Brother Athelstan works with the Lord High Coroner Sir John Cranston to track down the The Godless murderer. who is torturing and killing prostitutes in London. It seems the murderer is also implicated in a series of brutal killings in France in the wars between the English and French. High and low politics between France and England and a serial killer. Who is it? A soldier? A tavern keeper? The goings on in Brother Athelstan's parish as usual provide humorous interest. However, this time Brother Athelstan faces the worst in human nature.

I would like to thank Severn House for providing me with a free electronic ARC of this book, via Netgalley. Although I required their approval, the decision to read this book is my choice and any reviews given are obligation free.

‘The Godless’ is book nineteen in the ‘A Brother Athelstan Mystery’ and I admit here and now that, although I have read other books in this series, I’ve not read them all, nor read them in order. Historical crime fiction is my favourite genre and authors like Mr Doherty were my introduction to this genre and, I feel, a big reason I love it so much.

As with the other books I have read in this series, Mr Doherty seems to bring 14th century London alive. Yes, modern language is used (as how many people today would be able to understand 14th century English?) but other than that, I felt myself become fully absorbed into the world the author so artfully wove.

Yes, I kind of guessed the whodunit early on, but it’s a savant part of my idiot to be able to do this (joke about my neuro-diversity people). :-D But it was written in such a way that I was still guessing until the end to see if I had guessed correctly or was mistaken. To me, that’s the best way to write a whodunit – make it plausible enough that the reader may have figured it out… but then give them enough doubts that they simply MUST read to the end to see if they were right. I simply ADORE that sort of crime fiction, historical or otherwise.

The characters were engaging, the world described so full of the five senses you can easily imagine yourself there, and the personalities in tune with the era. I do hate a historical fiction where the characters have modern day ethics… and so really loved how Mr Doherty kept the characters true to what we know about the 14th century.

Book nerd side of things – nothing to complain about. I have come to expect near perfect formatting for Kindle from Severn House and this is what I got. The copy editing was excellent too and I can’t remember a single clanger. I always expect high quality stories from this publisher and was not disappointed. And, no, they do not pay me to say that. In fact, they’ve recently declined my requests for a few books and I’m still happy to say nice things about them as they produce such high quality works.

Would I recommend this book to others?

Yes I would. As I’ve not read this series in a while, it was like reading it as a stand-alone novel, and it was fine to read as such. Each Brother Athelstone book I’ve read is pretty much a stand-alone within the series. As in, same characters and usually same setting, but the story is rarely carried from one book to the next so that you feel like you’re missing out on something.

Would I buy this book for myself?

As much as I love this series, and enjoy the writing style of Mr Doherty, I don’t think I would. And this is simply because I don’t think buying a kindle copy for $25 AUD for a single book in this series worth it. I mean, if I was buying it as a paperback? Yes… but any eBook that costs over $10 AUD always worries me and I know how much it costs to publish paper vs electronic books and really don’t see how authors/ publishers can justify such a high price for an eBook. Sorry… you may be an excellent publishing house, but not THAT excellent.

I will stick to hunting out my historical crime fiction novels from the local libraries, more within my budget. ;-)

In summary: An enjoyable historical crime fiction, true to the series it is part of.

Not The Brother Athelstan Novel That I Am Used To
The novel opens during the Hundred Years War in France with two incidences of the torture and murder of women.. Others present were just killed. There are 13 novels of this series that I have not read, so it is not what I was used to, but I cannot say if the author had swam through these literary waters before.

Shift the timeframe forward 18 years, and a royal ship surreptitiously transporting gold to Calais blows up in the Thames. Only the master survived for a while. He rambled about a red-haired demon garbed like a woman with a painted white face. Then, there appears to be a serial murderer loose in London who is killing prostitutes, strips them naked, puts a red wig on them and sets them adrift in a small boat on the Thames. Unfortunately, the murders expand beyond prostitutes and closer to Brother Athelstan. The novel takes off from here with Brother Athelstan and the Lord High Coroner, Sir John Cranston in the thick of it.

The main storyline proceeds with many twists and turns to keep the reader’s interest. The author weaves several parallel storylines including a treasure hunt in the Brother Athelstan’s church cemetery and group of French Officials seeking the leader of the torture and killings of 18 years earlier.

