The Bishop of Ely has been accused of murder and the monk Michael of Michelhouse in Cambridge has been called upon to investigate. He takes along his friend and physician Matthew, who really only wants to visit the acclaimed library of the Ely priory. By the time that they arrive in Ely two more deaths have occurred. The bodies were tossed in the River Ouse. Only upon careful investigation does Matthew discover that they too were murdered in the same heinous manner; a knife to the neck.
Meantime there are burglaries occurring in the town of Ely. Are the gypsies who are in town to help with the harvest responsible? As time goes on, more deaths occur. Where does the blame lie as there are so many potential suspects. But as time goes on, some of the suspects are in turn murdered.
Susanna Gregory has the reader suspecting many along with the investigators as the clues pile up against them. A well written historical murder mystery, one I am sure fans of this genre will enjoy.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The Alehouse Murders
Knight Templar Bascot de Marins is sent to Lincoln Castle to recover from injuries suffered in the Crusades alongside King Richard. He hopes to recover his strength of body and mind here, but shortly after arriving foul murder of four people is committed. He is asked to investigate. Those murdered include the illegitimate son and his pregnant wife of a noble that lives near Lincoln. They had been travelling from France as a result of an invitation from the noble.
During de Marins' investigation two more people are murdered. Can one person be responsible for all of these murders? De Marins puts his own life on the line to bring the murderer to justice.
Maureen Ash has woven a very good story in "The Alehouse Murders", one I am sure you will enjoy.
During de Marins' investigation two more people are murdered. Can one person be responsible for all of these murders? De Marins puts his own life on the line to bring the murderer to justice.
Maureen Ash has woven a very good story in "The Alehouse Murders", one I am sure you will enjoy.
A Stranger in Mayfair
This is the first novel I've read by Charles Finch and I quite enjoyed it.
Charles Lenox is a newly minted MP, and a new groom. When he and his wife, Lady Jane return from their honeymoon, Lenox is approached by a friend and fellow MP to investigate a murder that happened behind his home. The victim is a footman, but within a short time, the MP is asking that Lenox (an amateur detective and his aide Dallington) stop their investigation and let Scotland Yard handle it. This only puts Lenox to further his investigations. Confusing clues are put in his path, especially when the MP is attacked with a knife in the same area where his footman was murdered, and shortly afterwards, Lenox is in turn attacked in the same manner that the footman was. Read on!
It was a light read, but worth adding this author to my list of future reads.
Charles Lenox is a newly minted MP, and a new groom. When he and his wife, Lady Jane return from their honeymoon, Lenox is approached by a friend and fellow MP to investigate a murder that happened behind his home. The victim is a footman, but within a short time, the MP is asking that Lenox (an amateur detective and his aide Dallington) stop their investigation and let Scotland Yard handle it. This only puts Lenox to further his investigations. Confusing clues are put in his path, especially when the MP is attacked with a knife in the same area where his footman was murdered, and shortly afterwards, Lenox is in turn attacked in the same manner that the footman was. Read on!
It was a light read, but worth adding this author to my list of future reads.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Dark Vineyard
This is the second book I have read by Martin Walker, and I quite enjoyed it. Bruno, the police officer in charge of St. Denis in Perigord, France once again puts his investigative talents to work.
A fire at an agricultural research station starts out the story. Tangled within the story is the plan of an American to buy up vineyards in the area and make a reputable wine. The young American associated with the wine company becomes involved with a young Canadian woman, who's family also makes wine. But, she has a boyfriend in St. Denis, so this causes further problems as the boyfriend is adopted by a elderly local winemaker. When the winemaker and his newly adopted son are found dead Bruno's investigation is given further twists to solve.
Throughout the story, Bruno's love interests cause him conflict. Does the woman in Paris have a greater hold over him than a new local interest?
I am sure you will enjoy this book.
A fire at an agricultural research station starts out the story. Tangled within the story is the plan of an American to buy up vineyards in the area and make a reputable wine. The young American associated with the wine company becomes involved with a young Canadian woman, who's family also makes wine. But, she has a boyfriend in St. Denis, so this causes further problems as the boyfriend is adopted by a elderly local winemaker. When the winemaker and his newly adopted son are found dead Bruno's investigation is given further twists to solve.
