The House of Shadows

the novel spring directly from primary sources. The role of the Night in Jerusalem characterises the activity of many London taverns, which were often the centre of a great deal of law-breaking. Little wonder that, until the late twentieth century, the taverns, inns and pubs of England were constantly under the close scrutiny of magistrates. The Misericord reflects the myriad confidence tricksters who through the centuries have made London their home, whilst the bounty hunter (true historical characters like Giles of Spain) was as common in medieval England as in the Wild West.

One final note, about John of Gaunt’s declaration about sea voyages along the west coast of Africa. In the nineteenth century, British troops entered the West African kingdom of the Ashanti and found a jug which had actually been made in London during the fourteenth century (it can still be viewed in the excellent London Museum). How it got there, of course, is a matter of speculation!

Next in The Brother Athelstan Mysteries:

Bloodstone

A scintillating murder mystery with twists and turns throughout, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom, S. J. Parris and Michael Jecks.

Find out more

First published in Great Britain in 2003 by Headline Book Publishing, a division of Hodder Headline PLC

This edition published in the United Kingdom in 2020 by Canelo

Canelo Digital Publishing Limited

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Copyright © Paul Doherty, 2003

The moral right of Paul Doherty to be identified as the creator of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781800321434

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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