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Crowner John Mystery #12
The Manor of Death
When an unidentified body is discovered in the harbor town of Axmouth, the county coroner Sir John de Wolfe is summoned to investigate. The manner of the young man's death is a matter of some dispute, but it was clearly no accident. In the ensuing murder investigation, Sir John is frustrated by what appears to be a conspiracy of silence among the seamen and townsfolk. There are many inhabitants of Axmouth who seem willing to go to extreme lengths to ensure that the shocking truth behind the death remains hidden. Sir John will need courage, cunning, and determination if he is to solve the case and escape from the town with his life.
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2008
30 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Knight
104 books135 followersAka Bernard Picton.
Professor Bernard Knight, CBE, (born 1931) became a Home Office pathologist in 1965 and was appointed Professor of Forensic Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, in 1980. He has been writing since before 1963, when his first crime novel was published. Since then, he has written about thirty books, including contemporary crime fiction, historical novels about Wales, biography, non-fiction popular works on forensic medicine, twelve medico-legal textbooks and the Crowner John Mysteries series of 12th-century historical mysteries.
In addition, he has written scripts for radio and television dramas and documentaries, including the forensic series The Expert starring Marius Goring, in the 1970s. He has contributed to many other textbooks and has edited several medical journals - he was Managing Editor of Elsevier's Forensic Science International, the leading international publication in the field.
Currently, he is a founder member of The Medieval Murderers, a select group of historical crime-writers within the Crime Writers' Association, who give presentations at literary festivals, libraries and bookshops, to promote their work amongst the public. He is also one of the non-fiction judges for the annual 'Dagger' Awards of the Crime Writers' Association and a regular reviewer of crime books for the Internet site Tangled Web.
He was born and lives in Cardiff and as well as being a doctor, he qualified as a barrister and was awarded the CBE in 1993 for services to forensic medicine. In the 1950s, he served as a Regular Army medical officer in Malaya during the terrorist campaign, in a military hospital which he compares with 'MASH'.
-Wikipedia
Professor Bernard Knight, CBE, (born 1931) became a Home Office pathologist in 1965 and was appointed Professor of Forensic Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, in 1980. He has been writing since before 1963, when his first crime novel was published. Since then, he has written about thirty books, including contemporary crime fiction, historical novels about Wales, biography, non-fiction popular works on forensic medicine, twelve medico-legal textbooks and the Crowner John Mysteries series of 12th-century historical mysteries.
In addition, he has written scripts for radio and television dramas and documentaries, including the forensic series The Expert starring Marius Goring, in the 1970s. He has contributed to many other textbooks and has edited several medical journals - he was Managing Editor of Elsevier's Forensic Science International, the leading international publication in the field.
Currently, he is a founder member of The Medieval Murderers, a select group of historical crime-writers within the Crime Writers' Association, who give presentations at literary festivals, libraries and bookshops, to promote their work amongst the public. He is also one of the non-fiction judges for the annual 'Dagger' Awards of the Crime Writers' Association and a regular reviewer of crime books for the Internet site Tangled Web.
He was born and lives in Cardiff and as well as being a doctor, he qualified as a barrister and was awarded the CBE in 1993 for services to forensic medicine. In the 1950s, he served as a Regular Army medical officer in Malaya during the terrorist campaign, in a military hospital which he compares with 'MASH'.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 7, 2017
Very entertaining but very slow. I didn't mind the slow read in some respects at it is a fascinating read and the author conveys 12 century England so very well. The tale (once again) involves boats and sailors, but has an interesting undercurrent from piracy. John de Wolfe is an absolute saint, I would have murdered his wife many times over. I love the tale being centered on Exeter and you can certainly recognise the cathedral and grounds and many of the road names rang a bell.
December 8, 2019
5 Star Reread- My favorite series with 2 more to read ! This time through I read each in order and this one was great of course. Fortunately I do forget details and this series was enjoyable and in no way repetitious.
October 25, 2020
Once again, Crowner John gets to ride all over the County - with a boil on his bum! Lol
Seriously, I actually loved this detail, as I would imagine that boils would be a frequent affliction for the people of 12th century England, due to their lack of cleanliness, if nothing else.
This story takes John, Gwyn, and Thomas, to the village of Axmouth, where the body of a young sailor is discovered, buried in a shallow grave.
