The Medieval Murderers: The Lost Prophecies

He stood right above the bomb, aimed downwards and fired.

He saw a red light and then a blinding white light and in the middle of the white light the figure of Shiva, dancing in his circle of fire to keep the world in being, his face impassive.

1 Now Preston Street

2 7 July 1325

3 The robbery was April/May 1303

4 Monday 17 June 1348

A small group of historical mystery writers, all members of the Crime Writers’ Association, who promote their work by giving informal talks and discussions at libraries, bookshops and literary festivals.

Bernard Knightis a former Home Office pathologist and professor of forensic medicine who has been publishing novels, non-fiction, radio and television drama and documentaries for more than forty years. He currently writes the highly regarded Crowner John series of historical mysteries, based on the first coroner for Devon in the twelfth century; the thirteenth of which, Crowner Royal , has recently been published by Simon & Schuster.

Ian Morsonis the author of an acclaimed series of historical mysteries featuring the thirteenth-century Oxford-based detective, William Falconer, and a brand-new series featuring Venetian crime solver, Nick Zuliani, the first of which, City of the Dead , has recently been published.

Michael Jeckswas a computer salesman before turning to writing full time. His immensely popular Templar series, set during the confusion and terror of the reign of Edward II, is translated into most continental languages and is published in America. His most recent novels are The Prophecy of Death and, the 26th in the series, The King of Thieves. Michael was chairman of the Crime Writers’ Association in 2004-5 but balances that by Morris Dancing enthusiastically – and badly.

Philip Goodenis the author of the Nick Revill series, a sequence of historical mysteries set in Elizabeth and Jacobean London, during the time of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The latest titles are Mask of Night and An Honourable Murder. He also has written a 19th century murder mystery, The Salisbury Manuscript. Philip was chairman of the Crime Writers’ Association in 2007-8.

Susanna Gregoryis the author of the Matthew Bartholomew series of

mystery novels, set in fourteenth-century Cambridge, the most recent of which are A Vein of Deceit and To Kill or Cure. In addition, she writes a series set in Restoration London, featuring Thomas Chaloner; the most recent book is The Westminster Poisoner. She also writes historical mysteries under the name of ‘Simon Beaufort’.

C. J. Sansomis the author of the bestselling Matthew Shardlake series, set during the reign of Henry VIII. The most recent titles are Revelation, Sovereign and Dark Fire. He is also the author of Winter in Madrid , a historical thriller set in 1940s Spain.