Bit confusing at times

I’ve enjoyed ‘cosy’ medieval murder books in the past. Recently I’ve been firmly in the 21st century of murder/crime books, so it took me a long time to readjust.

I found the characters really confusing to begin with and I restarted the book 3 times. Once I got them straight, I was hooked.

Good narrator. Very theatrical at times especially with the religious community voices; and not bad at women.

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Great medieval detail

Mardton’s two principal characters, Ralph and Jervase, are a wonderful contrast and each plays a specific role in this medieval mystery. The plot twists and turns but I did work it out, thus the 4 stars, but for the first in a series I am hopeful the others will surpass it. The writing evokes the period, with lots of detail, but wound through the story, never delivered in a lecturing way.
At first I found the narration a bit OTT but it soon settled down and the different characters were delivered very well and gave an individual voice to each one. Throughly enjoyed it, off to buy the next one.

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not so keen

I wasnt so keen on this story but probably didn't listen to it quickly enough

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Great narrator

David Thorpe really makes this book come alive, he is a fantastic narrator , gods plot and storyline.

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1 person found this helpful

Easy listening at its best.

This is historical fiction at the shallow end of the history pool but not the worse for it. Edward Marston seems to have perfected the lightness of touch needed for cosy crime eleventh-century-style.The historical detail was enough to make the setting removed from reality yet earthy enough for enjoyment.

The characters were engaging and diverse, the plot was entertaining and interesting without any angst to trouble the reader, and the denouement satisfactory.

What more could we want? David Thorpe as a narrator, that's what. He gives as masterful a performance as ever.

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5 people found this helpful

History: A dudebro perspective

The writer seems incapable of letting his own culture and values bleed through, to a degree where it becomes silly. The characters in the book react with rage to things which were common back then. Why? Because the writer finds them enraging. On the other hand, all the "good" characters talk, act and joke in ways that would be foreign to people in England just 200 years age, let alone over a 1000. Acts and speech which would get you jailed or killed.

It would be like if you today casually joked to people you just met, that you like eating small puppies, and have a dungeon filled with children, and if maybe they wanted a tour. Or join you in strangling cats. But since the writer wants to force in modern views on gender, sexuality, marriage, religion, and authority, the whole book becomes really shallow, with no immersion. And that really kills all sense of adventure. It feels like the writer just did not care.

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2 people found this helpful

Great story brilliantly read

I do like a medieval mystery and fell on these books through my own stupidity. Searching for books narrated by another (Stephen Thorne) who I really enjoyed, I mistook David Thorpe (yes I admit they are not even similar and I blame old age!), so downloaded the first of the series.
The stories are brilliant not overly complex which I enjoy as I listen to them to relax but have a great range of humour and intrigue.
David’s ability to bring the characters to life is amazing you can easily immerse yourself into the conversations and feel the emotions of the characters.
If you enjoy this book as much as I have the next one in the series “The ravens of Blackwater” will not disappoint. I have never laughed so much, with the antics of Ralph Delchard.

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4 people found this helpful

Times last nothing changes

Thoroughly enjoyed, characters well.crafted, narration brilliant, interesting voices, long time since I have read the historical based mystery

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Enjoyable Historic Fiction

well conceived with a good twist and excellent delivery by the story teller David Thorpe.

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1 person found this helpful

Interesting read

Interesting details about life and state of the country post Norman Conquest and compiling the Doomsday book. Good murder mystery too.

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