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Crispin Guest Medieval Noir #4
Troubled Bones
Disgraced knight Crispin Guest gets himself into some serious trouble in London and as a result is forced to accept an assignment far out of town. The Archbishop of Canterbury has specifically requested Guest to investigate a threat against the bones of saint and martyr Thomas a Beckett, which are on display in the cathedral in Canterbury. The archbishop has received letters threatening the safety of the artifacts, and he wants Guest to protect them and uncover whoever is after them.
When he arrives at Canterbury, Guest is accosted by an old acquaintance from court – one Geoffrey Chaucer – and is surrounded by a group in town on a pilgrimage. Trapped amongst the pilgrims (who were, quite possibly, the model for Chaucer’s famous story cycle), looking for a murderer, a hidden heretic and a solution to the riddle that will allow him to go back home, Crispin Guest finds his considerable wit and intellect taxed to its very limit.
When he arrives at Canterbury, Guest is accosted by an old acquaintance from court – one Geoffrey Chaucer – and is surrounded by a group in town on a pilgrimage. Trapped amongst the pilgrims (who were, quite possibly, the model for Chaucer’s famous story cycle), looking for a murderer, a hidden heretic and a solution to the riddle that will allow him to go back home, Crispin Guest finds his considerable wit and intellect taxed to its very limit.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 11, 2011
83 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Jeri Westerson
51 books428 followersLos Angeles native JERI WESTERSON currently writes two new series: a Tudor mystery series, the King’s Fool Mysteries, with Henry VIII’s real court jester Will Somers as the sleuth and a Sherlockian pastiche series called An Irregular Detective Mystery, with one of Holmes’ former Baker Street Irregulars opening his own detective agency. She’s also written fifteen Crispin Guest Medieval Noir Mysteries, a series nominated for thirteen awards from the Agatha, to the Macavity, to the Shamus. She’s written several paranormal series (including a gaslamp-steampunk fantasy series), standalone historical novels, and had stories in several anthologies, the latest of which was included in SOUTH CENTRAL NOIR, an Akashic Noir anthology. She has served as president of the SoCal Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, president and vice president for two chapters of Sisters in Crime (Orange County and Los Angeles), and is also a founding member of the SoCal chapter of the Historical Novel Society. See JeriWesterson.com for discussion guides, book trailers, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
October 23, 2023
Superb !! 5 full stars !
( I'm an Italian reader, please be lenient with my English text, it's not my native tongue )
This is the 4th book of "Crispin Guest series" and if on the one hand I was excited to start reading it , on the other hand I didn't know what to expect.
I rated the previous 3 books 5 stars ( but I'm not someone who easily gives 5 stars ) and it's not always easy for an author to maintain the same level and continue to amaze the reader...BUT SHE DID IT, Jeri Westerton amazed me one more time with a gripping mystery of hers !
___ THE PLOT ___ This time we have a new scenario, the scene moves from London to the city of Canterbury, where Archbishop Courtney has asked Crispin, a former knight now in disgrace, to carry out a very important task: to protect the relics of England's most famous saint: Thomas Becket.
Crispin, who has been known as the Trucker ( a sort of detective ) for two years, must also find out some heretics hidden among the monks.
Crispin will find himself faced with a den of secrets and lying people and the resulting murder is as inexplicable as it is heinous.
Stuck in Canterbury with his protégé Jack and a group of pilgrims, Crispin will also find an old and dear friend: Geoffrey Chaucer ,the poet of King Richard II
__THE GENIALITY OF THE AUTHOR __ Once again holy relics are involved in the plot, so where's the news?
The novelty is not only in the change of city as a background scenario, but also the fact that in this adventure and investigation, in addition to important historical figures, we find also some characters involved as suspects and/or witnesses took from an important English classical work (Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer )
__HISTORICAL FIGURE IN THE BOOK ___
_ Geoffrey Chaucer, close friend and spy of the Duke of Lancaster and poet of King Richard II.He's best known for The Canterbury Tales and called the "father of English literature", or, alternatively, the "father of English poetry".
_ William Courtenay archbishop of Canterbury, vigorous leader of the English church and moderating influence in the political disputes of King Richard II of England.
