Books by Paul Doherty

Book SynopsisSummer 1312. The brutal murder of King Edward II''s favourite, Peter Gaveston, unleashes a horde of demons . . .Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, hastens to the Dominican Priory at Blackfriars where Gaveston''s corpse awaits burial. But, on arrival, Corbett discovers that a series of macabre murders has turned the priory into a mansion of death, and a killer is roaming free.Meanwhile, rumours spread that the pirate ships of the Black Banner Fleet are intent on entering the River Thames and, if the Sea Beggars succeed in their mission, they will weaken the king''s power throughout the city. Once again, Corbett must employ his wit and ingenuity to navigate the dangerous and deadly challenges ahead and bring the culprits to justice before matters turn grave indeed.What readers say about Paul Doherty:''Paul Doherty''s depictions of medieval England are truly outstanding''''Another brilliant story in the excellent Hugh Corbett series by a superb historical author''''Good plots, clever twists and mostly impossible to work out''

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Book SynopsisChristopher Urswicke must unmask the traitor lurking amongst Margaret Beaufort''s supposedly loyal followers in this gripping medieval mystery.October, 1471. Edward IV sits on the English throne; the House of York reigns supreme. With her young son, Henry Tudor, in exile in France, Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, shelters deep in the shadows, secretly plotting for the day when Henry can be crowned the rightful king.But as her supporters are picked off one by one, it becomes clear that a traitor lurks within Margaret''s household. When one of her most loyal henchmen, Jacob Cromart, is murdered in St Michael''s Church, where he had claimed sanctuary, Margaret orders her sharp-witted clerk, Christopher Urswicke, to find out who has betrayed her.How could a man be killed inside a church where the doors are all locked, with no sign of an intruder or weapon? If he is to protect Margaret''s remaining supporters from suffering a similar

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Book SynopsisPaul Doherty's twenty-fifth enthralling medieval mystery is sure to appeal to fans of C. J. Sansom, E. M. Powell and Bernard Cornwell.

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Book SynopsisWhat would happen if you took a swim outside a deep-sea submarine wearing only Speedos? How long could you last if you stood on the surface of the sun? How far could you actually get in digging a hole to China?And Then You're Dead offers serious answers to these horribly interesting questions. Paul Doherty and Cody Cassidy explore the real science behind these and other fantastical scenarios, offering insights into physics, astronomy, anatomy and more along the way. Illustrated with straightforward technical art and leavened by small doses of dry humour, And Then You're Dead is both scientifically informative and gruesomely entertaining.Trade ReviewIn the introduction to this hugely entertaining read, the authors hope that by combining 'science and gruesome detail', they'll bring us a book where 'Stephen King meets Stephen Hawking'. By the end, this mission has been triumphantly accomplished. * Daily Mail *Sure to please the macabre-minded. * BBC Focus magazine *Entertaining - if harrowing. * New York Times Book Review *Vivid, engaging and utterly fascinating...With bite-size morsels of astonishing science andthe perfect combination of smart-alecky writing and black humour, this page-turner will surely debunk anymisapprehension that science is dull. * Booklist (starred review) *As someone who is averse to flying, elevators, and a catalog of other things I'd rather not admit to, I found this book strangely cathartic. A great read, full of interesting anecdotes and funny commentary. -- Ali Almossawi * author of BAD CHOICES *

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Book SynopsisFriar-sleuth Brother Athelstan is caught in a politically charged race against time! He must uncover the truth behind numerous gruesome murders in this tense historical mystery set in medieval London.Normandy, 1358: The Free Company of the ''Via Crucis - the Way of the Cross'' sweeps into the peaceful village of Avranches, like the riders from the Apocalypse, leaving nothing but death and hellish destruction in their wake.London, 1382: Brother Athelstan is summoned to unpick the ugly truth behind a number of killings afflicting the great city. Some carried out like clean, efficient assassinations, all bearing the message ''Justitia Fiat - let there be justice'', others inflicting torture and humiliation upon the bodies. But the victims all have one thing in common - they were all once members of Via Crucis.With every new gruesome discovery, Brother Athelstan, with the help of Coroner Cranston, uncovers more clues which make up a mo

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Book SynopsisFriar-sleuth Brother Athelstan is caught in a politically charged race against time! He must uncover the truth behind numerous gruesome murders in this tense historical mystery set in medieval London.Normandy, 1358: The Free Company of the ?Via Crucis ? the Way of the Cross? sweeps into the peaceful village of Avranches, like the riders from the Apocalypse, leaving nothing but death and hellish destruction in their wake.London, 1382: Brother Athelstan is summoned to unpick the ugly truth behind a number of killings afflicting the great city. Some carried out like clean, efficient assassinations, all bearing the message ''Justitia Fiat ? let there be justice'', others inflicting torture and humiliation upon the bodies. But the victims all have one thing in common ? they were all once members of Via Crucis.With every new gruesome discovery, Brother Athelstan, with the help of Coroner Cranston, uncovers more clues which make up a most complicated riddle ? but can he put together the last piece before the fate of the whole country is decided?A skilfully plotted and researched medieval mystery which will appeal to fans of C.J. SANSOM

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Book SynopsisPaul Doherty's twenty-fifth enthralling medieval mystery is sure to appeal to fans of C. J. Sansom, E. M. Powell and Bernard Cornwell.

