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November 1302, and Sir Hugh Corbett, Edward I's Keeper of the Secret Seal, together with his manservant, Ranulf, and messenger, Maltote, are sent to Mortlake Manor on the Norfolk coast to confront an evil rarely seen before. A man's headless corpse, its head impaled on a pole, has been found on a beach and the pretty young wife of a local baker is discovered hanging from a gallows. The scene is set for more gruesome deaths and Corbett soon realises that the icy wastes of Norfolk, where the show more eerie song of the Dark Angel wind chills those that live in the small villages along the coast, are just as treacherous as the silken intrigue at the royal court or the violence of London's fetid alleyways... show lessTags
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Like all P. C. Doherty's books about Hugh Corbett, a rattling good read. A Mediaeval murder mystery that brings to life the sounds and smells of the cities, villages and people of the period. Great characterisation, well researched (the author knows the period exceptionally well), gentle humour combined with suspense and some "religious" terror. Un-put-down-able. Thoroughly recommended.
In The Song of a Dark Angel, eighth book in the Sir Hugh Corbett mysteries, Sir Hugh has ridden to Norfolk on a mission for his king, whom we know as King Edward I, or Edward Longshanks. It is the eve of the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, patron saint of Scotland. That means it's November 29, a week after a man and a woman were murdered near the village of Hunstanton. 'The Dark Angel' is what the locals call the north wind. It's singing over the Wash, an inland sea along the Norfolk coast. Sir Hugh and his manservant, Ranulf-atte-Newgate ride through the cold to Mortlake Manor, home of Sir Simon Gurney and his wife, Lady Alice.
It's 1302 and Hugh Corbett, King Edward I's Keeper of the Secret Seal, is sent to Norfolk to investigate a series of murders. Again, this novel is based on fact and has been well researched.
The Pastoureaux (or Shepherds Movement) of France are part of the plot, and the Children's Crusade is also mentioned. A dark but fascinating part of history I wasn't aware of prior to reading this book and was inspired to research afterwards.
The loss of King Johns treasure at the Wash in 1216 is also a large part of the plot, as rumours and myths surrounding the treasure are rife and some characters devote their lives to searching to uncovering the mystery.
Overall, another satisfying medieval mystery.
The Pastoureaux (or Shepherds Movement) of France are part of the plot, and the Children's Crusade is also mentioned. A dark but fascinating part of history I wasn't aware of prior to reading this book and was inspired to research afterwards.
The loss of King Johns treasure at the Wash in 1216 is also a large part of the plot, as rumours and myths surrounding the treasure are rife and some characters devote their lives to searching to uncovering the mystery.
Overall, another satisfying medieval mystery.
Set in 1300, Hugh Corbett is sent to Norfolk to assist in the search for the murderers of some locals as well as investigate a religious cult. Not really a very good mystery - perhaps I've just read too many Cadfael books.
Multiple bad guys all searching for the king's lost treasure. Lot of action, not as gritty as _Death of a King_
Cute little murder(s) mistery set in middle ages. Easy read.
En esta nueva entrega de las investigaciones de Hugo Corbett, la acción se desarrolla en Hustaton, Norfolk, donde deberá resolver un doble crimen: la esposa del panadero local ha aparecido ahorcada (y no está nada claro que se trate de un suicidio) y un criado del duque de Surrey ha aparecido brutalmente decapitado. Pero la principal misión de Corbett y sus hombres es encontrar un mítico tesoro que, según cuenta la leyenda, perdió el abuelo del rey Eduardo I al cruzar el estuario del Nene. La pacífica ciudad en la que se aloja Corbett en esta ocasión le depara un buen número de sorpresas, no todas agradables. A menudo las cosas no son lo que parecen, y la intuición y sagacidad de Corbett para poner al descubierto los más show more pérfidos crímenes tendrá que volver a manifestarse en toda su brillantez. show less
Feb 18, 2011Spanish
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Author Information
138+ Works 13,256 Members
Paul C. Doherty was born on September 21, 1946. He is an award winning British author, educator, and historian. He is also the Headmaster of Trinity Catholic High School, Woodford Green, Essex, in the United Kingdom. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and at Exeter College, Oxford, where he show more received a doctorate for his thesis on Edward II. Dr. Doherty is a historian who lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries. Dr. Doherty was awarded an Order of the British Empire for his services to education in 2011. His other career is that of Headmaster at Trinity Catholic High School, Woodford Green, Essex for 30 years. In 1999, the school was given Beacon status which rates it as outstanding among other schools in it's category. Dr. Doherty has published a series of historical mysteries set in the Middle Ages, Classical, Greek, and Ancient Egypt. He writes both fiction and non-fiction under his own name, both as P.C. Doherty and Paul C. Doherty, as well as the pennames: Anna Apostolou, Michael Clynes, and Ann Dukthas. Doherty is the author of several mystery series, including The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan, the Hugh Corbett medieval mysteries, and the Canterbury Tales of mystery. He has written 100 published books which have been printed in several languages and distributed in several different countries including the UK, United States, Spain, and Germany. He was also awarded the Herodotus, for lifelong achievement for excellence in the writing of historical mysteries by the Historical Mystery Appreciation Society. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Song of a Dark Angel
- Original publication date
- 1994
- People/Characters
- Sir Hugh Corbett (King Edward's Keeper of the Secret Seal); Ranulf-atte-Newgate (Sir Hugh's manservant); Maltote (Sir Hugh's messenger)
- Important places
- Norfolk, East Anglia, England; Mortlake Manor, Norfolk, England; Hunstanton village, Norfolk, England; Bishop's Lynn (now King's Lynn), England (now King's Lynn)
- Important events
- Reign of Edward I, King of England (1272-11-16 | 1307-07-07); King John loses his treasure (1216-10-12)
- Dedication
- Barbara and Rob of 'The Poisoned Pen', Scottsdale, AZ, USA. Many thanks for your support and friendship.
- First words
- The sharp, cruel wind swept in across the iron-grey sea towards the white headlands.
- Quotations
- [Selditch the physician has said that the king should be careful in these parts. Sir Hugh asked why.]
'Don't you know your history, Sir Hugh? The King's grandfather, John, crossed these lands with his army. He was fleei... (show all)ng from his barons with his treasure loaded on sumpter ponies. He attempted to take a short cut across the Wash near the river Nene, but the tide came in rapidly. The king and his lords escaped but the treasure was lost together with its guards and all the sumpter ponies.' (chapter 2) - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Behind them the scaffold creaked as the wind rose and the dark angel swept in from the sea to sing its eternal song above the desolate moors.
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