When the murder of an itinerant peddlar, and then, even more seriously in John's eyes, the killing of a new Keeper of the Peace, Luke de Casewold, and his assistant, comes to light, along with hints of piracy, involving the people of Axmouth, John and his sidekicks have to go on some crazy rides, back and forth between Exeter and Axmouth, with some side trips to Dawlish, where he has to inform his longtime friend, and sometimes mistress, Hilda, that she has now been widowed, due to pirate activity.
Looking for evidence of the boy sailor's murderer, and the piracy, and death, of Hilda's husband, Thurgils, plus his crew, John and his men are finding it hard to come up with evidence, to prove that the people of Axmouth are involved with both the piracy, and the smuggling of the goods gained from that, plus the avoidance of the taxes and fees of these goods through that avoidance - an important point to a man whose job was created in order to raise funds for his King's constant wars!
In among all of these travels, John and Gwyn also save the life of a Welsh Master stone carver, Owain ap Gronow, who was attacked by bandits on his way to Exeter to a job at the cathedral, and John's mistress, Nesta, a Welsh woman herself, helps her fellow countryman, as John is so busy trying to catch pirates.
While all of this is happening, John's wife, Matilda, suddenly disappears into the Priory of Pleslo once again.
Matilda is thoroughly sickened by the behaviour of both her husband, and her brother - while totally ignoring her own constantly bad behaviour towards John, who she was forced to marry, rather than becoming a Bride of Christ, as she had yearned to become.
As usual, she refuses to see or speak to John but, because of the piracy, and it's serious effect on the County, John, Gwyn, and Thomas have to now travel to Normandy, to see the Chief Justiciar, Hubert Walter, to try and find a solution to the problems of piracy, and murder.
When they get there, they find that Huburt has travelled on another twenty-odd miles, to an outpost by the Siene river, a place called Andeli, where he has joined their King, Richard. So, borrowing some horses for the journey, the three men travel onwards until, at last, they find Huburt - and the King.
What happens when they get there, will change all of their lives, along with those they love.
This was a rambling, roving, story, but I really enjoyed it, as it really brought to life that time in our history - and the realisation that so many lives can be affected by the decisions of just one man!
But then, things haven't changed that much, even today, have they?
Seriously, I actually loved this detail, as I would imagine that boils would be a frequent affliction for the people of 12th century England, due to their lack of cleanliness, if nothing else.
This story takes John, Gwyn, and Thomas, to the village of Axmouth, where the body of a young sailor is discovered, buried in a shallow grave.
When the murder of an itinerant peddlar, and then, even more seriously in John's eyes, the killing of a new Keeper of the Peace, Luke de Casewold, and his assistant, comes to light, along with hints of piracy, involving the people of Axmouth, John and his sidekicks have to go on some crazy rides, back and forth between Exeter and Axmouth, with some side trips to Dawlish, where he has to inform his longtime friend, and sometimes mistress, Hilda, that she has now been widowed, due to pirate activity.
Looking for evidence of the boy sailor's murderer, and the piracy, and death, of Hilda's husband, Thurgils, plus his crew, John and his men are finding it hard to come up with evidence, to prove that the people of Axmouth are involved with both the piracy, and the smuggling of the goods gained from that, plus the avoidance of the taxes and fees of these goods through that avoidance - an important point to a man whose job was created in order to raise funds for his King's constant wars!
In among all of these travels, John and Gwyn also save the life of a Welsh Master stone carver, Owain ap Gronow, who was attacked by bandits on his way to Exeter to a job at the cathedral, and John's mistress, Nesta, a Welsh woman herself, helps her fellow countryman, as John is so busy trying to catch pirates.
While all of this is happening, John's wife, Matilda, suddenly disappears into the Priory of Pleslo once again.
Matilda is thoroughly sickened by the behaviour of both her husband, and her brother - while totally ignoring her own constantly bad behaviour towards John, who she was forced to marry, rather than becoming a Bride of Christ, as she had yearned to become.
As usual, she refuses to see or speak to John but, because of the piracy, and it's serious effect on the County, John, Gwyn, and Thomas have to now travel to Normandy, to see the Chief Justiciar, Hubert Walter, to try and find a solution to the problems of piracy, and murder.
