Midsummer Murder!
Once again Sarah Hawkswood serves up a juicy medieval mystery. Sheriffs jealous of Abbots! The clashing of power and feelings between William de Beauchamp, Lord Sheriff of Worcestershire, and Reginald Foliot, Abbot of Evesham, has history. It’s the underlying current that ebbs around their current investigation, the death of the Abbot’s steward, Walter.
Lord Undersherrif Hugh Badecote, Serjeant Catchpoll and Underserjeant Walkelin are sent to uphold the Law and search for the killer.
The steward Walter had been found inside a new well being dug on monastery land. He’d been murdered.
Bradecote is called to hunt down the murderer and finds himself mired in community scandals on one side and the Lord Sheriff’s underlings on the other.
I loved the careful investigations of all three men as they stepped over and around the growing list of possible perpetrators. Although Hugh was not so careful when he came face to face with an old enemy, Rahere de Cormolain who’s in charge of the Bengeworth Garrison. Catchpoll thankfully quelled his lord Undersheriff. There’s definitely a story here!
Hawkswood’s splendid detail brought these 1154 communities to life. Their traditions and superstitions, the differing opinions, the bickering, all contribute to this well rounded medieval tale.
An Allison and Busby ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
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