1603 a9c681db-bc21-4ba5-8635-fda9f7dfb225 The Straw Men Paul Doherty calibre (2.12.0) [http://calibre-ebook.com] 2013-03-01T18:30:00+00:00 <div><p class="description">"Medieval mystery fans have cause for rejoicing with the return of Brother Athelstan" Booklist on Bloodstone|January, 1381. Guests of the Regent, John of Gaunt, Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston have been attending a mystery play performed by the Straw Men, Gaunt’s personal acting troupe, when the evening’s entertainment is rudely interrupted by the sudden, violent deaths of two of Gaunt’s VIP guests, their severed heads left on stage. The Regent orders Athelstan to find out who committed such a heinous act, leading Athelstan to tackle his most baffling case yet.|"Close attention will reward readers with well-researched historical information, from the minutiae of everyday living to the public events in the lives of the rich and powerful. Mystery buffs, however, are likely to reach the answer before Athelstan"|?Will appeal to John Dickson Carr fans. With dozens of books to his credit, Doherty continues to impress?</p><p class="description">### From Booklist</p><p class="description">Brother Athelstan is back in fine form as Doherty continues to set the stage for the Great Uprising of 1381. When Athelstan and Lord Coroner of London Sir John Cranston are invited to the Tower of London to attend a private theatrical event performed by the Straw Men, the private acting troupe of controversial Regent John of Gaunt, they find themselves entangled in intrigue as they attempt to unravel a cunning murder plot. At the conclusion of the performance, the audience is attacked and a pair of severed heads are displayed on the abandoned stage. Though suspicion immediately falls upon the Upright Men, the group primarily responsible for fomenting the anticipated rebellion, sorting out the rebels, the spies, and the innocent bystanders proves to be every bit as difficult as solving the crime. Doherty mires the grisly action as firmly in mystery as he does the multitiered narrative in the mud, muck, and mayhem of medieval London poised on the brink of the Peasants’ Revolt. --Margaret Flanagan </p><p class="description">### Review</p><p class="description">*Close attention will reward readers with well-researched historical information, from the minutiae of everyday living to the public events in the lives of the rich and powerful. Mystery buffs, however, are likely to reach the answer before Athelstan* (*Kirkus Reviews*) </p><p class="description">*Will appeal to John Dickson Carr fans. With dozens of books to his credit, Doherty continues to impress* (*Publishers Weekly Starred Review*) </p><p> </p><p class="description">*Doherty mires the grisly action as firmly in mystery as he does the multitiered narrative in the mud, muck, and mayhem of medieval London poised on the brink of the Peasants’ Revolt* (*Booklist*)</p></div> Severn House Digital 9781780290379 B00B781GP2 eng Literature & Fiction British & Irish Historical Mystery; Thriller & Suspense Mystery