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Sir Roger Shallot #2
The Poisoned Chalice
Sir Roger Shallot and his scholarly master are sent to Paris at the behest of King Henry VIII to investigate the murder of British diplomat Richard Falconer
280 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 30, 2021
Read this book in 2009, and its the 2nd volume of this great "Roger Shallot" series.
In this series Roger Shallot is telling his recollections of certain adventures while being a spy for Cardinal Wolsey, during the reign of King Henry VIII.
This tale is set in the year AD 1521, and England is at peace with France or so it seems under the magnificent rule of Cardinal Wolsey.
All of a sudden, Richard Falconer, chief secretary of the English embassy in Paris, is found viciously murdered.
Rumours are circulating that a spy within the English court is passing information to King Francis I of France, and Cardinal Wolsey, is sending his nephew, Benjamin Daunbey and his young steward, the reluctant Roger Shallot, to Paris to investigate this murder, and the only clue is that the spy's codename is "Raphael".
Before they go they are instructed separately by the sly King Henry III to steal a precious ring, subject of a wager, as well as protecting a mysterious book, and they have to do this successfully or retreat into exile.
Entering a web of deceit and intrigue, Roger shallot and Benjamin will have to use their wits and cunning if they want to survive these deadly circumstances and try at the same time unveil the identity of this secret "Raphael", and after a superbly executed plot they will be able to expose this traitor to the English court.
Highly recommended, for this is another splendid addition of this terrific series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Captivating Roger Shallot Mystery"!
In this series Roger Shallot is telling his recollections of certain adventures while being a spy for Cardinal Wolsey, during the reign of King Henry VIII.
This tale is set in the year AD 1521, and England is at peace with France or so it seems under the magnificent rule of Cardinal Wolsey.
All of a sudden, Richard Falconer, chief secretary of the English embassy in Paris, is found viciously murdered.
Rumours are circulating that a spy within the English court is passing information to King Francis I of France, and Cardinal Wolsey, is sending his nephew, Benjamin Daunbey and his young steward, the reluctant Roger Shallot, to Paris to investigate this murder, and the only clue is that the spy's codename is "Raphael".
Before they go they are instructed separately by the sly King Henry III to steal a precious ring, subject of a wager, as well as protecting a mysterious book, and they have to do this successfully or retreat into exile.
Entering a web of deceit and intrigue, Roger shallot and Benjamin will have to use their wits and cunning if they want to survive these deadly circumstances and try at the same time unveil the identity of this secret "Raphael", and after a superbly executed plot they will be able to expose this traitor to the English court.
Highly recommended, for this is another splendid addition of this terrific series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Captivating Roger Shallot Mystery"!
June 1, 2020
This has become one of my favorite Medieval mystery series! Sir Roger Shallot's wry wit and humor are perfect accents to the twisted and intriguing plot.
January 15, 2011
In the line of literary bigmouths like Flashman or Brigadier Gerard, Clynes (Paul Doherty) creates Roger Shallot,a brave spy and adventurer and his intelligent friend Benjamin in the bloody and turbulent court of Henry VIII. Very entertaining.
April 5, 2020
A good story with a plot that kept me interested throughout.
Roger Shallot is sitting at the centre of a maze reminiscing about his adventures as a young man, while his chaplain writes his memoirs down for him. Some of the memories make the chaplain blush, which is what Shallot intends.
Roger Shallot and his master, Benjamin Daunbey, are sent to France to find a book of St. Augustine that had been a gift to a cleric from Henry VIII, a ring that Henry had gifted to King Francis I and to uncover the identity of a spy only known as Raphael.
Shallot and Daunbey face many dangers and near death experiences together as they travel on their quest. They eventually find the book, which Henry had annotated to the effect that Queen Catherine had been a virgin when they married, the identity of the spy eluded them for quite some time and the ring was deemed impossible to obtain.
Eventually, the spy's identity is uncovered and the person is dealt with. The spy's accomplice is challenged to a duel, but allowed to live. It is this accomplice that facilitates the recovery of the ring. The identity of the murderer of several people is also discovered and dealt with.
Shallot and Daunbey return to King Henry's Court. The book is destroyed, as His Majesty wants no proof of Catherine's virginity when he tries to divorce her.
Shallot and Daunbey live to fight another day.
Roger Shallot is sitting at the centre of a maze reminiscing about his adventures as a young man, while his chaplain writes his memoirs down for him. Some of the memories make the chaplain blush, which is what Shallot intends.
Roger Shallot and his master, Benjamin Daunbey, are sent to France to find a book of St. Augustine that had been a gift to a cleric from Henry VIII, a ring that Henry had gifted to King Francis I and to uncover the identity of a spy only known as Raphael.
Shallot and Daunbey face many dangers and near death experiences together as they travel on their quest. They eventually find the book, which Henry had annotated to the effect that Queen Catherine had been a virgin when they married, the identity of the spy eluded them for quite some time and the ring was deemed impossible to obtain.
Eventually, the spy's identity is uncovered and the person is dealt with. The spy's accomplice is challenged to a duel, but allowed to live. It is this accomplice that facilitates the recovery of the ring. The identity of the murderer of several people is also discovered and dealt with.
Shallot and Daunbey return to King Henry's Court. The book is destroyed, as His Majesty wants no proof of Catherine's virginity when he tries to divorce her.
Shallot and Daunbey live to fight another day.
March 2, 2024
A fantastic murder-mystery set in the 1500s during the reign of King Henry VIII. This is the 2nd "journal" of Sir Roger Shallot, a retelling of events told from his perspective. There are seven books published from the Shallot journals, and it seems that although they are loosely connected, they probably can be read in any order.
I found this at my public library on sale and really had no idea what it was about. Going into this blind made it all the more enjoyable. The writing style is good and the prose really brings the characters to life. The book seems well researched and thus the setting more historically accurate. There is an author's note that explains similarities in the story that were loosely accurate in the 1520s.
This is a historical fiction, so of course the main character, Sir Roger Shallot (and others) may appear to be misogynistic, but this is simply a result of the time period and doesn't delude the quality of the story at all. His inner monologues were hilarious and improved the storytelling. I haven't read much mystery to compare this to, but this is certainly one of the best books I've read this year. Highly recommend.
I found this at my public library on sale and really had no idea what it was about. Going into this blind made it all the more enjoyable. The writing style is good and the prose really brings the characters to life. The book seems well researched and thus the setting more historically accurate. There is an author's note that explains similarities in the story that were loosely accurate in the 1520s.
This is a historical fiction, so of course the main character, Sir Roger Shallot (and others) may appear to be misogynistic, but this is simply a result of the time period and doesn't delude the quality of the story at all. His inner monologues were hilarious and improved the storytelling. I haven't read much mystery to compare this to, but this is certainly one of the best books I've read this year. Highly recommend.
February 13, 2021
I just don’t know about this series. I adore Paul Doherty’s other creations: Brother Athelstan and - especially - Hugh Corbett, but I really struggle with Roger Shallot. It is about three years since I read his first chronicle and I decided to try again to see whether time had smoothed out my concerns. Alas, it has not. I still find the protagonist deeply annoying - I would much prefer Benjamin Daunbey as the primary character - and, depressingly, I find the plots far easier to unravel than any of Doherty’s other works. I actually think that certainly one of the stars I awarded this book, and possibly a second too, are in deference to the respect I have for the author rather than for any intrinsic quality of this particular series. I will not be pursuing this character any further and that, again in deference to the author, makes me very sad.
February 11, 2022
Up to his old tricks
Another, perils of Pauline romp thru Tudor England and France. Suffers from similar issues as the first book in the series, from the large number of red herrings and misdirects to the Poiroit-like j’accuse all is revealed. denouement. Plus Shallots rogueish retelling of the story, full of braggish asides; I find him more irritating than amusing. For me, this is the end of the road with this series.
Another, perils of Pauline romp thru Tudor England and France. Suffers from similar issues as the first book in the series, from the large number of red herrings and misdirects to the Poiroit-like j’accuse all is revealed. denouement. Plus Shallots rogueish retelling of the story, full of braggish asides; I find him more irritating than amusing. For me, this is the end of the road with this series.
April 19, 2019
Engaging story that finds Shallot and Benjamin in France trying to find a spy in Henry VIII diplomatic corp. Shallot shows some humanity so the characters aren't quite as one dimensional as usual. Clynes (aka Paul Doherty) is known more for his historical settings than he is for his character development.
January 23, 2018
L'ambientazione e il periodo storico sono fra i miei preferiti. Gli intrighi ci sono in abbondanza. Ma il racconto fatto in prima persona da Roger Shallott non mi piace molto: ha uno stile troppo da "sbruffone saccente".
October 12, 2019
A fitting follow on from The White Rose Murders.
Shallot would appear to lead a charmed life, but he is the hero after all.
The description of the characters is very good and the methods of murder intriguing.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Shallot would appear to lead a charmed life, but he is the hero after all.
The description of the characters is very good and the methods of murder intriguing.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
February 20, 2022
Excellent
Paul Doherty makes it all so real that I lose fact in fiction. He weaves his plots together so cleverly that you almost never know the who or the why until you are told.
Paul Doherty makes it all so real that I lose fact in fiction. He weaves his plots together so cleverly that you almost never know the who or the why until you are told.
November 6, 2017
Another gteatbook
As I finish one book can hardly wait to see the next one. It's author does a great job of hiding All the information until the end.
As I finish one book can hardly wait to see the next one. It's author does a great job of hiding All the information until the end.
January 5, 2018
Another winner from Doherty
Well written, interesting plot and memorable characters as only Paul Doherty can write them. He makes you feel as though you are actually there.
Well written, interesting plot and memorable characters as only Paul Doherty can write them. He makes you feel as though you are actually there.
October 29, 2020
Very entertaining.
February 3, 2021
This was my first taste of Roger Shallot, very enjoyable read so now I must go to the beginning of the series.
August 3, 2025
Enjoyable light read.
February 4, 2017
Questo è stato uno dei romanzi più brutti che io abbia mai letto.
Arrivare al fondo è stato rapidissimo, visto l'esiguo numero di pagine, e PER FORTUNA.
Il protagonista è insopportabile, quindi considerando che la narrazione è in prima persona questo costituisce un problema. In più lo stile di scrittura è terribile, è un costante divagare dicendo cose che non hanno nessuna attinenza con la trama e che servono solo a ribadire quanto il protagonista sia scaltro e ben inserito nelle vite di personaggi storici famosi. In generale la trama sembra quasi scivolare via, è inconsistente e arrivata alla fine non mi è rimasto nulla: proprio niente, né sentimenti positivi né negativi. Come non averlo letto.
Peccato, perché a disposizione c'erano tutti i numeri per renderlo un bel libro: congregazioni rinascimentali segrete, personaggi storici che io amo (leggi: NOSTRADAMUS AMORE MIO), un bel set... ma niente.
Arrivare al fondo è stato rapidissimo, visto l'esiguo numero di pagine, e PER FORTUNA.
Il protagonista è insopportabile, quindi considerando che la narrazione è in prima persona questo costituisce un problema. In più lo stile di scrittura è terribile, è un costante divagare dicendo cose che non hanno nessuna attinenza con la trama e che servono solo a ribadire quanto il protagonista sia scaltro e ben inserito nelle vite di personaggi storici famosi. In generale la trama sembra quasi scivolare via, è inconsistente e arrivata alla fine non mi è rimasto nulla: proprio niente, né sentimenti positivi né negativi. Come non averlo letto.
Peccato, perché a disposizione c'erano tutti i numeri per renderlo un bel libro: congregazioni rinascimentali segrete, personaggi storici che io amo (leggi: NOSTRADAMUS AMORE MIO), un bel set... ma niente.
August 7, 2015
Shallot and his master are asked to help find a poisoner as well as a spy telling England's secrets to the French. Shallot is quite a character, a loveable rogue although it's clear that his master is the more intelligent of the two. Entertaining with a few twists, this was a 'light' crime novel set in Tudor England.
September 20, 2011
I should have liked this book. It had the history, intrigue, and swarthy narrator that I would normally go for, but I just couldn't get in to the story. I was glad when it was over.
August 12, 2013
Love Sir Roger Shallot. I agree that the best things to do with kings is to stay away from them.
June 11, 2014
A very good pot. Shallot is a rogue, but loveable.
April 29, 2016
Revisiting the Shallot series
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews