Michael Jecks

The Knights Templar They had all joined taking three vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience…for they were monks: warrior monks, dedicated to theprotection of pilgrims in the Holy Land -- until stories spread by anavaricious king who wanted their wealth for his own destroyed the order. There was one knight, however, who escaped the stake, vowing justiceas he watched his innocent brothers die. In the Service of the Lord Simon Puttock has not been bailiff of Lydford Castle long in this year of 1316, when he is called to a nearby village to examine a burned-out cottage and the dead body within. But it is the newly arrived knight, Sir Baldwin Furnshill, who discerns the deceased was no victim of a tragic mishap; he was, in fact, murdered prior to the blaze. Simon would be well-served by accepting further assistance from this astute, though haunted and secretive stranger. For a second fatal burning indicates that some harsh evil has invaded this once-peaceful place, and its hunger has yet to be sated.

A Knights Templar Mystery

The Last Templar

The first thrilling instalment in a legendary historical adventure series. Paris, 1307. The Knights Templar have been destroyed by Pope Clement, having been persuaded by a jealous king that they are corrupt devil worshippers. There is one survivor – a knight who swears vengeance. Devon, 1316. A charred body is discovered in a burned-out cottage, and newly appointed Bailiff, Simon Puttock, believes it to be accidental. Until the new master of the local manor, Sir Baldwin Furnshill, deduces that they were dead before the fire began. With the assistance of the astute yet strangely reticent knight, Simon begins to piece together the events of the man’s last days. Then word comes of another, far more sinister murder – for in this case, the victim was undoubtedly burned alive. Are the two incidents connected, and will the killer strike again? An absolutely sensational historical mystery by a true master of the genre, ideal for fans of S. J. A. Turney, K. M. Ashman and Bernard Cornwell. Praise for Michael Jecks 'Marvellously portrayed' C. J. Sansom 'Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunnit' Robert Low 'The most wickedly plotted medieval mystery novels' The Times

Isabella, Queen of England, has been dispatched to France in an attempt to bring about peace between the two countries, and Baldwin must accompany her. But the day after their arrival, a servant is found murdered, with Baldwin's dagger lying next to the body. As Baldwin struggles to prove his innocence, the killer strikes again. With so many English enemies gathering in Paris, will Baldwin be able to expose the culprit in time to protect the English King?

The Templar, the Queen and Her Lover

A Simon Puttock/Baldwin Furnshill mystery.

The Sticklepath Strangler

The discovery of a young girl’s skeleton leads to Simon and Baldwin’s darkest investigation yet... As the summer of 1322 brings sun to the Devonshire countryside, it seems that the small village of Sticklepath is destined to remain in gloom. Two playmates uncover the body of a young girl up on the moors. The body is that of Aline, the ten-year-old daughter of Swetricus, who went missing six years ago. Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King’s Peace, and his friend Bailiff Simon Puttock are summoned to the scene to investigate, and soon discover Aline is not the only young girl to have been found dead in recent years. It seems that the villagers have been concealing not only a serial killer, but, judging by the state of the girls’ bodies, a possible case of cannibalism. But strange noises heard late at night from the Sticklepath cemetery and a haunted look in the eyes of the villagers could suggest an explanation more... supernatural. A dark and compelling historical mystery from a master of the genre. The twelfth instalment in the Last Templar mysteries series. Praise for Michael Jecks ‘Michael Jecks is a national treasure’ Scotland on Sunday ‘Marvellously portrayed’ C. J. Sansom

The town is a powder keg ready to explode... All it needs is a match. England, 1320. The threat of civil war lies heavily on the kingdom. The monk Ralph of Houndeslow is new to Crediton’s leper hospital. He finds that not only are his charges appallingly ill, but bigotry means that they are all shunned by the people of the town. The citizens of Crediton are appalled when the goldsmith is found murdered, and his daughter assaulted. Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Simon Puttock quickly try to piece together the events of that night, yet as they gradually learn the truth, the shock becomes overwhelming. Meanwhile, the lepers lie victim to the rising hatred of the locals as fear and loathing are whipped into a frenzy of persecution. It’s up to Baldwin and Simon to pour water on the blazing rumours. Civil war, a murder investigation and full scale public uproar with dark implications put Baldwin and Simon to the test once again... An exceptional historical mystery from a true master of the genre, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom, Rory Clements and Susanna Gregory. Praise for Michael Jecks 'Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunnit' Robert Low 'A gem of historical storytelling' Northern Echo 'Michael Jecks is a national treasure' Scotland on Sunday

The Leper's Return

The thrilling new novel from historical master, Michael Jecks. It's 1327 and England is in turmoil. King Edward II has been removed from the throne and his son installed in his place. The old man's rule had proved a disaster for the realm and many hope that his removal may mean the return of peace to England's cities. Keeper of the King's Peace Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and his friend Bailiff Simon Puttock had been tasked with guarding Edward II, but they have failed in their task and now ride fast to Exeter to inform the sheriff of the old king's escape. In Exeter, the sheriff has problems of his own. Overnight the body of a young maid has been discovered, lying bloodied and abandoned in a dirty alleyway. The city's gates had been shut against the lawlessness outside, so the perpetrator must still lie within the sanctuary of the town. When Baldwin de Furnshill arrives, along with Sir Richard de Welles, a companion of old, he is tasked with uncovering the truth behind this gruesome murder. But, in a city where every man hides a secret, his task will be far from easy…

