both the fall of Acre and the robbery of the royal treasury in 1303. This installment is much better written than Doherty's last book in the Hugh Corbett series. It's engaging, fast-paced and very well written.

[S Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good enough.

As above, a little too long. I had not read this before, although I thought I had, I was pleased to find it but was getting weary by the end. You read it. see what you think.

[READERS RETREAT · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read.

[ELzabeth Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Cannot fault any part
The 'cast' never fail to keep me absorbed, twists and turns kept me fascinated by the author's very clever devious plots. Brilliant.

[Debby Taylor-Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable book with accurate, medieval,
historic detail and a intriguing story line. If you like Cadfael, this is a book for you.

[Kara Babcock · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like historical fiction, and I like mysteries, but above all I like historical mysteries. While more familiar with Paul Doherty's work set in ancient Egypt, I still enjoyed this mystery set in early 14th century England. Thanks to Doherty's enchanting descriptions and vivid characterization, Nightshade drew me into the year 1304.

I probably have read other Hugh Corbett novels, but I can't remember them. Going off this novel alone, it's hard to get a sense of his character. We spend very little time in Corbett's head; most of the book consists of dialogue and action that doesn't involve Corbett. Still, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, it did leave me with this curious feeling that very little of the story was actually influenced by Corbett's actions. So much of it seemed plot driven.

The mystery itself was rather unsatisfactory. Firstly, I couldn't sympathize with the victim, so when we learn the identity of the murderer and the motive, I found myself almost thinking the murder justified. Secondly, the story felt flat for the majority of the book, with very little variation to it. The resolution, in which Corbett lectures the murderer at length as to how the murderer accomplished this crime, goes on for several pages.

As I mentioned in my first paragraph, I really enjoyed the setting and Doherty's writing. I just couldn't fall in love with the plot--it was too flat and, frankly, boring. For fans of the series, this book isn't terrible--I suspect it probably won't be one of the better ones, however. For people who are new to the Hugh Corbett series (or can't remember if they're new, like me!), start with the first book and work your way toward this one.

[KayDee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sir Hugh Corbett is sent by King Edward I to recover an ornate Templar cross that fell into the hands of Lord Oliver Scrope. Scrope acquired the cross after a Templar stronghold in the Holy Land fell to the Saracens, and he helped himself to some of the treasure stored within the Templar walls. Scrope is also in trouble with Edward in that he exceeded his authority and massacred a traveling religious troupe whom he had labeled as heretics. Corbett finds the village is being terrorized by an assassin known as Sagittarius, an expert archer who has already claimed many seemingly random victims. When another murder is committed in a locked room, Corbett knows that time is running out.

APPEAL: Booklist says, "Whodunits don't get much better than this outstanding historical." This says it all; an outstanding historical mystery and a first rate addition to the genre.

[Linda Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was re-reading this book which is part of Paul Doherty's Hugh Corbett series. As in Doherty's other books,he creates a detailed and atmospheric sense of place,time and menace. This novel is set in an isolated manor house,during an icy,dark winter. There are a series of murders including one in a locked room, which is a trade mark of Paul Doherty. The novel also deals with Templars attempting to retrieve a missing relic,a religious cult,shifty monks and a very unpleasant manor lord and his family.
This is a very engaging mystery,well worth a second read. Definately a goodread!

[Doug]

King Edward I sends Sir Hugh Corbett to Mistleham to recover stolen treasurers, to determine why a group of fourteen members of a heretic religious order were massacred, and find the mysterious bowman who is killing seemingly innocent peoples. When all is solved all of the events are related.

A good medieval mystery. The story take place in the 3arly 1300's and after reading I am glad I did not live then. An interesting part of the book is the effect Christianity had on the characters lives compared to how it effects our lives in this century.

[Doris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this a couple of days ago, but could not decide what to write for the review. I felt it was an unsatisfying ending, with the mystery solved more by confession than deduction but I did not feel the detective work was done properly again confession over detection - the only clue was that the villain mentioned a feature of a building from the Crusades, which he could have gotten from any one of a number of people.

Overall, not something that I will go out of my way to read again.

[Lili Kyurkchiyska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Тези ги лапвам като бонбончета.

[Cece · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like the chance to revisit the time of Edward I with Hugh Corbett. This series, now at book 16, remains strong, mostly because of the character development. Hugh has grown gray-haired in the service of the King, Ranulf has changed from street urchin to King's clerk in his own right, and they have fully developed back stories and supporting characters.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this guy's books. This one stars Master Corbett, the main investigator/troubleshooter for Edward I of England (the 16th book of this series). This series is actually my 2nd favorite behind the Brother Athelstan series. These books provide great background information on 14th Century England. Just great reads.

[Deborah Bogen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time travel of the best sort

Time travel of the best sort

A great mystery that let's you get a sense for how things have changed...and how they've stayed the same. Corbett is a likable believable character and Doherty is careful to get the details right. Enjoy England when the snipers used a longbow.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

If'n you like/love historical fiction from the 12 century P.C. Doherty is the author for you. Start with his first book in the Hugh Corbett series and read about his exploits and missions from Kind Edward I. Nightshade is later in the series and a very excellent work. Not giving spoilers. Oh and his retainers are good too. Give these books a read.

[Kim Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another mystery for Sir Hug Corbett and his clerk Ranulf-atte-Newgate to solve and a quite spooky one it is too. Paul Doherty is so good at weaving the plot (along with the actual history) and making you feel you are there. You feel the cold and the unease along with the anticipation that something bad is about to happen. I'm just glad I'm not actually there.

[John Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. My second book in the series and I only regret that I didnt start the tales of this chgaracter at the beginning.

I like the way that the author keeps finding excuses to summarize the clues and 'story so far'

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a medieval mystery set in 1304. One of Doherty's Hugh Corbett series. It has an authenic feeling of the time and place, and throws some light on the awful events at Acre. The plot is well-done, with Corbett impressing me with both his humanity and his power of deduction.

[ricky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I think it is hard to review a book, especially a fiction one, as you don't want to give anything away that would spoil it for other readers. Suffice to say then that I have never been disappointed with a Paul Doherty book.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need a vocabulary in the back of the book, or a dictionary of medieval language. Otherwise, this story proves, once again, human nature never changes.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story takes place during the reign of Edward I and proved to be well worth the reading.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent Hugh Corbett mystery.