Scenes of Crime

Special Feature
The Novels of P.C. Doherty
One of the many things that has been occupying my time recently, besides the rigours of academia, is the discovery of a superb, and prolific author, Paul Doherty. Mr. Doherty is so prolific that he has chosen to write his many novels under a bewildering array of pseudonyms. At the time of writing, Doherty writes as himself, P.C. Doherty, C.L. Grace, Michael Clynes, Paul Harding, Anna Apostolous and Ann Dukthas - I keep expecting to find yet another pseudonym lurking at the back. However, he seems to have decided to consolidate his reputation, and his most recent novels, including one from a series originally written as Paul Harding (The Devil's Domain), are written as Paul Doherty. (Statistics fans might note that Doherty has written 47 novels in 13 years, making 3-4 novels a year on average, although his output in the last five years is nearly double that. How does the man find the time?)

The breadth of Doherty's writing is quite staggering. As befits a former academic (D.Phil, Oxon) and current headmaster, he shows detailed historical research on a remarkably wide range of subjects, from the 13th century to the 19th century. The historical detail is accurate and impressive, but unlike many novels (Steven Saylor's otherwise excellent Gordianus novels spring to mind) never threatens to overwhelm the narrative. Frequently, Doherty seems motivated by a desire to find a solution to long-standing historical mysteries, or to find the motivtion behind significant events. In particular, he seems to have been in love with the 14th century ever since writing his D.Phil. thesis on Edward II and Queen Isabella. What is more important, perhaps, than scrupulous attention to the murky politics of 14th century England, is his talent for creating an authentic-feeling atmosphere. Unlike, say Ellis Peters, a wonderful writer in many respects but one whose 13th century Shrewbury always seemed quite respectable and tidy, Doherty paints a picture of a grimy, disease-ridden time, where violent or premature place were commonplace and law and order were simply insufficient to contain the more larcenous or homicidal members of the population. His Harding novels, particularly, graphically illustrate the squalour and privation of many parts of 14th century London. It is also pleasing to note that the aristocracy and wealthy classes don't escape many hardships, despite their status.

In addition to the dark atmosphere of the times Doherty writes about, he also injects more than a measure of the supernatural into the proceedings. The Corbett novels frequently have apparently supernatural element, such as the spontaneous combustions in Satan's Fire, but Corbett's level-headedness and common-sense usually find a more rational explanation. A greater degree of ambiguity is found in his masterful Canterbury Tales, which are stories of mystery and terror told by Chaucer's pilgrims. The Knight's Tale, An Ancient Evil, and the Priest's Tale, Ghostly Murders, are stories where the supernatural and crime elements mingle freely, with the Knight chasing vampires, the Strigoi, who are responsible for many unexplained deaths in Oxford, and the Priest finding his new parish beset by the spirits of long-dead Templars demanding justice. Doherty's love of the supernatural reaches new heights in The Rose Demon, a beautiful, epic story that follows the close, almost loving relationship between the bastard son of a priest, Martin Fitzosbert and the fallen angel, Rosifer. The Rose Demon transcends the supernatural, and becomes almost mystical in quality, with Rosifer an ambivalent force loose in the world.

It could never be said that Doherty is a writer renowned for deep or original characterisation, but his protagonists are sympathetically drawn and for the most part, engaging. Hugh Corbett is a typical example; hard-working, serious-minded but with a lighter side and his own personal flaws. Perhaps Doherty's greatest strength is the supporting cast he brings to bear on his tales. A wealth of memorable, vividly drawn characters throng his novels, like the sinister Fisher of Men in the Athelstan novels, who is employed, with his team of men including the fish-like Icthys, to recover bodies from the Thames. Doherty also injects a measure of humour into the proceedings, although it is never overly subtle, but is welcome none-the-less. Sir John Cranston, Coroner of London in the Athelstan novels, is proof of this by his apparent determination to out-Falstaff Falstaff... Still, it makes for an enjoyable read and helps to balance out the darker side of Doherty's writing.

Doherty's range and versatility make picking a favourite hard to do, but of all his work, the most enjoyable and accessible series are his Athelstan novels as Paul Harding (perservere if you find the Nightingale Gallery hard going) as 'straight' crime novels with a likeable protagonist and a fascinating setting, and his Canterbury Tales for those who enjoy chilling tales of the unquiet dead. Whatever your taste, I hope you enjoy them. There now follows an exhaustive list (if its incomplete, please let me know!) with a little descriptive piece on each series.

Novels by P.C. Doherty and his Many Pseudonyms


Novels written As P.C. Doherty or Paul Doherty

Hugh Corbett Novels(Clerk To Edward I And Keeper Of The Secret Seal, late 13th-Early 14th c.)


The Hugh Corbett novel sequence, in which there are ten to date, concerns Corbett, clerk to Edward I and Keeper of the Secret Seal, who is assigned by Edward to investigate political crimes and to counter the spies of Edward's rival, Philip of France. In this he is ably assisted by Ranulf-atte-Newgate, a felon whom Hugh redeemed from Newgate Gaol, and the slightly comical Maltote, the clumsiest archer in the English army but a master horseman. The Corbett novels are extremely enjoyable historical mysteries in the classic mode, with complex and devious plotting, matching Corbett's razor-like mind against the cunning of French spies and agents or against dangerous murderers.

