A Knightly Betrayal by Jill Bray
Having read and enjoyed the first in the Simon de Hale series, A Brotherly Devotion, I was delighted to be offered a chance of reviewing A Knightly Betrayal by Jill Bray. The book description and my review are located below.
The Book Description
October 1224. Simon de Hale, Sheriff of Yorkshire, is travelling to his manor to celebrate the birth of his first grandchild. Awaiting his arrival is an unexpected guest, Lady Cecily Chalcombe, a beguiling acquaintance from his days at the royal court. Recently widowed in scandalous circumstances, Lady Cecily throws herself upon his mercy and seeks his protection from the people threatening her.
Guests arrive for a celebration feast, including Lady Cecily’s brother Nicholas and the distinguished Earl Warenne. But upon retiring, Simon finds Lady Cecily standing over the dead body of her maid, hands bloodied.
Simon cannot believe she has killed her maid, but if she hasn’t then who was it. Was the death meant as a warning to Lady Cecily?
With the help of his daughter Katherine, Simon starts to investigate the murder and uncovers a web of gambling, deceit and betrayal. But will he be able to find the killer before Lady Cecily becomes the next victim.
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Knightly-Betrayal-Jill-Bray-ebook/dp/B0HHY2JV63/
https://www.amazon.com/Knightly-Betrayal-Jill-Bray-ebook/dp/B0HHY2JV63/
Review of the Book
What sets this author’s books apart from a standard medieval murder mystery is the way she brings the investigator protagonist - the real sheriff of Yorkshire at the time - to life. We don’t just get a murder mystery but we also get Simon de Hale’s personal life, his hopes and fears, his family, and even a possible love interest this time.
The murder plot was fun. I did work out who did it, which was also fun. Simon de Hale - aided by family - worked it out and justice was served. Very satisfying. The bonus was the insight into his life, the politics of the time (including a little bit about Falkes de Bréauté who will be a major point of view character in both of my novels Lady of England and Lady of the Mantle, which was very exciting), the great medieval setting and detail about Simon’s life, his family life, and the love interest.
I can also see how Jill Bray has set this up for another novel in the series - and I for one am on tenterhooks to find out what happens with Lady Cecily.
Author Bio
Jill Bray Author
Jill lives on the Island of Guernsey now, but is originally from Yorkshire. She has a love of early medieval history which led her to study the subject at Huddersfield College in the 1980's. Working in Leeds at the time, meant that she had access to the Yorkshire Archaeological Society on their late night opening and following research, she wondered what the lives of the people she read about were actually like. This started a love of writing historical fiction, but her initial stories were never sent to a publisher. Life and work then intervened and writing was put to one side. It was only following a workshop held by the Guernsey Literary Festival in 2024 on writing historical fiction, that her love of writing was reignited. Her first novel 'A Brotherly Devotion' was published in July 2025. Her second novel 'A Knightly Betrayal' will be published in October 2026.
Social Media Links
Website: https://www.jillbray.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577594026419
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jill.bray_author