As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Home / Series / Brother Athelstan Mysteries

Series

Brother Athelstan Mysteries

The Brother Athelstan Mysteries are set in London during the minority and early reign of Richard II. Athelstan is a Dominican friar serving the poor parish of St Erconwald’s in Southwark, while Sir John Cranston is the city coroner. Their investigations move between taverns, churches, guild halls, royal offices and noble households, bringing the concerns of ordinary Londoners into contact with the ambitions of John of Gaunt and the crown.

The chronology advances from the political uncertainty of 1377 through the Peasants’ Revolt and its aftermath. Locked rooms, coded messages and serial murders are repeatedly connected to war with France, mercenary violence, royal finance and popular grievance. The series uses Athelstan’s pastoral responsibilities and Cranston’s legal authority to examine a capital divided by wealth, jurisdiction and fear of rebellion.

Reading order

Books in this series (18 books)

The Devil’s Domain cover

#8 – The Devil’s Domain

Paul Doherty

Deadly secrets dwell behind closed doors...In the summer of 1380 a French captain is murdered in Hawkmere Manor a lonely, gloomy dwelling place, otherwise known as the ' Devil's Domain'.The house is used by Regent John of Gaunt to house French prisoners, captured during the bloody…

The Book of Fires cover

#14 – The Book of Fires

Paul Doherty

Solve the case, or risk London being engulfed in the flames...February, 1381. A ruthless killer known as the Ignifer Fire Bringer is rampaging through London, bringing agonising death and destruction in his wake.He appears to be targeting all those involved in the recent trial and conviction…

The Great Revolt cover

#16 – The Great Revolt

Paul Doherty

The sins of the father shall be visited upon the son.June, 1381. The rebel armies are massed outside London, determined to overturn both Crown and Church. The Regent, John of Gaunt, has headed north, leaving his nephew, the boy-king Richard II, unprotected.Brother Athelstan would prefer to…

A Pilgrimage to Murder cover

#17 – A Pilgrimage to Murder

Paul Doherty

Even angels have devils inside of them Summer, 1381. The Great Revolt has been crushed; the king's peace ruthlessly enforced. Brother Athelstan meanwhile is preparing for a pilgrimage to St Thomas Becket's shrine in Canterbury to give thanks for the wellbeing of his congregation.But preparations are…

The Hanging Tree cover

#21 – The Hanging Tree

Paul Doherty

Brother Athelstan must solve a theft from the royal treasure chamber and the murders of six executioners in this gripping medieval mystery.London. January, 1382. The Crown’s treasury has been robbed. Tens of thousands of silver and gold coin mysteriously lifted from the most secure chamber in…

Murder Most Treasonable cover

#22 – Murder Most Treasonable

Paul Doherty

Spies, secrets and suspicious circumstances: Friar-sleuth Brother Athelstan races against time to solve impossible crimes and uncover a traitor in this gripping historical mystery set in medieval London.London. March, 1382. Deep in the shadows, a clandestine organization known as the Secret Chancery operates under the sinister…

Murder’s Snare cover

#23 – Murder’s Snare

Paul Doherty

Friar-sleuth Brother Athelstan is caught in a politically charged race against time! He must uncover the truth behind numerous gruesome murders in this tense historical mystery set in medieval London.Normandy, 1358: The Free Company of the ‘Via Crucis – the Way of the Cross’ sweeps into…