The Sticklepath Strangler

by Michael Jecks

Overview

The discovery of a young girl’s skeleton leads to Simon and Baldwin’s darkest investigation yet...

As the summer of 1322 brings sun to the Devonshire countryside, it seems that the small village of Sticklepath is destined to remain in gloom. Two playmates uncover the body of a young girl up on the moors. The body is that of Aline, the ten-year-old daughter of Swetricus, who went missing six years ago.

Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King’s Peace, and his friend Bailiff Simon Puttock are summoned to the scene to investigate, and soon discover Aline is not the only young girl to have been found dead in recent years. It seems that the villagers have been concealing not only a serial killer, but, judging by the state of the girls’ bodies, a possible case of cannibalism.

But strange noises heard late at night from the Sticklepath cemetery and a haunted look in the eyes of the villagers could suggest an explanation more... supernatural.

A dark and compelling historical mystery from a master of the genre. The twelfth instalment in the Last Templar mysteries series.

Praise for Michael Jecks

‘Michael Jecks is a national treasure’ Scotland on Sunday

‘Marvellously portrayed’ C. J. Sansom

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781800321243
Publisher:	Canelo Digital Publishing Ltd
Publication date:	09/28/2020
Series:	The Last Templar Mysteries , #12
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

A historical mystery specialist with over forty novels under his belt, Michael Jecks has been the Organiser of the Crime Writers' Association's Debut Dagger, as well as a judge for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger.

Michael and his family live in northern Dartmoor with their scatty Dalmatian, with whom he walks regularly, looking for inspiration for his books.

The published author of over forty-five novels, although Michael Jecks has always been fascinated by history, it was only after a career change that he was able to indulge his interests full time. A hugely respected historical mystery specialist, he has been the Organiser of the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger, Chair of the CWA and the founder of Medieval Murderers, as well as a judge for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger. Michael and his family live in a small village in northern Dartmoor with their far-too-bright-for-her-own-good Rhodesian Ridgeback, with whom he walks regularly seeking inspiration for his books on the moors. Find out more at: michaeljecks.uk

Editorial Reviews

In this richly detailed tale of serial killing in the Middle Ages the 12th in the medieval West Country mystery series British author Jecks convincingly re-creates the atmosphere of Dartmoor, Devonshire, in the summer of 1322. When the body of a young girl is discovered six years after her disappearance, Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and his long-term friend, Bailiff Simon Puttock, investigate. They soon learn that other, slightly older girls have been found dead in the recent past, and that the much despised Purveyor to the King went missing during the great famine a few years earlier. A murder and a suspicious death occur in the midst of their inquiry, and the plot proverbially thickens. Most of the locals including a priest who's usually drunk, a miller who abuses his wife and daughter, a cautious reeve and a treacherous manciple are unsavory, superstitious and frequently hostile to Sir Baldwin, Simon and Sir Roger de Gidleigh, a Devonshire coroner. There are reports of cannibalism and even fears of a vampire. An introductory list of more than two dozen characters will help readers who find themselves momentarily lost amid the elaborate intrigues and concealments in a world where "superstition is a useful precaution." Jecks's fans will be amply rewarded. (Mar. 1) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

In their 12th adventure (after The Leper of St. Giles), Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and Simon Puttock, bailiff, friend, and cosleuth, arrive at the village of Sticklepath, where residents have discovered a girl's skeleton. Sir Baldwin and Simon meet with resistance to their inquiries at every turn: not only have other girls gone missing but the villagers have killed one of their own for alleged cannibalism. In addition to ignorance and superstition, the pair encounters a drunken cleric, a wife abuser, and more. Great characterization, a detailed sense of place, and a finely honed plot make this a superb medieval historical. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

"Richly detailed. . . . Jecks's fans will be amply rewarded."  —Publishers Weekly

"Great characterization, a detailed sense of place, and a finely honed plot make this a superb medieval historical."  —Library Journal

From the Publisher