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Book SynopsisSpies, secrets and suspicious circumstances: Friar-sleuth Brother Athelstan races against time to solve impossible crimes and uncover a traitor in this gripping historical mystery set in medieval London.London. March, 1382. Deep in the shadows, a clandestine organization known as the Secret Chancery operates under the sinister leadership of John of Gaunt''s Master of Secrets. When two clerks from this covert group meet their demise in suspicious circumstances, friar-sleuth Brother Athelstan is urgently summoned to unravel the truth behind their deaths.A puzzling question lies at the heart of the investigation: how did the killer manage to navigate a labyrinth of locked doors, leaving no trace behind? As Brother Athelstan delves deeper into the mystery, a terrifying threat also emerges: the possibility of treason. King Richard''s spies in France are also dying, almost as if someone''s discovered exactly who they are . . .Brother Athelstan

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Book SynopsisThe arrival of a band of Spanish mercenaries brings new danger for Margaret Beaufort and the House of Lancaster in this richly-imagined medieval mystery.November, 1471. With Edward of York on the English throne and her son, Henry Tudor, in exile in Brittany, the newly-widowed Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, is alone, without protectors. All she can do is wait and watch, planning for a time when she''s in a position to make her move.But new dangers are emerging. En route to England is a band of Spanish mercenaries known as the Garduna. With no allegiance to prince, prelate or people, they are a lethal fighting force, utterly ruthless and implacable killers. But who has hired them . . . and why?The discovery of the body of an unexpected visitor, found murdered in a locked room in her London townhouse, heralds the start of a series of increasingly menacing incidents which threaten Margaret and her household. Is there an enemy within

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Book Synopsis1286 and on a storm-ridden night King Alexander III of Scotland is riding across the Firth of Forth to meet his beautiful French bride Yolande. He never reaches his final destination as his horse mysteriously slips, sending them both crashing to their death on cruel rocks. The Scottish throne is left vacant of any real heir and immediately the great European princes and the powerful nobles of Alexander''s kingdom start fighting for the glittering prize. The Chancellor of England, Burnell, ever mindful of the interest his king, Edward I, has in Scotland, sends his faithful clerk, Hugh Corbett, to report on the chaotic situation at the Scottish court. Concerned that a connection exists between the king''s death and those now desirous of taking the Scottish throne, Corbett is drawn into a maelstrom of intrigue, conspiracy and danger.

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Book SynopsisUnlocking the Metaverse Highly comprehensive resource providing insight into how the Metaverse, and digital worlds in general, can be leveraged for business success Unlocking the Metaverse focuses on the strategic implementation of processes and the execution of Metaverse strategies, technologies, and innovations and provides readers with real world tools and strategies to succeed with market demands. The text provides a clear and concise description of what the Metaverse is and what its value means to readers and their companies. A continuous interaction with readers inside the book's virtual world in the Metaverse provides both structured and unstructured interactions with the highly qualified author and his guests in periodic and ongoing public events, serving as a repository of continuous learning and a sandbox for continuous innovations to be explored, analyzed, and reported. Unlocking the Metaverse covers sample topics such as: ConTable of ContentsAbout the Author ix Acknowledgments xi List of Acronyms xiii Introduction: How to Use This Book xv Chapter 1: Definitions 1 Metaverse 1 Digital Twin 4 Virtual Worlds 6 Blockchain 7 Fungible Token (FT) 8 Non-fungible Token (NFT) 8 Smart Contracts 9 Tokenomics 11 GPT 11 Chapter 2: Digital Twins, Virtual Worlds, and the Metaverse 14 Digital Twins 14 Gaming 20 Monetization 22 Virtual Worlds 23 Reality Capture and Motion Capture 24 Chase Olson – Reality Capture 25 Avatars 30 Avatar Interface 31 Avatars as Metahumans/Humanoids (MoCap) 32 NPCs as Reference Oracles 32 Virtual Worlds in the Metaverse Examples 34 Cybersecurity and Safety 37 Metaverse 38 Industrial Metaverse 41 Chapter 3: Metaverse Mechanisms and Solutions 44 Blockchain 45 Workflows 46 Capital Asset Delivery Using Smart Contracts Workflow 46 Construction Documents as the Digital DNA of the Built Environment 47 Ethereum blockchain 47 Digital Twin 48 Geo Location and Workflow 48 Facility Management 49 Challenges 49 Governance in a Decentralized Digital Environment 51 Cybersecurity 51 Trust 52 Data 53 Avatars 53 Smart Contracts 53 Value Propositions 53 Increased Efficiency 54 Improved Data Collection and Analysis 54 Accurate and Trusted Facility Data and Information 54 Tokenomics 55 Woven Collisions: NFTs and the Metaverse 56 LOE 58 Real-Estate-Backed Digital Asset Securities 59 Web 3 60 AI 61 GPT 63 ChatGPT Model 65 Chapter 4: The Crystal Ball 67 Scarcity and Abundance 69 Edge Computing 70 Censorship 72 Thought Leader Interviews 73 Damon Hernandez – The Metaverse 73 Hugh Seaton – Data 86 Cody Nowak – Process 97 Arol Wolford – The Industry's Future 104 Conclusion 109 Index 113

