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Knights Templar #14
The Mad Monk of Gidleigh
Alone in his isolated, windswept chapel on the edge of Dartmoor, his only companions moor men and poverty–stricken serfs, who could blame the young priest, Mark for seeking affection from Jane, the local miller’s daughter? But when Jane’s body is found brutally stabbed, Mark is the obvious suspect—and the discovery that Jane was pregnant seems to confirm his guilt. Called in to investigate, Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Simon Puttock soon begin to have their doubts. Could it not have been one of Jane’s many admirers who murdered her in a fit of jealousy? Or her father, the miller, who is acting in an increasingly disturbed manner? And what exactly is the local Baron trying to hide? In their search for the truth, Furnshill and Puttock unwittingly place themselves and their families in the greatest danger they have ever faced.
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2002
27 people are currently reading
394 people want to read
About the author
Michael Jecks
121 books621 followersMichael Jecks is a best-selling writer of historical novels. The son of an Actuary, and the youngest of four brothers, he worked in the computer industry before becoming a novelist full time in 1994
He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.
His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.
A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.
From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.
Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.
His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.
Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.
He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.
His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.
A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.
From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.
Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.
His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.
Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 24, 2012
This book was enjoyable for me on several levels. First, it was the very first book which I wrote and which I was convinced was taut and action-packed while still remaining within the publisher's contracted 100,000 words. All my previous books had been a bit longer. And then, I spotted one red herring I hadn't tied up. It took a lot more action scenes, a fire, siege, and plenty of deaths (including that of one of my favourite characters) before I managed to finish it - at 150,000 words! But it isn't a long read, it's tight and works well for me.
June 3, 2024
Really didn't feel this was worth the page length. The novel begins slow, then shoves into motion as the main characters mooch their way on stage. There is then a very languorous investigation centered upon everyone saying 'cods' a lot and then discovering that they all are within two degrees of relation. At first I was fine with the rather cursory updates on the series character's lives, only to discover to my horror that these tiny details would be repeated throughout like they were interesting developments.
I seem to recall having a similar response to the 4th book in this series, where the ending was needlessly over the top to make up for a ponderous narrative leading up to the conclusion.
Let's just say, I had lost interest by that point in both volumes and the sudden flurry of action at the close was underwhelming.
I give it two cods.
I seem to recall having a similar response to the 4th book in this series, where the ending was needlessly over the top to make up for a ponderous narrative leading up to the conclusion.
Let's just say, I had lost interest by that point in both volumes and the sudden flurry of action at the close was underwhelming.
I give it two cods.
September 30, 2019
The order in which I have been reading the Knights Templar series by Michael Jecks has always been a bit erratic, which so far has never really been a problem. However, jumping from #28 to #14 seems to be a bit too erratic, especially since the later works have much more political influences intertwined in the stories. The Mad Monk of Gidleigh is clearly an earlier work, with only limited political sidetracks, and much more focus on the mystery itself.
The funny thing is that when Baldwin and Simon first got involved with all the Royal hassle, I was not too happy about it, missing the focus on the actual murder solving skills of said gentlemen. But gradually I started to appreciate the quality and story-line development with all its political scheming. So being thrown back to 1323 was more difficult than I expected.
Having said that, I still enjoyed it very much! It is a really good mystery with very human characters. The setting, both in time and location feels very real, and has obviously been very well researched. Just wondering if it would have been 5 stars had I read it at another time.
The funny thing is that when Baldwin and Simon first got involved with all the Royal hassle, I was not too happy about it, missing the focus on the actual murder solving skills of said gentlemen. But gradually I started to appreciate the quality and story-line development with all its political scheming. So being thrown back to 1323 was more difficult than I expected.
Having said that, I still enjoyed it very much! It is a really good mystery with very human characters. The setting, both in time and location feels very real, and has obviously been very well researched. Just wondering if it would have been 5 stars had I read it at another time.
August 22, 2024
In what appears to be an open and shut case a pregnant young woman is found murdered in a Devon village lane, the killer-her lover, a young priest who is caught fleeing the scene. Keeper of the Kings Peace Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Baliff Simon Puttock are soon swept into a complex tale of disappearing bodies, incest, hidden secrets and envy as chaos and death envelops castle and village. It's quite a long book for the genre and there are perhaps a few too many characters for the plot to flow easily. This is the 14th instalment in the series , it isn't necessary to have read the preceding novels but there will no doubt be ongoing character plots which wouid benefit from doing so. It's a decent example of the genre but there are other author and series in the field which I find superior to this.
March 22, 2021
This is one of the best books that I have read so far in the series. In true Jecks fashion, there are plenty of engaging characters and plot twists which kept me guessing who the murderer was. One of the unique aspects was that many knew who committed certain crimes, but they refused to tell because of the culprit's relationship to the king. Arson and a missing body did not help the investigation. And it all ended up in a battle at a castle.
July 27, 2017
Brilliant
The journey of our two heroes, their characters never fail to keep me engrossed
The different mixture of backgrounds made it feel real
Looking forward to our heroes next adventure and how the Bailiff will like travelling in a foreign country
The journey of our two heroes, their characters never fail to keep me engrossed
The different mixture of backgrounds made it feel real
Looking forward to our heroes next adventure and how the Bailiff will like travelling in a foreign country
February 7, 2018
Fantastic and moving historical mystery. Full review at classicmystery.wordpress.com
May 27, 2018
Really 2.5. Am ok medieval murder mystery but not particularly well written or enthralling
April 29, 2019
Seriously high body count on this one, but I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 23, 2021
Loved this sensational book!
August 6, 2021
There was no need to kill off one of recurring characters. No need at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2022
dull, boring and uninteresting
March 16, 2017
Finished reading " The Mad Monk of Gidleigh " by Michael Jecks. The next in the Knights Templar series. Once again a great read. Nothing like a good mystery, Especially one that takes place in the 1300s.
A woman is found murdered in Dartmoor in 1323. A young miller's daughter who was pregnant. The father of her unborn child is a priest named Mark. After finding her body he runs away, surely he must be guilty! Sir Baldwin, Keeper of the King's Peace and his friend the Bailiff Simon Puttock are called to investigate. Their case is not as simple as it seems with suspects that are high in nobility people who are allied with the Despensers ( you need to know history to know why this is relevant ). So many people could have done it but who and why? Was Mark guilty or was someone else?
A woman is found murdered in Dartmoor in 1323. A young miller's daughter who was pregnant. The father of her unborn child is a priest named Mark. After finding her body he runs away, surely he must be guilty! Sir Baldwin, Keeper of the King's Peace and his friend the Bailiff Simon Puttock are called to investigate. Their case is not as simple as it seems with suspects that are high in nobility people who are allied with the Despensers ( you need to know history to know why this is relevant ). So many people could have done it but who and why? Was Mark guilty or was someone else?
March 12, 2017
I wasn't sure what this was all about at the start, but it turned into a pretty fun whodunnit! The characters were well constructed and I ended up invested in their safety by the end which is a mark of a good build-up.
I was hoping for a bit more of the historical context but the characters brought some of the history in without long pointless explanations about their historical roles which I was grateful for.
All in all a fun if a bit sexist romp through a 14th century detective story
I was hoping for a bit more of the historical context but the characters brought some of the history in without long pointless explanations about their historical roles which I was grateful for.
All in all a fun if a bit sexist romp through a 14th century detective story
December 3, 2008
THE MAD MONK OF GIDLEIGH (Hist. Mys-Baldwin Furnshill/Simon Puttock-England-1323) - VG
Jecks, Michael – 14th in series
Headline, 2002, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0755301684
First Sentence: In the darkened room, the man’s shattered body gave a final convulsive jerk.
Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King’s Peace, and Bailiff Simon Puttock must leave their families and travel to the village of Gidleigh. The beautiful daughter of the town’s miller has been found dead, the young monk, by whom she was pregnant, the obvious suspect. This wouldn’t have involved Simon but that a miner has also died, and that is under his jurisdiction.
Upon their arrival at Wonson Manor, they find Sir Ralph is the new owner and his son Esmon in charge of a band of mercenary soldiers. Tension in the village increases as truths are exposed and more die.
Jecks is one of the better historical writers. There is excellent attention to period detail and a very strong sense of time and place.
All the characters are fully dimensional and well drawn. I like that the two protagonists’ lives have changed through the series. They come through as real people with great strengths and realistic weaknesses and consequences. They are not the only characters who change, others do as well.
The story is very well plotted. Just when I thought I knew where it was going, it turned. I particularly liked that the point was made that small actions can have big consequences.
This was another very good book in an excellent series and I’m happy to know I’ve many more books to go.
Jecks, Michael – 14th in series
Headline, 2002, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0755301684
First Sentence: In the darkened room, the man’s shattered body gave a final convulsive jerk.
Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King’s Peace, and Bailiff Simon Puttock must leave their families and travel to the village of Gidleigh. The beautiful daughter of the town’s miller has been found dead, the young monk, by whom she was pregnant, the obvious suspect. This wouldn’t have involved Simon but that a miner has also died, and that is under his jurisdiction.
Upon their arrival at Wonson Manor, they find Sir Ralph is the new owner and his son Esmon in charge of a band of mercenary soldiers. Tension in the village increases as truths are exposed and more die.
Jecks is one of the better historical writers. There is excellent attention to period detail and a very strong sense of time and place.
All the characters are fully dimensional and well drawn. I like that the two protagonists’ lives have changed through the series. They come through as real people with great strengths and realistic weaknesses and consequences. They are not the only characters who change, others do as well.
The story is very well plotted. Just when I thought I knew where it was going, it turned. I particularly liked that the point was made that small actions can have big consequences.
This was another very good book in an excellent series and I’m happy to know I’ve many more books to go.
October 14, 2011
I bought this book last year to read on a plane home from Ireland, and never had the opportunity to open it. Today I'm home ill and could not face the thought of reading anything school or work related and so picked up this rather long (500 pages) mystery.
At first I had trouble getting into. In his desire to ensure the reader has sufficient grasp of Medieval history, Jecks gives so much detail it distracts from the story. However, eventually the twists and turns of plot, and the development of the characters leads the reader to pursue the story to the end.
The primary murder causing the story to unfold is that of a young woman named Mary. Not long after learning of her death I thought I had her murder solved, and although the facts that I had determined were correct, their outcome was not. It is a book full of intrigue, abuse of power, betrayal, mutiny and most of all surprises. Even the very last page contains a surprise.
One of the other unusual charcteristics of this particular novel involves the reader in trying to determine the hero. The two men, Simon and Baldwin, are nothing alike, and yet each is so committed to justice that they work in such tandem that I would often need to check who was speaking.
I think it is worth persevering through the first few chapters of the book to get to a very exciting resolution to the mystery--however, those chapters can be work.
I think another indication of its quality is the fact that I read it in just over half a day.
At first I had trouble getting into. In his desire to ensure the reader has sufficient grasp of Medieval history, Jecks gives so much detail it distracts from the story. However, eventually the twists and turns of plot, and the development of the characters leads the reader to pursue the story to the end.
The primary murder causing the story to unfold is that of a young woman named Mary. Not long after learning of her death I thought I had her murder solved, and although the facts that I had determined were correct, their outcome was not. It is a book full of intrigue, abuse of power, betrayal, mutiny and most of all surprises. Even the very last page contains a surprise.
One of the other unusual charcteristics of this particular novel involves the reader in trying to determine the hero. The two men, Simon and Baldwin, are nothing alike, and yet each is so committed to justice that they work in such tandem that I would often need to check who was speaking.
I think it is worth persevering through the first few chapters of the book to get to a very exciting resolution to the mystery--however, those chapters can be work.
I think another indication of its quality is the fact that I read it in just over half a day.
August 3, 2009
Another good read by Michael Jecks. I really love his characters and plot. By reading his books, I discover so much about the culture of the middle ages. It is a pleasant way to learn. But I also find out how much the world has stayed the same. There are still people who suffer, still people who do the right thing, and still people who hurt others. It is not a "modern day" event.
In this story, Baldwin accidently kills a man. He feels very wronged, because he killed him because he was given the wrong information. So he decides to go on a pilgrimage to Spain. We have seen so much in the news about the Santiago Way, it is eerie to think people are still doing it, still hoping for absolution.
In this story, Baldwin accidently kills a man. He feels very wronged, because he killed him because he was given the wrong information. So he decides to go on a pilgrimage to Spain. We have seen so much in the news about the Santiago Way, it is eerie to think people are still doing it, still hoping for absolution.
November 30, 2014
This long running medieval mystery series follows Sir Baldwin Frurnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock, former Knights Templar, as they solve actual crimes that happened during the famine-stricken and corrupt reign of Edward II. Thoroughly researched, the plotting, action and characterization are vibrant and well done. This one concerns a lonely monk in a tiny chapel who falls for the miller's daughter. No problems until she is found dead with a broken neck and having suffered a miscarriage. Suspicion falls on the monk who flees. Enter Sir Baldwin and Simon. Of course there is more to this crime than meets the eye; soon another death reveals the reign of terror the local Aristocracy has been waging on their serfs.
February 3, 2021
Fairly enjoyable writing if you get past the unsavory themes and extreme violence. May well been reasonably accurate for medieval England in the 1300s but for someone of modern sensibilities, the plot may be difficult to stomach.
Everyone is incestuous, all the young of the village are half-siblings born of the same lord, and rapists lurk behind every tree. Serfs are tortured and killed at a whim, and order is nowhere to be found.
If you can see your way past all that, this was a well written, fast paced and atmospheric historical mystery. I'll probably try one more in this series (after a long interval to recover from all the puking) before giving up.
Everyone is incestuous, all the young of the village are half-siblings born of the same lord, and rapists lurk behind every tree. Serfs are tortured and killed at a whim, and order is nowhere to be found.
If you can see your way past all that, this was a well written, fast paced and atmospheric historical mystery. I'll probably try one more in this series (after a long interval to recover from all the puking) before giving up.
February 2, 2015
moderately good read--started out very slow, but picked up and was actually quite interesting by the end. Amazing to think that things were so very unstable in the middle ages--talk about impossible to actually investigate a murder. It's more like "guilty by popular consent" rather than innocent until proven guilty. And the role of the church and its power in those times is beyond my comprehension.
November 9, 2016
I've enjoyed all the previous books in Jecks' Templar series but it took me three goes to get past page 100 in this one. The second half of the book saved it from being a 2 star, but nowhere near the usual overall standard.
A young unmarried woman is found dead after a miscarriage and the father of her unborn child (the curate of the local chapel) is the chief suspect. But why is the lord of the local manor so fanatically determined to bring the priest to secular justice?
A young unmarried woman is found dead after a miscarriage and the father of her unborn child (the curate of the local chapel) is the chief suspect. But why is the lord of the local manor so fanatically determined to bring the priest to secular justice?
July 7, 2020
Really good, but really sad!
Random incest all over the place, loads of infidelity, and of course people are bumped off left and right. Sir Richard (from Tournament of Blood) makes a VERY brief reappearance before his death which sparks off the whole series of events. We also sadly lose a *guest star* in this book, which is a bit depressing
Random incest all over the place, loads of infidelity, and of course people are bumped off left and right. Sir Richard (from Tournament of Blood) makes a VERY brief reappearance before his death which sparks off the whole series of events. We also sadly lose a *guest star* in this book, which is a bit depressing
February 13, 2008
Much later in the West Country series. A large cast of characters, most of whom are required to chose between the abstract of justice and the concrete of angering the local knight. And set in a time when rape was a perk for his psycho son.
February 20, 2012
One of a series,the early books have a more interesting storyline than the later ones which deal more with affairs of state. As always there is a long list of characters,and considerable repetition which can be tedious,however worth reading.
March 24, 2012
Terrific book in a favorite medieval mystery series. Lots of action, gripping narative and many secrets. Great sense of time and place. And wow -- what a collection of unsavory characters for our heros to sort through!
January 24, 2016
Good one, probably the best I've read, so far, slightly more complex plot, and I didn't spot some of the twists, might have if I'd had thought about it, but wanted to keep reading & find out what happened, (another late night/early morning)
April 27, 2009
book 14
June 8, 2010
This book brought back what I really like about the Templar books. Jecks is great storyteller and the characters are very likeable.
January 24, 2012
Sir Baldwin and Bailiff Simon are in it again, up to their necks with the twists and turns of this medieval mystery series.
June 4, 2012
Really learned alot about the Tinners on Dartmoor, and as I live here ...
Good who-done-it.
Good who-done-it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews