Book of Fires, The
A Brother Athelstan mystery
by Paul Doherty
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Pub Date 1 Jan 2015 | Archive Date 8 Feb 2015
Description
February, 1381. A ruthless killer known as the Ignifer – Fire Bringer – is rampaging through London, bringing agonising death and destruction in his wake. He appears to be targeting all those involved in the recent trial and conviction of the beautiful Lady Isolda Beaumont, burned at the stake for the murder of her husband. As the late Sir Walter Beaumont was a close friend of the Regent, John of Gaunt orders Sir John Cranston and Brother Athelstan to investigate.
In the dead man’s possession was a copy of the mysterious ‘Book of Fires’, containing the secret formula of a devastating weapon, the so-called Greek Fire. The manuscript has since disappeared, and Gaunt is desperate for it not to fall into the hands of the Upright Men, who are busy plotting the Great Revolt.
Was Isolda really guilty of murder? Who is the terrifying Fire Bringer – and what does he want? Brother Athelstan is about to tackle his most challenging, and potentially dangerous, case yet.
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Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781780290669 |
| PRICE | US$34.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Kathleen Carrow I, Reviewer
Book of Fires, aka The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan #14, was very entertaining and enjoyable. Volume #13 had a bit too much murder, did the author read me review, for this one was a lot different. The priest solves a series of interconnected mysteries, both connected with Church and society.
Having only read a few of the 14 books, I particularly this time enjoyed the homey peeks at Athelstan's household. His friends also were quite well fleshed out and endeared all of them to me. I plan to get some more to read now.
The John of Gaunt era, and his problems with the common man or "Upright Men", apparently permeated and infiltrated the entire land and very strata of society. Brother Athelstan, as pastor of a cohesive flock, has a warm and fatherly ( or perhaps brotherly) concern for his parishioners. He is highly esteemed by many, the Coroner most of all!
Read this mystery and learn about Greek Fire and how it came to be utilized in medieval England, and why. Also "Who is the terrifying Fire Bringer – and what does he want? Was Isolda really guilty of murder?"
You will love this one! Thanks Netgalley, 4 1/2 stars!
Heather B, Reviewer
All reviews appear on Amazon, Goodreads, LibraryThing plus LT Facebook and Twitter, eyes.2c review blog
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Book-Fires-Medieval-featuring-Athelstan-ebook/dp/B00P6NG7Q2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1420216350&sr=1-1&keywords=book+of+fires (Jan. 2, 2015)
LibaryThing and LibraryThing Facebook and Twitter http://www.librarything.com/work/15328753/summary/115041111 (Jan. 2, 2015)
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1147004532 (Jan. 2, 2015)
eyes.2c reviews blog http://eyes2creviews.blogspot.ca/2015/01/medieval-mystery-at-its-bestmedieval.html (Jan. 2, 2015)
Medieval mystery at its best!
A young woman, Lady Isolda Beaumont is condemned for the murder of her powerful merchant husband and burned alive at the stake. Walter 'Black' Beaumont, an expert in canons, was known to hold the secret to creating explosive fires, and was rumoured to have Mark the Greek's 'Book of Fires' stolen from the Greek emperor in Constantinople. The Book contained the secret of Greek Fire, a highly volatile substance that will ignite even when thrown on water.
Isolda's judges are being attacked, doused by a mysterious liquid, set alight and burnt alive by a mysterious harbinger of destruction . Are those with old and malignant grudges and discord seeking retribution?
Brother Athelston with his old friend and sleuth Sir a John Cranston are caught up in the mystery behind the murder of the merchant and the attacks on the judges.
Brother Athelston is also stunned by a sudden miracle in his church. A man crippled and burnt down one side is suddenly healed!
At the same time many of his parishioners are caught up in the movement of the Upright Men against John of Gaunt, against the deprivation that they are being forced to endure.
The mystery deepens, plots intertwine and Athelston's patience and understanding are stretched to the limit by the momentous happenings that are brought into play.
Doherty's writing is tight, his descriptive prose has the conditions of the times leaping off the page. One can feel the squalor and turgid surroundings of the streets through which Athelston trudges. Athelston's humble abode is a tranquil pool of stillness amongst the tensions of the surrounding countryside.
A NetGalley ARC
Dawn T, Reviewer
The Book of Fires A Brother Athelstan Mystery 14 by Paul Doherty
271 Pages
Publisher: Severn House
Release Date: January 1, 2015
Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Greek Fire, 1380s, Medieval
This is the 14th book in the series and the first one I have read. It was an interesting to read from Brother Athelstan’s perspective. The murderer is ruthless with the use of a substance known as Greek Fire. The deaths seem to be concentrated on the people involved with the conviction of Lady Isolda Beaumont. One man is found in a locked concrete room burned to death. How could this have happened? The book has a good pace, and the characters are developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. If you enjoy period murder mysteries, you will like this one.
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