__ Dom Thomas Chillenden, treasurer in Canterbury cathedral and then prior of Christchurch priory
_ Saint Thomas Becket martyr relics --> He was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his tragic murder in 1170. The book also explain of his conflicts with the crown and how his murder took place and by whom
_ John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, uncle of King Richard II and founder of the House of Lancaster.
____ FICTIONAL CHARACTER from CANTERBURY TALES __ I will not list the characters taken from Chaucer's famous classic work, I will only say that being Italian I had no idea what the "Canterbury Tales" are (I had only heard this title on several occasions) nor who the characters are and I realized the whole thing only later, by searching general info about the poem on web.
In the start of the story, Crispin and Jack meet a group of people on a pilgrimage, during a dinner in the inn where everyone was staying for some days (imagine a group trip nowadays, who stay in the same hotel and who obviously have dinner together in the evening... it was very funny and this is also a novelty in the adventures of our former knight).
In the animated conversation, each character's name and profession are told and since some professions no longer exist, it was by looking in the dictionary put by the author at the end of the book that I recognized the same professions that I had read on Wikipedia, looking for info on Canterbury Tales and its characters.
Now, you could also be completely uninterested in Chaucer and his poem, but I assure you that you will enjoy a very good mystery the same, because it is very well thought out and the suspense lasts until the end.
But if you are interested in history and literature, then you will be doubly fascinated by this read!
Each character has a personal background and we find both Crispin's allies and villains who will hinder him and the plot written by the author is gripping!
__ MAIN CHARACTERS __ some other innovations from the author:
Jack is growing and changing not only in his body but also in his emotions.
At almost 13 years old, like all teenagers he needs to feel appreciated and reassured. He also has his first crush.
The relationship between the Tracker and his protégé is further consolidated here and Crispin finds himself in the same questions as all inexperienced parents.
There also comes greater responsibilities at work for Jack, who will find himself facing a new challenge, just like what happens in all of our lives.
The emotional growth of the characters and the progression of their personal stories, amidst many daily difficulties, makes all almost real and tangible.
The characters are not perfect and each time , over the course of the books, they mature new important decisions and new concepts of life, through their own mistakes and the vicissitudes of those around them.Each of us, for one reason or another, could recognize ourselves in Crispin or Jack and that's what makes us love them even more!
___ WHY DO I LOVE THIS SERIES? __ it offers much more than a simple investigation, it has everything I'm looking for:
1__ Mysteries that are difficult to solve and which involve the reader through continuous clues, twists, theories and testimonies. There is never a dull moment.
2__ There is a lot of history and it is always told through ongoing events, in a tantalizing way, which will make you want to know even more.
3__ The characters are human in every sense, they have strengths and weaknesses and even when things end well, there is never an extremely perfect ending (and you might ask yourself: oh no! Why?? ...but I assure you that some seconds after you will realize: it was the right thing!)
4__ Each Guest adventure addresses a theme and there is always a moral lesson that you can learn or stop and consider for a few minutes.
5__ The atmosphere of every place and every conversation is conveyed so well by the writer through her words that every time I feel like I am exactly on the scene together with the characters.
6__ There is no romance involved in a love story, but Crispin is 31 years old and obviously not immune to female charm.His casual adventures (i.e. sexual encounters) are never too explicit and never vulgar.
7__ The 6 points above are packed with great entertainment and sense of humor.
In fact, the reading is smooth and the funny jokes (never too many and never too few) not only make me smile while I read, but make me feel Crispin and Jack like my dear friends, who I can't wait to see again and spend more time together.
------> Each book is readable as a standalone, but if you read them in order your enjoyment will be doubled !
( I'm an Italian reader, please be lenient with my English text, it's not my native tongue )
This is the 4th book of "Crispin Guest series" and if on the one hand I was excited to start reading it , on the other hand I didn't know what to expect.
I rated the previous 3 books 5 stars ( but I'm not someone who easily gives 5 stars ) and it's not always easy for an author to maintain the same level and continue to amaze the reader...BUT SHE DID IT, Jeri Westerton amazed me one more time with a gripping mystery of hers !
___ THE PLOT ___ This time we have a new scenario, the scene moves from London to the city of Canterbury, where Archbishop Courtney has asked Crispin, a former knight now in disgrace, to carry out a very important task: to protect the relics of England's most famous saint: Thomas Becket.
