The Bloodstained Throne
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

Beaufort serves up a fine medieval-era mystery that's also a rollicking adventure. This new entry in the Sir Geoffrey Mappestone series has Geoffrey setting off for Jerusalem to confront his former patron Tancred and find out why he's lost Tancred's favor. But the ship on which he's sailing sinks off the coast of England, with only a few survivors, one of whom claims to be the rightful heir to the English throne. Also among the survivors are a mysterious merchant, a dangerous group of pirates, and two women who may be murderers. Setting off to a nearby abbey to seek shelter, some of the survivors soon show their true colors and Geoffrey begins to fear for his life. Are the two women really killers? Is King Henry's reign in danger from the man who claims he is the rightful heir to the throne? Is the mysterious merchant a friend or a foe? And who wants to kill Geoffrey and why? Entertaining and cleverly plotted.--Melton, Emily Copyright 2010 Booklist

An overly convoluted plot mars an otherwise solid historical, the seventh to feature Sir Geoffrey Mappestone (after April 2010's Deadly Inheritance). In September 1103, Geoffrey and his friend, Sir Roger of Durham, both former crusader knights, must try to solve two murders after surviving a shipwreck off England's south coast. A fellow passenger aboard the Patrick, Philippa, claims that she saw Juhel, a Breton, throw a Norman named Paisnel overboard. Another shipmate, the elderly Vitalis, winds up on the English shore strangled to death. While trying to identify the killer or killers, Geoffrey and Roger find themselves on the run from the Patrick's crew, who turn out to be pirates. Keeping characters and motives straight is more challenging than it should be, especially as one of two former academics sharing the Beaufort pseudonym has written numerous intricate, more coherent puzzles under the name Susanna Gregory. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Leaving his new wife and his sister in charge of his Welsh estate, Sir Geoffrey Mappestone (Deadly Inheritance) takes off for the Holy Land with his friend Sir Roger. But they are shipwrecked along the English coast and uncover a plot to overthrow the king and return Norman England to Saxon rule. VERDICT For fans of P.C. Doherty and other authors of medieval mysteries. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

An aspiring pilgrim's efforts to leave England for a return trip to the Holy Land seem to be cursed.Geoffrey Mappestone's fellow JerosolimitanusRoger of Durham certainly thinks God has cursed their trip, especially when they're shipwrecked not far from the site of the Battle of Hastings. They're forced to protect a mixed group of survivors, including two women, Philippa and Edith, who may have murdered the husband they shared, the mysterious Juhel who probably pushed his friend overboard, and the most dangerous of the group, Magnus, a Saxon who claims to be the true king of England. They ultimately seek shelter at a monastery after being chased through swamps by the pirates whose ship they were traveling on. Roger has helped himself to some of their gold as restitution for the loss of his horse. The monastery is uneasily shared by Normans and Saxons, and it soon becomes apparent that Magnus and his half brother, another claimant to the throne, are planning to overthrow Norman rule. Geoffrey is poisoned, villagers are slaughtered and another murder occurs before Geoffrey, who is known for his sleuthing ability (Deadly Inheritance, 2010, etc.), can untangle the deadly plots and escape with his life.The final score: one clever twist and a truly overwhelming richness of historical detail.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Beaufort serves up a fine medieval-era mystery that's also a rollicking adventure. This new entry in the Sir Geoffrey Mappestone series has Geoffrey setting off for Jerusalem to confront his former patron Tancred and find out why he's lost Tancred's favor. But the ship on which he's sailing sinks off the coast of England, with only a few survivors, one of whom claims to be the rightful heir to the English throne. Also among the survivors are a mysterious merchant, a dangerous group of pirates, and two women who may be murderers. Setting off to a nearby abbey to seek shelter, some of the survivors soon show their true colors—and Geoffrey begins to fear for his life. Are the two women really killers? Is King Henry's reign in danger from the man who claims he is the rightful heir to the throne? Is the mysterious merchant a friend or a foe? And who wants to kill Geoffrey and why? Entertaining and cleverly plotted. Copyright 2010 Booklist Reviews.

After the LJ-starred Deadly Inheritance, Geoffrey Mappestone and a fellow knight are shipwrecked with a crazed and potentially murderous crew. Beaufort is a pseudonym for two writers, one of whom also writes as Susanna Gregory. Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

Leaving his new wife and his sister in charge of his Welsh estate, Sir Geoffrey Mappestone (Deadly Inheritance) takes off for the Holy Land with his friend Sir Roger. But they are shipwrecked along the English coast and uncover a plot to overthrow the king and return Norman England to Saxon rule. VERDICT For fans of P.C. Doherty and other authors of medieval mysteries.

An overly convoluted plot mars an otherwise solid historical, the seventh to feature Sir Geoffrey Mappestone (after April 2010's Deadly Inheritance). In September 1103, Geoffrey and his friend, Sir Roger of Durham, both former crusader knights, must try to solve two murders after surviving a shipwreck off England's south coast. A fellow passenger aboard the Patrick, Philippa, claims that she saw Juhel, a Breton, throw a Norman named Paisnel overboard. Another shipmate, the elderly Vitalis, winds up on the English shore strangled to death. While trying to identify the killer or killers, Geoffrey and Roger find themselves on the run from the Patrick's crew, who turn out to be pirates. Keeping characters and motives straight is more challenging than it should be, especially as one of two former academics sharing the Beaufort pseudonym has written numerous intricate, more coherent puzzles under the name Susanna Gregory. (Nov.) Copyright 2010 PWxyz LLC