City of Fiends

A legend is born.The epic prequel to the Last Templar Mysteries series. The Holy Land, 1291. War has raged here for decades. The Crusader forces have been pushed back again and again until just one city remains in their control. One city that stands between the past and the future. One city that must be defended at all costs: Acre. Into this battle comes a young boy. Green and scared, he has never seen combat before. But, fleeing a dark past, he has no choice but to stay. That boy is Baldwin de Furnshill who, one day, will become the Last Templar. This is the story of the siege of Acre, and of the moment Baldwin first charged into battle. This is just the beginning. The rest is history. The epic prequel to the bestselling Last Templar Mysteries series, perfect for fans of Christian Cameron and Ben Kane. Praise for Michael Jecks 'Marvellously portrayed' C. J. Sansom 'Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunnit' Robert Low 'The most wickedly plotted medieval mystery novels' The Times

Templar's Acre

A dangerous killer stalks the streets of Exeter... can Sir Baldwin and Simon Puttock hope to catch him? The Butcher of St Peter's is the gripping nineteenth novel in Michael Jecks' popular medieval series, the Knights Templar mysteries, featuring Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Simon Puttock. Perfect for fans of Ellis Peters and George R. R. Martin. 'Compellingly brought to life' - Julian Stockwin Exeter, 1323: a strange figure - obsessed with children - seems intent on entering people's homes at night. Though many believe him to be harmless, a man now lies dead, slaughtered for protecting his family, and the person responsible must be caught. To Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, the death is suspicious, for the victim had many enemies amid the city's criminal underworld. As the country prepares for yet another civil war, Baldwin faces an impossible task. And when two further bodies are uncovered, the city shudders at the prospect of a killer still at large... What readers are saying about The Butcher of St Peter's: 'A vivid account of life in Medieval Devonshire... I found myself very involved in the story and ended up reading it in one day because I was so fascinated by the scenes and the people' '[A] very clever and masterful bit of writing' 'Michael Jecks never disappoints, his tales keep you guessing right to the end'

Danger and intrigue in medieval Britain

The Butcher of St Peter's (Last Templar Mysteries 19)

The Siege of Calais, during the Hundred Years' Wars. The thrilling second novel in a new series for master of the historical adventure, Michael Jecks, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. Calais, 1346. Berenger Fripper and his men are stationed in the ancient port city, a city under English control and surrounded by enemies. They are here to defend their newly won territory from the French and their allies the Genoese. Enemies are all about them, but there is also trouble within. Someone in the vintaine is leaking vital information to the French, jeopardizing not only the safety of the men but also the future of the war, and Berenger must find out who before it's too late. And when the vintaine is attacked at sea and captured by the Genoese it looks as though their luck has run out. Can Berenger defeat the enemies that surround him and keep the English victorious?

Blood on the Sand

The Knights Templar They were warrior monks, dedicated to the protection of pilgrims in the Holy Land—until an avaricious king destroyed the order. One knight, however, escaped the stake, vowing justice for his murdered brothers. A fatal tide of intolerance With civil war looming, tensions are high in the town of Crediton—and the foul murder of a local gold merchant and assault on his daughter merely feed the flames. Keeper of the King's Peace and former Knight Templar, Sir Baldwin Furnshill, and his partner, Simon Puttock, bailiff of Lydford, must find the culprit and resist the temptation to quickly condemn the most obvious suspect. But their cool heads may not prevail, for rumors are spreading that suggest the lepers of St. Lawrence's hospital—the shunned outcasts of society—are somehow responsible for Crediton's current ills. And any delay on the part of Furnshill and Puttock in apprehending a killer may well lead to a full-scale slaughter of the despised unfortunates.

Ralph of Houndeslow is the new Master of St Lawrence's, the leper hospital at Crediton. He has the daunting task of seeing to the souls of the inmates. Godfrey of London is murdered, his daughter Cecily assaulted, and the crimes are laid at the door of John of Irelaunde, a known womaniser and conman. Meanwhile feelings against Lepers are growing. A few hotheads are prepared to consider killing all of them. Amidst this gathering storm, Baldwin and Simon must try to prevent wholesale slaughter, and bring the true culprit to justice.

Jack Blackjack stands accused of killing a priest in the wickedly entertaining new Bloody Mary Tudor mystery. April, 1555. A priest has been stabbed to death in the village of St Botolph, to the east of the City of London, his body left to rot by the roadside – and Jack Blackjack stands accused of his murder. As well as clearing his name, Jack has his own reasons for wanting to find out who really killed the priest – but this is an investigation where nothing is as it seems. Was it a random attack by a desperate outlaw, or do the answers lie in the murdered priest’s past? As he questions those who knew the dead man, Jack is faced with a number of conflicting accounts – and it’s clear that not everyone can be telling him the whole truth. But Jack is about to be sidetracked from the investigation ... with disastrous consequences.

Dead Don't Wait

The king of thieves

Pilgrim's War

The Vintener Trilogy

Blood of the Innocents

Jack Blackjack is ordered to eliminate a spy in Princess Elizabeth’s household in this engaging Tudor mystery. June, 1554. Former cutpurse and now professional assassin Jack Blackjack has deep misgivings about his latest assignment. He has been despatched to the Palace of Woodstock, where Queen Mary’s half-sister Princess Elizabeth is being kept under close guard. Jack’s employer has reason to believe that a spy has been installed within the princess’s household, and Jack has been ordered to kill her. Jack has no choice but to agree. But he arrives at Woodstock to discover that a murder has already been committed. As he sets out to prove his innocence by uncovering the real killer, Jack finds the palace to be a place steeped in misery and deceit; a hotbed of illicit love affairs, seething resentments, clashing egos and bitter jealousies. But who among Woodstock’s residents is hiding a deadly secret – and will Jack survive long enough to find out?

Michael Jecks

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