Crispin, who has been known as the Trucker ( a sort of detective ) for two years, must also find out some heretics hidden among the monks.
Crispin will find himself faced with a den of secrets and lying people and the resulting murder is as inexplicable as it is heinous.
Stuck in Canterbury with his protégé Jack and a group of pilgrims, Crispin will also find an old and dear friend: Geoffrey Chaucer ,the poet of King Richard II
__THE GENIALITY OF THE AUTHOR __ Once again holy relics are involved in the plot, so where's the news?
The novelty is not only in the change of city as a background scenario, but also the fact that in this adventure and investigation, in addition to important historical figures, we find also some characters involved as suspects and/or witnesses took from an important English classical work (Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer )
__HISTORICAL FIGURE IN THE BOOK ___
_ Geoffrey Chaucer, close friend and spy of the Duke of Lancaster and poet of King Richard II.He's best known for The Canterbury Tales and called the "father of English literature", or, alternatively, the "father of English poetry".
_ William Courtenay archbishop of Canterbury, vigorous leader of the English church and moderating influence in the political disputes of King Richard II of England.
__ Dom Thomas Chillenden, treasurer in Canterbury cathedral and then prior of Christchurch priory
_ Saint Thomas Becket martyr relics --> He was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his tragic murder in 1170. The book also explain of his conflicts with the crown and how his murder took place and by whom
_ John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, uncle of King Richard II and founder of the House of Lancaster.
____ FICTIONAL CHARACTER from CANTERBURY TALES __ I will not list the characters taken from Chaucer's famous classic work, I will only say that being Italian I had no idea what the "Canterbury Tales" are (I had only heard this title on several occasions) nor who the characters are and I realized the whole thing only later, by searching general info about the poem on web.
In the start of the story, Crispin and Jack meet a group of people on a pilgrimage, during a dinner in the inn where everyone was staying for some days (imagine a group trip nowadays, who stay in the same hotel and who obviously have dinner together in the evening... it was very funny and this is also a novelty in the adventures of our former knight).
In the animated conversation, each character's name and profession are told and since some professions no longer exist, it was by looking in the dictionary put by the author at the end of the book that I recognized the same professions that I had read on Wikipedia, looking for info on Canterbury Tales and its characters.
Now, you could also be completely uninterested in Chaucer and his poem, but I assure you that you will enjoy a very good mystery the same, because it is very well thought out and the suspense lasts until the end.
But if you are interested in history and literature, then you will be doubly fascinated by this read!
Each character has a personal background and we find both Crispin's allies and villains who will hinder him and the plot written by the author is gripping!
__ MAIN CHARACTERS __ some other innovations from the author:
Jack is growing and changing not only in his body but also in his emotions.
At almost 13 years old, like all teenagers he needs to feel appreciated and reassured. He also has his first crush.
The relationship between the Tracker and his protégé is further consolidated here and Crispin finds himself in the same questions as all inexperienced parents.
There also comes greater responsibilities at work for Jack, who will find himself facing a new challenge, just like what happens in all of our lives.
The emotional growth of the characters and the progression of their personal stories, amidst many daily difficulties, makes all almost real and tangible.
The characters are not perfect and each time , over the course of the books, they mature new important decisions and new concepts of life, through their own mistakes and the vicissitudes of those around them.Each of us, for one reason or another, could recognize ourselves in Crispin or Jack and that's what makes us love them even more!
___ WHY DO I LOVE THIS SERIES? __ it offers much more than a simple investigation, it has everything I'm looking for:
1__ Mysteries that are difficult to solve and which involve the reader through continuous clues, twists, theories and testimonies. There is never a dull moment.
2__ There is a lot of history and it is always told through ongoing events, in a tantalizing way, which will make you want to know even more.
3__ The characters are human in every sense, they have strengths and weaknesses and even when things end well, there is never an extremely perfect ending (and you might ask yourself: oh no! Why?? ...but I assure you that some seconds after you will realize: it was the right thing!)
4__ Each Guest adventure addresses a theme and there is always a moral lesson that you can learn or stop and consider for a few minutes.
5__ The atmosphere of every place and every conversation is conveyed so well by the writer through her words that every time I feel like I am exactly on the scene together with the characters.
