The Bloodstained Throne

September 6, 2010
An overly convoluted plot mars an otherwise solid historical, the seventh to feature Sir Geoffrey Mappestone (after April 2010's Deadly Inheritance). In September 1103, Geoffrey and his friend, Sir Roger of Durham, both former crusader knights, must try to solve two murders after surviving a shipwreck off England's south coast. A fellow passenger aboard the Patrick, Philippa, claims that she saw Juhel, a Breton, throw a Norman named Paisnel overboard. Another shipmate, the elderly Vitalis, winds up on the English shore strangled to death. While trying to identify the killer or killers, Geoffrey and Roger find themselves on the run from the Patrick's crew, who turn out to be pirates. Keeping characters and motives straight is more challenging than it should be, especially as one of two former academics sharing the Beaufort pseudonym has written numerous intricate, more coherent puzzles under the name Susanna Gregory.

October 1, 2010

Leaving his new wife and his sister in charge of his Welsh estate, Sir Geoffrey Mappestone (Deadly Inheritance) takes off for the Holy Land with his friend Sir Roger. But they are shipwrecked along the English coast and uncover a plot to overthrow the king and return Norman England to Saxon rule. VERDICT For fans of P.C. Doherty and other authors of medieval mysteries.

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2010
Beaufort serves up a fine medieval-era mystery thats also a rollicking adventure. This new entry in the Sir Geoffrey Mappestone series has Geoffrey setting off for Jerusalem to confront his former patron Tancred and find out why hes lost Tancreds favor. But the ship on which hes sailing sinks off the coast of England, with only a few survivors, one of whom claims to be the rightful heir to the English throne. Also among the survivors are a mysterious merchant, a dangerous group of pirates, and two women who may be murderers. Setting off to a nearby abbey to seek shelter, some of the survivors soon show their true colorsand Geoffrey begins to fear for his life. Are the two women really killers? Is King Henrys reign in danger from the man who claims he is the rightful heir to the throne? Is the mysterious merchant a friend or a foe? And who wants to kill Geoffrey and why? Entertaining and cleverly plotted.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)