Knight Fall

by Mary Monica Pulver

Book Overview

First in a wonderful new mystery series featuring detective Peter Brichter. One weekend each year, the Middle Ages is recreated at a rural campground: jousting, swigging ale, and slaying rival knights with glee. But a killer joins the throng this year, and Brichter has to exchange his fencing foil for his gun. Previously titled Murder at the War.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557736480
• ISBN13: 9781557736482
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Diamond/Charter
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Surprisingly good

I had previously tried to read one of the medieval mysteries written by Margaret Frazer, who is actually Mary Monica Pulver writing with Gail Frazer. While I'm interested in the Middle Ages, I was so bored reading it, I couldn't finish. I worried this book would be of the same quality but my interest in the SCA motivated me to try it anyway. I was in the SCA years ago and attended Pennsic just a few years after this book was first published. This book promised lots of nostalgia and it delivered. The first several pages took a bit to get through, learning both the mundane and SCA names of the many characters, and relearning SCA terminology. Once I had that down though, the story was up and running. Like the Margaret Frazer book, the murder doesn't happen until halfway through the story, but it didn't bother me half as much this time. The murderer was the first person I guessed but there were a few serious red herrings thrown in that threw me off. The characters were very likeable and I'm going to look up the next book in the series, even though it supposedly doesn't feature the SCA. After reading this, I was actually tempted to join up again, it was so fun reliving old times. As for the review that implies Pulver can't write, ignore it. If the reviewer himself can't form proper sentences, what does that tell ya?

Murder at the War

While receiving this book from a friend before I joined the society (SCA), I didn't understand the nuances of Pennsic War nor the intricate mannerisms of the characters. Since joining the society and seeing Pennsic War for myself, I understand the background of the book much better. Now I find it absolutely charming and have recommended it to many friends. The murder mystery is tantalizing and the characters feel so real. It's an absolute must read for any in the society or those wanting to be in the society.

Unique SCA setting - my introduction to Peter & Kori

I greatly enjoyed this unusual and well-crafted mystery. The various Medieval recreationists and their activities which it vividly depicts are sympathetic and interesting, especially in the ways in which they affect the unfolding of the plot - one edition of this story is sub-titled, approximately, "A Medieval Mystery with a Modern Setting". Peter is a complex, very human detective. This is the only entry in the Peter & Kori Brichter series in which the Society for Creative Anachronism has a major role, but they're all well-written stories ... so even if the SCA element was all that drew you to this book, I recommend you try the rest. ** I wish Ms. Pulver hadn't apparently stopped writing this series! However, she has apparently turned her attention instead to the Sister Frevisse Medieval series, which she [co-]authors under the name Margaret Frazer.

GREAT BOOK!

I picked up Knight Fall a long time ago and I couldn't put it down! It has it's fair share of twists and turns in the plot line. It's great. Being a member of the SCA and knowing the layout of the War mentioned makes it even more entertaining. The way Marie Pulver brought everything together was absolutely fantastic. It had plot twists, it had excitement, and it was truly a fun book to read. I highly reccomend reading it again and again.

A book for both medievalists and mystery fans!

Mary Monica Pulver has a knack for making each of her books unique--this one is an "exotic setting" mystery, located at a Medieval History group's annual re-creation of a "Medieval War." The victim is a fellow you'll love to hate and the main suspect is the wife of the detective/protagonist. All in all this is a fun romp in the woods in armor. Members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (a real living-history group) will recognize thinly veiled descriptions of their own members here--a touch of reality amidst the fantasy that makes this book a delightful read!