What do you think?
Rate this book
Crowner John Mystery #4
The Awful Secret
Gilbert de Rideford is a Knight of the Temple of Solomon, and an old acquaintance from Crowner John's crusading days. He claims to have come into possession of a secret that could shake Christendom to its foundations—and he desperately needs John's help to escape from the secretive order of warrior monks. Suddenly swept into a world of religious intrigue and dangerous politics, Crowner John finds himself undertaking a life-threatening mission to the Island of Lundy—inhabited solely by notorious pirates—until finally the awful secret itself is revealed.
356 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2004
49 people are currently reading
291 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 26, 2021
"Gilbert de Rideford is a Knight of the Temple of Solomon, and an old acquaintance from Crowner John's crusading days".
I love the series and trying to read them in order, this one was not quite as good as #1-3 and #15 but still very satisfying! John and his compatriots are very well developed and all have excellent historical detail!
I love the series and trying to read them in order, this one was not quite as good as #1-3 and #15 but still very satisfying! John and his compatriots are very well developed and all have excellent historical detail!
Read
October 23, 2021Sir John de Wolfe is a trail blazing 12th century coroner, trailblazing because this is a new role created by the king. He is a veteran soldier so no stranger to danger and intrigue, and he has no problem with fending off his interfering brother in law, Sheriff Richard De Revelle who would like to tell him what to do. At the end of the previous novel Sir John was involved in a joust where he lost his much loved destrier Bran and gained a broken leg. At the start of this story he is recovering with the support of his not so loving wife Matilda and is eager to get back to his role, so when he hears of a wreck that needs investigation he is on it. But he will need to work with his brother-in-law to seek out the murderous pirates. Meanwhile he is being followed and becomes entangled with a comrade from the Crusades who was a Templar Knight who needs his help.
Although still a good read I found this book a little disappointing. The 'Religious intrigue' at times got in the way and I found myself thinking shades of 'The Devinci Code'. I really enjoy reading about the characters and chaotic relationships in this series and learning about Sir John's family but I found this book seemed to get side-tracked.
Although still a good read I found this book a little disappointing. The 'Religious intrigue' at times got in the way and I found myself thinking shades of 'The Devinci Code'. I really enjoy reading about the characters and chaotic relationships in this series and learning about Sir John's family but I found this book seemed to get side-tracked.
December 29, 2010
In which Crowner John meets Dan Brown and learns the truth about the Holy Grail. Plus there are some pirates! It's all jolly (roger) good fun with a bit of heresy thrown in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
March 17, 2021This book tells you the difference between a palfrey, a destrier and a sumpter horse which impresses May but probably nobody else.
October 1, 2011
I have read about 5 of these books now (out of order), and to be frank I am getting rather bored with them. They are great escapism, perfect weekend reading I suppose. In the past I have enjoyed the historical details. However this time - I was just irritated by the arguments Crowner John has with his wife and her brother, the long winded explanations that we have encountered before, which help readers understand the relationships and the back story of Sir John and his two side kicks. I have 2 others of these books TBR - but I don't think I will be reading them now. One of the things I do enjoy however is the setting - Exeter, Devon and the surrounding area - as it's where my Mum comes from and so an area I know fairly well. This book takes us to Ilfracombe, and there's mention of Teignmouth, Kingseinton and Dawlish, places that I spent time in often as a child. It is fun imagining what these places would have looked like all those years ago.
December 30, 2016
In the fourth Crowner John novel, an old Crusader acquantance arrives in Exeter. Formerly a Templar, this man seeks Sir John de Wolfe's assistance in helping himself and another ex-Templar escape beyond the reach of the Templars, for they have discovered a secret which disputes the central concepts to Christianity.
Some interesting interplay concerning jurisdiction and independence of templars and papal emissaries versus secular authorities, with foreshadowing to the horror of the Inquisition's perch above courts and kings to come.
Some interesting interplay concerning jurisdiction and independence of templars and papal emissaries versus secular authorities, with foreshadowing to the horror of the Inquisition's perch above courts and kings to come.
December 18, 2015
I am a fan of Crowner John. He's a great character and his two flunky's are well suited to the story and times.