6__ There is no romance involved in a love story, but Crispin is 31 years old and obviously not immune to female charm.His casual adventures (i.e. sexual encounters) are never too explicit and never vulgar.
7__ The 6 points above are packed with great entertainment and sense of humor.
In fact, the reading is smooth and the funny jokes (never too many and never too few) not only make me smile while I read, but make me feel Crispin and Jack like my dear friends, who I can't wait to see again and spend more time together.
------> Each book is readable as a standalone, but if you read them in order your enjoyment will be doubled !
January 2, 2015
Why the Crispin Guest series of medieval mysteries hasn't been snapped up by the BBC/Granada Television is a mystery in itself. I need to work on my dreamcasting.
Oh wait, be still my beating heart, Richard Armitage as Crispin. Le sigh! Sean Bean as Lancaster (and he doesn't have to die, yay).
I'm not going to lie. I am a Jeri Westerson fangirl. The way teen girls go insane over the boy band du jour, I do happy dances and squeeing over meeting a favourite author in the flesh. Bibliophiles understand this. I missed meeting her at the L.A. Times Festival of Books earlier in the year, and I was heartbroken. However, I consoled myself by snagging as much of her swag and books as I could get.
Crispin is another of my awesome fictional book boyfriends. I really cannot resist sexy knights with swords and cloaks (why I adore the Ren-Faire, lol). He's loyal, flawed, but a seeker of justice in the mean streets of medieval England.
And here we get Geoffrey Chaucer, the bones of Saint Thomas Becket, much skulduggery and misbehavior from the Churchill with poor Crispin and his loyal protégé, Jack Tucker right in the thick of things.
Oh wait, be still my beating heart, Richard Armitage as Crispin. Le sigh! Sean Bean as Lancaster (and he doesn't have to die, yay).
I'm not going to lie. I am a Jeri Westerson fangirl. The way teen girls go insane over the boy band du jour, I do happy dances and squeeing over meeting a favourite author in the flesh. Bibliophiles understand this. I missed meeting her at the L.A. Times Festival of Books earlier in the year, and I was heartbroken. However, I consoled myself by snagging as much of her swag and books as I could get.
Crispin is another of my awesome fictional book boyfriends. I really cannot resist sexy knights with swords and cloaks (why I adore the Ren-Faire, lol). He's loyal, flawed, but a seeker of justice in the mean streets of medieval England.
And here we get Geoffrey Chaucer, the bones of Saint Thomas Becket, much skulduggery and misbehavior from the Churchill with poor Crispin and his loyal protégé, Jack Tucker right in the thick of things.
August 12, 2024
This is the book that finally completely sold me on this series! In this one, we sort of zoom in to observe some of the pilgrims from The Canterbury Tales. And of course, Crispin gets acquainted, ahem, with the Wife of Bath. *nudge, wink* And Geoffrey Chaucer himself is an important character in this story, having formerly been a good friend of Crispin in the old days.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has hired Crispin to guard the bones of St. Thomas which he says are at danger of being stolen by Lollards. While Crispin is guarding the sacred relics, the Prioress is murdered nearby. Later, a young monk is also murdered. Jack goes undercover as a Franciscan friar on pilgrimage to give him a reason to move freely among the monks.
Jack is growing up and becoming a contributing partner to Crispin’s medieval PI firm. And Crispin himself was much improved in this installment — less blundering, drinking too much and jumping to wrong conclusions.
4.25 stars.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has hired Crispin to guard the bones of St. Thomas which he says are at danger of being stolen by Lollards. While Crispin is guarding the sacred relics, the Prioress is murdered nearby. Later, a young monk is also murdered. Jack goes undercover as a Franciscan friar on pilgrimage to give him a reason to move freely among the monks.
Jack is growing up and becoming a contributing partner to Crispin’s medieval PI firm. And Crispin himself was much improved in this installment — less blundering, drinking too much and jumping to wrong conclusions.
4.25 stars.
August 16, 2012
Troubled Bones is so good, my father was asking to borrow it before I was finished. And then he actually read it. I don't think he's asked to borrow something I was reading in 10 years, let alone finished it before giving it back. Crispin Guest--bringing dysfunctional families together!