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Book Synopsis1311. Murder and mayhem prowl the highways and coffin paths of Medieval England . . .Hugh Corbett returns in the twentieth gripping mystery in Paul Doherty''s ever-popular series. If you love the historical mysteries of C. J. Sansom, E. M. Powell and Bernard Cornwell you will love this.It is four years since the death of King Edward I, but his reign of terror has cast long shadows over the kingdom. At Holyrood Abbey, sheltered in the depths of the Welsh march, the old king''s former bodyguards protect his secret relics and watch over a mysterious prisoner who is kept in the abbey''s dungeon. But their peaceful existence is shattered when Abbot Henry is poisoned. Summoned to Holyrood, Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, finds the fortress in chaos. Brothers Anselm and Richard have been brutally slain by nails driven deep into their skulls. No one knows who could be behind the gruesome killings and the news attracts thTrade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's gripping mysteries:His fascination for history comes off the page * Daily Express *Deliciously suspenseful, gorgeously written and atmospheric * Historical Novels Review *Supremely evocative, scrupulously researched * Publishers Weekly *An opulent banquet to satisfy the most murderous appetite * Northern Echo *Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history...evocative and lyrical descriptions * New Statesman *Teems with colour, energy and spills * Time Out *The Hugh Corbett series . . . continues its magnificent vein of form. Massively recommended -- Classic Mystery blog

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Book SynopsisPaul Doherty''s twenty-third medieval mystery featuring Sir Hugh Corbett is a gripping and gruesome tale of murder and mayhem sure to appeal to fans of C. J. Sansom and Bernard Cornwell.Spring, 1312. Edward II of England is absorbed with his favourite, Peter Gaveston, while his young wife, Isabella, is with child. Isabella''s father, the ruthless Philip of France, dreams of a grandson wearing the Crown of the Confessor and starts to meddle - even if that means murder...Amaury de Craon, Philip''s Master of Secrets, is despatched to carry out his deadly deeds and Edward II summons Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, to intercept. Both master spies lodge at the Benedictine abbey of St Michael''s in the forest of Ashdown. Supposedly a house of prayer, the abbey holds sinister secrets and treasures which include the world''s most exquisite diamond, The Glory of Heaven. However, shortly after their arrival, the diamond is stolen and its guardian murdered. OtherTrade ReviewHis fascination for history comes off the page * Daily Express *Deliciously suspenseful, gorgeously written and atmospheric * Historical Novels Review *Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history . . . evocative and lyrical descriptions * New Statesman *An opulent banquet to satisfy the most murderous appetite * Northern Echo *Supremely evocative, scrupulously researched * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisHugh Corbett returns in the twenty-first gripping mystery in Paul Doherty''s ever-popular series. If you love the historical mysteries of C. J. Sansom, E. M. Powell and Bernard Cornwell you will love this. Secrets simmer in the lonely wasteland of Dartmoor. Spring, 1312. At Malmaison Manor, Lord Simon is concealing a dark secret - one he arrogantly assumes will never catch up with him. But someone knows about the crime he committed and they''ve found a way to make him pay. And he''s not alone. When he is found mysteriously slain, other deaths soon follow. Meanwhile, ships on the Devonshire coast are being deliberately wrecked, their crews slaughtered, their cargoes plundered. Sir Hugh Corbett and Lord Simon are bound by the Secret Chancery and their search for one precious ruby - the Lacrima Christi. So, when Corbett learns of Lord Simon''s death, he is once more dragged into a tangled web of lies and intrigue and it''s not long before secrets of his own start to surface. As the Hymn to Murder reaches its crescendo, can Corbett confront his past and live to see another day? Praise for Paul Doherty''s dark and suspenseful novels: ''His fascination for history comes off the page'' Daily Express ''An opulent banquet to satisfy the most murderous appetite'' Northern Echo ''Deliciously suspenseful, gorgeously written and atmospheric'' Historical Novels Review ''Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history . . . evocative and lyrical descriptions'' New Statesmen Trade ReviewHis fascination for history comes off the page * Daily Express *Deliciously suspenseful, gorgeously written and atmospheric * Historical Novels Review *Supremely evocative, scrupulously researched * Publishers Weekly *An opulent banquet to satisfy the most murderous appetite * Northern Echo *Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history...evocative and lyrical descriptions * New Statesman *Teems with colour, energy and spills * Time Out *The Hugh Corbett series . . . continues its magnificent vein of form. Massively recommended * Classic Mystery blog *

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Book SynopsisOctober, 1471. Edward IV sits on the English throne; the House of York reigns supreme. With her young son, Henry Tudor, in exile in France, Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, shelters deep in the shadows, secretly plotting for the day when Henry can be crowned the rightful king.But as her supporters are picked off one by one, it becomes clear that a traitor lurks within Margaret''s household. When one of her most loyal henchmen, Jacob Cromart, is murdered in St Michael''s Church, where he had claimed sanctuary, Margaret orders her sharp-witted clerk, Christopher Urswicke, to find out who has betrayed her.How could a man be killed inside a church where the doors are all locked, with no sign of an intruder or weapon? If he is to protect Margaret''s remaining supporters from suffering a similar fate, Urswicke must solve a baffling mystery where nothing is as it first appears.

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Book SynopsisEngland, 1311. In the dark of the North the devil lies in wait...Paul Doherty''s most popular series character returns in the gripping nineteenth mystery in the Hugh Corbett series.If you love the historical mysteries of C. J. Sansom, E. M. Powell and Bernard Cornwell you will love this.1296: King Edward I has led his army to Scotland, determined to take the country under his crown. But the fierce Scots have no intention of submitting to their oppressor and violent and bloody war breaks out. 1311: Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, finds himself back in Scotland and is revisited by the horrors he witnessed there fifteen years ago. An anonymous letter was delivered to the new king. It promised information about a fatal incident that could allow England to finally bow out of the war with the Scots. Tasked with finding out the truth about the murder, Corbett is forced to take risksTrade ReviewDeliciously suspenseful, gorgeously written and atmospheric * Historical Novels Review *Supremely evocative, scrupulously researched * Publishers Weekly *An opulent banquet to satisfy the most murderous appetite * Northern Echo *Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history...evocative and lyrical descriptions * New Statesman *Teems with colour, energy and spills * Time Out *The Hugh Corbett series . . . continues its magnificent vein of form. Massively recommended -- Classic Mystery blog

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Book SynopsisWill Hugh Corbett be able to discover the truth before London is overrun by the sinister Pentangle in the stunning first novel of the Corbett series?

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Book SynopsisAfter the death of her husband Pharoh Tuthmosis II, Hatusu has confounded her critics by winning a great battle against the Mitanni. Aided by her lover, Senenmut, she is determined that all sections of Egyptian society should accept her as the first Pharaoh-Queen of Egypt - an acceptance that needs the favour and support of the priests. When a spate of killings takes place in the Divine Temple of Horus, the naturally superstitious priests interpret this as a sign of the Gods'' disapproval of Hatusu''s rule of Egypt. The royal city turns once again to respected judge Amerotke to find the truth.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty: 'Vitality in the landscape...angst in the mystery, it's Peters minus the herbs but plus a few crates of sack * Oxford Times *Absolutely superb * CADS *The best of its kind since Ellis Peters * Time Out *I really like these medieval whodunnits * Sarah Broadhurst, Bookseller *Wholly excellent, this is one of those books you hate to put down * Prima *If you like the Paul Doherty style you will enjoy this hugely. The pace never flags and despite all this larger-than-life flamboyance Doherty's Egypt has the ring of truth about it. Doherty has done his homework well and it shows * Historical Review *

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Book SynopsisRome: August 314 AD, and as the sun''s insidious heat beats down, murderous forces lurk in the underbelly of the city. The normally cosseted world of Rome''s rich and powerful is rocked by a series of violent abductions, as children of the elite are kidnapped and held for ransom. Meanwhile, veteran soldiers, men who served Constantine along the Great Wall in northern Britain are being barbarously murdered; the indignities inflicted on their corpses reminiscent of the gruesome practices of the Picts whom they fought so many years ago. The Empress Helena summons her secret agent, Claudia, in a bid to resolve these macabre occurrences. But Claudia has problems of her own. The perfectly preserved corpse of a young Christian woman has been disinterred in her uncle''s garden and it falls to her to investigate this mystery too. Now she must track her way through a murky tangle of politics, religion and murderous violence, ever aware that the slightest mistake could cost her life.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisIn Paul Doherty''s new novel, Amerotke, Chief Judge of the Hall of Two Truths, is once again summoned to the Imperial Palaceo: Tekreth, Guardian of the Door of Sobeck, has fallen to his death from the roof of his stately mansion. According to all evidence, it was an accident but Pharaoh Queen Hatusu is not convinced. Increasingly worried about reports of mysterious disappearances along the Sobeck Road, the imperial highway stretching south, she believes that Tekreth''s death could be part of a far greater problem. Amerotke, aware of the reports from the Sobeck Road, has also heard rumours about the Shemai, a cult devoted to death, based along its borders. Before Amerotke can start to consider either of these matters though, a gruesome mass murder occurs at the Necropolis. The funeral party for revered scribe, Ptulimis, has been poisoned and Amerotke must immediately investigate the abomination. As Amerotke probes further, he suspects that all these events may be connected and that dangTrade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty and his other novels: 'Resurrectionist magic * New York Times *The best of its kind since the death of Ellis Peters * Time Out *I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *The maestro of medieval mystery * Books Magazine *Doherty dazzles with his story-telling * Nottingham Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisScandal, murder and treason… Athelstan and Cranston are back with a bang.Winter, 1379. French privateers are attacking the southern coast and threaten London itself, the very heart of the nation.The situation becomes dire when an English flotilla of warships, with the colossal God’s Bright Light among them, drops anchor in the Thames; during the first night, the entire watch of the ship disappears without a trace.The series of murderous and strange incidents leads to Sir John and Brother Athelstan being summoned to resolve the mysteries on board the ill-omened warship. Their investigations uncover some shocking truths – and they find themselves in the thick of a bloody battle on the Thames.A gripping and suspenseful historical mystery with plenty of action, perfect for fans of Michael Jecks, S. G. MacLean and Susanna Gregory.

