When I went into the Leonard Cheshire charity shop in Boroughbrige this afternoon, I was delighted to see that someone had been turning out and donating their Paul Doherty novels, especially as I'd not read three of the books on offer!
This was a particularly good find as it's the third and last in a trilogy of which I read the first and second years ago: The Cup of Ghosts and The Poison Maiden.
Hooray!

Amazon Editorial Review: "Mathilde of Westminster must face a dangerous foe in the third novel in Paul Doherty's acclaimed series. March 1312 and England is divided. Edward II is in conflict with his barons over royal favourite Gaveston, and Queen Isabella is momentously pregnant with the first union of Plantagenet and Capetian blood. Meanwhile, rebel Robert Bruce prowls the Scottish border seeking advancement. Mathilde of Westminster senses a challenge for the throne is imminent. When the great Earls step up their campaign, the King and Queen are forced to flee to a fortified priory in Tynemouth, now vulnerable to the Scottish marauders on land and Bruce's allies at sea. With threats all around, the royal party can only despair when one of their camp is murdered. Will Mathilde be able to find the perpetrator before the King loses control of the throne?"

Mathilde of Westminster, trusted servant, physician, adviser and clerk to Isabella, wife of Edward II, starts her third chronicle in 1312, with the 16-year old Isabella pregnant, and Piers Gaveston, the King's favourite, flying high .... and ends it with Gaveston's disgrace and humiliating death at the hands of the Earls! On the way, she has a few murders to solve ....
Entertaining, page-turning, very much as expected from the Master Storyteller!

Carrying Happy Easter Greetings across the Channel :-)

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This arrived safely today, while we were out doing our weekly grocery shopping. Thank you very much Nu-Knees and a very Happy Easter to you both too. I especially enjoyed the Yorkshire post card with the paintings by Emma Ball on the front, in fact all 3...3?!Postcards are lovely.

Having followed Mathilde from refuge to refuge with Queen Isabel and her entourage, with various characters foully murdered along the way, we finally end up with the king's favourite and probable lover, Gaveston, being horribly executed, and Mathilde finally solving the string of deaths. As usual in well written historical novels the author's notes at the end of the book show that the research was done well and the story based on true history.
Many thanks Nu-Knees.