Troubled Bones is another delightfully twisty "medieval noir" in Westerson's excellent series. In addition to all the usual Crispin goodness--a disgraced ex-knight unraveling political intrigues, murder, and weirdness by the light of sacred relics--this book really digs into its characters. First and foremost, it expands the character and arc of Jack Tucker, Crispin's apprentice, who even gets a few scenes to himself this time around. After Jack's ill-considered heroics in the last book, he's really coming into his own as a young man in this one, with the usual hilarious results. (Watch for Crispin hiding in some bushes while Jack discovers girls. You'll howl.) By threading the mystery through the Canterbury Tales, Westerson adds a gleeful literary element to her rich historical world, and even if you haven't read much Chaucer (oops, that's me), you'll be captivated by Westerson's take on his characters. The Wife of Bath is a particular favorite, but then, she usually is. If for some unfathomable reason you're not caught up by the murders Crispin is solving (and the mystery IS excellent), the characters in this one will suck you in until you find yourself on the last page, wondering where the last twelve hours went.
One word of warning, though: if you are just coming to this series, this book is a pretty good jumping-on point, but you will be even happier if you start with the earlier volumes. I came in on Serpent in the Thorns, loved The Demon's Parchment, and think Troubled Bones is the best of the lot ... but having read the earlier books made it EVEN BETTER. Just a word to the wise.
Troubled Bones is another delightfully twisty "medieval noir" in Westerson's excellent series. In addition to all the usual Crispin goodness--a disgraced ex-knight unraveling political intrigues, murder, and weirdness by the light of sacred relics--this book really digs into its characters. First and foremost, it expands the character and arc of Jack Tucker, Crispin's apprentice, who even gets a few scenes to himself this time around. After Jack's ill-considered heroics in the last book, he's really coming into his own as a young man in this one, with the usual hilarious results. (Watch for Crispin hiding in some bushes while Jack discovers girls. You'll howl.) By threading the mystery through the Canterbury Tales, Westerson adds a gleeful literary element to her rich historical world, and even if you haven't read much Chaucer (oops, that's me), you'll be captivated by Westerson's take on his characters. The Wife of Bath is a particular favorite, but then, she usually is. If for some unfathomable reason you're not caught up by the murders Crispin is solving (and the mystery IS excellent), the characters in this one will suck you in until you find yourself on the last page, wondering where the last twelve hours went.
One word of warning, though: if you are just coming to this series, this book is a pretty good jumping-on point, but you will be even happier if you start with the earlier volumes. I came in on Serpent in the Thorns, loved The Demon's Parchment, and think Troubled Bones is the best of the lot ... but having read the earlier books made it EVEN BETTER. Just a word to the wise.
March 10, 2020
With eleven books in the Crispin Guest series—and counting—it’s easy to start in the middle and that’s what I did. Luckily it didn’t matter; we get enough background on Crispin’s unfortunate history to pick up the threads quickly. A dishonored knight turned “finder” to eke out a living, Crispin could rely on his past to hob-nob with the upper crust—even though he is scorned as a traitor—while his cursed past lends him unusual empathy for those less fortunate than himself. In this book, he is hired by the unpleasant Archbishop of Canterbury to guard the bones of St. Thomas Becket against Lollard threats to steal them. Of course, things go terribly wrong and he finds himself right in the middle of a double murder scandal—as well as losing the relics. Worse than that, his old friend Chaucer (from better days) has been implicated; Crispin doesn’t believe he is guilty but the circumstantial evidence is damning:
Chaucer glared. “This is very pretty. You haven’t seen me in eight years and you simply assume now that I am a murderer.”
“You’ve admitted to being a thief and a spy. Can murderer be far behind?”
Chaucer shook his head and rose. “I never would have believed it of you, Cris. That you would have become so hard and immovable. True, you were always a bit stiff but never so hard-hearted.”
“Live in my shoes for a day and you might understand.”
Chaucer’s arrest is a great boon for the archbishop who would like nothing better than to execute one of Lancaster’s adherents; guilt by association was strong in those days and Gaunt—along with his retainers—were all considered heretics due to Gaunt’s support of Wycliffe. With the clock ticking, Crispin is led a merry chase; everyone seems to have something to hide and more than one person could have a motive. Lucky for him, his trusty apprentice Jack reluctantly agrees to pose as a visiting monk and manages to uncover some critical evidence. The story is quick, perplexing, and satisfying. I really enjoyed it.
