'The Song of a Dark Angel' is the eighth book in the Hugh Corbett series by P.C. Doherty, and it’s a fantastic medieval mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Set in November 1302, the story takes you to the chilly Norfolk coast, where Sir Hugh Corbett, a secret agent, is sent on a dangerous mission.

The book starts with Sir Hugh Corbett arriving at Mortlake Manor with his loyal servant, Ranulf, and a quick-witted messenger named Maltote. They’ve been sent to Norfolk to investigate some truly creepy and mysterious deaths. The first body they find is particularly gruesome: a man’s headless corpse, with his head stuck on a pole on the beach. Even more disturbing, the young wife of a local baker is discovered hanging from a gallows on a cliff. 

The Norfolk coast is as cold and eerie as the crimes they’re investigating. The winds that blow through the area are called the “Dark Angel” winds, adding an extra layer of spookiness to the story. Corbett and his team have to figure out who is behind these horrifying murders while dealing with the harsh environment and the secrets of Mortlake Manor.

Paul Doherty does an amazing job of making the historical setting come alive. The book is full of details about medieval life, which helps you really feel like you’re back in the 1300s. The setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s an important part of the story, making everything feel more intense and realistic.

Hugh Corbett is a smart and determined detective. He uses his brains and his knowledge of politics to solve the mystery. His interactions with Ranulf and Maltote add a lot of depth to the story. Ranulf, in particular, brings some humor and warmth to the book, balancing out the darker parts of the plot. The mystery is very cleverly put together. Doherty keeps you guessing with plenty of clues and surprises. The reason Corbett has been sent to Norfolk is a big part of the puzzle, and as he uncovers more about the murders, the story becomes even more interesting. The cold, windy coast and the isolated villages add a creepy feeling that makes the mystery even more exciting.

Overall, 'The Song of a Dark Angel' is a thrilling medieval mystery that blends history with suspense. Paul Doherty has created a fantastic adventure for Hugh Corbett, full of twists, turns, and historical details that make the story really come alive. If you enjoy solving mysteries - without forensics and more human psyche, then this book is certainly for you.

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After traveling quite a way, all Henry Brown wants is to check-into a hotel and take a nap to shake off his travel exhaustion. As he asks for the penthouse, he noticed the clerk hesitate but shrugged it off at the time as all he wanted was to be able to rest after a long day. The suite is beautiful and everything one could ask for - except for maybe an oddly placed wall. Was it the artist in him that didn't quite agree with its placement or was it something more? And as certain odd things happen during his stay, and Henry keeps getting drawn to the wall, there may be something to it after all.

I enjoyed the premise of the story quite a bit. The protagonist being a painter, has an observant nature for art and symmetry. Henry notices the art hanging around in the hotel even though he is tired indicating his observant nature. But he is also quick to notice people and their reactions. So, when Henry feels that there must be more to the wall in the penthouse suite, readers begin to wonder too. The dramatic reveal at the end ties in the story well. However, I felt that the author told the readers rather than showing them. From the very beginning, the author kind of finger points towards the important aspects of the story rather than letting the readers take in everything and follow along the protagonist. There was hardly any opportunity to build up the thrilling atmosphere that the plot could make space for because of all the telling and the lack of showing. As such, it didn't leave much to the imagination. The language used is also very simple, almost dull, and combined with the narrative style, the whole reading experience was quite irksome.

This is a short story that took me about ten minutes to read. So, I went back to re-read it 2 days after I read it for the first time, just to make sure that I hadn't been caught up in the moment the first time I read it for a fair rating for the book. The language and narrative style do need some improvement as it completely overshadowed the interesting aspects of the story.

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