Extra: "Candle-Flame"

Here's another newly-written book that should gladden the hearts of classic mystery lovers: I've recently finished reading a  new mystery by historian, English school headmaster, and amazingly prolific writer Paul C. Doherty. Candle Flame is the thirteenth addition to his series of historical mysteries set in London during the reign of King Richard II. The books are known collectively as "The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan."

In Candle-Flame, Brother Athelstan, who is the assistant to the royal coroner, Sir John Cranston, is called upon by a furious and frightened Regent, John of Gaunt, to solve a series of bloody murders - including the massacre of nine people in and around a sealed and bolted tower that could not possibly have been entered or exited. As the dead include Gaunt's tax collectors - and their collections are missing - Gaunt wants Athelstan and Sir John to find the killer and the treasure. It is possible that the killings were the work of a shadowy killer known only as "Beowulf," a sworn enemy to Gaunt.

All this is set against the sights and sounds - and, most definitely, the smells of London. And it is very much in the classic tradition of puzzle mysteries, with memorable characters, set in a London in deep turmoil, where the downtrodden population appears to be on the verge of bloody revolt against the crown. All that - and a great impossible crime mystery as well!

The official publication date for Candle-Flame is July 1 of this year, and the publisher, Severn House, kindly provided me with an advanced e-book version for this review. It's an excellent read. There's more blood and violence than I'm usually comfortable with - but, in fairness to Doherty, there are excellent reasons for his presenting the murders and executions in the way he does present them. I think anyone who enjoys a fine traditional locked-room mystery - particularly a historical one set in a very turbulent time in English history - will enjoy this one,

Comments

[Margot Kinberg]

Les - It is very good to know that there are still really high-quality classic mysteries being written. This one really does sound like a keeper!

[Les Blatt]

Margot, Doherty writes several different series of historical mysteries. Friends who read his other books tell me that his mysteries are always rewarding, well-plotted, very well researched, and all in the very-good-to-excellent range. I know Candle-Flame is well and fairly clued. I do intend to read more of his books.

[Classicmystery.wordpress.com]

Les, I'd recommend any of Paul's Athelstan series - the majority are very cheap as ebooks - or the Hugh Corbett series from book five - The Prince of Darkness - onwards. Also, almost all of the rest of the 100 books that he's written. There are, um, a few reviews of his stuff over on my blog. And by a few, I mean over seventy... I'm a bit of a fan, it has to be said.

[Les Blatt]

To tell the truth, Puzzle Doctor, it was your reviews of Paul Doherty's books that led me to try the first Brother Athelstan book last year. I liked it well enough to want to take a shot at Candle-Flame this year. Folks, if you're not familiar with Puzzle Doctor's blog, In Search of the Classic Mystery - http://classicmystery.wordpress.com/ - you should be; he reviews far more recent books for the most part than I can, and his reviews are both enticing and spoiler-free. Give him a try!