[Hugh Corbett 13] • Corpse Candle

**A phantom horseman. A murdered abbot. A locked door. **

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**Paul Doherty weaves an intricately plotted mystery in *Corpse Candle*, in which Sir Hugh's powers of deduction are tested by one of his most puzzling cases. Perfect for fans of Susanna Gregory and Michael Jecks.**

'Paul Doherty has captured the atmosphere of an enclosed community where there is nowhere to hide from an assassin who appears not to have a motive. Well written... A thumping good read' - *South Wales Argus*

The Brothers of the abbey of St Martin's-in-the-Marsh usually pay little heed to the tales of robber baron Sir Geoffrey Mandeville's ghost galloping through the Lincolnshire fens with a retinue of ghastly horsemen. They may hear the shrill blast of a phantom hunting horn, or see the corpse candles glowing in the dark, but none really accepts the peasants' belief that these flickering lights can forewarn men of their own deaths. The monks are protected by the monastery's high wall and their powerful abbot - a friend of King Edward I - and, although their leaders sometimes argue over the abbey's future, their lives are peaceful and comfortable. But then Abbot Stephen is found murdered in his chamber, with the door and windows locked from the inside, and Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the King's Seal, arrives to investigate.

**What readers are saying about *Corpse Candle*:**

'This book [has] **elegance, history and mystery** that will make you scared but wanting to turn the page'

'**Intrigue** is maintained throughout with **interesting twists**'

'Another **excellent** book that just **could not be put down!**'

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### From Library Journal

Abbot Stephen of St.-Martin's-in-the-Marsh is found stabbed to death, and because he is a particular friend of the king, Sir Hugh Corbett (The Demon Archer), Keeper of the King's Seal, arrives to discover the killer. Tension mounts as monk after monk meets a grisly death, and the resolution is thoroughly satisfying. A good purchase for most collections.

Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

### From Booklist

Sir Hugh Corbett, keeper of the king's seal, finds that the monastery at St. Martin's-in-the-Marsh is anything but a peaceful sanctuary in the woods. He is there to investigate the death of Abbot Stephen, a former knight who took holy orders. Bandits hide in the surrounding forests and marshes, and the locals think that the ghost of robber chieftain Geoffrey Mandeville haunts the area. Sir Hugh soon learns that the monks are engaged in a bitter power struggle over land that may contain holy relics and a philosophical dispute over the value of exorcism. The escalating body count forces him to use his powers of deduction and observation to uncover the abbey's dark secrets. This series maintains a delightfully satisfying consistency, offering compelling plots, well-developed characters, and plenty of colorful historical detail. Fans who are eagerly awaiting this eleventh installment will be overjoyed, and first-time readers will certainly want to check out Doherty's earlier novels. *Barbara Bibel*

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