Chaucer glared. “This is very pretty. You haven’t seen me in eight years and you simply assume now that I am a murderer.”
“You’ve admitted to being a thief and a spy. Can murderer be far behind?”
Chaucer shook his head and rose. “I never would have believed it of you, Cris. That you would have become so hard and immovable. True, you were always a bit stiff but never so hard-hearted.”
“Live in my shoes for a day and you might understand.”
Chaucer’s arrest is a great boon for the archbishop who would like nothing better than to execute one of Lancaster’s adherents; guilt by association was strong in those days and Gaunt—along with his retainers—were all considered heretics due to Gaunt’s support of Wycliffe. With the clock ticking, Crispin is led a merry chase; everyone seems to have something to hide and more than one person could have a motive. Lucky for him, his trusty apprentice Jack reluctantly agrees to pose as a visiting monk and manages to uncover some critical evidence. The story is quick, perplexing, and satisfying. I really enjoyed it.
April 6, 2015
The Archbishop of Canterbury has requested Crispin's services: threats have been made against the cathedral's most famous relics, the bones of Saint Thomas Beckett. Crispin is to guard them, but shortly after his arrival not only do the bones go missing, but a prioress visiting the cathedral as a pilgrim is brutally murdered. And in the midst of all the chaos, Crispin encounters an old friend he hasn't seen since his fall from grace: one Geoffrey Chaucer, poet and occasional spy in the service of Crispin's former patron the Duke of Lancaster. Atmospheric and highly entertaining historical mystery with taut suspense and many nods to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
Read
June 24, 2024A quick read, and a nice dive into the world of Chaucer's England. It was also a fairly compelling mystery, although I was ultimately a little unsatisfied with the final reveal. Still, the characters are interesting and likable, especially the 'squire', Jack.
January 24, 2021
Guest and Jack travel to Canterbury at the request of Archbishop to guard sacred bones. Murder in the church, pilgrims, Jack starting to grow up. Great read and different suspects while Guest tries to unravel the mystery. I agree with other review would be a good BBC TV series
April 13, 2024
A very good story. I need to make a run to the library and get the next one.
January 26, 2016
This was a slow read but a very good story. The author not only is able to present a mystery but she knows how to make you follow all of Crispin's clues to the conclusion.
My favourite part of this story was the bow given to Crispin "hanger-on", Jack. Jack is able to finally shine showing the readers his intelligence and his flaws. We get to realise that he is not a simple little boy hanging around for food scraps. Jack is considered a grown man and he is doing what he is able to make himself better, and to improve his lot in life.
There is a lot in Jack to admire. The fact that Crispin recognises this is all for the better.
My favourite part of this story was the bow given to Crispin "hanger-on", Jack. Jack is able to finally shine showing the readers his intelligence and his flaws. We get to realise that he is not a simple little boy hanging around for food scraps. Jack is considered a grown man and he is doing what he is able to make himself better, and to improve his lot in life.
There is a lot in Jack to admire. The fact that Crispin recognises this is all for the better.
February 14, 2016
Okay, Crispin has finally made it through an entire book without getting entirely smashed out of his mind - yes! There is hope for this character. I liked this installment better than The Demon's Parchment, the story is better and Crispin seems to be coming into his own. I also like that his treatment of Jack is more considerate, although he does continue to let his temper take control more often than not. That said, I will continue to read the series and enjoy the exploits of Crispin and Jack.
October 20, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed my first Jeri Westerson mystery! Not too convoluted and kept me turning the pages to see who did the terrible deed. The identity of the murderer caught me by surprise, so well done and well-written. Lots of history without making it obvious or overdone. I just went to the library and got the next book!
May 9, 2012
Slower than the others, so far. I miss London as the location. Update: It did pick up, but the setting just didn't measure up to London.
July 7, 2013
I've read all five adventures in three months. This is a great way to learn about 1380s London. Can't wait for the next installment of Crispin Guest's adventures.
December 15, 2017
Troubled Bones takes place in Canterbury, where Crispin and his apprentice met up with Chaucer and most of the characters from The Canterbury Tales. If I, like Westerson, had grown up on the Canterbury Tales I might have a more enlightened review of this book, although I recognized some of the characters. So for me, this was a stand alone experience, not having read Chaucer (yet). The relic of title note are Thomas a Beckett's bones, another storyline I am vague on, but better versed from having read this novel.
Jack has an unfortunate case of puppy love for a young nun who is found beside the body of her prioress, and Crispin has to step in to educate him on the finer points of appropriate affections and inappropriate aspirations. Soon another body is found, that of Brother Wilfred, with Chaucer's dagger left at the scene. Chaucer is Crispin's old friend from his time as a knight in Lancaster's court-they were both reared there. Although hired by the Bishop of Canterbury to guard the relics, and root out Lollard sympathizers amongst the monks, Crispin finds himself investigating to save Chaucer from an unjust trial by the Bishop. The Bishop is allowed to place men on trial for herest, but not for murder, the issue St. Thomas died defending. Crispin is somewhat distracted by a dalliance with the Wife of Bath, a widow many times over. Jack is distracted by the nun and his new found manly pride in the new garments the Bishop's coin has purchased for both of the sleuths. For awhile it looks like the murders are based on descendency from the bloodlines of of Beckett's murderers, some two hundred years later. While the Bishop has a strong distaste for Lancaster and his heretical leanings, this is no point of defence for Chaucer, or Crispin who may be mouthing their mentor's attitudes. This is a great perspective on guilt by association in an honor based culture. And before I spoil the mystery I will conclude with a new found desire to visit the works of Chaucer, and to read something about Thomas.
Jack has an unfortunate case of puppy love for a young nun who is found beside the body of her prioress, and Crispin has to step in to educate him on the finer points of appropriate affections and inappropriate aspirations. Soon another body is found, that of Brother Wilfred, with Chaucer's dagger left at the scene. Chaucer is Crispin's old friend from his time as a knight in Lancaster's court-they were both reared there. Although hired by the Bishop of Canterbury to guard the relics, and root out Lollard sympathizers amongst the monks, Crispin finds himself investigating to save Chaucer from an unjust trial by the Bishop. The Bishop is allowed to place men on trial for herest, but not for murder, the issue St. Thomas died defending. Crispin is somewhat distracted by a dalliance with the Wife of Bath, a widow many times over. Jack is distracted by the nun and his new found manly pride in the new garments the Bishop's coin has purchased for both of the sleuths. For awhile it looks like the murders are based on descendency from the bloodlines of of Beckett's murderers, some two hundred years later. While the Bishop has a strong distaste for Lancaster and his heretical leanings, this is no point of defence for Chaucer, or Crispin who may be mouthing their mentor's attitudes. This is a great perspective on guilt by association in an honor based culture. And before I spoil the mystery I will conclude with a new found desire to visit the works of Chaucer, and to read something about Thomas.
June 25, 2020
Canterbury, 1385 ~ The Archbishop of Canterbury retained Crispin Guest to guard the sacred bones of St. Thomas à Becket's at their resting place... where the saint met his death from the hands of 4 Knights 200 years ago. As Guest was guarding the saint's bones, there was a loud prolonged scream from the young nun who was praying with her Prioress at the Cathedral... the Prioress was murdered with an old family sword as legacy from a blood~stained name left to his equally disgraced descendant... the bones were gone, and Guest was knocked unconscious. So many distractions and a respite in the form of Guest's dalliance with an earthy pragmatic widow who buried 5 husbands either older or much younger than herself... plus the other secrets and motives of the pilgrims that form part of the caravan from London to Canterbury... even the Archbishop himself had his own agenda specifically against Guest's former liege, the Duke of Lancaster, and Geoffrey Chaucer (poet and Crispin's friend during better times in the Duke's retinue also a 'pilgrim' with his own assignment) would be the sacrificial lamb for His Excellency's vengeance... for the Duke's opposition to the Church owning too much land and the doing away of idolatrous relics thus taking away the attention and worship from Almighty God (known at that time as Lollardism) was the bitter bone of contention between the two. Guest's failure rankled yet he was relentless in his investigations... he sent his protégé to the Abbey disguised as a Franciscan pilgrim and Tucker even endured being tonsured by Dom Thomas who took this form of revenge on him for his audacious and irreverent masquerade. The Trackers and the Sheriff of Canterbury were able to save Chaucer from being arbitrarily hanged for heresy by the vindictive Archbishop... and Guest had added yet another powerful enemy (aside from His Grace, King Richard II) to his August yet Inadvertent Collection of Adversaries. Another delightful and historical informative drama with all the necessary ingredients of a baffling whodunit.
P.S. ~ I am irritated by the constant use of Contemporary Annoying Americanisms like the insertion of the word "back" between words with prepositions like (in Chapter 16) "...he shoved them 'back down'" unnecessary emphasis (when already a given and clearly understood that the action was repeated) and also awkward like the present day "sit back down"... simply Annoying... also causes a Time Warp and throws a monkey wrench on the setting which is after all Medieval England and not the as yet to be discovered New World ~ out of sync in terms of place and time.
P.S. ~ I am irritated by the constant use of Contemporary Annoying Americanisms like the insertion of the word "back" between words with prepositions like (in Chapter 16) "...he shoved them 'back down'" unnecessary emphasis (when already a given and clearly understood that the action was repeated) and also awkward like the present day "sit back down"... simply Annoying... also causes a Time Warp and throws a monkey wrench on the setting which is after all Medieval England and not the as yet to be discovered New World ~ out of sync in terms of place and time.
September 3, 2020
The fourth in this excellent period mystery about a disgraced knight who becomes a Tracker, or detective. Called to Canterbury to protect the bones of St. Thomas Beckett, Crispin becomes involved in a series of murders. He meets his old friend, Geoffrey Chaucer, who is traveling with a group of pilgrims, yes-that group of pilgrims! Crispin continues to struggle with his bitterness at the turn his life has taken and encounters signs of redemption and forgiveness to help him become a better man.
October 21, 2022
Well written and engaging. However, the plot devise of Crispin zeroing in on a person early in the story that he is absolutely certain is the guilty party only to discover they are not the culprit is getting old. Main characters need to grow, learn from their mistakes and mature. This series will become stale quickly if Westerson doesn't change this tactic.
October 2, 2025
three. Murders to solve
Plots and lyes form the background at a monastery. Historical bad feelings lead to murders. Supposed missing finger bones were under investigation. All arranged to fight against other members of the court. A twist to seek evidence. The man accused is innocent. A nun was the murderess.
Plots and lyes form the background at a monastery. Historical bad feelings lead to murders. Supposed missing finger bones were under investigation. All arranged to fight against other members of the court. A twist to seek evidence. The man accused is innocent. A nun was the murderess.
July 27, 2019
If you have yet to meet Crispin Guest do yourself a favor and find book one of this wonderful series and start there. This book is the perfect combination of a fabulous character, story and narrator. Cannot recommend it highly enough.
October 14, 2021
A very engaging historical novel of 14th century Britain. Westerson weaved Geoffrey Chaucer and the Canterbury pilgrims into her narrative. I really like those novels which include many real characters into their stories.
August 25, 2022
4th book in this well written and researched Medieval mystery series. Crispin is a favorite character of mine in the historical mystery series category and my first in the medieval era. Highly recommend.
July 22, 2023
Accidentally picked this up not knowing it was the fourth(!!!) in a series, but I found it engaging and easy to follow along with regardless. I can't wait to go back and read the previous books in order.
July 31, 2017
Great
These tales are getting better and better. The factual characters blend in really well and, on a lighter note a relief that our 'here's have
These tales are getting better and better. The factual characters blend in really well and, on a lighter note a relief that our 'here's have
May 23, 2019
Loved this! Such a great combination of Crispin Guest with Geoffrey Chaucer, and all the Canterbury Tales coming back to mind and to life in this fanciful historic novel.
June 2, 2021
I am continuing my project of rereading the entire Crispin Guest series. I found this a fun read and especially enjoying seeing Tucker's perspective. On an objective level one could complain about too many coincidences but I enjoyed the roller coast ride so much that I dont really care. So all I can say is well done; this is a blast.
Relic= Bones of St. Thomas Beckett.
Relic= Bones of St. Thomas Beckett.
February 7, 2022
A trip to Canterbury, missing saints bones, and Geoffrey Chaucer. A great way to learn history!
March 3, 2022
I love this series. And I love that this story had elements of The Canterbury Tales weaved into it.
June 29, 2022
Excellent read.
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