1177 King's clerk Aelred Barling is on a pilgrimage to Canterbury, accompanied by Hugo Stanton. On arrival they are requested by the Archbishop himself to investigate the death of a stonemason, Peter Flocke. The body of which was mutilated and killed near the cathedral. But the pressure is on them to find the guilty party before the King arrives in a few days, a pressure that pushes their friendship to the limits. But there will be more deaths.
Another well-written entertaining historical mystery in this series with its two interesting and well developed characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

The King’s clerk, Aelred Barling and his assistant Hugo Stanton have finally made it to Canterbury. Barling is desperate to find absolution at the shrine of Saint Thomas a Becket. But before he can achieve his goal he is thwarted by the need for his skills as an investigator for there has been a most egregious murder of one of the men working on the Cathedral. And soon a third victim is found.

Before he and Stanton can even gather all the evidence there is a second murder and the pressure is on to find the fiend who is behind the gruesome events. There is so much confusion in the town with all of the pilgrims, the rebuilding, and everyone looking to take advantage of what they can. Will they be able to figure out who is doing the killings before they kill again?

This was a well paced mystery as it led the reader along through 12th century Canterbury as the cathedral is rising again from a fire. There were complicated political faction among the monks, the everyday living conditions for the populace and of course a murderer running around. Stanton and Barling are great characters with distinct personalities that bicker and come back together like all great friends do.

The book is a fast paced read with an inolving mystery. I like these characters and will look forward to their further adventures. Sadly that will involve more murder but Ms. Powell doesn’t make it all that gruesome and she really brings the time period to life. ( )

The Canterbury Murders is a historical mystery set in Canterbury, Kent in 1177 and I was immediately transported back to Canterbury Cathedral in the 12th century, during the time when the people, referred to as pilgrims, continuously journeyed to visit the shrine of the murdered Archbishop Thomas Beckett. A stonemason working to repair the cathedral after a devastating fire is found badly mutilated and investigators Aelred Barling and Hugo Stanton are enlisted to find the killer. When more murders are discovered, it's up to Barling and Stanton to find a common connection.

Author E.M. Powell has crafted an intriguing novel that both educates and entertains. The Historical Note at the end of the book relates the true facts of the feud between King Henry II and Thomas Beckett that led to Beckett's murder, along many other historical facts and figures pertinent to this era. Powell's creation of numerous fictional characters and the many twists and turns surrounding the medieval murders increase the fascination and I was kept guessing until the very end!

This is the third book featuring Stanton and Barling but it can be read as a standalone. I recommend it to fans of historical fiction.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher but there was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts. ( )

For troubled royal clerk Barling, a visit to Canterbury for Easter is a way to serve penance for his thoughts. However on arrival Barling and his assistant Stanton are pulled into another murder mystery as a stone mason working on repairs to the Catherdral roof is found dead. With the King due to visit in a matter of days, the pair are in a race to solve this and an increasing series of crimes.
I have read one of these books before but it was not so memorable, similarly with this one. The protagonists are very lightly drawn, Barliing's angst seems forced and Stanton's lost love seems incredulous. I liked the medieval setting but the plot was odd. the denouement came out of leftfield with little motivation or explanation. ( )

Dark deeds in Holy places.

It's Easter, 1711 and Aelred Barling has a personal and exacting challenge metered out from his confessor--to make a pilgrimage to Canterbury. Our dour King's clerk has a deep, dark secret that pulls him down. He takes Hugo Stanton with him. Stanton of course is looking forward to the rumoured delights that abound on the pilgrimage trail but is foiled by the more moderate stops that the sanctimonious Barling chooses, much to Stanton's bitter chagrin.
After a penitent and bloody approach to the Cathederal, Barling is in line on the steps, almost through the door, ready to complete his task, yearning for the spiritual relief this will give him, when he's hauled out of the line at King Henry II's request to support no lesser a powerful being, than Richard, Archbishop of Canterbury.
Murder has taken place and Barling is called upon to investigate. As the killings escalate he and Stanton struggle to find links that will lead to resolution.
Once more this unlikely duo are thrust into a situation that will stretch and test them.
As always a different but highly satisfying read.

An ARC provided by the author via NetGalley ( )