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Book SynopsisA brutal murderer, a house of assassins, a devil incarnate...It’s the Spring of 1380 and the Regent John of Gaunt needs money and supplies for his war against the French.Unfortunately, the members of parliament at Westminster are proving especially stubborn – and the Regent’s cause is not aided when some representatives from the shire of Shrewsbury are foully murdered.John of Gaunt orders Sir John Cranston, along with his trusty ally Brother Athelstan, to find the assassin before he loses every chance of obtaining the taxes he requires, before more innocent people are found dead.An absolutely scintillating historical mystery, perfect for fans of Susanna Gregory, C. J. Sansom and S. G. MacLean.

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Book SynopsisA murder close to home leaves Athelstan with his most dangerous case yet...After the discovery of three savagely murdered bodies in his parish, Brother Athelstan finds himself involved in the hunt for a dangerous killer.It is clear that two of the victims, a prostitute and a preacher, surprised an assassin who was then forced to kill them.But who the third victim is, and why someone has gone to so much trouble to kill him, remains a mystery.And can it really have any connection with Sir John Cranston’s attempt to save a women unjustly accused of stabbing a clerk?Brother Athelstan returns in the ninth exciting mystery thriller in Paul Doherty’s brilliant series, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, E. M. Powell and Rory Clements.

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Book SynopsisA set of horrific killings hints at the answer behind a legendary crime...Autumn, 1380. Brother Athelstan is very busy. He and his parish council are preparing for the annual Christmas mystery play when a series of brutal murders occur at a Southwark tavern.Two young whores are found slain but their deaths are only the beginning of a series of gruesome killings which occur around the parish of St Erconwald’s.He resolves to solve not only these grisly deaths, but also their source - the Great Robbery of the Lombard treasure, which occurred in Southwark some 20 years earlier.Plots and deceptions abound in this thrilling mystery novel by Paul Doherty, ideal for fans of Susanna Gregory, C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris.Praise for Paul Doherty'His fascination for history comes off the page' Daily Express'Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history ... evocative and lyrical descriptions' New Statesmen'An opulent banquet to satisfy the most murderous appetite' Northern Echo

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Book SynopsisSummer 1312. The brutal murder of King Edward II''s favourite, Peter Gaveston, unleashes a horde of demons . . .Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, hastens to the Dominican Priory at Blackfriars where Gaveston''s corpse awaits burial. But, on arrival, Corbett discovers that a series of macabre murders has turned the priory into a mansion of death, and a killer is roaming free.Meanwhile, rumours spread that the pirate ships of the Black Banner Fleet are intent on entering the River Thames and, if the Sea Beggars succeed in their mission, they will weaken the king''s power throughout the city.Once again, Corbett must employ his wit and ingenuity to navigate the dangerous and deadly challenges ahead and bring the culprits to justice before matters turn grave indeed.What readers say about Paul Doherty:''Paul Doherty''s depictions of medieval England are truly outstanding''''Another brilliant story in the excellent Hugh Corbett series by a superb historical author''''Good plots, clever twists and mostly impossible to work out''

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Book SynopsisNovember 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 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...

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Book SynopsisPaul Doherty''s most popular series character returns. It is the Summer of 1311 and Hugh Corbett is about to take up a life of danger again in the eighteenth novel in his series, DARK SERPENT, the follow up to THE MYSTERIUM. If you love historical mysteries from Robin Hobb, Susanna Gregory, Michael Jecks, Peter Tremayne and Bernard Knight you will love this.After his recent unveiling of a devious assassin, Sir Hugh Corbett has returned to service as the Keeper of the Secret Seal, begrudgingly admitting that his appetite for adventure has once again been whetted. Summoned to meet the King to be congratulated on their work together, Corbett and Ranulf learn of the death of Corbett''s close friend, Ralph Grandison. Ralph, a leper, has been found dead in a rowing boat, a dagger thrust through his chest. But this murder is not the first of its kind. Other patients of the hospital in which Ralph was staying have similarly slaughtered and it seems as though the leper

