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Sir Roger Shallot #4
A Brood of Vipers
In the spring of 1523, Cardinal Wolsey's "beloved" nephew, Benjamin Daunbey, and the latter's rapscallion servant, Roger Shallot, are summoned to London. A Florentine envoy, Lord Francesco Abrizzi, has been foully murdered in Cheapside. He has been shot in the head by a new-fangled hand cannon and King Henry VIII, the "Great Beast" of Shallot's memoirs, is determined to unmask the perpetrators of this outrage. In London, Shallot experiences King Henry VIII's rage and spite, the insults of the Abrizzis, and a murderous attack on his own life. Shallot, a born coward with the fastest legs in Christendom, just wants to crawl away and hide, but Henry VIII and Wolsey are most insistent: Shallot and Benjamin are to journey to Florence, discover the identity of Lord Francesco's assassin, deliver a secret message to Cardinal Guilo de Medici, Prince of the Church and ruler of Florence, as well as inveigle back to England a Florentine painter. It sounds simple enough - but the reality is murderously different: they experience murder onboard ship, pursuit by Turkish corsairs, the Satanic rites of a black magician, and bloodshed on every side.
247 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 30, 2021
Read this book in 2009, and its the 4th volume of"the wonderful "Roger Shallot" series.
This is another one of Roger Shallot's memoirs of his reluctant exploits for Cardinal Wolsey, during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Set in the year AD 1523, Benjamin Daunbey, nephew of Cardinal Wolsey, and the reluctant Roger Shallot are summoned to London.
There in Cheapside the Florentine envoy, Francesco Abrizzi, has been foully murdered.
King Henry VIII, "The Great Beast" of Shallot's memoirs, wants the perpetrators found and unmasked, but before they head off to Florence Shallot, he will feel King Henry's rage and spite, is insulted by the Abrizzis, while also attack on his life will take place.
In Florence Benjamin and Roger must try to discover the identity of the murderer, they must also deliver a secret message to Cardinal Guilo de medici, Prince of the Church and ruler of Florence, as well as bring back to England secretly a Florentine painter.
What will follow is an intriguing and thrilling Tudor mystery, with a lot of mayhem and murder on the way, and in this dangerous and deadly Florentine circumstances they must somehow seem to survive, before they will be able to reveal the culprit behind all these unrest and subsequent murders.
Highly recommended, for this is another exciting Tudor mystery of this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fantastic Brood Of Vipers Mystery"!
This is another one of Roger Shallot's memoirs of his reluctant exploits for Cardinal Wolsey, during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Set in the year AD 1523, Benjamin Daunbey, nephew of Cardinal Wolsey, and the reluctant Roger Shallot are summoned to London.
There in Cheapside the Florentine envoy, Francesco Abrizzi, has been foully murdered.
King Henry VIII, "The Great Beast" of Shallot's memoirs, wants the perpetrators found and unmasked, but before they head off to Florence Shallot, he will feel King Henry's rage and spite, is insulted by the Abrizzis, while also attack on his life will take place.
In Florence Benjamin and Roger must try to discover the identity of the murderer, they must also deliver a secret message to Cardinal Guilo de medici, Prince of the Church and ruler of Florence, as well as bring back to England secretly a Florentine painter.
What will follow is an intriguing and thrilling Tudor mystery, with a lot of mayhem and murder on the way, and in this dangerous and deadly Florentine circumstances they must somehow seem to survive, before they will be able to reveal the culprit behind all these unrest and subsequent murders.
Highly recommended, for this is another exciting Tudor mystery of this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fantastic Brood Of Vipers Mystery"!
February 25, 2022
History brought to life
Blending fact and fiction is something Paul Doherty does so well. There's intrigue, murder and sometimes bloody mayhem, but you know you'll have the answers in the end. And the best bit is I almost never guess who done it!
Blending fact and fiction is something Paul Doherty does so well. There's intrigue, murder and sometimes bloody mayhem, but you know you'll have the answers in the end. And the best bit is I almost never guess who done it!
August 29, 2023
Good easy read. No use of Olde English Language except for the odd word here and there. Interesting use of historical references in the plot which actually stimulated with me and my poor memory of high school history teachings.
November 2, 2017
Another great read.
The author has done it again. So many twists and plots with so many characters involved. Great book. Read and enjoy.
The author has done it again. So many twists and plots with so many characters involved. Great book. Read and enjoy.
November 9, 2020
I am enjoying this series of the journals of Sir Roger Shallot. So entertaining and at the same time the book has its very serious moments.
August 5, 2025
Enjoyable light read.
March 14, 2013
Excellent mystery in an English and Italian Renaissance setting. The main character is cynical, a bit bawdy, but delightful in his wry observation of people and social customs of his time. His opinions on historical personalities such as Henry the Eighth, Cardinal de Medici, and others is probably spot on. The author is a history professor and gives the reader a clear perspective on the times and the real personalities of the real people of that time. The mystery is a puzzler and great fun to watch it unfold. Pay attention to detail, though, so you can understand the conclusion when all is revealed. Writing style captures just enough of the speech patterns of the time to give it authenticity. Excellent combination of detective mystery, historical fiction, and adventure.
July 8, 2017
Sir Roger Shallot, Book #4
Shallot and his master, Benjamin Daunbey, go to Florence to solve a murder that happened in London. Everyone is a suspect, Shallot (as usual) gets himself into all sorts of trouble, and once again, he and Daunbey solve the crime. The best part of these Shallot mysteries is the historical backdrop they are played against. The possibility of collusion amongst the puppet masters (Giulio de' Medici, Cardinal Wolsey, and Henry VIII) is enticing.
Shallot and his master, Benjamin Daunbey, go to Florence to solve a murder that happened in London. Everyone is a suspect, Shallot (as usual) gets himself into all sorts of trouble, and once again, he and Daunbey solve the crime. The best part of these Shallot mysteries is the historical backdrop they are played against. The possibility of collusion amongst the puppet masters (Giulio de' Medici, Cardinal Wolsey, and Henry VIII) is enticing.
April 1, 2016
Very enjoyable read! I love Paul Doherty's books. He is a great writer. I'm so intent on what is going on with his characters that I forget to try to figure out who did it! That's a good book.
This is book 4 in his 6 series Roger Shallot mysteries. Some are laugh out loud, but Shallot always comes through. Very atmospheric..but not so much so that it turns me off.
Recommend!
This is book 4 in his 6 series Roger Shallot mysteries. Some are laugh out loud, but Shallot always comes through. Very atmospheric..but not so much so that it turns me off.
Recommend!
April 9, 2012
Very good so far. This is the fourth one I've read of Doherty's (being the fourth in the series) and the quality definitely does not drop off. Historical fiction + whodunnit + well-researched = winner!
March 16, 2015
Divertida novela de misterio ambientada en la época de Enrique VIII y narrada por un pícaro superviviente, al estilo de los Papeles de Flashman tanto en tono como en humor.
August 8, 2015
Shallot and his master are caught up in a web of intrigue amongst a family of Florentines. Lots of murder and plenty of twists. Amusingly entertaining.
September 3, 2015
A very good story
Superb story telling that takes you back in time. This whole series is worth the time and effort. More books to read.
Superb story telling that takes you back in time. This whole series is worth the time and effort. More books to read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews