Death of a Squire (Templar Knight Mysteries, No. 2): A Templar Knight Mystery

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Enjoyed the recurring characters as the new ones, the plot was really interesting, so enjoy this book if you are interested in medieva This author doesn't disappoint - I really liked this book starting from the story to the characters. Enjoyed the recurring characters as the new ones, the plot was really interesting, so enjoy this book if you are interested in medieval history and crime stories. Nov 14, Tory Wagner rated it liked it Shelves: Bascot de Marin's is a Templar Knight who is called upon to solve the mystery of the murder of a young squire. Previously he had successfully solved another mystery and finds himself again called upon by his patroness Nicolaa de la Haye.

Complicating his task is the coming visit by King John and some intrigue concerning John's cousin Arthur. Ash does a good job of researching the time period so the myst Death of a Squire by Maureen Ash is the second in a series entitled A Templar Knight Mystery. Ash does a good job of researching the time period so the mystery feels authentic.

A murder and a visit from the king! This time a young squire is found hung in a tree and rumors abound that he was involved in a treasonous plot against King John. Bascot is again asked by Lady Nichola de Haye to solve the mystery with a sense of urgency. The rumors of the plot must be resolved quickly as King John is only days away from making a visit to Lincoln castle.

There are many twis A murder and a visit from the king! There are many twist and turns to the mystery and as always in trying to solve the murder many peoples secrets are exposed. The mystery is well done, I had not guessed the answer but it made sense once it was revealed. Maureen Ash does a wonderful job in recreating the medieval environment.

The feeling of being among the castle's inhabitants exits throughout the story and you can feel their excitement at the arrival of King John. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.

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Feb 25, Alexandra rated it really liked it Shelves: This is the second mystery in the Templar Knight series. These are fun to read because the author has obviously done her research with regards to the era and is good at dropping in historical details without creating a big clunking sound in the middle of the story. I had a conversation with a regular customer at work who has been reading these too and she wasn't sure she liked them because of the light characterization but I think that might be what makes them work for me.

It's almost like readi This is the second mystery in the Templar Knight series. It's almost like reading historical nonfiction where the author didn't want to read too much into things if that makes sense. There was a bit at the end of this one that didn't quite make sense to me but I'm not sure if I just misunderstood something. Jun 11, Scot rated it liked it.

Second in a new series set in Lincolnshire, A. Our detective is a one-eyed Templar knight who cares for a mute servant boy he brought home from Italy as he returned from the Crusades. This installment is even stronger than the first with regard to plot, and makes interesting connections to the well-founded fear that King John had concerning conspiracies to replace him and the outlaw life of crafty hunters in Sherwood Forest. Conveys social history, clarifies medieval laws about rights and Second in a new series set in Lincolnshire, A.

Conveys social history, clarifies medieval laws about rights and obligations for different people at various levels in the class heirarchy, and enriches vocabulary without slowing down plot. Not demanding yet rewarding, a good summer read. Jul 10, Mister Jones rated it it was ok Recommends it for: Recommended to Mister Jones by: Well, it started out promising: I hate to see a book with so much potential become a agonizingly dull read. Nov 06, Mary rated it liked it Shelves: Good characters, reasonably good representation of medieval life, some good twists to the mystery.

The best part is the relationship between Gascot and Gianni. Another wonderful tale from the pen of Maureen Ash set in medieval Lincoln during the reign of King John who actually features in this particular story. In the presence of secret murder and mystery, the knight, Sir Bascot de Marins, a Templar knight facing anguish over whether his future lies within the folds of that Order or not, is tasked to investigate the murder of a squire in the retinue of a baron currently visiting the castle in which he currently finds a home. Although not his normal fi Another wonderful tale from the pen of Maureen Ash set in medieval Lincoln during the reign of King John who actually features in this particular story.

Although not his normal field of expertise, de Marins undertakes the task he has been assigned with the commitment and devotion to duty that was indicative of the Knights Templar, and with the assistance of those who are fast becoming good friends and colleagues uncovers the culprit and the reason behind the gruesome murders that take place during the course of the novel. The setting of the narrative - medieval Lincoln - is in keeping with the accepted history of the town at the time, and this level of authenticity adds to the overall effectiveness of the author's efforts. Jul 27, Amy Bradley rated it it was amazing.

I read this faster than the first. A lot of the story seemed to be more peripherally rather than the central whodunnit - but was still an interesting read. I liked the bits with the outlaws in the forest in terms of social group interactions - refreshing break from courtly mannerisms. Jan 18, Liisa rated it liked it Shelves: Oh to write a mystery series that takes place in Medieval England Not that all the Cadfael stories were 5-star, but they seem to have set the benchmark, haven't they?

So, why do these stories feel more empty than the Cadfael tales? The bac Oh to write a mystery series that takes place in Medieval England The backdrop, for one. While the height of the Plantagenets is my favorite period, it lacks the oomph technical term of the Civil War between Maude and Stephen. The War gave the Cadfael stories extra plot points: So far -- and I'm only 2 books into the series -- King John's reign is only circumspectly part of the plot. Cadfael can not exist in any other time.

I'm not sure I feel the same about Bascot de Marins. Of course how I feel about these characters is just lukewarm. With the Templar mysteries, I like Gianni, but I don't really feel strongly about anyone. Emotional commitment seems a requirement if you are asking me to follow these characters through half a dozen or so books. Why don't I feel more for them? Another reviewer brought up one problem: This particular book compounded this problem by letting the reader in on secret conversations that all ended similarly, with "Let me tell you the most shocking part," and then cutting away.

One dangling thread is fine; 4 or 5 is obnoxious. Another barrier keeping these characters distant is their 2-dimensionality.

Roget is a hard-drinking, wench-loving mercenary; ok, but he must have a dark, unlikable side, so where is it? Gerard Camville is angry And, for someone who has gone through as much horridness as Bascot has, my god, he is so boring! Cadfael had fought and loved and then became a monk; his internal struggles focused around missing his former life. Bascot became a Templar, fought a lot, and now he's in a weird pugatory, neither Templar nor civilian.

You assume he'll finally leave the Order for good, but it doesn't seem the right outcome. He is not outstanding in an way, no special skills, no particular insight unique to his life experience. He misses killing people in the name of God. It's hard to feel an emotional connection to someone who has defined themselves as a joyless, chaste killer of "infidels". Is his character historically accurate? Probably, but this is fiction, and we are allowed a bit of suspension of disbelief.

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Cadfael, the enlightened monk who loves playing Cupid, is not especially believable in his historical context, but he is entertaining. All Bascot seems to be missing is a hair shirt. Good lord, please get this guy drunk or laid, because his only outlet is a fondness for candy. I am definitely going to read Book 3, because I want to see how Ash resolves this issue of "Will he stay or will he go? Even Sister Frevisse knows how to have some fun in Magaret Frazer's series, and Frevisse is a firecracker sometimes.

Here's hoping Bascot gets into a bit of trouble or tells someone off or at least learns a skill. Nov 28, Gerry Burnie rated it really liked it. Discovering this work by Maureen Ash, i. As mentioned above the first was not having received my book order from Amazon. The story takes place in th Discovering this work by Maureen Ash, i. The story takes place in the late autumn of AD. Therefore, the townspeople are busy preparing for this momentous occasion when the body of young Hubert de Tournay, an unpopular squire, is found hanging from a limb deep in the forest adjacent to Sherwood Forest—once again of Robin Hood fame.

Lady Nicolaa de la Haye, Castellan of Lincoln Castle, calls upon Templar Bascot de Marins with his young, mute servant Gianni to find the killer—something he has successfully done in Ale House Murders, the first of the series. Or was it one of his fellow squires who hated him and might have secrets that Hubert would have been only too pleased to exploit?

Or was his end perpetrated by one of the women he coerced by force or blackmail to comply with his advances? Complicating matters is King John who, sensitive to any slight real or imagined, has recently heard innuendos of a covert plan to depose him in favour of his rival Arthur. As de Marins goes about solving the crime we meet a colourful cast of characters, wonderfully developed, and learn more about the history of the time and place. The only quibble I have is that she unfortunately chose the climax of the story to introduce the backgrounds of several characters; i.

Green Jack and Fulcher, which slowed the pace at an inappropriate stage. Moreover, although the ending is certainly unpredictable, it is perhaps a bit too unpredictable without any prior build-up. Nonetheless, it is a great read for the for the summer and for the whole family. I highly recommend this series by Maureen Ash. Jan 07, LJ rated it really liked it Shelves: The trees in the forest were nearly denuded of leaves.

He is still recovering from the torture he suffered at the hands of the Saracans during his years of captivity in the Holy Lands. King John and King William of Scotland are on their way to Lincoln Castle and everything must be perfect to receive them.

The body of young Squire Hubert de Tournay is found hands bound and hung from a tree in the forest. As castellan of Lincoln Castle, Lady Nicolaa de la Haye is responsible for the fife and ensuring peace within it. But it is Bascot who really draws me to the story. He is a Templar Knight who, while questioning his future, still honors the commitments he made.

His care for Gianni, whom he admits feeling about more as a father than a master, adds a humanity and caring to his obvious intellect and strength. The story is so well researched and plotted with excellent suspense and twists along the way. It was a wonderful read and I hope a series that will continue on for some time. Jan 29, Spuddie rated it it was amazing. King John is coming to Lincoln so the whole town, and most certainly the castle, is astir with preparations. When the squire of Nicolaa de la Haye's brother-in-law is found hanged in the nearby forest, she is concerned that her brother-in-law is somehow involved and that a plot to overthrow the King might be involved--and she needs to know the score before the King's arrival.

Bascot de Marins, a Templar knight who is for now a temporary 2 Bascot de Marins "Templar" mystery set in Lincoln.

Death of a Squire

Bascot de Marins, a Templar knight who is for now a temporary retainer of Nicolaa and her husband Gerard Camville, sheriff of Lincoln, helped her earlier in the year with another investigation, so she asks him once again to investigate and get to the bottom of the squire's death. Hubert de Tournay was not well-liked, being a nosy braggart who was always ferreting out secrets, and also tended to coerce young women to have assignations with him.

Was his death the result of a political plot, or was there a more personal motive? I enjoyed this second entry in the series more than the first, as we get to know the main character and his supporting cast better. I've read quite a few books set in this time period and this is the first one I recall where there was actually a supporter of King John among the major cast of characters--Nicolaa de la Haye was staunchly in favor of the King.

On a personal level, Bascot struggles with decisions in his own life--whether to rejoin the Templars now that his body and soul are somewhat healed after his years-long captivity in the Holy Land, or permanently become a knight of Nicolaa's household? And what of Gianni, his mute servant whom he rescued from a life of poverty and starvation? Looking forward very much to the next in the series. Aug 19, Cindy rated it really liked it Shelves: King John has just married and crushed his foes.

Now he's set to meet with the King of Scotland to receive his pledge of loyalty. They're going to meet in the Lincoln castle. But when a squire is found murdered, hanging from a tree a few days before the meeting, there's a rush to get this death resolved before the king shows up. Was he killed by bandits, as the sheriff would like to believe?

Or was it a political death, as his wife fears? Templar Bascot de Marins is asked to investigate. Now on a sojourn at Lincoln Castle, he hopes to regain his strength, and mend his waning faith-but not even the peace of God's countryside is safe from the mortal crimes of man. For what appears to be the grisly end to a drunken row is in fact a cunning and baffling crime. Read more Read less. Prime Book Box for Kids.