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Book SynopsisKnown as the Veiled One, the ugly and deformed Akenhaten is a shadowy figure. As a child he is overlooked and despised by his own father. As an adult he is thrust into the political limelight when his elder brother dies. Mahu, ambitious and ruthless, watches the young prince carve his own path to power. He becomes Akenhaten''s alter ego, his protector and confidant, standing by as Akenhaten proclaims that there is only one God, the Aten, and that he, Akenhaten, is that God''s only son. Revolution and chaos follow in this dramatic reign filled with fraud, abduction, assassination, betrayal and treachery. But when Mahu becomes suspicious of Akenhaten''s majestic and glorious wife Nefertiti, and the political skill of her brother, Ay, it seems that a hidden and malign influence may also be at work. And then Akenhaten disappears...Trade Review'Doherty has typically woven a delightfully dark tale around what must have been the most remarkable period of Egyptian history...So stoke up the fire, draw the curtains and put your feet up in order to enjoy this delightfully spooky and robust tale of demons, death and disease in old Egypt. Great stuff!' Historical Novels Review Nov 2003 * Historical Novels Review *'Doherty has typically woven a delightfully dark tale around what must have been the most remarkable period of Egyptian history...So stoke up the fire, draw the curtains and put your feet up in order to enjoy this delightfully spooky and robust tale of demons, death and disease in old Egypt. Great stuff!' Historical Novels Review Nov 2003 * Historical Novels Review *

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Book SynopsisIn early 1302 a violent serial killer lurks in the city of London, slitting the throats of prostitutes.And when Lady Somerville, one of the Sisters of St Martha, is murdered in the same barbaric fashion, her death is closely followed by that of Father Benedict in suspicious circumstances. Edward of England turns to his trusted master clerk, Hugh Corbett, to reveal the identity of the bloodthirsty assassin. Joining Corbett on his mission are his devious manservant Ranulf and his faithful horseman Maltote. In the dark, fetid streets of the city and in the desolate abbey grounds, they encounter danger and deceit at every turn. Only Ragwort, the mad beggar, has seen the killer strike, and the one clue that Corbett has to help him is Lady Somerville''s cryptic message: ''Calcullus non facit monachum '' - the cowl does not make the monk.

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Book SynopsisIn 1298, Edward I of England invaded Scotland and brutally sacked the town of Berwick, razing to the ground the Red House of the Flemings who had permission to trade there. He little knew his action would have far-reaching repercussions.A year later, Edward convokes a great assembly of the realm in St Paul''s Cathedral. They are to hear Mass after which the main celebrant, Walter de Montfort, has been delegated to lecture the King on not taxing the Church. During the Mass, de Montfort dies a sudden and violent death.Hugh Corbett, the King''s clerk, is given the task of solving the mystery and tracking down the murderer. Against the background of Edward''s struggle to maintain himself, both at home and aborad, Corbett''s investigations become tortuous and laced with danger...

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Book SynopsisA terrible power struggle threatens the very core of Britain…In 1376, the Black Prince dies of a terrible sickness, closely followed by his father, King Edward III in 1377. The crown of England is left in the hands of a mere boy, and the great nobles gather like hungry wolves round the empty throne.Soon the prelates of the church and the powerful Merchant Princes of London are drawn in. One of these, Sir Thomas Springall, is foully murdered within a few days of the old king’s death.Sir John Cranston, the coroner of London, is ordered to investigate. He is assisted by Brother Athelstan, a penitent Dominican monk. From the sinister slums of Whitefriars to the barbaric splendour of the English Court, Cranston and Athelstan are drawn into a dark and terrifying web of intrigue…The first in a scintillating historical mystery series, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom, Susanna Gregory and S. J. Parris.Praise for The Nightingale Gallery 'The best of its kind since the death of Ellis Peters' Time Out'If you like Inspector Morse, you'll love Brother Athelstan' Prima'Evocative and lyrical descriptions' New Statesman

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Book SynopsisEdward I of England and Philip IV of France are at war. Philip, by devious means, has managed to seize control of the English duchy of Aquitaine in France, and is now determined to crush Edward. King Edward suspects that his enemy is being aided by a spy in the English court and commissions his chancery clerk, Hugh Corbett, to trace and, if possible, destroy the traitor. Corbett''s mission brings him into danger on both land and at sea, and takes him to Paris, and its dangerous underworld, and then to hostile Wales. Unwillingly he is drawn into the murky undercurrents of international politics in the last decade of the thirteenth century.

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1302 the famous Robin of Locksley, popularly known as Robin Hood, has gone back to his outlaw ways in Sherwood Forest where he battles against royal authority, culminating in the barborous massacre of royal tax collectors and the mysterious murder of Sir Eustace Vechey, one of the sheriffs of Nottingham.Corbett and his two faithful servants Ranulf and Maltote are sent to Nottingham where they find fresh mysteries: why are three arrows shot into the air above Nottingham Castle on the 13th of every month? Who is the traitor in Nottingham Castle? And why have the French despatched an agent to assassinate Corbett?

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Book SynopsisAs the travellers gather in the Tabard Inn at the start of a pilgrimage to pray before the blessed bones of St Thomas à Becket in Canterbury, they agree eagerly to mine host Harry''s suggestion of amusing themselves on each day of their journey with one tale and each evening with another - but the latter to be of mystery, terror and murder.The Knight begins that evening: his tale opens with the destruction of a sinister cult at its stronghold in the wilds of Oxfordshire by Sir Hugo Mortimer during the reign of William the Conqueror, and then moves to Oxford some two hundred years later where strange crimes and terrible murders are being committed. The authorities seem powerless but Lady Constance, Abbess of the Convent of St Anne''s, believes the murders are connected with the legends of the cult and she petitions the King for help.As the murders continue unabated, special commissioner Sir Godfrey Evesden and royal clerk Alexander McBain uncover clues that lead to a Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisChaucer''s pilgrims, quarrelling amongst themselves, are now in open countryside enjoying the fresh spring weather as they progress slowly towards Canterbury. A motley collection of travellers, they each have their dark secrets, hidden passions and complex lives. As they shelter in a tavern from a sudden April shower they choose the Man of Law to narrate the next tale of fear and sinister dealings.In August 1358, the Dowager Queen Isabella, mother of King Edward III, the ''She Wolf of France'', who betrayed and destroyed her husband because of her adulterous infatuation for Roger Mortimer, lies dying of the pestilence in the sombre fortress of Castle Rising, where her ''loving'' son has kept her incarcerated. According the Man of Law, Isabella dies and her body is taken along the Mile End Road and laid to rest in Greyfriars next to the mangled remains of her lover, who has paid dearly for his presumption in loving a queen. Nevertheless, as in life so in death Isabella causesTrade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book Synopsis1303 and the Old Man of the Mountain remembers back to when he nearly killed Edward I thirty years before. He now decides to release an imprisoned leper knight to avenge old grievances and take the King''s life. A few months later two nuns are returning to their monastery in York, where they are confronted by the horrific sight of a man being consumed by fire, the sickly smell of burning flesh lingering in the air. News of the grisly death greets Edward as he arrives in York for secret negotiations with the leaders of the military Templar Order. His unease deepens when an attempt is made on his life. When the assassin, wearing Templar livery, is found dead - having been engulfed by a mysterious fire - Edward immediately turns to his Keeper of the Secret Seal, Hugh Corbett, to investigate.

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Book SynopsisHis great battles against the sea raiders in the Nile Delta have left Pharoah Tuthmosis II frail, but he finds solace in victory and in the welcome he is sure to receive on his return to Thebes. Across the river from Thebes, however, there are those who do not relish his homecoming, and a group of assassins has taken a witch to pollute the Pharaoh''s unfinished tomb. Reunited with his wife, Hatusu, and his people, Tuthmosis stands before the statue of Amun-Ra, the roar of the crowd and the fanfare of trumpets ringing in his ears. But within an hour he is dead and the people of Thebes cannot forget the omen of wounded doves flying overhead. Rumours run rife, speculation sweeps the royal city and Hatusu vows to uncover the truth. With the aid of Amerotke, a respected judge of Thebes, she embarks on a path destined to reveal the great secrets of Egypt.Trade Review'Doherty excels at historical detail, bringing ancient Egypt to life in his descriptions of daily life and characters drawn from every caste. This novel launches a series - and that's good news' Publishers Weekly'The historical mystery genre is still thriving and Paul Doherty's THE MASK OF RA is the best of its kind since the death of Ellis Peters. As ever, Doherty dazzles with his knowledge an intimate feel for ancient Egypt' Time Out'Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history' New Statesman

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Book SynopsisAs the sun sets, Chaucer''s pilgrims find themselves lost in a Kent forest rumoured to be haunted. Huddled around the fire, trying to ignore the cries of screech owls and other, more frightening sounds of the night, the Clerk of Oxford agrees to tell a ghostly tale of love and death that will chill the blood.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book Synopsis313 AD. Under the rule of Emperor Constantine, Rome finally appears to be emerging from its turbulent past. In order to consolidate his control and under the guidance of his mother Helena, Constantine plans to harness the power of the increasingly influential Christian Church. But his loyalties are brought into question when three courtesans from the Guild of Aphrodite - a guild Constantine himself frequents - are found dead. All three bodies have crosses etched on their foreheads and each cheek. Aiming to protect her son''s future, Helena calls upon the service of an ''agente in rebus politicis'' - or spy. Claudia is the niece of a tavern-owner and is placed as a wine-server in Constantine''s household. But Claudia has secret motives of her own...Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisHatusu, the remarkable young widow of Pharaoh Tuthmosis II, has forced Egyptian society to acknowledge her as Pharaoh, and her success in battle is spreading Egypt''s glory well beyond its frontiers. In the Temple of Anubis, Hatusu and the defeated King Tushratta of Mitanni are negotiating a peace treaty that will seal her greatest victory. But then two hideous murders in the temple and the theft of the Glory of Anubis threaten the tentative truce, and the respected judge Amerotke must find the perpetrators.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty: 'Vitality in the landscape...angst in the mystery, it's Peters minus the herbs but plus a few crates of sack * Oxford Times *Absolutely superb * CADS *The best of its kind since Ellis Peters * Time Out *I really like these medieval whodunnits * Sarah Broadhurst, Bookseller *Wholly excellent, this is one of those books you hate to put down * Prima *If you like the Paul Doherty style you will enjoy this hugely. The pace never flags and despite all this larger-than-life flamboyance Doherty's Egypt has the ring of truth about it. Doherty has done his homework well and it shows * Historical Review *

