Secuestran el cadaver de la madre de un criminal y ello dispara una investigación que hace que Cranston se encuentre con viejos fantasmas que en su momento se cruzaron en un robo de joyas. Siempre el cuarto cerrado, y lo mejor el retrato de la vida en un londres que parece muy real ( )

When in October 1381. Brother Athelstan is summoned St Benet’s church in Queenhithe, finding the body of the priest is just the first discovery. There is the missing body of Isabella Makepeace, mother to the Flesher, the worst of the gang leaders, and hismissing hidden hoard of monies. But all the doors to the church are locked. The Brother and Sir John Cranston investigate.
Another well-written mystery in this series. With the description of the awfulness that is the London slums, and the interesting rounded characters that make up these books.
A Net Galley Book ( )

A very good and solid historical mystery. Set in 1381 it is the 18th instalment in Brother Athelstan but it can be read as a standalone book.
The plot is solid, with a lot of suspense. The historical background is well researched. It was as usual an interesting reading and real page turner
Many thanks to Netgalley and Severn House for giving me the chance to read and review this book. ( )

'A bubbling broth of murder, theft, blasphemy and sacrilege.’!

Once again Doherty plunged me into the colorful firmament of medieval London of 1381. The starkness of an age where danger encroaches from every side is vividly portrayed. Doherty's descriptions of the hanging fields and the dark depths of the London alleyways are worthy of an Hieronymus Bosch painting. London Hades is a fitting title given the area where the action takes place.
This time Athelstan and his friend Sir John Cranston, Lord High Coroner of London, otherwise known as ‘Sir Jack,’ are enmeshed in the dark doings of the gangs of London.
Simon Makepeace, the 'Flesher', leader of 'London’s most vicious and notorious [gang, the] rifflers', an abhorrent person as his moniker surmises, and his minions are unstoppable, backed as they are by Lord Arundel. When the bodies of a priest, Parson Reynaud, and two others are discovered mysteriously slain within the church of St Benet's, the Flesher's mother's body stolen from her coffin, and the Flesher's treasure taken from the church's iron-bound strongbox, Athelstan is pressed into service.
Things appear to harken back to when the Twelve Apostles (wonderful gem stones) in their Rose Casket were stolen from the King's barge some eighteen years ago. They were never seen again. The French are taking a keen interest.
Meanwhile another mystery linked to a recent death and a strange discovery in Athelstan's parish of St Erconwald’s sits patiently in Athelstan's mind.
Court politics as always are always lurking in the background.
A mystery that once again puzzles and delights. I did not see the ending coming until the full disclosure was given. ( )