The Gallows Murders

by Michael Clynes

Book Overview

When the feared royal executioners, the Gallowsmen, begin to die grisly deaths themselves and a mysterious figure attempts to blackmail King Henry VIII, roguish Sir Roger Shallot must unravel a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312146051
• ISBN13: 9780312146054
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 247 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Letters from the Grave?

Paul Doherty seems to be able to turn his hand to virtually any century in history. With these novels he has stepped forward a pace in time to the Tudor period from his usual offerings in the 14th century, but still seems able to capture the feeling for the period in history that he is currently writing about. As far as historical mysteries go, he is the consummate professional. It is the summer of 1523, the weather is the hottest that anyone can remember and death and disease are spreading through the narrow and filthy lanes of London. None of this bothers King Henry VIII, he has moved court to the more spacious surroundings of Windsor where the air is fresh and clean and he can pursue his lusts and debauchery and leave England in the hands of the First Minister Cardinal Wolsey. But not everything is going smoothly for Henry he keep receiving letters from the tower, despatched under the name and seal of Edward, one of the young princes murdered there. They demand that large amounts of gold are left in various parts of London and Henry is truly terrified by them, particularly as the sender states that they will put up proclamations all over London that will coincide with the outbreak of the plague. This will make the people think that the hand of God has turned against the Tudors. Even Henry does not believe that letters cannot be written from the grave and once again calls on the help of Roger Shallot and Benjamin Daunbey to solve the problem, which is exacerbated by the deaths of several of London's hangmen.

Clynes' Sir Roger shares another journal!

"The Gallows Murders" by Michael Clynes is described as "being the fifth journal of Sir Roger Shallot concerning certain wicked conspiracies and horrible murders perpetuated in the reign of King Henry VIII." And this fifth episode comes as no disappointment to Clynes' readers as his champion, Shallot, rides to the fore and before you can say "Bob's your uncle," the 16th century puzzle is solved! An interesting character, Shallot describes himself : "I am not a coward. I just run very fast. I am also not a fool," who lives by his favorite maxim: "He who fights and runs away may get out of fighting on another day." And author Clynes makes him the ultimate hero of Tudor England (among his boasts: being special adviser to King Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey, confidant of Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, and lover of Elizabeth I and the father of their "love child." He also claims "ownership" to several of Shakespeare's best lines. The Bard, Shallot, and Kit Marlowe are all drinking and wenching buddies! (An original fairy tale!) Whatever. What Clynes does, however, is weave a yarn that is entertaining at best; however, the author is quite an authority on medieval England and his expertise is readily apparent in his descriptions of the period. While his concoctions may be historically far-fetched (and far from actuality!), still, his "accounts" offer a literary intrigue (if not a "gossipy account" of the times!) and an enjoyable tale! In this episode, Shallot finds himself involved in another of Henry's misadventures. The Great Mouldwarp of Merlin's prophecies is ever so insecure about his own kingship and now messages arrive signed and sealed by King Edward V (one of the little "princes of the Tower" of Richard III fame), demanding that Henry pay extortion fees. Henry expects Shallot to solve the problem and clean up the mystery. Intrigue and murder/mayhem follow, one after the other and rivals Act V of "Hamlet" for seeing which has more dead bodies! Light, light, light, but clever, clever, clever. And amusing. A relaxing afternoon's read. And now on to the sixth episode!

This one won't leave you hanging!

"The Gallows Murders" by Michael Clynes is described as "being the fifth journal of Sir Roger Shallot concerning certain wicked conspiracies and horrible murders perpetuated in the reign of King Henry VIII." And this fifth episode comes as no disappointment to Clynes' readers as his champion, Shallot, rides to the fore and before you can say "Bob's your uncle," the 16th century puzzle is solved! An interesting character, Shallot describes himself : "I am not a coward. I just run very fast. I am also not a fool," who lives by his favorite maxim: "He who fights and runs away may get out of fighting on another day." And author Clynes makes him the ultimate hero of Tudor England (among his boasts: being special adviser to King Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey, confidant of Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, and lover of Elizabeth I and the father of their "love child." He also claims "ownership" to several of Shakespeare's best lines. The Bard, Shallot, and Kit Marlowe are all drinking and wenching buddies! (An original fairy tale!) Whatever. What Clynes does, however, is weave a yarn that is entertaining at best; however, the author is quite an authority on medieval England and his expertise is readily apparent in his descriptions of the period. While his concoctions may be historically far-fetched (and far from actuality!), still, his "accounts" offer a literary intrigue (if not a "gossipy account" of the times!) and an enjoyable tale! In this episode, Shallot finds himself involved in another of Henry's misadventures. The Great Mouldwarp of Merlin's prophecies is ever so insecure about his own kingship and now messages arrive signed and sealed by King Edward V (one of the little "princes of the Tower" of Richard III fame), demanding that Henry pay extortion fees. Henry expects Shallot to solve the problem and clean up the mystery. Intrigue and murder/mayhem follow, one after the other and rivals Act V of "Hamlet" for seeing which has more dead bodies! Light, light, light, but clever, clever, clever. And amusing. A relaxing afternoon's read!(Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

Sir Roger doesn't keep you hanging around!

THE GALLOWS MURDERS by Michael Clynes "The Gallows Murders" by Michael Clynes is described as "being the fifth journal of Sir Roger Shallot concerning certain wicked conspiracies and horrible murders perpetuated in the reign of King Henry VIII." And this fifth episode comes as no disappointment to Clynes' readers as his champion, Shallot, rides to the fore and before you can say "Bob's your uncle," the 16th century puzzle is solved! An interesting character, Shallot describes himself : "I am not a coward. I just run very fast. I am also not a fool," who lives by his favorite maxim: "He who fights and runs away may get out of fighting on another day." And author Clynes makes him the ultimate hero of Tudor England (among his boasts: being special adviser to King Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey, confidant of Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, and lover of Elizabeth I and the father of their "love child." He also claims "ownership" to several of Shakespeare's best lines. The Bard, Shallot, and Kit Marlowe are all drinking and wenching buddies! (An original fairy tale!) Whatever. What Clynes does, however, is weave a yarn that is entertaining at best; however, the author is quite an authority on medieval England and his expertise is readily apparent in his descriptions of the period. While his concoctions may be historically far-fetched (and far from actuality!), still, his "accounts" offer a literary intrigue (if not a "gossipy account" of the times!) and an enjoyable tale! In this episode, Shallot finds himself involved in another of Henry's misadventures. The Great Mouldwarp of Merlin's prophecies is ever so insecure about his own kingship and now messages arrive signed and sealed by King Edward V (one of the little "princes of the Tower" of Richard III fame), demanding that Henry pay extortion fees. Henry expects Shallot to solve the problem and clean up the mystery. Intrigue and murder/mayhem follow, one after the other and rivals Act V of "Hamlet" for seeing which has more dead bodies! Light, light, light, but clever, clever, clever. And amusing. A relaxing afternoon