The Manor of Death

Written by Bernard Knight

Narrated by Paul Matthews

When a body is discovered in the harbour town of Axmouth, Sir John de Wolfe, the county coroner, is summoned to investigate. The manner of the young man's death is a matter of some dispute - but, as Sir John soon discovers, it was no accident. The victim did not drown, as the manor reeve alleges, but was strangled. In the ensuing investigation, Sir John is frustrated by what appears to be a conspiracy of silence among the seamen and townsfolk. Just what is the local population trying to hide? As Crowner John is to learn, there are many inhabitants of Axmouth who will go to any lengths to ensure the shocking truth remains hidden...

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. F. Howes Ltd
• Release date: Jan 1, 2009
• ISBN: 9781407433103

Bernard Knight

Bernard Knight is a retired Home Office pathologist renowned for his work on such high-profile cases as the Fred and Rosemary West murders. Bernard is the author of the ‘Crowner John’ series, as well as the Dr Richard Pryor forensic mystery series.

Reviews for The Manor of Death

[juglicerr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A general review of this series:This is back in the good old days of law enforcement, when trial by combat was definitive and would-be plea bargainers had to fight their accomplice(s) to the death.I find these books fascinating as living history, perhaps even more than as mysteries. Knight always starts off with a glossary of terms. The period is not romanticized, but neither is it overly repulsive. Sir John de Wolfe went crusading with Richard the Lionheart. Now back in England, he has been appointed to the newly reconstituted office of Crowner (Coroner). He fights a pitched battle with his corrupt, treacherous brother-in-law, the Sheriff, over official territory. He is very unhappily married to Matilda, his incompatible wife; their relationship makes sleeping in peasant huts while on duty a treat. One of the things that makes it interesting, is that although Sir John is the central character, and presumably to be regarded with sympathy, his marital problems are not entirely blamed upon his wife. The characters are generally somewhat complex.John is assisted in his duties by his gigantic man of arms, Gywn of Polruan, and his clerk, Thomas de Payne, a frail priest.In this volume, the investigation of the murder of a young man leads to suspicions that the port of Axemouth is involved with smuggling and piracy. Sir John also faces a number of changes in his personal and professional life.