Knights Templar Mysteries #21: The Death Ship of Dartmouth by Michael Jecks

Read: August, 2009

Amidst political turmoil, a man has been found dead in the road and a ghost ship has been found at sea. Meanwhile, the rebel Roger Mortimer has been sending out spies, threatening civil war.

I read this rather quickly while on holidays and the details were quickly forgotten. But I do remember quite enjoying it, despite being a little disconcerted by all the rape (and there truly is a lot of rape!).

Death Ship is a solid mystery with strong characters, and the historical fiction aspect is well executed. The violence, particularly against women, is realistic without being gratuitous.

All in all, a well-written novel and an excellent addition to any historical mystery collection.

Other books in the Knights Templar series:

1. The Last Templar


2. The Merchant's Partner


3. Moorland Hanging


4. The Crediton Killings


5. The Abbot's Gibbet


6. The Leper's Return


7. Squire Throwleigh's Heir


8. Belladonna at Belstone


9. The Traitor of St. Giles


10. The Boy Bishop's Glovemaker


11. The Tournament of Blood


12. The Sticklepath Strangler


13. The Devil's Acolyte


14. The Mad Monk of Gidleigh


15. The Templar's Penance


16. The Outlaws of Ennor


17. The Tolls of Death


18. The Chapel of Bones


19. The Butcher of St Peter's


20. A Friar's Bloodfeud


21. The Death Ship of Dartmouth


22. The Malice of Unnatural Death


23. Dispensation of Death


24. The Templar, The Queen and Her Lover


25. The Prophecy of Death


26. The King of Thieves


27. No Law in the Land


28. The Bishop Must Die


29. The Oath