The Canterbury Tales (tales of mystery and terror told by Chaucer's pilgrims)


The Canterbury Tales, which are where I started reading Doherty, are relatively new, but to my mind include some of Doherty's best work to date. Each novel is the story told by a different member of the Canterbury pilgrims, who determine to each tell a tale of mystery and terror in the evenings to counter the more famous tales during the day made famous by Chaucer. The Tales are more overtly supernatural than much of Doherty's work, and frequently resemble classic ghost stories, in the mould of M.R. James, rather than crime novels. Of these, perhaps the most memorable is A Tournament of Murders, the Franklin's Tale, which contains one of the most chilling passages I have ever read. A young squire and his companions, seeking to solve an ancient mystery, are stranded on an island on the Essex coast in the depths of winter, surrounded by bandits who are slowly closing in, whilst a phantom-like black knight periodically appears. Bone-chilling. Likewise, An Ancient Evil, concerning a hunt for the demonic Strigoi vampires in Oxford, and Ghostly Murders, where the spirits of dead men force a priest to confront an age-old crime in his new parish, effectively create a sinister atmosphere of unease. A somewhat predictable aspect of these novels is that Doherty seems to feel the need to link the past to the present by having the storyteller recognise one of his fellow pilgrims as a protagonist from the past. A fine idea in places, but a little overplayed by now. Still, a superb set of stories.

Other Novels Written as Paul Doherty


Short stories:
A terrific series of novels, with Doherty's most sympathetic protagonist to date, the Dominican friar Brother Athelstan, who, exiled to a parish in the stews of Southwark, is made secretarius to Sir John Cranston, Coroner of London. A monk as detective is not a new concept, but Doherty handles the situations beautifully, frequently presenting cunning variations on the locked-room mystery for Athelstan and Cranston to solve. Athelstan is a wonderful character, a concientious hard-working man, struggling to overcome guilt over the part he played in the death of his brother on the battlefields of France, whilst applying his considerable intellect to problems on Cranston's behalf. Cranston himself is a memorable character, although Doherty plays too hard on his drinking, crudity and general Fasltaffian nature, but he makes an admirable foil for the ascetic Athelstan. A lovely aspect of these novels is the petty bickering and deviousness of Athelstan's parishioners, as they try to seize power of the parish council or make a few bob by claiming miracles have occured in the parish church. One of Athelstan's parishioners in particular, the lovely widow Benedicta, causes Athelstan much problem in sticking to his vows.

The backdrop to these novels is vivid too - following the lonely, unmourned death of Edward III, his young grandson, Richard II takes the throne, vying with his uncle, the Regent John of Gaunt for power, whilst around them the people stir, building towards the Peasant's Revolt. There the series seemed to have ended, with Athelstan sent to Oxford by his superiors, whilst London seethes with discontent. However, Doherty has written a new Athelstan novel, The Devil's Domain, although this novel offers no great surprises and the issues unresolved at the end of the Harding novels are dealt with all too briefly. In all, perhaps Doherty's strongest mystery series.
Novels written as Michael Clynes

The Sir Roger Shallot Journals (Concerning Certain Wicked Conspiracies and Horrible M urders Perpe trated In The Reign of King Henry VIII)


Yet another series - this time, concerning Roger Shallot, assistant to Benjamin Daubney, who investigates on behalf on Cardinal Wolsey and the monstrous Henry VII. Enjoyable so far, although since they are written from the point of view of the aging Shallot, they tend to be somewhat rambling in places. In addition, as seems a tendency with Doherty (witness Ranulf-atte-Newgate and John Cranston), Shallot's inveterate rogue-ish nature is driven home a little too forcefully.
Novels written as Ann Dukthas (not available in UK)

Nicholas Segalla Series (Time-Traveller)


Not much to comment on so far, as I've only just received a copy of the first novel, but this series concerns investigations by mysterious scholar Nicholas Segalla into historical mysteries and conundrums. The first deals with Mary, Queen of Scots - watch this space for a review!
Novels written as C.L. Grace (only available as U.S. hardbacks. Noooo!!!!)

Kathryn Swinbrooke Series (Being the Canterbury Tales of Kathryn Swinbrooke, Leech and Physician)


Sorry, not much chance you'll see my comments on these for a while, but I'll work on getting hold on them. By all accounts, well-crafted examples of Doherty's art.
Novels written as Anna Apostolou (not readily available in the UK)



Sigh... So many novels I can't find! Apparently these are set in the Macedonia of Philip II and his son Alexander the Great, and the first one apparently concerns the murder of Philip. Any more details, you'll be the first to know!
And for the True Collector...

Doherty, Paul C. (1977)
University Of Oxford. Faculty Of Modern History
D.Phil. Thesis
Isabella, Queen, Consort Of Edward II, King Of England, 1292-1358
(Great Britain -- Politics And Government -- 1272-1307
Great Britain -- Politics And Government -- 1307-1327
Great Britain -- Politics And Government -- 1327-1377)

You might also be interested to know that Doherty is currently rewriting his DPhil thesis (though what possesses him to go through such a thankless task a second time escapes me...) as a non-fiction piece, probably out in 1999. Also, the next fiction piece will be The Hangman's Tale, out in 2000.
Main Index
Legal Stuff: All material on this page copyright Daniel M. Staines 1998. Reproduction in any form prohibited without permission except for personal or academic use.