King's Gold (The Last Templar Mysteries Book 30)

Another roaring good adventure for Sir Baldwin & Simon! So much intrigue & deception in Edward II’s England! The country is rife with violence, both mindless & calculated. The King has been supplanted by his son, under the auspices of Queen Isabella & Sir Roger Mortimer. Now, the trick is to keep Edward II alive & in custody. When Berkeley Castle is attacked, no one can tell whether the invaders seek to free or to execute the old king. Though we know from history how the story ends, the serpentine path provides a delicious tale!

King Edward II of England has been deposed. England is in turmoil. Some want to return Edward to the crown because he is God's anointed king. Some want his son to be crowned the new king. Many are angry at Edward because of his relationship to Sir Hugh le Dispenser. And some are looking to enrich themselves by gaining control over the king's gold.As this novel develops, Jecks introduces a large cast of characters. There are the Florentine bankers who are trying to appease both sides of the conflict. Then there is the henpecked carter and his shrewish wife. Also, there are several knights and men-of-war who want to free Edward and return him to the crown. And there are those who wish to end the wars and bring peace to England.The novel follows the various characters. Eventually, the plot brings them to Berkley castle where Edward is imprisoned. Along the way several of Jecks' newly created characters are murdered. There is not much mystery to these killings. We know or can quickly deduce who the murderers are.The main characters of the series, Sir Baldwin and Simon Puttock, do not make their entrance until the eighth chapter. They are mostly concerned with protecting Edward.In my opinion, this novel is not a mystery. It is a well written historical novel about an interesting time in English history. I was disappointed that Sir Baldwin and Simon had such small roles in the plot.The introduction of so many new characters made the beginning of the novel a little hard to follow.I enjoy Jecks' writing style. So I enjoyed reading this novel. I think a reader new to this series might enjoy this book as an introduction to the series since it does not rely much on the action in previous novels.

Much thicker than I thought it would be.

I eagerly anticipate the arrival of another book in the story of the adventures of Sir Baldwin and this one continues to please.However, Sir Baldwin and his companions are getting older with each story so I wonder if the author can continue with the younger characters as principals. That may be problematic as so far all the youg people in the books have been rather loosely depicted and somehow don't seem "real". Well, will just have to wait and see.I sincerely hope not eveyone dies of the ploague in the end!

Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars. I love this time period and Jecks characters are like old friends.... As I said I had read several of these in other collections but it is nice to have them collected together under one edition. If you haven't read Jecks before this would be a good way to start... doesn't spoil any books in the series but introduces you into his corner of the world...

Michael Jecks continues his chronicle of the fall of Edward II through the experiences of the indomitable Sir Baldwin and Simon Puttock. Oddly, they are now on different sides in the battle for power, but still strive for the same ends. I read The Oath and King's Gold back to back and must say that both books were riveting. The intense historical period provides an exciting backdrop to the mysteries, without detracting from the sleuthing necessary to solve the crimes. Over the years, Jecks' characters seem to have developed lives of their own.

Michael Jecks continues to write well-researched historical mysteries that move at a brisk pace. All of his familiar charcters return, with some nicely drawn additions. Political scheming, knights and peasants, murder and mayhem set against the backdrop of an often chaotic 14th century England. A good, engaging read!

"Packed full of political plots and machinations. Artfully written with plot twists that surprise and, as always, make me appreciate the faults of the times we live in though there are many similarities.This series just keeps getting better!"

Started getting into theses novels by Michael Jecks and they are quite intriquing, ionce you get to know how the writer works, originally, I thought they were labourious, but then found after I stuck with it, that they were very clever and masterful bit of writing. Using some facts of that period and especially certain methods used by all parties it became a very interesting reading. Now I look forward to the next novel to pick up and start to read, my only wish would have been to follow the flow of the characters from their early creation right through, but alas there is no listing putting them in age order of the characters. Nothing worse than reading a book, then move onto the next book only to find you have now gone back 20years or so, please can we have books that follow that order, it would make much more interesting reading.

Another excellent story set in 14th century, and events surrounding the usurping and imprisonment of Edward II. While Sir Baldwin and Simon Puttock are amongst the central characters, the murderers are on this occasion revealed by others.

Not sure about this. Not as good as the others.As if he ran out of ideas a nd what happened to Simon?

Bought this book for my wife, who really enjoys Michael Jecks' Knights Templar books - and this was no different, as she had her nose stuck into the pages and the plot for days on end!Michael Jecks is a great author, who authentically and captivatingly captures the period about which he writes. What more can one say or ask of an author?!

Baldwin and Puttock try to stay loyal and neutral in very troubled times. Murders to solve. Intrigue .