Book Review: Corpse Candle

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Corpse Candle     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Paul C. Doherty
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Hugh Corbett # 13
St. Martin’s, Dec 2002, $24.95, 320 pp.

Due to its modern leader, Abbot Stephens, the St. Martin’s-in-the- Marsh Monastery is a prosperous business center. In fact the Bendictine monks who reside at the abbey have a standard of living that is the envy of most non-residents in the year of our lord 1303. As the good time roll, the monks heatedly debate expanding their business or renewing their vows to God. The argument changes when Abbot Stephens is found dead inside his locked chamber with some of the monks thinking otherworldly forces from either heaven or hell punished their leader. Many of the local peasants agree believing that the ghost of a robber baron committed the crime.

Stephens’ friend King Edward I wants secular answers so he sends his loyal Royal Clerk Hugh Corbett to investigate the homicide. Hugh and his able assistants begin to uncover secrets about Abbot Stephens that expands the list of suspects even as the killer murders more brothers leaving the calling card of the Devil’s Mark behind.

Perhaps the leading medieval mystery writer of today (besides Corbett, there are Brother Athelstan and Canterbury Tales), P.C. Doherty provides a tremendous lock door fourteenth century who-done - it. The key to a Doherty tale are all here in CORPSE CANDLE. The characters are deep, believable, and enhance the feel for the era that is vividly described yet interwoven into the plot. The hero is a courageous intelligent person whom readers will respect. With all that inside a strong investigation with myriad of suspects, but complex so that the audience struggles with deciding whom is leaving behind the Devil’s Mark.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner