Maureen Ash creates intriguing historical fiction

One cannot have a deranged murderer on the loose, it is bad for business. And when one lives in a provincial English town in the year 1200 A.D., where the summer fair is the commercial event of the year … well, you can see how it can get tricky. Do not allow a little bit of history in your literature scare you. Who doesn't like a good mystery, especially one rich in historical detail? The charming book in question is "The Alehouse Murders" by Maureen Ash. It is first in the Templar Knight Mystery Series, which was released in September 2007.

This series is based around a Knight of the Templar Order Bascot de Marins. Bascot is world-weary and sore of heart when he returns to England. That takes no stretch of the imagination, considering he has been a slave in the Holy Land for eight years following his capture during the crusades. Throw in a smidge of torture in a Turkish prison, the loss of an eye and a weak ankle, and it is easy to see why Bascot is reconsidering his commitment to the Templar Order and his faith in God.

Sir Bascot finds himself sent to Lincoln, England, by the higher ups in the Templar Order. His stay is a recuperation of sorts and a chance for him to reflect on what he truly wants to do with the rest of his life. While Sir Bascot contemplates his future he is dragged into a murder case by his benefactress the Lady Nicolaa de la Haye. Four mysterious murders have taken place at the local alehouse, and everyone is thoroughly confused.

Two victims are known, the alewife's husband and a Jew, but who are the young man and woman? And why are the victims already dead when they were brought to the alehouse? The plot is complete with lecherous nobles willing to do anything to get what they want. Throw in rumors of an illegitimate son who stands to inherit everything and things begin to spice up. This book brings to mind that the people of the 13th century were real people, with real emotions and real passion who lived and died. It does not usually occur to the average person that murders happened in medieval England. Of course kings were murdered, but honestly, who ever spares a thought about the common people?

Before I read this book it never occurred to me to ask what the criminal and judiciary systems were like in that time period. This novel offers a fascinating glimpse of how these systems ran and how people reacted to the traditions and laws of the age. To sweeten the deal "The Alehouse Murders" is a nifty little paperback just shy of 275 pages, short enough to be a satisfying read but not an overwhelming one.

The world Ash has recreated for the reader is authentic but she does not throw in overwhelming period detail just to prove she is knowledgeable. You will not become so entangled in a confusing plot that you will throw the book down in frustration. Ash writes with simplicity. Never fear, it is not an insultingly watered-down plot, either. Instead this novel fits in cozily between the two extremes.

This novel is a great read because it is engrossing enough to keep your attention but not such a nail biter that you won't be able to sleep at night until you find out "whodunnit." Knights, intrigue and murder mix together to make an irresistible blend of fiction. "

Maureen Ash was born in London, England, and has had a lifelong interest in British medieval history. Visits to castle ruins and old churchs have provided the inspiration for her novels. She enjoys Celtic music, browsing in bookstores and Belgian chocolate. Maureen now lives on Vancover Island in British Columbia, Canada.