The B-storyline now in the 16th novel in the series appears to be well set. There is some history revealed about Brother Athelstan, Sir John Cranston, his bailiff, Flaxwith. The Parish Council is there along with the housekeeper. Making an appearance in this novel is the Fisher of Men and his crew who ply the waters of the Thames looking for those poor souls who drowned or whose bodies were disposed by dumping them into the Thames.

It is true that there is much violence and most of it described in the present tense, i.e., as it is happening, vice being described later. The description of violence is not overly graphic or gratuitous. There is some swearing, but of the 14th century kind. Readers who do not want to read novels with graphic sex, violence, and offensive language should not have any problems with this novel. The one thing that reader should be warned is the use of medieval terms. The author uses these terms quite often. Having access to the Kindle dictionary is a blessing. While this dictionary holds its own for modern British police procedurals, but more often than not I had to go to the Internet to ensure I knew the meaning of words. I strongly recommend that not only this novel but probably all of this series be read on a Kindle for the above reasons.

All of the various threads were tied up nicely by the end of the novel and with a nice twist at the end to top it off. Make sure you read the Author’s Notes at the end. The one problem I did have with this novel in that it did not grab my attention and hold it so that I could not put it down. To be honest, this problem may have its roots in events happening around me, but the fact remains, it took me much longer to read this novel than usual. I still strongly recommend reading it even if this would be the first novel of this period. I rate this novel with four stars.

I have received a free kindle version of this novel through NetGalley from Severn House with a request for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Severn House for the opportunity to read this novel early.

I enjoy reading historical mysteries and the Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston series is solidly in first place on my favorite series list. Here is #19 and it was a wonderful read. The time is 1381 and the partnership of Brother Athelstan and Cranston is faced with another murderous puzzle to solve. Prostitutes are being murdered and left wearing red wigs. The message sent takes them back to 1363 and an event in Normandy - of rape and pillage. Now that horrible event has brought its ugliness to London. Brother Athelstan discovers it has arrived at his doorstep - some of his parishioners have ties to the event.
The historical background of this series is solid and not sugar coated. London of the time is painted in all of its not so pretty glory. The writing is vivid, giving the reader an immersive read complete with all of the nasty, depressing sights and smells as well as seeing how the other half lives. The City is a living, breathing character in this series. Add to that the well developed main characters of Brother Athelstan and Sir John and a superb puzzle to solve - full of twists, turns and the occasional red herring - if you like historical mysteries, this series should be on your TBR list. Each entry can be read as a stand alone.

Let loose "Canes Belli: the Dogs of War!"

Once again the medieval site of of 1381 London becomes the backdrop for another horrific Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston murder investigation.
Truly, with this particular spate of grotesque killings it seems like the minions of hell have escaped the netherworld to inhabit the darkness of the city. Prostitutes have been found dispatched, stripped and crowned with red wigs and floating on the Thames in sciffs.
Meanwhile, a king's war cog making for Calais has blown up and there are rumors of a figure adorned with a red wig having been seen. These happenings seem linked. But how?
As Athelston and Cranston move through the dank streets seeking answers I felt like I'd descended into a Dantesque Inferno and as the plot proceeds I'm not far off. The red bewigged figures harken some twenty years back to the rape and pillage of Normandy in 1363 by "mercenary free companies, one in particular, ‘The Godless’, who took their name from the war barge" they’d served on. It's seems they were led by a fearful secretive figure referred to as Oriflamme. And now that likeness has arisen in London. This becomes even more worrying for Athelstan as he learns that some of his flock appeared to have had connections to those terrible times.
Doherty's descriptive narrative is both wonderful and harrowing as Athelstan and Cranston conduct their business through "tangles of filthy, reeking alleyways" and "narrow streets" and places where they rubbed shoulders with, "the screams of half-naked children dancing around the midden heaps ... funeral processions ... [and] wedding parties thronged in alehouses. A gang of mummers tried to attract an audience with their grisly depiction of the martyrdom of St Agnes. Smells billowed backwards and forwards, the delicate sweetness of the pastry shops mingling with the rank odour of cheap fat sizzling in pans and skillets set over moveable stoves."
Hieronymus Bosch illustrations come alive!
As always Athelstan worries about his beloved flock at St Erconwald's in Southwark who hide their own secrets and fears. Some that impinge on this latest visitation from death's dark door.
So we have war criminals, a series of bizarre murders, the destruction of a royal cog, threatened parishioners, strangers in Athelstan's parish and a selection of mysterious denizens who ply their trade on the Thames. Oh, and did I mention the vengeful French?
Alrogether, another gratifying and gripping trip through the dark side of medieval London.