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Book SynopsisIn the village of Melford, a local lord is executed for a spate of vicious murders. It''s not until the killing begins again, and the dead lord''s son alleges that a miscarriage of justice has taken place, that a serious investigation begins. Hugh Corbett realises that for the last five years a serial killer has terrorised the villagers and that when, not if, the next victim is chosen, he must be ready to act.Trade ReviewPraise for the series: 'Death and mystery pack the pages - but there's humour too * Colchester Evening News *Vitality in the landscape...angst in the mystery, it's Peters minus the herbs but plus a few crates of sack * Oxford Times *Absolutely superb * CADS *

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Book SynopsisSomewhere deep in the desert, the location of Rahimere''s tomb has long been kept a closely guarded secret. But now, the Sebaus - a sect taking its name from demons - has plundered and pillaged the sepulchre for its most powerful treasure.The fiery Pharaoh Queen Hatusu must fight to protect the tombs of her kin and tighten her grip on the collar of Egypt. But when Egypt''s great military hero, General Suten, is bitten to death by a swarm of venomous vipers, it appears events have spiralled out of her control.Meanwhile, a dark shadow lies across the peaceful Temple of Isis; four of the temple handmaids have vanished without trace. Will Lord Amerotke, Pharaoh''s Chief Judge, find that the perpetrators are in league with forces beyond his jurisdiction?Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisBy 1322, Mathilde of Westminster was considered the finest physician in London. But in her years as lady-in-waiting to Princess Isabella, she was drawn into the murky politics of the English court, where sudden, mysterious death was part of the tapestry of life. Many years later, Mathilde looks back and chronicles her turbulent life. With her sharp, suspicious intellect ready to distinguish between a fatality and an unnatural death, Mathilde is confronted by a host of chilling murders. The source of these horrors is the fierce political rivalry between Philip of France and Edward of England. This manifests itself in a series of gruesome killings, one of which actually took place during Edward II''s Coronation, when a knight of the Royal Household, Sir John Baquelle was crushed to death.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisIt''s 1308 and England hovers on the brink of civil war. Edward II, his wife Isabella and the royal favourite Peter Gaveston Earl of Cornwall, have been forced to retreat to the King''s folly. Just an arrowshot away lie the Great Lords and Philip IV of France, who are demanding that the Earl of Cornwall be charged with high treason.Edward is trapped, and worse, he has learnt that Philip has the ''Poison Maiden'' on his side, a formidable spy who did untold damage during his father''s reign. As Edward tries in vain to unmask the identity of the spy, Mathilde, handmaiden to the Queen, also attempts to identify the source of this threat. Soon the crisis spills over into violence. The Lords attempt to take Gaveston by force and the King and his Court, including Mathilde, are forced to flee. As the enemy closes in, Mathilde finds herself embroiled in a life and death struggle for the English crown.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisAt a peace treaty signing between Egypt and Libya in Thebes, three of Egypt''s leading scribes die violently on the Temple forecourt, the victims of a vile poisoning. To add to the mounting unease, a prosperous merchant and his young wife are found drowned. Rumours soon sweep the imperial city. The Poisoner of Ptah has returned. It falls to Amerotke, Chief Judge of the Halls of Two Truths, to investigate these hideous crimes. This story sees the Judge pit his wits against a cunning opponent who seems intent on spreading his death-dealing powders. Amerotke enters the twilight world of glorious Thebes where life can be so rich and yet death so swift and brutal.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisMathilde of Westminster must face a dangerous foe in the third novel in Paul Doherty''s acclaimed series. March 1312 and England is divided. Edward II is in conflict with his barons over royal favourite Gaveston, and Queen Isabella is momentously pregnant with the first union of Plantagenet and Capetian blood. Meanwhile, rebel Robert Bruce prowls the Scottish border seeking advancement. Mathilde of Westminster senses a challenge for the throne is imminent. When the great Earls step up their campaign, the King and Queen are forced to flee to a fortified priory in Tynemouth, now vulnerable to the Scottish marauders on land and Bruce''s allies at sea. With threats all around, the royal party can only despair when one of their camp is murdered. Will Mathilde be able to find the perpetrator before the King loses control of the throne?Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty and his other novels: 'Resurrectionist magic * New York Times *The best of its kind since the death of Ellis Peters * Time Out *I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *The maestro of medieval mystery * Books Magazine *Doherty dazzles with his story-telling * Nottingham Evening Post *

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