Order of Crowner John Books

Crowner John is a series of historical mystery novels by Welsh novelist Bernard Knight. The series follows Sir John de Wolfe, a former Crusading knight appointed to the office of Keeper of the Pleas of the King’s Crown for Devon.

Bernard Knight began his Crowner John series in 1998 with the novel The Sanctuary Seeker. Below is a list of Bernard Knight’s Crowner John books in order of when they were first released:

Publication Order of Crowner John Mystery Books

Chronological Order of Crowner John Mystery Books

If You Like Crowner John Books, You’ll Love…

• Oxford Medieval Mysteries
• Hugh Corbett
• Sister Fidelma

Crowner John Synopses: The Sanctuary Seeker is the first book in the Crowner John series by Bernard Knight. It is November 1194. Appointed by Richard the Lionheart as the first coroner for the county of Devon, Sir John de Wolfe, an ex-Crusader, rides out to the lonely moorland village of Widecombe to hold an inquest on an unidentified body. On his return to Exeter, the coroner is incense to find that his own brother-in-law, Sheriff Richard de Revelle, is intent on thwarting the murder investigation, particularly when it emerges that the dead man is a Crusader and a member of one of Devon’s finest and most honourable families.

The Poisoned Chalice by Bernard Knight is the second book in the Crowner John series. In December 1194, the well-born ladies of Exeter are not having a good week. First, Christina Rifford, the daughter of a rich merchant, is raped. Then, just months before her marriage, Lady Adele de Courcy is found dead in one of the poorest areas of the city. The common factor is Godfrey Fitzosbern, the local silversmith. But despite Crowner John’s suspicions and the vengeful accusations of the families, it is John’s duty to protect Godfrey until he can find definite proof of his guilt. Aided by his mistress Nesta, hindered by his social-climbing wife Matilda and her power-hungry brother, Sheriff Richard de Revelle, John slowly begins to put the pieces together. But a final, brutal act of violence will bring a new twist to the investigation…

One Response to “Order of Crowner John Books”

1. Mongoose218: 6 years ago

   The author of this series, Bernard Knight, was/ is an MD and a pathologist for almost all of his career.

   Thus, unlike so many other authors who write about these things, he actually knows what he is talking about!

   Reply