Publisher's Synopsis
Follow former member of the Knights Templar, Sir Baldwin Furnshill, and Bailiff Simon Puttock as they solve crimes in medieval Devon. Includes the first three books in The Last Templar Mysteries; The Last Templar, The Merchant's Partner and A Moorland Hanging.
The Last Templar: 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 burnt-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?
The Merchant's Partner: Agatha Kyteler, regarded as a witch by her superstitious neighbours, has no shortage of enemies. But when her body is found frozen and mutilated in a hedge one wintry morning, there seem to be no clues as to who could be responsible - until a local youth runs away. Sir Baldwin Furnshill is not convinced of the youth's guilt and manages to persuade his close friend Simon Puttock to help him with the investigation. As they endeavour to find the true culprit, the darker, sinister side of the village begins to emerge…
A Moorland Hanging: Peter Bruther flees his master Sir William Beauseyr, despite knowing it could earn him a brutal punishment. To escape said punishment, cunning Peter sets up as a tin miner on the moors, earning him the protection of the king. When Simon Puttock informs Sir William that he has no legal claim on his wayward servant, the knight is furious, fearing an uprising amongst his other men. But before any dissent can spread, Bruther's body is found hanging from a tree on the moors, and Simon, assisted by Sir Baldwin Furnshill, finds himself investigating cold-blooded murder - and there is no shortage of suspects to choose from.
A chilling, incredibly compelling historical mystery series perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden and C. J. Sansom.
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
'Michael Jecks is a national treasure.' Scotland on Sunday
'A smart murder mystery with a fascinating backdrop of medieval life.' Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
