Knights Templar Series by Michael Jecks

The Knights TemplarThey had all joined taking three vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience…for they were monks: warrior monks, dedicated to the protection of pilgrims in the Holy Land—until stories spread by an avaricious king who wanted their wealth for his own destroyed the order.There was one knight however, who escaped the stake, vowing justice as he watched his innocent brother die... moreThe Knights TemplarThey had all joined taking three vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience…for they were monks: warrior monks, dedicated to the protection of pilgrims in the Holy Land—until stories spread by an avaricious king who wanted their wealth for his own destroyed the order.There was one knight however, who escaped the stake, vowing justice as he watched his innocent brother die.In the Service of the LordSimon Puttock has not been a bailiff of Lydford Castle long in this year of 1316 when he is called to a nearby village to examine a burned-out cottage and the dead body within. But it is the newly arrived knight, Sir Baldwin Furnshill, who discerns the deceased was no victim of a tragic mishap; he was, in fact, murdered prior to the blaze. Simon would be well-served by accepting further assistance from this astute, though haunted and secretive stranger. For a second fatal burning indicates that some harsh evil has invaded this once-peaceful place, and its hunger has yet to be sated. less

The Knights Templar They had all joined taking three vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience...for they were monks: warrior monks, dedicated to the protection of pilgrims in the Holy Land -- until stories spread by anavaricious king who wanted their wealth for his own destroyed the order. There was one knight, however, who escaped the stake, vowing justiceas he watched his innocent brothers die... moreThe Knights Templar They had all joined taking three vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience...for they were monks: warrior monks, dedicated to the protection of pilgrims in the Holy Land -- until stories spread by anavaricious king who wanted their wealth for his own destroyed the order. There was one knight, however, who escaped the stake, vowing justiceas he watched his innocent brothers die. A Dark Justice Cold-blooded murder has transformed Simon Puttock's official obligation into something horrid -- and he will need the able assistance of his friend, Sir Baldwin Furnshill, to draw a criminal out. A former Knight Templar, Sir Baldwin knows much of duty and servitude -- and of evil freely indulged in thename of godliness or greed. Now justice must be served,even if their search exposes extortion, foul corruption,rule by fear...and killers willing -- even eager -- to shed more blood. less

When a local goldsmith, Godfrey of Harwood, is found brutally murdered in his home, Furnshill and Puttock are called on to investigate. But when rumors begin spreading that patients from a local leper hospital might have been involved in Godfrey's murder, a series of vicious attacks on the unfortunate victims ensues, culminating in a disastrous fire at the hospital. In a surprising turn of events, Godfrey's daughter Cecily donates a sum to make good the damage... moreWhen a local goldsmith, Godfrey of Harwood, is found brutally murdered in his home, Furnshill and Puttock are called on to investigate. But when rumors begin spreading that patients from a local leper hospital might have been involved in Godfrey's murder, a series of vicious attacks on the unfortunate victims ensues, culminating in a disastrous fire at the hospital. In a surprising turn of events, Godfrey's daughter Cecily donates a sum to make good the damage. Her connection to one of the lepers is her motive, and only when that connection has been revealed will the truth about Godfrey's murder emerge. less

In 1321, the King's favorite, Hugh Despenser, is using his position to steal land and wealth from the other lords. His rapacity has divided the nation, and civil war looms. In Tiverton, rape and murder have unsettled the town, which is preparing for the feast of St. Giles; Philip Dyne has confessed and claimed sanctuary in St. Peter's church. Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and Bailiff Simon Puttock, arrive at Lord Hugh de Courtenay's castle at Tiverton for the feast... moreIn 1321, the King's favorite, Hugh Despenser, is using his position to steal land and wealth from the other lords. His rapacity has divided the nation, and civil war looms. In Tiverton, rape and murder have unsettled the town, which is preparing for the feast of St. Giles; Philip Dyne has confessed and claimed sanctuary in St. Peter's church. Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and Bailiff Simon Puttock, arrive at Lord Hugh de Courtenay's castle at Tiverton for the feast. When a messenger arrives calling for the coroner, Baldwin and Simon accompany him to view the body of Sir Gilbert of Carlisle, Despenser's ambassador to Lord Hugh. Not far off lies a second corpse—the decapitated figure of Dyne. When Baldwin and Simon are themselves viciously attacked, they know that a sinister force is at large, someone with a powerful motive to kill. But there are so many suspects. less

