1145 and a bowyer is found dead in the centre of Worcester. He has been poisoned and his wife is also ill. Surely it must have been one of the servants. That's what the local Lord feels but Bradcote and Catchpole think otherwise, it's just too simple. The dead man was not well-liked with feuds amongst his family and jealously among others. However it might be that the answer is even closer.
I have read a few of Hawkswood's medieval mysteries and they are entertaining enough. This is no exception, it's not going to change the world but it jumps along very pleasantly. ( )

Puzzling deaths in medieval Worcester, 1145

A sudden death, apparently by poisoning has Lord Undersheriff Hugh Bradcote, Serjeant Catchpoll and Catchpoll’s journeyman, Young Walkelin baffled. When a wealthy Burgess, bow maker and arms supplier to the castle, Godfrey Bower and his wife suddenly take ill Bradcote and Catchpoll are called to investigate. All possibilities lead to someone in the household as the culprit. As their investigations deepen the poisoner seems to be in sight—all neatly tied up even, but Catchpoll is troubled by loose ends.
As I’ve said before watching the three mens’ relation develop is a pleasing part of the story. Young Walkelin whom Catchpoll took as his journeyman is coming along. Walkelins actions are confident and his thoughts clear as he puzzles his way through his part of the investigation. His thoughts are now turning to marriage, albeit with a Welsh girl which has his mother somewhat alarmed.
As the trio pull on those hanging threads, the poisoner’s plans begin to unravel and all is revealed.
There’s some lovely touches of continuity with characters from earlier tales and new introductions. I enjoy Master Roger the Healer. The much disliked Lord Furnaux, the Castle countable is once more ill met. All actions are of course at the pleasure of William de Beauchamp, the lord Sheriff of Worcestershire. I love his slightly weary sardonic repartee with Catchpoll in particular.
Another satisfying medieval mystery read from Hawkswood!

An Allison & Busby ARC via NetGalley ( )

Thank you NetGalley and Allison & Busby for the chance to read and review A Taste for Killing!

Spoilers

In a small 1145. Godfrey Bowyer, one of the least likeable people in Worcester, dies a painful death by poisoning. Suspicion falls on a whole host of people; his wife Blanche, who ate the same meal but survived; his brother who is in a ton of debt and may have wanted his business; the cook who hated the wife and may have intended to kill her; the servant who was pregnant with the masters child; the man whose wife Godfrey harassed.

While A Taste of Killing is interesting, it's a slow read mostly because it's written in the same dialect that was used in 1145, which slows a reader down. That being said, it keeps your interest for the most part and you can tell that they aren't going to stop digging and take an easy answer.

I had no idea that taste for killing was part of a larger series when I requested it, so I'm not sure if the characters are growing or staying the same. I didn't find most of the characters memorable, all three of the men kinda blur into one for me, and as this was a series I've missed things like when Walkelin fell for Eluned, etc.

While I love Blanche as a character, I wasn't happy that she was the one who had done it. I feel like that was so easy to do as she's an outsider and suddenly that one priest remembers her. She was fairly smart to have gotten away with what look like 2 other deaths, and I don't think she would have risked this all so suddenly; there were too many loose ends for her to do this so suddenly.

Spoilers over

If you're reading this do keep in mind that Godfrey does totally deserve his end; he was pretty predatory towards a lot of women and an awful husband. ( )

I thank Net Galley for this digital arc, quirky mystery with a lot of twists and turns but it did have a lot of repetitive parts to the story of a couple poisoned, two sleuths are on to it , set in medieval times the language used in the novel is fitting , I think this book is part of a series and would wager that it might helpful to read more of this author's writing before giving a complete review , this book did lack luster to me but I will to give others in the series a chance ( )

Sarah Hawkswood has crafted another rewarding read in her Bradecoat and Catchpoll (and Walkelin) mystery series. The characters continue to evolve, and seeing their development as one moves from one book to the next is like coming closer to a long-time friend.

In this title, Bradecoat, a minor Lord and the highest ranking character in this investigative trio, is anxiously awaiting the birth of his second child—which will be the birth of his first child by his second wife. His beloved first wife died giving birth to their son, and Bradecoat can't escape his worries about the danger of childbirth. He'll be delighted to become a father for the second time, but is terrified that his wife may pay for that birth with her life.

Young Walkelin is growing more confident as an officer of the law and gradually finds his interactions with Bradecoat and Catchpoll more comfortable. He's decided that with a steady income and increasing responsibility, he's ready to marry, but suspects his mother will object to his chosen bride. He'll have to assert a new independence without adding tensions to what could become a difficult mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship.

Catchpoll, meanwhile is Catchpoll. Very few things get by him, and his astuteness and dark sense of humor make him the strongest personality among the three.

The mystery this time around is gratifyingly complex. The three identify the murderer at about the 80% mark, so the finish isn't a big surprise, but readers have to do a lot of guessing up to that point.

If you enjoy historical mysteries, I can highly recommend this series to you. Time spent with Bradecoat, Catchpoll, and Walkelin is always time well spent.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own. ( )