As those of you that have read my previous reviews will know, I am a huge fan of historical fiction. Having discovered medieval murder mysteries I am completely hooked. One of my favourite authors is Michael Jecks. He has written a series of books about a former Knight Templar, Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and his friend, Bailiff Simon Puttock. Jecks has now written 30 books in the series, with plans for more. The Oath is number 29. I have read the previous 28 so they must be good to make me keep going back!

The book is set in 1326, a very exciting time in history when Edward II ends up running for his life from Queen Isabella; his wife, his son; the future Edward III, and Sir Roger Mortimer; a Knight he condemned to death who then escaped from the tower and became Isabella's lover. Edward is a weak King ruled by his favourites; firstly Piers Gaveston and then Hugh Despenser; and the country is almost brought to civil war by his actions.

Baldwin has sworn an oath to protect and serve the King and it becomes increasingly difficult for him to do this as Edward risks all to protect Despenser who is hated by everyone, including Baldwin and Simon following an altercation in a previous book.

In The Oath, Jecks focuses less on Baldwin and Simon than he has done in previous books, and I missed the main characters. They also didn't spend much of the book together and eventually ended up on opposite sides. However, this did not detract from the enjoyment of reading about Edward's mad dash across the country to Wales to escape his would be capturers. Despite his many faults, I felt sorry for Edward. I started to pity Despenser throughout the book as his life begins to unravel, but it is hard to feel sorry for him after his treatment of other people.

In the previous books, Baldwin and Simon are called in to investigate a murder. In this book there was so much other stuff going in which was interesting and exciting, the murder seemed totally pointless. I know it wouldn't be a murder mystery without the murder, but it felt like Jecks had written the story, and then had to slot the murder and subsequent investigation in just to fit with the previous books.

As with all his books, it was well written and a real page turner. Even though everyone knows the outcome with Edward II, it was interesting reading about his flight and the continuous support of those faithful to him, even when there was no hope for him to escape capture. Mortimer came across as a vicious and cruel man who totally dominated Isabella and young Edward and I look forward to reading about his downfall in further books.

I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in historical fiction, but more so to those of you who enjoy it enough to read the previous 28 books first so that you can learn more about not only the characters, but also Jecks style of writing and the events of the time. I have grown to love Baldwin and Simon and look forward to reading more about them in book 30 and hope, after months of travelling with the threat of war hanging over their heads they are reunited with their families.

Available from Amazon for £5.25 including delivery, or try your local library.

Thanks for reading.
Rachy