When a King becomes a tyrant then blood will flow and men will die. In this sequel to ‘To Murder a King’, we follow the fortunes of a sword for hire who has to tread the difficult path between two rivals for the throne. When the Queen of England dies then King Richard suddenly changes. He wreaks vengeance on all those who have slighted him and only William Strongstaff and John of Gaunt are in a position to curb his excesses. Beginning in the Baltic where there is a crusade against the Lithuanian pagans the novel moves to England, Scotland and Ireland before the owner of the crown of England is decided.
I was born in 1950 in Lancashire and attended a boy’s grammar school. After qualifying as an English and Drama teacher in 1972, I worked in the North East of England for the next 35 years. During that time I did write, mainly plays, pantos and musicals for the students at the three schools in which I worked.
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
British history between Edward III through Henry V and even to the War of the Roses has always intrigued me, so the Griff Hosker series, A Struggle for a Crown, has been a real winner for me. Book #3 in the series has been another winner. The battles and intrigues are excellently portrayed - and events are accurate to history. I especially enjoy the character of Will Longstaff who due to his loyalty to Richard II has become a baronet and given lands which he tends faithfully. He’s loyal to his friends and his oaths. This book ends with the death of Richard II who while given a positive portrayal in the book was really ineffectual and not very nice, especially after the death of his first wife. I listened to this excellently narrated book.
Griff Hosker's works are truly addictive. This one has a new hero who upholds the virtues of a good man. Will rejects the "easy" options for the honorable course. Not always the comfortable path..but always the right one. Hurry with the next installment, please!
Have read all three of these books, there is a similarity between this series and the Warlord series. The characters are well defined, and the distinction is made for those who see Serfs as below them and those that pick up and change their stars!
Terrific. Read all three books from start to finish the characters felt very real and the true historical figures were made to feel very real. Wish there were more in this particulars series!
This is about the sixth or seventh book I have read by this author and I am very impressed. It is apparent that he has taken great pains to keep to history while telling a compelling and exciting action adventure.
As usually, a fast enjoyable read. A prolific author who respects history. Hosker's work will encourage the next generation of writers influencrd by our history.