The Canterbury Murders

Templar Knight Mystery #7

by Maureen Ash

When a royal servant is murdered, Templar Bascot de Marins is once again called upon to serve justice—and protect a royal secret.
NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED

As King Phillip of France leads a devastating attack on Normandy, defection spreads among once-loyal English vassals. King John is even forced to imprison his own nephew Arthur for treacherous acts. And when Arthur suddenly disappears, John must keep his mysterious absence a closely guarded secret, or face even greater dissent among the nobles.

Fleeing Normandy, King John and Queen Isabella hope to find safe haven at their royal residence in Canterbury. But they soon discover that no haven is truly safe. When one of John’s servants is murdered, it seems that he and Isabella were the intended targets. John suspects the murderer was a Breton bent on avenging Arthur. Asking Templar Bascot de Marins to investigate the crime, he also asks him to protect the secret of Arthur’s disappearance. But as Bascot and his protégé Gianni follow the murderer’s trail, they find themselves caught between the King’s machinations and the constraints of justice.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction, Medieval, Fiction, Historical, Mystery Thriller

ebook

First published June 18, 2013

About the author

Maureen Ash was born in London, England, and has had a lifelong interest in British medieval history. Visits to castle ruins and old churches have provided the inspiration for her novels. She enjoys Celtic music, browsing in bookstores and Belgian chocolate. Maureen now lives on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.

Reviews

[Monica Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite a five star read, but I'll give it four and a half. Her best of the series so far. The characters and storytelling have really grown and enriched over the course of the seven books in the series. Very well done. I'm looking forward to book #8!

[orannia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an enjoyable read. The era feels very real - not beautified - which I liked. There are a lot of different POVs though and I did guess who was responsible for the murders before the end

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Templer Knight Mystery Book #7

December 1203. Nichola de la Haye has been called to Canterbury by King John. Upon arrival it is revealed that a long time servant of the King has been murdered in the antechamber of a room that King John and Queen Isabella were residing in. There is panic that a murderer could get so close to the King and Queen. The King asks Nichola along with Gianne to investigate the murder while he sends a request to the Templers to allow Bascot de Marins to once again help in solving a mystery. Although Bascot is happy to once again spend time wth Gianne and Lady Nichola he is not happy to be in King John's presence as he has no fondness for the King. Indeed it is soon revealed to him that this is his most complicated mystery yet due to the manipulations being employed by King John to protect the secrets about the disappearance of his Nephew Arthur. Bascot finds himself having to cut Gianne from the investigation without explanation in order to protect him, while at the same time Lady Nichola is forced to keep secrets in order to protect Bascot. It all gets very complicated and the royal intrigue adds greatly to this historical mystery and is well done by Maureen Ash. Readers will feel totally transported to 13th Century England and are given a realistic glimpse of some historical characters. Highly recommended! 4 stars

[Spuddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable entry in this historical series featuring Knight Templar Bascot de Marins. One of the reasons I find this series fascinating is that it deals with the reign of the much-maligned King John. Set in the early 1200s, this book finds Sir Bascot firmly ensconced with the Templars again, after serving Lady Nicolaa de la Haye's household while he recovered from his arduous years in captivity in Outremer. Lady Nicolaa is a faithful noblewoman, sworn to King John's service, and though she's become uneasy with some of his recent actions, she travels to Canterbury at his behest. When two of his household servants are murdered in rapid succession, Bascot is summoned to solve the murders before certain state secrets can be brought to light.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book in the series

I have been remiss in giving these books the positive ratings that they deserve. This is a very enjoyable series with a good sense of history, and likeable and beievable characters.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy of these stories stands alone and the author seems to capture those characters of high birth and low birth living in the 13th Century with equal ease .. her King John resonates as a somewhat troubled (weren't they all) leader and paranoid (possibly with good reason) king.

[Babylon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read. The mystery was fairly well set up, the world building good. I wasn’t intrigued but I did like the characterisation of John who was clearly more complex than totally evil and I also liked how the author brought in more than one of the events at the time into the story.

[Mr Austin D Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant tale

Excellent story set in violent times, and superbly told. No modern facilities to aid the enquiries, nevertheless the tale is told.

[Deborah Willcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Wonderful use of real historical and fictional characters. Deals makes this a series you just can't stop reading! Great read

[William Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twist on the previous novels in the series. The action takes place almost entirely outside of Lincoln and some of the supporting characters we know from previous stories are therefore missing. The main character, of course, is the Templar knight Bascot de Marins and he once again solves the mystery. The book lays down an intriguing red herring in the death of King john's nephew Arthur (still open to speculation) and uses it as a plot device to introduce King John more fully, as well as some new supporting characters that I suspect we will see again. The mystery side is well done - enough clues to keep you guessing but in doubt until close to the end - and the book has the usual historical elements (although these the historical details are somewhat fewer than in some of the previous stories, as this one uses broader aspects of the history of that time). A good mystery and a good look into the politics and atmosphere of 13th century England.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicolaa de Haye and Bascot are a fine team that I visit every chance that Maureen Ash gives me. Christ's Mass season in 1203 in Canterbury was just such an occasion with King John. King John, like all Plantagenets is a complicated person, and he surely added unnecessary twists to this murder investigation.

Nicolaa as a historical figure is always intriguing to me, as she was a very important and capable person and valuable to the throne. Maureen Ash's history and sense of time and place is always impeccable.
Nicholaa and King John are always the most vivid characters for me, although that surely varies for others.

I am looking forward to the next episode.

[patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Canterbury Murders takes place in 1203. Bascot DeMarins is called upon to solve murder in the royal household of King John (yes the brother of Richard the Lionhearted). Maureen Ash pulls in the treatment of Arthur, John's nephew, at the king's hand. John possibly murdered his nephew, Authur of Brittany. Bascot and Gianni solve the mystery. Ash uses real historical figures in her tales such as William Marshall, Niccola DeLa Haye, King John, Bishop Walter. Love reading these murder mysteries and the placement in medieval England.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! Not sure why it is only available as an e-book, but it's absolutely worth the purchase. (I just prefer the feel of a physical book ;) And I believe #8 will be released this fall, also in e-book only.

[Nancy McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always fascinating

How contemporary the events in history are. Treason, jealousy, pride & anger all mixed in with anger control issues is a great description of King John. This author truly brings him to unpleasant life.

[Blair Hodgkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, quick read.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good plot/story. Always an enjoyable series.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh now I have to wait 8 days till the next book comes out! Whatever will I do? I LOVE this series!