The Field of Blood

This is the ninth book in the Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan series. This novel combined with the early books in the Hugh Corbett series is one of Paul Doherty's earlier offerings and he has since written many more books and is now an established author of medieval novels and has also added a number of novels on Egypt to his ever growing list of titles. Having said that it is one of his earlier offerings does not mean that it is inferior to his current books, quite the opposite. The Hugh Corbett mysteries were and are extremely popular and Paul Doherty has found another winner with the Brother Athelstan series. The Sorrowful Mysteries are gaining in popularity and for anyone interested in medieval mysteries they are manna from heaven. In this latest offering Brother Athelstan is appalled that three savage and horrific murders have taken place in the parish. Two of the murders have been carried out by an as yet unknown assassin and the third victim's identity and the manner of his death have not as yet been established.. As if the murders are not enough for Athelstan to contend with, the law states that if the murderer is not found then the whole of the parish will be punished. Brother Athelstan is in no doubt that a number of his parishioners sail a little close to the wind as far as the law goes. But would any of them stoop to murder?