A Severn ARC via NetGalley

1381 and it would seem that the sins of the past have come to London as a series of brutal murders of women have been discovered. Does this have an connection to the mysterious explosion aboard a ship heading for Calais, killing all the crew. Then more deaths are perpetrated. Sir John Cranston and Brother Athelstan investigate.
An interesting and enjoyable well-written mystery with these two delightful characters. The book can easily be read as a standalone story

The Godless is the nineteenth novel in the superbly gripping Brother Athelstan series, and this is one of the best so far. Mr Doherty knows exactly how to grab your attention and keep you enthralled for the duration and the plot, as always, is twisty and well thought out. The characters are all developed beautifully but Brother Athelstan, in particular, is a genius creation and it's a pleasure to follow him on his investigating adventures. Set in 1381 London the author has extensively researched the time period to ensure authenticity, which heightened my enjoyment of the story.

It's a well written, complex and expertly paced murder mystery that joins the previous eighteen in this cracking historical crime series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but once you read one you're going to crave the rest.

Many thanks to Crème de la Crime for an ARC.

I am a big fan of the brother Athelstan mysteries and found this another enjoyable read. The story was good with a satisfying ending and good character development . I highly recommend this serious to any mystery lover and look forward to much more from this author

I love Brother Athelstan books and I loved this one.
I love the atmosphere, the plot and the characters.
The mystery was solid, the plot engaging and entertaining.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine.

Book number nineteen in the Brother Athelstan series takes place in the autumn of 1381 when political unrest has calmed and the parishioners of St Erconwald's in Southwark are working hard at returning their lives to normal when events from Normandy in 1363 come back into notice. Some of Brother Athelstan's flock were involved in atrocities committed in France and that history is coming back to haunt them in the form of the Oriflamme. Sir John Cranston, Lord High Coroner of London, has been given the task of finding the Oriflamme who is believed to be in England; a French delegation is waiting to take him back to France for execution. Brother Athelstan has quite enough problems to keep him busy. Not only does Sir John ask for his help in finding out the identity of the Oriflamme, but now a map has been produced purporting to show hidden treasure in The Piebald tavern. How can this be anything but trouble?

Brother Athelstan is a favorite fictional character for me and I always enjoy watching him solve the crimes and puzzles that take place in this small area of London. The atmosphere of time and place is fully attained by the author's descriptions of what living conditions were like. I must confess that I don't enjoy reading about the human and animal filth endured in public areas by citizens of this time period so I try to skim over those descriptions whenever possible. If you enjoy locked room stories, this novel will give you one of those but there are many tangled plot threads which Brother Athelstan and Sir John must set right. The action moves at a rapid pace throughout the book, but the descriptions of the deaths may be unsettling for some readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House Publishing for an eGalley of this novel.

A BRILLIANT book - the Author still manages to go from strength to strength .
His ability to bring to life the sights , sounds , the smells , the filth and poverty and the manner of day to day life
of ordinary people in this era is without compare .

Prostitutes are being murdered - found naked with a red wig placed upon their heads .
A link is found when members of a Mercenary band that fought in France 20years previously
start to be found dead - murdered with the same red wig placed upon their heads .
What is the link to the notorious Orriflame , who the French Luciferii have asked the King's men
help in apprehending for the murder/mutilation of a young French noble woman .
Some of the disbanded Mercenaries are part of Brother Athelstan's flock and are now in fear for their lives .
Even Brother Athelstan draws the eye of the murderer ... with threats of violence and death against not just him but those he loves - if he does not cease in his investigation . The death of Godless and his goat hits particularly hard - what had he been heard to say when prostate in the Church ??

This is a case that takes all Brother Athelstan's and Sir John Cranston's wits to solve ............ particularly the locked room murders .
This book manages to hold the reader from the start ,it is fast paced and complex ...,with locked room murders to solve ...... we find the past holds the key to who is responsible and why !

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own .

I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House for an advance copy of The Godless, the nineteenth novel to feature Brother Athelstan, set in London 1381.

London is recovering from social unrest and rebellion when another threat is uncovered. Prostitutes are being murdered and displayed wearing a red wig., the only link to an unexplained explosion on a boat carrying supplies to France. At the same time the French have arrived in town looking to avenge a twenty year old massacre and its perpetrator, The Oriflamme.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Godless which is a great mystery in a historical setting. I say it every time I read one of these books but you can literally feel and smell the surroundings, so vivid are the descriptions. I shuddered my way through the novel at the filth, poverty and desperation of every day life in the fourteenth century. It is definitely not for me but I really admire Mr Doherty’s ability to so skilfully evoke the conditions.

Brother Athelstan’s investigation is fascinating. I openly admit to not having a clue about the perpetrator and could only wonder at his facility to know so much and move so freely (including in and out of locked rooms). It held my attention throughout as I feverishly turned the pages to see what was coming next. It is an excellent mystery. In a strange way the novel is a bit of a psychological thriller, not my favourite but I will make an exception in this case, because Athelstan soon realises that the killer’s past is the key, not only to his motive but to his capture.

I found the concept and execution of the novel to be first class and although it’s late in the year (December 2018) I think this is one of the best books I have read this year. I, therefore, have no hesitation in recommending it as a great read.

Brilliant new Brother Athelstan mystery.
You really feel the atmosphere of the times. Set in the 1300’s after the time of the English French war where awful deeds had been done. The men who served on the Godless in France will find you can never run far or long enough to outrun the ghost of past sins. This makes for a real page turning book you won’t what to put down. Brother Athelstan and Lord High Coroner Cranston must look well into the past of a foundling home to solve the murders in the present time. You will wish to travel back in time to revisit with Brother Athelstan again.
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher Severn House in exchange for an honest review.

“Hell’s own messenger appeared on my ship, a red-haired demon, garbed like a woman with a painted white face. He’s been waiting. Now he has come to take my soul, as he has all the souls who sailed with me.”
Normandy, 1363. France and England were at war, and while battles were fought between the armies and knights of the land, a campaign of terror was also taking place. Worst of these was the crew of the Sans Dieu, the “Godless”, a crew of mercenaries led by a terrifying figure, the Oriflamme.
The Oriflamme, always masked, wearing a woman’s robe with a red wig, was a savage killer, who stalked the French countryside committing atrocity after atrocity. And then the war ended…
Twenty years later, and it seems the Oriflamme has come to London. A warship on the Thames crewed by two of the men of the Godless is destroyed mid-river. The captain is found and as he dies, he explains that somehow the Oriflamme appeared onboard the ship. And this only the beginning of the chaos about to engulf London – chaos that at least one member of Brother Athelstan’s flock will not survive…
The nineteenth Brother Athelstan mystery and while the dust has begun to settle after the Great Revolt, things are hardly peaceful on the streets of London. As Athelstan and Cranston investigate the murders of several ladies of the night – their bodies covered with red wigs and robes like those worn by the Oriflamme – it becomes clear that they are up against one of the most evil and ruthless individuals they have ever encountered.
Paul does an excellent job here of creating a truly terrifying villain – as I said, no-one is safe in this story and after one particular event, I found myself on the edge of my seat when one of my favourite characters comes face-to-mask with the villain in the church of St Erconwald’s.
There is so much going on in this book, and again Paul does a great job of tying the threads together. In some of his earlier books, the subplots were sometimes unrelated to the main story, but here, as in his more recent work, everything dovetails to serve the overall plot. There are plenty of clues and red herrings abounding here, and while I think the Oriflamme’s identity is guessable – an additional red herring suspect might have helped - it would take someone much smarter than me to put everything together.
An atmospheric mystery, full of the visceral image of history that proliferates his work, combined with a gripping plot – another absolutely cracking read from Paul. If you haven’t tried this series, then just dive in anywhere – if you’ve been burned by other historical crime solving monks, then why not give this friar a go?