Add all three to Cart Add all three to List. Some of these items ship sooner than the others. Buy the selected items together This item: Ships from and sold by Amazon. Customers who bought this item also bought. Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1. Sponsored products related to this item What's this? If you like heart-stopping suspense, you'll love this Ozzie Novak thriller. If you like gut-wrenching thrillers, you'll love Alex Troutt. A love that won't let go. Eddie reunites with an old flame and together they try to solve a mystery from WWII.

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Based on true events in the tradition of Unbroken and Matterhorn. From Publishers Weekly Fans of quality historical mysteries will be delighted with this debut from Ash, the first in what will hopefully be a long-running series of Templar Knights whodunits. Product details Mass Market Paperback: Berkley; Reprint edition September 4, Language: Related Video Shorts 0 Upload your video. Try the Kindle edition and experience these great reading features: Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. Read reviews that mention bascot de marins maureen ash holy land templar knight alehouse murders gerard camville nicolaa de la haye brother cadfael eight years captivity in the holy years of captivity main character twists and turns sheriff gerard king john found dead middle ages midsummer fair mystery series body and spirit.

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Set in the Summer of A. Lincoln, England, this mystery is the first in a series of which I shall definitely be reading more. The historical details are amazing. The main character, Bascot de Marins, is a Templar Knight who is on leave from the Order after returning to England from being kept prisoner by the Saracens. He is burnt out and disillusioned, wounded in body and spirit. Being literate in an age when few are, he gives steward's service to the chatelaine of the castle where he is recovering, Lady Nicolaa de Hayes an actual historical figure, as is her husband, Sheriff Gerard Camville.

When four people are discovered brutally murdered in one of the town's alehouses, two of them strangers, one a Jewish moneylender, the last the aleman himself, Lady Nicolaa, to placate her husband, offers to handle the investigation under her own aegis rather than suffer him the cost. She turns to de Marins for the investigation. Onion-like, the mystery unfolds. Witnesses are questioned and details come to light.

The reader is tantalized. The wealth of historical detail is astounding, yet unobtrusive. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the identity of the killer. There were so many with a motive and the opportunity, each as plausible as the next. The end is a bit of a twist. All of the characters are well-fleshed out and engaging. The language is at once true to the era and understandable in context for the modern reader.

A Templar Knight Mystery

I was recommended this book because of my interest in the Brother Cadfael Mysteries. I am glad I took the bait. I will be purchasing the rest of this series as budget permits. After escaping from prison, a Templar Knight returns home to Lincoln broken in body and spirit. A local landowner takes him in along with the mute urchin he brought home from his travels.

A Templar Knight Mystery Series

When four bodies are found dead at the alehouse right before the fair, she sends him off to investigate. Things don't add up - the alehouse owner is bashed on the head the night before, but the other three are stabbed with no blood, a strong sense of ale with not a drop spilled, and maybe dead for longer. Lots of twists and turns, I caught many of them, but had the wrong murderer slotted in.

Not too heavy on the historic, background only. One person found this helpful. I've been on a historical mystery binge of late, and this is about the 6th or 7th series I've started. It's definitely good enough to finish the book I'll drop a book if I don't like it and even good enough that I'll pick up the next installment.

I'm left somewhat unsatisfied. The "Bad Guy" sort of came out of nowhere. The pacing in the middle of the book feels sloooow. The characters are uneven. Most are cardboard cutouts, and even the main character remains more of an enigma than a person. He agonizes over decisions about his future just a bit too much.

Death of a Squire (Templar Knight Mystery #2) by Maureen Ash

So, I have mixed feelings about the book, but I have high hopes that things will improve as the series progresses. Well drawn setting and characters. I nice series setup I hope will be a little bit like Cadfael. Mass Market Paperback Verified Purchase. Thank goodness, as it's quite a popular genre and one that has merits of its own.

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