Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #395857 in Books
• Published on: 2004-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780755301737
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Review
Jecks is one of the most reliable practitioners of historical crime writing, and all his idiosyncratic virtues are on show here. On their return home from their pilgrimage, Baldwin and Simon's ship is attacked off the coast of the Scilly Isles, and Baldwin is swept overboard. Washed ashore on the tiny island of Ennor, Simon has to put aside his grief when the master of the castle, Ranulph, orders him to investigate the murder of the island's tax gatherer. Meanwhile Baldwin has been washed ashore and is nursed back to health by the beautiful Tedia. He uncovers a different picture of the island as he too begins to investigate the murder. Jecks gave up a career in computers to concentrate on writing and the study of medieval history; readers have cause to be grateful for the career move.

About the Author
Michael Jecks gave up a career in the computer industry to concentrate on writing and the study of medieval history, especially that of Devon and Cornwall. He lives with his family in northern Dartmoor.

Customer Reviews

tedious - not one of Jeck's best
I am a huge fan of this series, but not of this book. It seemed to take a departure from others in the series in several ways. It spent much time on philosophical issues like marriage, friendship, taking lives, etc. If i wanted that, I wouldn't be reading mysteries. Even his foreword is long and tedious! And one of his steadfast characters reveals a major character flaw, which I found very disheartening, and quite odd after 15+ novels. A long and unsatisfying book.

for the want of Viagra...
Michael Jenks is a talented writer. His myteries are generally full of atmosphere, well paced and populated with believable characters. This is one of the exceptions.

If "Master and Commander" and a Regency bodice ripper had a retarded (...)child, this would be it.

The first quarter of the book is devoted to a ship wreck and the repetitive whining of the "unserviced" and insatiable wife, the angst suffered by her floppy hubby, repeats of every euphemism known for male genitalia and constant references to what the wife needs "between her aching loins." The wife sues for divorce as the marriage has never been consumated. The events are based on a true case from the 1300's.

Given the title, you might wonder what this has to do with the story. Not much. Yet this rather thin back story takes up a substantial part of the book. You'll also learn more than you ever wanted to know about customs taxes in medieval England. I suppose the objective was to build atmosphere. It doesn't work and it's quite annoying.

There are better mysteries out there, many by the same author. Don't waste your time on this one!

Jecks
I have previously reviewed this author. He is superior and my only regret is that once I found his works that I read everything he has written within two months. I only wish he could write faster. British film and TV would be well advised to base a series on this mystery series rather than some of the current work they produce (stated by an American).