I found it amusing that every man in this book is leering, for every reason under the sun. Apparently it is not possible to have a conversation without leering in 1195.
And I think after the first mention of it, I got the gist of Nesta being in love with John. I did not need to have it reiterated every time they saw each other!
I found it amusing that every man in this book is leering, for every reason under the sun. Apparently it is not possible to have a conversation without leering in 1195.
And I think after the first mention of it, I got the gist of Nesta being in love with John. I did not need to have it reiterated every time they saw each other!
July 21, 2014
Another good read from Bernard Knight - this one was made particularly special to me as I read it on a trip to Devon including a visit to Exeter and even more coincidentally I went on a trip to Lundy (I hadn't realized that was to feature heavily in the book). I did find the "Secret" a bit Da Vinci code-like.
August 6, 2009
Good book. Kind of like a medieval Louis L'Amour, but with real characters and historical value.
October 19, 2010
Excellent mystery & suspense with a generous helping of history
August 9, 2011
Not bad but not sure I would seek out the others in this series
October 31, 2013
ISBN 978-1-84739-994-6
January 13, 2015
It was interesting, though a bit slow. The last chapter brought a really unexpected conclusion.
March 18, 2015
Crowner John gets entangled with the Templars, theology and piracy. Nicely done plot down to the final paragraph of the novel.
September 6, 2016
good read one of the better story lines.
September 29, 2016
If you like this series, this one will not disappoint, my only reservation was the inclusion of the Templars/Mary Magdalene theme, which feels worked to death, but maybe this book predates Dan Brown
February 9, 2017
not enough quotable quotes. Also, Doug.
December 15, 2017
By comparison to his other books this was a bit of a let down. The Secret can be guessed and is long drawn out. Still an interesting read but certainly lacked the impact of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code.
April 26, 2019
Another good Crowner John mystery, interesting and enjoyable.
October 7, 2021
Rămasă în voia valurilor, corabia avariată se apropia vertiginos de coasta aflată în bătaia vântului, presărată cu stânci, care abia se mai întrezărea în lumina slabă a amurgului. Recunoscută pentru furtunile năprasnice. Marea Severn era departe de a fi înfricoșătoare, pentru ca în acele momente era vorba doar de un vânt puternic dinspre nord-vest, îndeajuns să stârnească spuma pe crestele brizanților cenușii ce veneau dinspre Atlantic și, prin stropii de apă azvârliți în aer, să ascundă oarecum vederii stâncile semețe de pe țărm.
Zgâlțâită și purtată de colo-colo de talazuri, corabia scurtă, cu forme pline, nu mai putea fi manevrată, pentru că singura velă de pe catarg zăcea grămadă pe punte. Iar la pupa nu mai exista vâsla ce slujea drept cârmă, deoarece atât ea, cât și cârmaciul fuseseră măturați de valuri și azvârliți în mare. Micuța corabie era ca o bucata de lemn plutind în derivă, așteptând ciocnirea inevitabilă de colții de piatra ce străjuiau coasta de miazănoapte a Devonului. Aflate față în față cu îndepărtata Țară a Galilor, stâncile uriașe, unde uscatul din Exmoor se prăbușea brusc în mare, se ridicau amenințătoare la travers în babordul corăbiei betegite. Cu toate că uscatul ce se vedea în fața ei era mai scund decât acela de la răsărit, linia țărmului era totuși presărată cu stânci ascuțite, recifuri și intrânduri mai ferite.
Corabia, numită knarr, era o variantă mai lată a corăbiei lungi pe care o folosiseră vikingii, având etrava și etamboul înalte, dar fără a fi ornamentată cu vreo sculptură înfățișând un balaur. Treimile de la pupă și provă erau podite cu scândură, însă în centru se afla o magazie neacoperită, unde se încărcau mărfurile. Prelată care acoperea acea magazie dispăruse, la fel ca și încărcătură, de altfel, spațiul fiind inundat până la brâu, iar apa dădea să se reverse peste bord de fiecare dată când, în cursa lui de neoprit către stânci, knarr-ul cădea între valuri.
