Library Journal
“Another fine 14th–century historical; fans of Ellis Peters’s Brother Cadfael series will enjoy.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“A delightful medieval series.”

KIRKUS REVIEWS
“Memorable characters, steadily absorbing period background… a commendable achievement.”

Book Description
Amidst the myth and folklore of Tavistock, one tale above all others strikes fear into the hearts of the townspeople—that of 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 in the theft of their abbot’s wine store. Later, consumed by guilt and fear of discovery, he was driven to commit still more crimes. But his soul had been destroyed, and, as legend has it, the devil himself meted out his punishment, leading the acolyte and his cohorts to their deaths on the treacherous Devon moors. Now, in the autumn of 1322, it looks as if history is repeating itself. Abbot Robert has found his wine barrel empty, and a body has been discovered on the moors. Furnshill and Puttock are called upon to investigate, but the case seems only to become increasingly complicated. It soon becomes apparent that it’s not just wine that’s missing from the abbey—and that the body on the moors isn’t the last. The Devil’s Acolyte is the thirteenth tale in Michael Jecks’ superbly plotted medieval mystery series.

From the Publisher
In this richly atmospheric series of medieval murder mysteries, Michael Jecks gives us tales steeped in intrigue and historical detail. Skillfully evoking the colorful, but often brutal tableau of the Middle Ages, Jecks has drawn comparison with Ellis Peters. Now former Knight Templar Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock, his savvy sleuths, are on the case again in another compelling, well–crafted tale.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Amidst the myth and folklore of Tavistock, one tale above all others strikes fear into the hearts of the townspeople—that of 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 in the theft of their abbot's wine store.

Later, consumed by guilt and fear of discovery, he was driven to commit still more crimes. But his soul had been destroyed, and, as legend has it, the devil himself meted out his punishment, leading the acolyte and his cohorts to their deaths on the treacherous Devon moors.

Now, in the autumn of 1322, it looks as if history is repeating itself. Abbot Robert has found his wine barrel empty, and a body has been discovered on the moors. Furnshill and Puttock are called upon to investigate, but the case seems only to become increasingly complicated. It soon becomes apparent that it's not just wine that's missing from the abbey—and that the body on the moors isn't the last. The Devil's Acolyte is the thirteenth tale in Michael Jecks'superbly plotted medieval mystery series.

SYNOPSIS

In this richly atmospheric series of medieval murder mysteries, Michael Jecks gives us tales steeped in intrigue and historical detail. Skillfully evoking the colorful, but often brutal tableau of the Middle Ages, Jecks has drawn comparison with Ellis Peters. Now former Knight Templar Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock, his savvy sleuths, are on the case again in another compelling, well-crafted tale.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal