The Pilgrim’s Revenge (Will Bowman Series)
Scott Mariani has made his name as a bestselling author of thriller novels about ex-SAS major and former theology student, Ben Hope. Pilgrim’s Revenge is the first in a projected new series set in the late 12th century and featuring Will Bowman as its central character.
It is Easter 1190, and twenty-year old Will lives an idyllic life in rural Oxfordshire, running his small homestead with his pregnant wife, Beatrice. However, his world is shattered when they are attacked by four knights who destroy everything and kill Will’s wife. Will survives only because he is knocked unconscious and appears dead. The rest of the novel follows Will in his resolve to find his assailants and take his revenge. His only clue is a vicious-looking black eagle insignia on the knights’ armour, indicating their feudal allegiance.
I enjoyed Mariani’s recreation of this historical period, and there is a wealth of research behind the story. Will finds himself part of Richard the Lionheart’s Third Crusade, and he faces some perilous sea journeys as well as battles in Portugal, Sicily and Cyprus. Will meets a range of medieval characters: nuns, friars, peasants, innkeepers, brigands and fellow adventurers, as well as Knights Templar and Hospitaller. Will even meets Richard the Lionheart and his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine.
The action is fast-paced – sometimes a little too fast-paced for my liking, which hinders some of the character development. I was also not entirely convinced by the role of Richard the Lionheart and the personal interest that he takes in Will. However, for readers who seek an exciting and suspenseful story with lots of action, convincing historical detail, and a likeable main hero, there is much here to enjoy. Will’s story will develop in the next book as he travels further east with the Crusade.
