The Elixir of Death (Crowner John Mysteries) - Hardcover

Knight, Bernard

4.13

515 ratings by Goodreads

9780743259514: The Elixir of Death (Crowner John Mysteries)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0743259513 ISBN 13: 9780743259514

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK, 2006

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It is 1195, and Prince John still plots to seize the throne from his brother, Richard the Lionheart and in his wicked schemes, he is supported by Philip of France. The French king offers to help John financially by sending him a mysterious alchemist, a Mohammedan named Nizam, who claims to be able to turn base materials into gold. But the ship that was transporting Nizam and his retainers is found wrecked off the south Devon coast its crew savagely slaughtered. Shortly afterward, a Norman knight named Peter le Calve is foully murdered, his severed head stuck on the rood screen of Exeter cathedral. It’s up to Sir John de Wolfe, the county coroner, to find a motive and connection between the killings. And just what is his unscrupulous brother-in-law, the disgraced ex-sheriff and Prince John-sympathizer, Richard de Revelle, trying to hide?

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About the Author:

Professor Bernard Knight, CBE, became a Home Office Pathologist in 1965 and was appointed Professor of Forensic Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, in 1980. During his 40-year career with the Home Office, he performed over 25,000 autopsies, and was involved in many high profile cases, including that of Fred and Rose West (he examined all twelve bodies that were recovered) and the child killer, Mary Bell. The author of ten novels, a biography and numerous popular and academic non-fiction books, he has written six books in the Crowner John mystrey series.

Review:

“More adventure than mystery, Knight's tenth populates a detailed, almost scholarly study of the period with well–drawn characters.” -- Kirkus Reviews

Crowner John is a splendid character, full of imperfections and faults, but ultimately the triumphing hero. -- Evening Standard

Meaty and entertaining will appeal to Ellis Peters fans. -- Library Journal

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