Master of the Medieval Murder Mystery
Welcome to the website of novelist Michael Jecks, known as the master of the medieval murder mystery.
On the left you will find links to all the interesting bits - about me and my writing and the period in which most of it is set. Below you will always find information about my latest Knights Templar mysteries, and about forthcoming speaking engagements - if I am in your neighbourhood, I hope you will come and say hello! I've added details of some forthcoming appearances are on the events page, so have a look and see where I'll be in the coming months.
Stop Press!
All those who've a medieval bent will be keen to know that Medieval Murderers has now been joined by the brilliant new medievalist Dr Karen Maitland. Her book, The Company of Liars, will place her very firmly in the highest level of historical and crime writers. Already winning several accolades, it's probably one of the most flawlessly conceived and gripping thrillers of the year. You should read it!
This is the most recent newsletter which has been posted to subscribers; I'm intending to maintain the newsletter at the rate of at least one per quarter, so if you want to know what I'm up to, what is new in the world of medieval murdering, and how my dogs are surviving life with a novelist, use the sign-up box below to register for the letter!
Also on this site, details of all my books - both my solo works and my collaborations with the Medieval Murderers - and some special offers for collectors. Start by checking my latest publications, below!
Or visit my Photo Diary, for news updates, illustrated with my photos (sneak preview left).
"The most wickedly plotted medieval mystery novels"
The Times
"Michael Jecks has a way of dipping into the past and giving it immediacy. He writes with such convincing charm that you expect to walk round a corner in Tavistock and meet some of the characters"
Oxford Times
Latest Books
The 14th century is a great time for a novelist to write about, just because it was not a great time to live. I have plenty to say about this subject elsewhere! Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, wants only to live a quiet life in Devon with his family, yet recent books have seen him get more and more deeply involved in affairs of state, which have taken him first to London and then to Paris.
My latest book is King of Thieves (published on November 13th), and its publication offers you a multitude of choices. First off, it is the first of my books to be published simultaneously in hardback and trade paperback (the same size as the hardback, but with soft covers). What's more, it marks the end of the now familiar design for the series: the mass market edition will be the first of a new look for the series.
Whichever you choose, it's the story between the covers that counts: Baldwin de Furnshill, and his friend Bailiff Simon Puttock are in France to join the entourage of Prince Edward and Bishop Walter, as they make their journey to the palace of the French king, Charles IV.
And if you are following the series in paperback, The Prophecy of Death will be published in that format December 11th.
What's more, the Medieval Murderers' collaboration continues to thrive: we are now up to seven members, with the addition of our newest member, rising star Karen Maitland (see above). Our most recent joint publication is our fourth collaborative novel, The Lost Prophecies which was published at the beginning of June 2008 (and includes a contribution from new member C.J. Sansom. We are hard at work preparing our fifth book, King Arthur's Bones for publication. You can read all about it in the Medieval Murderers section of this web site.
"Jecks succeeds in writing both a book which smells of the Middle Ages and yet is a detective story. No mean feat!"
Crime Time
If you would like to receive an e-mail newsletter from me, please sign up here, using the form below. (You can also use this form to change your email address or cancel your subscription.) I don't promise to write often - my real job is writing the books! - but I will do my best to keep you up to date with news of events, new books and other information. You can read the archived newsletters - with some added pictures! - on this site: I hope you will want to sign up for future mailings.
Your email address will remain confidential to me and the people who look after my website; we won't pass it to anybody else, nor will we send out mailings on behalf of anybody else. Each newsletter you receive will remind you how you can unsubscribe, and you will also be able to do this via the website.
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And you can . I do read everything I receive but I can't guarantee a reply because of my workload. Please send your comments on the website as it's meant to be useful and fun for you as well as me!
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Last update: 14th November 2008