Cu toate că amurgise bine, cerul era încă suficient luminat pentru ca singurul supraviețuitor să poată vedea cadavrul unuia dintre confrații săi zăcând alături, având picioarele prinse într-o frânghie încurcată, ceea ce îl împiedicase să fie măturat peste bord de valurile furioase. Îngrozit, tânărul marinar s-a agățat de un stâlp căzut pe punte și s-a uitat înainte, prin jerbele de stropi, la țărmul cenușiu ce părea să gonească spre el. Știa majoritatea reperelor de pe uscat dintre Penzance și Bristol și, în pofida groazei, a recunoscut la stânga să Great Hangman, cea mai înaltă faleză stâncoasă din Anglia, care se ridica la mai bine de trei sute de metri deasupra Golfului Combe Martin.
Zgâlțâită și purtată de colo-colo de talazuri, corabia scurtă, cu forme pline, nu mai putea fi manevrată, pentru că singura velă de pe catarg zăcea grămadă pe punte. Iar la pupa nu mai exista vâsla ce slujea drept cârmă, deoarece atât ea, cât și cârmaciul fuseseră măturați de valuri și azvârliți în mare. Micuța corabie era ca o bucata de lemn plutind în derivă, așteptând ciocnirea inevitabilă de colții de piatra ce străjuiau coasta de miazănoapte a Devonului. Aflate față în față cu îndepărtata Țară a Galilor, stâncile uriașe, unde uscatul din Exmoor se prăbușea brusc în mare, se ridicau amenințătoare la travers în babordul corăbiei betegite. Cu toate că uscatul ce se vedea în fața ei era mai scund decât acela de la răsărit, linia țărmului era totuși presărată cu stânci ascuțite, recifuri și intrânduri mai ferite.
Corabia, numită knarr, era o variantă mai lată a corăbiei lungi pe care o folosiseră vikingii, având etrava și etamboul înalte, dar fără a fi ornamentată cu vreo sculptură înfățișând un balaur. Treimile de la pupă și provă erau podite cu scândură, însă în centru se afla o magazie neacoperită, unde se încărcau mărfurile. Prelată care acoperea acea magazie dispăruse, la fel ca și încărcătură, de altfel, spațiul fiind inundat până la brâu, iar apa dădea să se reverse peste bord de fiecare dată când, în cursa lui de neoprit către stânci, knarr-ul cădea între valuri.
Cu toate că amurgise bine, cerul era încă suficient luminat pentru ca singurul supraviețuitor să poată vedea cadavrul unuia dintre confrații săi zăcând alături, având picioarele prinse într-o frânghie încurcată, ceea ce îl împiedicase să fie măturat peste bord de valurile furioase. Îngrozit, tânărul marinar s-a agățat de un stâlp căzut pe punte și s-a uitat înainte, prin jerbele de stropi, la țărmul cenușiu ce părea să gonească spre el. Știa majoritatea reperelor de pe uscat dintre Penzance și Bristol și, în pofida groazei, a recunoscut la stânga să Great Hangman, cea mai înaltă faleză stâncoasă din Anglia, care se ridica la mai bine de trei sute de metri deasupra Golfului Combe Martin.
October 12, 2020
I really enjoyed this book, and the scenic journeys made throughout Devon were great to read about - and So tempting to follow - alas Covid-19!
In this fourth story of the series, Crowner John meets a Knight of the Temple of Solomon, Gilbert de Rideford, who asks for his help, due to his possession of an awful secret; a secret so bad, that the Templars would kill to stop it coming out.
Suddenly, Crowner John and his sidekicks, Gwyn, and Thomas, are trying their best to save Gilbert's life, while also trying to find a group of pirates, who had killed the crew of a merchant craft, and stolen their cargo.
Into this mix comes a group of Templar Knights, and a Papal Nuncio, who are there in Devon, supposedly to try to win back the Isle of Lundy - and so Crowner John, Sheriff Richard de Revelle, his brother-in-law, and sundry other fighting men, join the Temple Knights, and the Papal Nuncio, and embark on a dangerous mission in order to take Lundy back for the Templars.
Throughout the story, this awful secret is hinted at, but it's only towards the end that it is revealed - and it is something that could possibly rock the very foundations of the Holy Church of Rome!
As a modern reader, I found the secret not so terrible to learn, but can imagine how, in those days, when the Church ruled every single aspect of their lives, people could be shocked, and terrified or, if they were a really thinking person, maybe even accept what they are told, at learning such a secret.
Despite this, I did enjoy the plot, and the usual wrangling between the main characters, and look forwards to reading book five in the series: The Runner's Corpse.
In this fourth story of the series, Crowner John meets a Knight of the Temple of Solomon, Gilbert de Rideford, who asks for his help, due to his possession of an awful secret; a secret so bad, that the Templars would kill to stop it coming out.
Suddenly, Crowner John and his sidekicks, Gwyn, and Thomas, are trying their best to save Gilbert's life, while also trying to find a group of pirates, who had killed the crew of a merchant craft, and stolen their cargo.
Into this mix comes a group of Templar Knights, and a Papal Nuncio, who are there in Devon, supposedly to try to win back the Isle of Lundy - and so Crowner John, Sheriff Richard de Revelle, his brother-in-law, and sundry other fighting men, join the Temple Knights, and the Papal Nuncio, and embark on a dangerous mission in order to take Lundy back for the Templars.
Throughout the story, this awful secret is hinted at, but it's only towards the end that it is revealed - and it is something that could possibly rock the very foundations of the Holy Church of Rome!
As a modern reader, I found the secret not so terrible to learn, but can imagine how, in those days, when the Church ruled every single aspect of their lives, people could be shocked, and terrified or, if they were a really thinking person, maybe even accept what they are told, at learning such a secret.
Despite this, I did enjoy the plot, and the usual wrangling between the main characters, and look forwards to reading book five in the series: The Runner's Corpse.
February 4, 2023
Our author really dredged up some obscure stuff here, the Priory of Sion was created in 1956, he backs the Cathars, an unsavory sect of the 12th Centaury, who, amongst other things, outlawed sex, can't say how that was as a recruiting tool, but there you go.
The Templar's get the usual run as villain's, & foul tools of the Pope.
Which brings me to my main point, please Bernard stop with the anti-Catholic bigotry, as much as you might hate it the Church was a very popular organization in the 12 & 13th Century.
The recurrence of 21st Centaury ideas in the 12th is just boring, Crowner John's lack of faith & it's manifestations are purely 21st Century, nobody much back then was without faith & John's lack of any understanding of religion is just silly, the Normans were a devout lot.
The clergy at the time were not well educated, but that wasn't their fault, they did not all;
a. Gabble their Latin.
b. They were not all oily, fat, licentious, hypocrites.
c. Bishops were not all Machiavellian plotters.
d. Drunks
Stereotypes like this just go on & on, most clergy at the time were good men (nuns to) trying to work out their salvation in very difficult times, helping their flocks as they did so, that would be the summation of the sources we have, it was indeed an Age of Faith.
For heavens sake try for some attachment to the historical sources & balance. Paul Doherty's Brother Aelthanstan books are a far more accurate reflection of the place of the Faith in the Medieval World.
April 22, 2024
Another enjoyable story in the Crowner John series. The series takes place in and around Exeter in 1192. Bernard Knight’s description of life at that time is amazing. For me, he really brings that era to life.
This story revolves around a Kings Templar, Gilbert de Rideford, who has been turned out of the Templars religious sect, because he found out a secret concerning the Christian faith, that he intended sharing with everyone. This could not be allowed, and those in charge of the Templars set out to kill him. This is where Crowner John comes in. Both men had fought together in the Crusades and Gilbert de Rideford escaped to Exeter, begging John to help him. At the same time, John was investigating serious piracy. He believed the pirates were based on the island of Lundy.
This story involves John trying to hide Gilbert and throw the head of the Templars off the scent and the chasing down of the suspected pirates on Lundy. There is a surprising murder, the rough sea journey to Lundy, battles and general mayhem.
The book moves at a very fast pace. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Whether or not the detail of life at that time is 100% correct is immaterial to me. I’m enjoying this whole series.
This story revolves around a Kings Templar, Gilbert de Rideford, who has been turned out of the Templars religious sect, because he found out a secret concerning the Christian faith, that he intended sharing with everyone. This could not be allowed, and those in charge of the Templars set out to kill him. This is where Crowner John comes in. Both men had fought together in the Crusades and Gilbert de Rideford escaped to Exeter, begging John to help him. At the same time, John was investigating serious piracy. He believed the pirates were based on the island of Lundy.
This story involves John trying to hide Gilbert and throw the head of the Templars off the scent and the chasing down of the suspected pirates on Lundy. There is a surprising murder, the rough sea journey to Lundy, battles and general mayhem.
The book moves at a very fast pace. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Whether or not the detail of life at that time is 100% correct is immaterial to me. I’m enjoying this whole series.
June 9, 2023
A page-turner
A great series and every book is a page-turner. I couldn’t wait to find out what the awful secret was, but I’d enjoyed the book so much I was sorry to get to the end. I love reading about Crowner John’s awful wife and their constant squabbles are very entertaining. No wonder poor old Sir John has to seek solace with his mistress Nesta who is the exact opposite of his horrible wife. The other recurring characters are entertaining too: Thomas the defrocked priest who is always genuflecting and rides side saddle, the sheriff Richard de Revelle is as corrupt as Sir John is honest and then there’s Gwyn, the likeable giant, Sir John’s trusty sidekick. All wonderful characters who make these books such a great read, as well as the history and the descriptions of the legal system in the 12th century. Thoroughly recommended.
A great series and every book is a page-turner. I couldn’t wait to find out what the awful secret was, but I’d enjoyed the book so much I was sorry to get to the end. I love reading about Crowner John’s awful wife and their constant squabbles are very entertaining. No wonder poor old Sir John has to seek solace with his mistress Nesta who is the exact opposite of his horrible wife. The other recurring characters are entertaining too: Thomas the defrocked priest who is always genuflecting and rides side saddle, the sheriff Richard de Revelle is as corrupt as Sir John is honest and then there’s Gwyn, the likeable giant, Sir John’s trusty sidekick. All wonderful characters who make these books such a great read, as well as the history and the descriptions of the legal system in the 12th century. Thoroughly recommended.
September 24, 2025
The Awful Sectet
A disgraced Templar comes to Exeter and contacts Crowner John. Pirates attack a ship and only bone man survives. What is the deadly secret? A Vatican Nuncio shows arrives as do three Templar knights. Why have they come to Exeter? Where are the pirates hiding. Can John solve the murders? There are a few battles to be fought. I enjoyed the fourth book in the series.
A disgraced Templar comes to Exeter and contacts Crowner John. Pirates attack a ship and only bone man survives. What is the deadly secret? A Vatican Nuncio shows arrives as do three Templar knights. Why have they come to Exeter? Where are the pirates hiding. Can John solve the murders? There are a few battles to be fought. I enjoyed the fourth book in the series.
June 17, 2023
This is a generous rating. Mr. Knight presents his usual well-researched, tightly-knit story that gives a real feel of 'being there.' That said, it was a slog to get through. It is repetitive in places, but I intend to read more in the series, and I hope this is just a one-off off. The glossary and the map were excellent aids.
April 20, 2024
I really enjoyed the mystery, possibly because I knew the awful secret and was just waiting for it to be revealed. I especially enjoyed the twist at the end. On the down side, John's constant bickering with his wife and the constant reminders of Nesta's charms are getting old.
May 10, 2021
Intriguing plot regarding the Templars.
July 30, 2023
a good read
A fascinating insight to mediaeval Exeter. The story dwells a little on the unsavoury side of the town, equally the author paints a such realistic picture of the characters it is difficult not to become emotionally involved.
A fascinating insight to mediaeval Exeter. The story dwells a little on the unsavoury side of the town, equally the author paints a such realistic picture of the characters it is difficult not to become emotionally involved.
July 29, 2023
If I could of given it 4 and a 1/2 I would as it was a really good read except for the ending
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews