By the Unholy Hand

Executioner Knights, Book 1

By: Kathryn Le Veque

Narrated by: Dene Woods

Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

Spies. Killers. Gentleman knights. Medieval England is about to face the Unholy Trinity.

You read/listened about them in Lord of Winter. Now discover Book One in 2019's exciting new Medieval series!

1200 AD - In the time following the death of Richard the Lionheart and the ascension of his brother, John, to the throne of England, a plot against the new king is hatched from an unexpected place - deep within the bowels of The Lateran Palace in Rome. It is rumored that the Pope himself is behind it. It is a plot so dark, and so dastardly, that William Marshal needs men who specialize in dark and dirty games in order to save a king they all hate, yet a king that England desperately needs.

The Marshal needs the men known as The Unholy Trinity - the Executioner Knights.

Sir Maxton of Loxbeare is the leader of this unholy band of cutthroats. A big man with dark hair and dark eyes, Maxton fostered in the finest houses, but there is something unsettling about him. He is a man who easily kills without remorse, and he never questions an order, no matter how unsavory it is. William Marshall tasks Maxton and his comrades with seeking out the papal assassins, and the duty soon becomes a high-stakes game of chess, with checkmate being the life of the King of England.

Enter Lady Andressa du Bose. A great heiress who was cheated out of her inheritance by a conniving aunt, Andressa has spent unhappy and bitter years serving in the convent she was essentially sold to. A chance meeting with Maxton introduces Andressa to a world she wants to be part of, and a man she is greatly attracted to, but in that meeting, she has unknowingly given Maxton a lead on something he very much wants - a clue to who the assassins really are. All signs point to papal operatives. Maxton has a job to do, and he’ll use anyone he can to complete it, including the lovely pledge who is increasingly on his mind...and in his heart.

Join Maxton and Andressa in a deadly game of cat and mouse, where all is not what it seems, and even those most devout can sometimes hold a terrible secret. It soon becomes clear that Maxton must make a choice...give in to his feelings for Andressa, or save a king, and with that, England’s sovereignty. 

It’s a showdown of good against evil, and the power of love against a knight’s sense of duty, in this larger-than-life medieval romance.

Note: Listen to Lord of Winter by Kathryn Le Veque as a prequel to this series!

©2019 Kathryn Le Veque (P)2019 Kathryn Le Veque

Awesome from beginning to end

I absolutely love all of Kathryn’s novels but this one is in my opinion among the top 3. I like how several of the knights from other books make an appearance in this story. It’s fun to see the characters continue to show up in other stories because you get so attached to some of the characters. This storyline was fresh and unique and the narration was fabulous as well.

By the Unholy Hand

I love Le Veque's writing, and even though I expected more romance, this was a good story. One of the things that I have mentioned about her writing before is that she seems to understand how to write about the brotherly camaraderie between men. The reader comes to understand how men view war and family and how they view women. I will admit that I wish there were more romantic moments in this story. I'm late when it comes to discovering books by this author, but one of the very first books I read of hers was Lespada, and I thought the romance and action were well balanced. It has become one of my favorite books. A few other books I have read by her since reading Lespada seem to lack the romance element, but, nevertheless, they were good reads. I would have given this book 5 stars, but due to the lack of romance, I can only give it 4 stars.


The narration of the male voices were excellent, but the female voices were not so great. The narrator's female voice grated on my nerves. Other than that, I thought the narrator gave each character their own distinct voice and made me feel like I was a part of the story.

Book 1 Executioner Knights

I just love this new series, The Executioner Knights. I believe this was the first time I've heard this narrator, but I think Dene Woods did an excellent job breathing life into Kathryn's multidimensional characters. In doing so, it fed my imagination to the point that I felt like I'd been transported back in time and able to observe all of the excitement, betrayal, mystery, and romance of these amazing characters. I think anyone who reads this book or listens to the audio book will fall in love. Definitely a 5 Star book and 5 Star narration.

Great start to a new series

Loved this story and my first of the narrator Dene Woods. He did a great job, has a “smokey “ voice.

Judy

Another Excellent Book!!! I love the way Kathryn grabs me and just won't let go during the entire book.

By the Unholy Hand

Wow, this was such an interesting story. It was darker than many of KLV’s books I’ve read. With the political suspense, cruel abuse in the convent where the heroine resides, many wonderful characters including the hero,I wanted to listen straight through. Dene Woods was excellent as the narrator.

By the Unholy Hand

Another great Le Veque! Kathryn creates lovable male characters that you don't want to leave!

By the Unholy Hand

A good book with a well developed plot. But the romance is a bit under developed and happens in handful of days. I donot also care for the beginning, while it is described later as seduction, it was rape .. Never the less it is a good story with lot of suspense and creative ending.
The narrator was very good over all .

can't get thru the book

oh my gosh. this narrator is killing the book. I can't tell if he's trying to be sexy or stalking but it's just horrible. it doesn't fit the story and I can't do it. returning this book unfortunately. I love Kathryn Leveque. wrong narrator on this one unfortunately.

Filled with Action and Suspense

Kathryn has done it again! This is story is filled with action, suspense and intrigue at the highest levels. It is the ultimate page turner. I started it last night because I was bored. Well that didn't last long. I was immediately caught up in one of the best, most intriguing novels I have read or listened to. Kathryn has a way with the written word in her medieval novels that takes you back to that time and place in your mind until you really don't want it to end and once it has you immediately start wondering about the stories of others mentioned in the novel and want more information, more of her work. Congrats Kathryn! You really nailed it this time.