Throughout the story, Bruno's love interests cause him conflict. Does the woman in Paris have a greater hold over him than a new local interest?
I am sure you will enjoy this book.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Crisis, Absolutism, Revolution: Europe and the World, 1648 - 1789
For any student of history of this era, I highly recommend Raymond Birn's book. Although it is a college level tome, it is a great reference book for those studying this era.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Gone
Mo Hayder once again had me with "Gone", I could not put this book down until I had finished it.
Detective Inspector Jack Caffery is brought in to investigate a car jacking in which an 11 year old girl has been taken. She continues to be missing. His whole staff gets involved because no one wants to see a child endangered.
Flea Marley and her underwater unit are brought in to help with the investigation. Meantime another car is highjacked, this time with a four year old girl in it.
The culprit seems to be mocking the police, knowing what they are doing at every turn. The victims' families are not safe even if they are in safe houses. The person at the centre of the crime knows exactly every move that the police make.
As usual, Flea being headstrong, commences her own search. Naturally Flea manages to get herself into some difficulties during her investigation, which leads to an explosive conclusion.
Detective Inspector Jack Caffery is brought in to investigate a car jacking in which an 11 year old girl has been taken. She continues to be missing. His whole staff gets involved because no one wants to see a child endangered.
Flea Marley and her underwater unit are brought in to help with the investigation. Meantime another car is highjacked, this time with a four year old girl in it.
The culprit seems to be mocking the police, knowing what they are doing at every turn. The victims' families are not safe even if they are in safe houses. The person at the centre of the crime knows exactly every move that the police make.
As usual, Flea being headstrong, commences her own search. Naturally Flea manages to get herself into some difficulties during her investigation, which leads to an explosive conclusion.
A Plague of Heretics
Heretics are being murdered in 12th Century Exeter. Coroner John de Wolfe has to investigate them with his helpers Gwyn and Thomas. The Church, which is all powerful, influences minor monks to become involved in castigating the heretics. De Wolfe finds himself in conflict with churchmen when he stops a lynching of two heretics.
Meantime Exeter and area has been hit by a "yellow plague". It strikes down Thomas and de Wolfe's brother. De Wolfe asks his new neighbour, Dr. Clement, to help his brother. Will they survive or become victims?
When de Wolfe's wife is foully murdered, he becomes the most obvious culprit as his brother-in-law finds him kneeling over her still warm body. De Wolfe is forced to claim sanctuary during the inquest in the small church where his wife's body lies. How can he solve the murder when he can't leave the church? Read on to find out!
Meantime Exeter and area has been hit by a "yellow plague". It strikes down Thomas and de Wolfe's brother. De Wolfe asks his new neighbour, Dr. Clement, to help his brother. Will they survive or become victims?
When de Wolfe's wife is foully murdered, he becomes the most obvious culprit as his brother-in-law finds him kneeling over her still warm body. De Wolfe is forced to claim sanctuary during the inquest in the small church where his wife's body lies. How can he solve the murder when he can't leave the church? Read on to find out!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Our Kind of Traitor
John le Carré strikes gold with "Our Kind of Traitor". The story gets off to an innocuous start with a young couple from England travelling to Antigua for a holiday. There they meet a Russian mafia millionaire who wants to break away from his way of life and get his family to safety in England. What ensues is a journey involving the British intelligence service, travel to Paris and Berne, all in an attempt to help the mafia millionaire.
The story is slow going as le Carré sets the scene for the climax. He introduces the couple and their story to the British Intelligence service, and once in their grip, the couple finds their hands tied. To help, or not to help no longer seems a dilemma because they are enraptured by the millionaire's children. As the reader gets to the final pages, you can't put the book down. It becomes a nerve-racking thriller.
The story is slow going as le Carré sets the scene for the climax. He introduces the couple and their story to the British Intelligence service, and once in their grip, the couple finds their hands tied. To help, or not to help no longer seems a dilemma because they are enraptured by the millionaire's children. As the reader gets to the final pages, you can't put the book down. It becomes a nerve-racking thriller.
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