Paul C Doherty © 2011 All rights reserved. Web Design D H H
...bringing history to life.
The Death of a King (1985)
The fate of kings is not always glorious.
Indeed, England’s Edward II so angered his wife, her lover, and his subjects when he flaunted his male favorites that they revolted, deposed him, and made him prisoner. History records Edward II was eventually murdered in Berkeley Castle and buried publicly in Gloucester cathedral. But was he? The heir, Edward III, charges Chancery Clerk Edmund Beche with uncovering the truth of the matter. Beche’s investigation is torturous, blocked by hidden records, outright lies, unexpected confessions, double crosses, and a high body count. Gravedigging, burglary, and soldiering at the bloody battle of Crécy await him. But he’s a most determined man....
The fate of kings is not always glorious.
Indeed, England’s Edward II so angered his wife, her lover, and his subjects when he flaunted his male favorites that they revolted, deposed him, and made him prisoner. History records Edward II was eventually murdered in Berkeley Castle and buried publicly in Gloucester cathedral. But was he? The heir, Edward III, charges Chancery Clerk Edmund Beche with uncovering the truth of the matter. Beche’s investigation is torturous, blocked by hidden records, outright lies, unexpected confessions, double crosses, and a high body count. Gravedigging, burglary, and soldiering at the bloody battle of Crécy await him. But he’s a most determined man....
The Prince Drakulya (1986)
Dracula has always been a fascinating though terrifying figure. Yet the legend of the human vampire is based on horrifying reality: Dracula (or more properly Drakulya) was a real person, a Prince of Wallachia (now part of Romania) who struggled for personal and political survival during the sinister intrigues of I5th century Europe. This fascinating novel traces the life of Drakulya as seen through the eyes of a close friend and retainer, the Greek, Rhodros. He accurately describes the formative influences on Drakulya: the harsh imprisonment by the Ottoman Turks which scars His mind; Drakulya's manipulation by the subtle and brilliant Ottoman court as well the spiritual corrosion caused by Drakulya's lust for vengeance against the Wallachian nobles responsible for the barbarous deaths of his father and elder brother. Drakulya gradually breaks free from his captors' influence and eventually returns as ruler to his own country to wreak a revenge so terrifying that, even in those cruel times, Drakulya's name became a nightmare.
Dracula has always been a fascinating though terrifying figure. Yet the legend of the human vampire is based on horrifying reality: Dracula (or more properly Drakulya) was a real person, a Prince of Wallachia (now part of Romania) who struggled for personal and political survival during the sinister intrigues of I5th century Europe. This fascinating novel traces the life of Drakulya as seen through the eyes of a close friend and retainer, the Greek, Rhodros. He accurately describes the formative influences on Drakulya: the harsh imprisonment by the Ottoman Turks which scars His mind; Drakulya's manipulation by the subtle and brilliant Ottoman court as well the spiritual corrosion caused by Drakulya's lust for vengeance against the Wallachian nobles responsible for the barbarous deaths of his father and elder brother. Drakulya gradually breaks free from his captors' influence and eventually returns as ruler to his own country to wreak a revenge so terrifying that, even in those cruel times, Drakulya's name became a nightmare.
The Lord Count Drakulya (1986)
This sequel to The Prince Drakulya continues the story of Drakulya's rise to power and the truth behind the terrifying vampire legends. Prince Dracula, or more accurately, Drakulya, was a real person who struggled to control the small Balkan kingdom of Wallachia amidst the cruelty and corruption of I5th century Europe. Through the eyes of his Greek friend, Rhodros, we see Drakulya, a Renaissance prince, become a despot and wreak a horrifying revenge on his opponents who were sent to a barbarous death in the sinister Valley of the Shadows. Drakulya then becomes involved in the subtle intrigues between the great powers of I5th century Europe, and launches an all-out war against his hated enemy, the Ottoman Turks. Rhodros is drawn deeper into the nightmare created by Drakulya. His attempts at escape are overtaken by events which sweep Drakulya to a chilling climax and the birth of one of Europe's most terrifying legends.
This sequel to The Prince Drakulya continues the story of Drakulya's rise to power and the truth behind the terrifying vampire legends. Prince Dracula, or more accurately, Drakulya, was a real person who struggled to control the small Balkan kingdom of Wallachia amidst the cruelty and corruption of I5th century Europe. Through the eyes of his Greek friend, Rhodros, we see Drakulya, a Renaissance prince, become a despot and wreak a horrifying revenge on his opponents who were sent to a barbarous death in the sinister Valley of the Shadows. Drakulya then becomes involved in the subtle intrigues between the great powers of I5th century Europe, and launches an all-out war against his hated enemy, the Ottoman Turks. Rhodros is drawn deeper into the nightmare created by Drakulya. His attempts at escape are overtaken by events which sweep Drakulya to a chilling climax and the birth of one of Europe's most terrifying legends.
The Fate of Princes (1990)
The mystery of the Princes in the Tower. Did they die? Were they killed? Or did they escape? This novel offers and dramatic and intriguing solution and an original interpretation of documentary and archaeological evidence.
Dove Amongst the Hawks (1990)
As a physician in London during the Wars of the Roses, Dr Luke Chichele became well acquainted with royalty and was part of a plot instigated by the Pope to find out exactly how King Henry VI died in 1471 in the Tower of London. Was it suicide or murder? The Pope wanted to prove Henry VI was worthy of beatification, while the King, Edward IV, claimed he had died witless and incapable. But the closer Luke came to the truth, the more his life fell into danger.
As a physician in London during the Wars of the Roses, Dr Luke Chichele became well acquainted with royalty and was part of a plot instigated by the Pope to find out exactly how King Henry VI died in 1471 in the Tower of London. Was it suicide or murder? The Pope wanted to prove Henry VI was worthy of beatification, while the King, Edward IV, claimed he had died witless and incapable. But the closer Luke came to the truth, the more his life fell into danger.
The Masked Man (1991)
In his latest historical mystery,the story of the Man in the Iron Mask, a prisoner of such political consequence that Louis XIV of France ordered him locked away, forbidden to speak to anyone and condemned forever to wear a mask to hide his identity. Here, both Louis and the mysterious prisoner are dead when Ralph Croft, master forger, is plucked from the Bastille and enlisted by the French regent to determine the masked man's identity. Working with murderous musketeer D'Estrivet and royal archivist Maurepas, he uncovers a web of intrigue that involves plots against the crown, the Knights Templar and a fallen finance minister.
In his latest historical mystery,the story of the Man in the Iron Mask, a prisoner of such political consequence that Louis XIV of France ordered him locked away, forbidden to speak to anyone and condemned forever to wear a mask to hide his identity. Here, both Louis and the mysterious prisoner are dead when Ralph Croft, master forger, is plucked from the Bastille and enlisted by the French regent to determine the masked man's identity. Working with murderous musketeer D'Estrivet and royal archivist Maurepas, he uncovers a web of intrigue that involves plots against the crown, the Knights Templar and a fallen finance minister.
The Rose Demon (1997)
Rosifer, the fallen angel, is the spirit Matthias loves yet hates. The story of Matthias is played out against the panorama of medieval life - the fall of Constantinople, the terror of witchcraft, and the final dramatic confrontation between the Rose demon and Mattias.
Rosifer, the fallen angel, is the spirit Matthias loves yet hates. The story of Matthias is played out against the panorama of medieval life - the fall of Constantinople, the terror of witchcraft, and the final dramatic confrontation between the Rose demon and Mattias.
The Haunting (1997)
October 1866. Father Oliver Grafield, a Catholic priest and exorcist, is asked to allay the haunting experiences occurring at Candleton Hall. Within hours of his arrival there, he experiences the phenomena: pools of blood on the floor, a woman dressed in black and a foreboding sense of malevolence.
The Soul Slayer (1997)
A terrifying tale of 16th-century Europe.
Eighteen-year-old Rebecca Lennox, daughter of a former priest, is ostracized by the villagers of Dunmow. They regard her as cursed, by both her cleft palate and her gift of second sight. Rebecca finds solace in the statue of St. Michael the Archangel, to whom she prays devotedly within the sanctity of her old parish church. But when a young Catholic priest arrives in the village, it seems that she has finally found a mortal confidant. Michael is not repelled by her infirmity, and his charm and gentleness remind her of her beloved statue. Then changes come to Dunmow. A new parson is appointed--more interested in the black arts than the teachings of religion. For Henry Frogmore, holy orders are an opportune cover for his nefarious activities, but in Rebecca and Michael, he finds powerful opponents. And in the ensuing struggle, the price for each of them is dear.
A terrifying tale of 16th-century Europe.
Eighteen-year-old Rebecca Lennox, daughter of a former priest, is ostracized by the villagers of Dunmow. They regard her as cursed, by both her cleft palate and her gift of second sight. Rebecca finds solace in the statue of St. Michael the Archangel, to whom she prays devotedly within the sanctity of her old parish church. But when a young Catholic priest arrives in the village, it seems that she has finally found a mortal confidant. Michael is not repelled by her infirmity, and his charm and gentleness remind her of her beloved statue. Then changes come to Dunmow. A new parson is appointed--more interested in the black arts than the teachings of religion. For Henry Frogmore, holy orders are an opportune cover for his nefarious activities, but in Rebecca and Michael, he finds powerful opponents. And in the ensuing struggle, the price for each of them is dear.
The Plague Lord (2002)
Thirteenth-century China, and the legendary Kublai Khan rules over Cathay and the Middle Kingdom. Of his many ministers and advisors, his favourite is a foreigner – the Venetian Marco Polo, whose understanding of the language and etiquette of the court is exemplary, and whose advice is widely sought. So when a flood of portents, strange visions and ghastly murders occur throughout the kingdom and even across the oceans, Marco’s wisdom is called upon. The leaders of a demonic sect have disappeared from the desert to which they were banished, and Kublai Khan believes that they will attempt to release the Plague Lord himself, and open the gates of Hell...
Thirteenth-century China, and the legendary Kublai Khan rules over Cathay and the Middle Kingdom. Of his many ministers and advisors, his favourite is a foreigner – the Venetian Marco Polo, whose understanding of the language and etiquette of the court is exemplary, and whose advice is widely sought. So when a flood of portents, strange visions and ghastly murders occur throughout the kingdom and even across the oceans, Marco’s wisdom is called upon. The leaders of a demonic sect have disappeared from the desert to which they were banished, and Kublai Khan believes that they will attempt to release the Plague Lord himself, and open the gates of Hell...
