I have virtually all of Jecks' works. I am new to Library Things so am not going to go into great detail except to say that he has given me many hours of reading pleasure and largley give him 5 stars. Although it has been some years since I found one of the later stories, I was, at the time, prompted to find the first in the series, etc. It is grand that both his former publisher and his new publisher (Simon & Schuster UK) are republishing his books in print and other formats. I have given Jecks 5 star reviews over the years since I stumbled on to him. As to his research, historically it is from primary sources wherein he writes plausible tales into the historical setting. ( )

Mr. Jecks makes his villains thoroughly despicable. This book's mystery is in which bad guy is the worst, and he does a good job of maintaining the suspense to the very end. I felt the bad guys all got what they deserved. Mr. Jecks does not deal in "happily-ever-after" endings, and to me that makes it realistic and believable. An enjoyable read that doesn't quite let you get comfortable. ( )

A grim novel realisticly and accurately set in a grim time. The trouble is, it's not a mystery, the earlier ones in the series were detective stories the last couple are not. Maybe when Edward II is safely depossed and killed Jecks will get back to mysteries. ( )