When they get there, they find that Huburt has travelled on another twenty-odd miles, to an outpost by the Siene river, a place called Andeli, where he has joined their King, Richard. So, borrowing some horses for the journey, the three men travel onwards until, at last, they find Huburt - and the King.
What happens when they get there, will change all of their lives, along with those they love.
This was a rambling, roving, story, but I really enjoyed it, as it really brought to life that time in our history - and the realisation that so many lives can be affected by the decisions of just one man!
But then, things haven't changed that much, even today, have they?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2018
The Manor of Death is a short medieval mystery novel with a small cast of characters who are easily imagined and somewhat realistic. There is a fair bit of multivalence as modern themes arise often in the coroners relationships, but that's to be expected in any medieval-themed story.
To make a point of how well Bernard Knight makes this book in a series seem like a standalone, I'll tell you that I began reading this book unaware that it was even a series, and I only discovered the said fact when the author cited one of his older books about a quarter way through the story.
I gave the book 3 stars out of 5 because the mystery, to me anyway, wasn't much of a mystery, but I don't want to spoil anything. I loved the coroner's character, and my favorite character was Thomas, as he reminds me of myself, but I didn't love the characters enough, nor the writing style, to pick up another book in the series--unless maybe I find one by accident somewhere and have little else to read.
This has been a review by Tim Eveland
www.timothyrjeveland.com
To make a point of how well Bernard Knight makes this book in a series seem like a standalone, I'll tell you that I began reading this book unaware that it was even a series, and I only discovered the said fact when the author cited one of his older books about a quarter way through the story.
I gave the book 3 stars out of 5 because the mystery, to me anyway, wasn't much of a mystery, but I don't want to spoil anything. I loved the coroner's character, and my favorite character was Thomas, as he reminds me of myself, but I didn't love the characters enough, nor the writing style, to pick up another book in the series--unless maybe I find one by accident somewhere and have little else to read.
This has been a review by Tim Eveland
www.timothyrjeveland.com
March 29, 2025
Bittersweet
This tale of Crowner John is another rousing adventure as the friends work to break a piracy ring on their shores. Gwynn & Sir John must survive lies & an ambush in order to catch the villains, before more people die! Besides catching evildoers, John must deal with unexpected life-changing events! Is Matilda absconds to a nunnery, King Richard has a new post for John, & Nesta meets a kind man from her home. Are permanent changes coming for the Crowner? I’m excited to read the next installment to learn where all upheaval lands Sir John, Thomas, & Gwynn!
This tale of Crowner John is another rousing adventure as the friends work to break a piracy ring on their shores. Gwynn & Sir John must survive lies & an ambush in order to catch the villains, before more people die! Besides catching evildoers, John must deal with unexpected life-changing events! Is Matilda absconds to a nunnery, King Richard has a new post for John, & Nesta meets a kind man from her home. Are permanent changes coming for the Crowner? I’m excited to read the next installment to learn where all upheaval lands Sir John, Thomas, & Gwynn!
April 25, 2023
A great installment in the Crowner John series. The criminal mystery element in this book was perhaps the weakest of the series so far but there was lots of progress in his personal life instead which was really interesting, and we even had an appearance from Richard the Lionheart himself! Big changes are afoot from John and I'm looking forward to seeing how this unfolds in the next book.
February 22, 2024
Crowner John a brilliant read.
I have really enjoyed reading this series of Crowner John stories, and I have learnt so much. Outremer being a mystery solved, thank you.
Can I be allowed to make one small correction though. The Gloucester Abbey of St. Peter was an Abbey, until 1541 when Henry VIII created the Diocese of Gloucester, after the Dissolution.
I have really enjoyed reading this series of Crowner John stories, and I have learnt so much. Outremer being a mystery solved, thank you.
Can I be allowed to make one small correction though. The Gloucester Abbey of St. Peter was an Abbey, until 1541 when Henry VIII created the Diocese of Gloucester, after the Dissolution.
March 30, 2025
This was an unusual read in that it was a book bought at a dept. store and 12 into an unread series.
The book was slow off the start -- part story, part adapting to medieval verbiage -- then picked up.
End then seemed rushed.
Few chinks too a guy cannot grunt every other page, and others that held this from being rated higher.