Amidst the myths and folklore of Tavistock, one tale strikes fear into the hearts of the townspeople above all others: the murders on the Abbot’s Way.One cold winter, many years ago, a young acolyte eager for distraction led a group of fellow novices into stealing their abbot’s wine. Crippled with guilt and fear of discovery, the acolyte committed murder to hide his sins... moreAmidst the myths and folklore of Tavistock, one tale strikes fear into the hearts of the townspeople above all others: the murders on the Abbot’s Way.One cold winter, many years ago, a young acolyte eager for distraction led a group of fellow novices into stealing their abbot’s wine. Crippled with guilt and fear of discovery, the acolyte committed murder to hide his sins. Legend has it that the devil himself appeared for the acolyte’s soul, and tricked the novices into their deaths upon the Devon moors.In Autumn 1322, it appears that history is repeating, with Abbot Robert discovering an empty wine barrel, and a body found upon the moors. It soon becomes clear that the wine isn’t the only thing missing from the abbey, and the body on the moor isn’t the last. When Baldwin and Simon investigate, they begin to question whether the legends of the past hold the key to the present turmoil. less

Alone in his isolated, windswept chapel on the edge of Dartmoor, his only companions moor men and poverty–stricken serfs, who could blame the young priest, Mark for seeking affection from Jane, the local miller’s daughter? But when Jane’s body is found brutally stabbed, Mark is the obvious suspect—and the discovery that Jane was pregnant seems to confirm his guilt. Called in to investigate, Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Simon Puttock soon begin to have their doubts... moreAlone in his isolated, windswept chapel on the edge of Dartmoor, his only companions moor men and poverty–stricken serfs, who could blame the young priest, Mark for seeking affection from Jane, the local miller’s daughter? But when Jane’s body is found brutally stabbed, Mark is the obvious suspect—and the discovery that Jane was pregnant seems to confirm his guilt. Called in to investigate, Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Simon Puttock soon begin to have their doubts. Could it not have been one of Jane’s many admirers who murdered her in a fit of jealousy? Or her father, the miller, who is acting in an increasingly disturbed manner? And what exactly is the local Baron trying to hide? In their search for the truth, Furnshill and Puttock unwittingly place themselves and their families in the greatest danger they have ever faced. less

Set amid the turmoil of war, when nobody's life is safe, comes a gripping new murder mystery from a master of medieval crime 1326. In an England riven with conflict, knight and peasant alike find their lives turned upside down by the warring factions of Edward II, with his hated favorite, Hugh le Despenser, and Edward's estranged queen Isabella and her lover, Sir Roger Mortimer... moreSet amid the turmoil of war, when nobody's life is safe, comes a gripping new murder mystery from a master of medieval crime 1326. In an England riven with conflict, knight and peasant alike find their lives turned upside down by the warring factions of Edward II, with his hated favorite, Hugh le Despenser, and Edward's estranged queen Isabella and her lover, Sir Roger Mortimer. Yet even in such times the brutal slaughter of an entire family, right down to a babe in arms, still has the power to shock. Three further murders follow, and bailiff Simon Puttock is drawn into a web of intrigue, vengeance, power, and greed as Roger Mortimer charges him to investigate the killings. Brilliantly evoking the turmoil of 14th-century England, this novel features well-loved characters Simon Puttock and Sir Baldwin de Furnshill as they strive to maintain the principles of loyalty and truth. less