The book was slow off the start -- part story, part adapting to medieval verbiage -- then picked up.
End then seemed rushed.
Few chinks too a guy cannot grunt every other page, and others that held this from being rated higher.
August 4, 2020
Conspiracy and Bodies Abound
Although a little slow in places, it was still difficult to put down. John and Gwynn display their battle skills and deep friendship. Less of the brother in law was a welcome respite.
Although a little slow in places, it was still difficult to put down. John and Gwynn display their battle skills and deep friendship. Less of the brother in law was a welcome respite.
September 28, 2020
I like this series although the misogyny can be overlooked when using the excuse of history. Interesting plot and I also enjoy the description of England around this era. Recommended to the normal crew.
May 5, 2022
Lots of big changes come to the lives of several series regulars, including John, Matilda, and Nesta. The story is well plotted but the writing is extremely sloppy. Lots of typos and poorly constructed sentences.
April 30, 2018
Enjoyed the story,always enough loose ends to push you on to the next book (hopefully)
October 26, 2018
Well written, interesting historical mystery, a good insight to the life style of the time.
July 19, 2019
Well done historical mystery.
November 24, 2020
Not bad but i found it more interesting as the story is set in axmouth where my grandparents lived
February 11, 2021
Another good read from Bernard Knight, and it seems that the end of this book marks the end of an era for Crowner John as big changes are afoot. An enjoyable read as ever.
June 6, 2022
other reviewers have said it better, but a worthy read, slow and plodding at times, like their journeys.
I look forward to reading more in the series.
I look forward to reading more in the series.
January 9, 2023
formula broken
Another Crowner John tale with many unforeseen twists. A good read that captures the spirit of Medieval Exeter and surrounds.
Another Crowner John tale with many unforeseen twists. A good read that captures the spirit of Medieval Exeter and surrounds.
November 23, 2024
outstanding
A great take as well as an insightful glimpse into medieval England history and culture. A series well worth reading.
A great take as well as an insightful glimpse into medieval England history and culture. A series well worth reading.
February 13, 2017
Good mystery, but sad ending.
June 1, 2012
Another series that I have thoroughly enjoyed.
I tried to read them in order but missed this one. It was good to catch up with all of the usual characters and to see how certain 'gaps' were explained.
As for this specific story another classic and made far more enjoyable as we live in the area and know each of the places mentioned.
I am sure that our 'neighbours' in Lyme Regis will be more than interested to know that their predecessors were known as the worst pirates on the south coast.
I tried to read them in order but missed this one. It was good to catch up with all of the usual characters and to see how certain 'gaps' were explained.
As for this specific story another classic and made far more enjoyable as we live in the area and know each of the places mentioned.
I am sure that our 'neighbours' in Lyme Regis will be more than interested to know that their predecessors were known as the worst pirates on the south coast.
September 16, 2016
It was my own fault that I didn't like this as well as I could have-this was my first Crowner John mystery, the 12th in the series. I should have started with #1. The first half of the book was just too slow for me, full of too many references to previous cases and relationships that I felt disconnected from the story. Once de Wolfe set his trap for the pirates, my interest picked up but it was too little, too late.
January 12, 2011
Full of the sights, sounds etc of medieval England.
Passion treachery, betrayal, you name it it's got it.
Passion treachery, betrayal, you name it it's got it.
November 18, 2013
I LIKE THE AUTHOR. I HAVE READ ABOUT 12 OF HIS BOOKS. I DID NOT LIKE THE ENDING OF THIS BOOK. TO ME IT SEEMED INCOMPLETE.
June 3, 2013
Always enjoy the Crowner John mysteries, but had just visited Alnmouth so enjoyed this even more than usual
November 19, 2013
978-1-47111-304-8
Thoroughly enjoying this series of novels. Must admit to shedding a tear with this one.
Thoroughly enjoying this series of novels. Must admit to shedding a tear with this one.
Read
December 17, 2016Best yet...
April 25, 2018
Very enjoyable read
March 19, 2019
One of the better Crowner John mysteries featuring piracy and several murders which may or may not be linked back to the same small town. I liked that things actually happened in John's relationships instead of just his constant traipsing back and forth between his women. I definitely got the feeling with this story that the series was reaching its conclusion as things happen with familiar faces that will alter the John's life completely.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews