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Stephen Attebrook Mysteries #2
Baynard's List
A secret list identifying the supporters of both King Henry and his rival for power Simon de Montfort has disappeared following the murder of the King’s master spy in the west of England. Stephen Attebrook, the part-time deputy coroner for medieval Ludlow, must find Baynard’s list for his former master, the grasping and ambitious crown justice Ademar de Valence — projecting Attebrook into a cesspit of medieval murder, espionage, intrigue and betrayal. Attebrook faces his greatest challenge as a discoverer of secrets as he races to obtain the list before a rival gets it first, while the life of someone close to him hangs on the outcome.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 28, 2021
English mystery.
Nicely written with a smooth hand. Well done Sir. English mystery is a favorite of mine. Stephen as a handle on all that goes on in his town. But at every turn there is a murder piled on top of the last one. But for buggers sake some please pay the man what he's owed. A nice fast past easy read.
Nicely written with a smooth hand. Well done Sir. English mystery is a favorite of mine. Stephen as a handle on all that goes on in his town. But at every turn there is a murder piled on top of the last one. But for buggers sake some please pay the man what he's owed. A nice fast past easy read.
August 13, 2021
second book. same easy confessions.
it was great until the bad guys gave up so easily. clemet was an evil man, why would he be afraid of someone just saying what you did without any physical proof? not impressed.
it was great until the bad guys gave up so easily. clemet was an evil man, why would he be afraid of someone just saying what you did without any physical proof? not impressed.
July 2, 2020
The list
The main character & his friends are very likeable. They would be the people I would depend on for help & some justice in the end.
The main character & his friends are very likeable. They would be the people I would depend on for help & some justice in the end.
February 24, 2017
Although not quite as good as the The Wayward Apprentice (the first book in the series), this was a pretty good second. I was a little blindsided by the ending. I will continue to read the series.
July 7, 2017
Set in Shropshire in the 13th Century, this novel follows the quest for a lost list of names. Deputy Coroner Stephen Attebrook is trying to find it, but he becomes aware that others are also trying to track it down and then things take a turn for the worse with a mysterious death.
This was a readable enough mystery, and I liked the setting, but it wasn't as good as the first book in the series. Stephen is a likeable protagonist, but this plot was quite predictable and so his inability to spot the obvious was quite annoying, and not very convincing.
In addition, there were some irritating editing issues. On the whole, the narrative sounds authentic but there are some Americanisms that jar - particularly a character who is said to fall on his fanny! More seriously, a character is called Beth up to Chapter 15, and then becomes Helen in Chapter 16.
Not bad, but I'm not sure whether to continue with this series.
This was a readable enough mystery, and I liked the setting, but it wasn't as good as the first book in the series. Stephen is a likeable protagonist, but this plot was quite predictable and so his inability to spot the obvious was quite annoying, and not very convincing.
In addition, there were some irritating editing issues. On the whole, the narrative sounds authentic but there are some Americanisms that jar - particularly a character who is said to fall on his fanny! More seriously, a character is called Beth up to Chapter 15, and then becomes Helen in Chapter 16.
Not bad, but I'm not sure whether to continue with this series.
July 21, 2013
This is the sequel to The Wayward Apprentice, and is a really fun read. The detailed and unsanitized look at the 13th century provides a cool backdrop to a well-plotted story.
January 15, 2017
It took me a bit to get into the story but once I did it moved quickly.
July 3, 2019
The events of the first book in this medieval murder mystery series, The Wayward Apprentice, set the stage for this volume, which begins just a couple of weeks after the conclusion of the previous story. It turns out that Ancelin Baynard, the murdered master of the titular apprentice, was King Henry III's spymaster in the Welsh border region, and he kept a list of both loyal agents and a list of agitators favorable to the king's nemesis, Simon de Montfort. The list has disappeared and a number of parties want to get their hands on it. One of them, the former master of now-deputy-coroner Stephen Attebrook, takes Stephen's infant son hostage in order to ensure his cooperation in the hunt for the list. Desperate to find the list and exchange it for his son, Attebrook has to track down the document while keeping one eye out for competing searchers, who are not above resorting to assault or even murder to get to the list first.
As I had hoped, this second volume deepened my attachment to the main characters who were introduced in Apprentice. The addition of a map of the town of Ludlow really helps the reader visualize the town and understand the movements of the characters. (It's not a great map, but it shows the main streets and a few buildings of central interest, like the Broken Shield inn where Attebrook lodges at the grace of his friend and part-time clerk, Gilbert Wistwode.) This book seems a little better composed in some ways than the first, like Vail is settling in as an author just as we are as his readers. There's a plot twist or two that make things interesting, and Attebrook is confirmed as a hero with some failings, but a hero nonetheless.
There's a rough spot or two. There's a conversation early on between the main antagonist Justice Adamar de Valence and his henchman Clement, in which they discuss what to do with Attebrook's young son. It's a cartoonish dialog and a clumsy way of showing that these are bad men with bad intentions. Also, Attebrook's relationship with his love interest seems a little too whirlwind and too dismissive of the social barriers that make up the fabric of the story in so many other places. (This may have been intentional by the author, but it seems like Attebrook should have found it odd as well; then again, while he is clever, he does sometimes miss details or fail to make connections, so perhaps I don't give Vail enough credit.)
All in all, a good read and a fun story. I'm looking forward to the next installment, A Dreadful Penance.
As I had hoped, this second volume deepened my attachment to the main characters who were introduced in Apprentice. The addition of a map of the town of Ludlow really helps the reader visualize the town and understand the movements of the characters. (It's not a great map, but it shows the main streets and a few buildings of central interest, like the Broken Shield inn where Attebrook lodges at the grace of his friend and part-time clerk, Gilbert Wistwode.) This book seems a little better composed in some ways than the first, like Vail is settling in as an author just as we are as his readers. There's a plot twist or two that make things interesting, and Attebrook is confirmed as a hero with some failings, but a hero nonetheless.
There's a rough spot or two. There's a conversation early on between the main antagonist Justice Adamar de Valence and his henchman Clement, in which they discuss what to do with Attebrook's young son. It's a cartoonish dialog and a clumsy way of showing that these are bad men with bad intentions. Also, Attebrook's relationship with his love interest seems a little too whirlwind and too dismissive of the social barriers that make up the fabric of the story in so many other places. (This may have been intentional by the author, but it seems like Attebrook should have found it odd as well; then again, while he is clever, he does sometimes miss details or fail to make connections, so perhaps I don't give Vail enough credit.)
All in all, a good read and a fun story. I'm looking forward to the next installment, A Dreadful Penance.
January 6, 2025
4 solid stars, highly enjoyable but sometimes its a little rough when a author has to reference the past (book in a series) in order to tell the next story.
Repeating what I already know about Baynard having 3 homes in town (and I swear it was 2x before 20% of the book) felt redundant and frankly a bit of a turn off. Once we get past those issues, an interesting story unfolds.
Peeve: he gets a dreamy and wool headed and every female (protagonist?) seems to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. For a soldier and man of the world/gentry, he hasn't been exposed to much beauty it seems. And I always hope for him to fall for a good woman, we will see if that ever happens or if he is just a man-ho :)
Anywhoo- interesting how Stephen has to get his hands on a list of names for Valance or his little son is threatened. He finds a way to get his son to safety as well as save the day, despite the wicked intentions of Margaret. It was a shock about poor Lucy!
Quote to take away, for me is so timely:
"But he still didn’t want to take sides. He just wanted to live his life undisturbed, to savor his grief unmolested. Taresa’s death had left a yawning hole in his spirit.
There was no room for the petty controversies of men."
Repeating what I already know about Baynard having 3 homes in town (and I swear it was 2x before 20% of the book) felt redundant and frankly a bit of a turn off. Once we get past those issues, an interesting story unfolds.
Peeve: he gets a dreamy and wool headed and every female (protagonist?) seems to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. For a soldier and man of the world/gentry, he hasn't been exposed to much beauty it seems. And I always hope for him to fall for a good woman, we will see if that ever happens or if he is just a man-ho :)
Anywhoo- interesting how Stephen has to get his hands on a list of names for Valance or his little son is threatened. He finds a way to get his son to safety as well as save the day, despite the wicked intentions of Margaret. It was a shock about poor Lucy!
Quote to take away, for me is so timely:
"But he still didn’t want to take sides. He just wanted to live his life undisturbed, to savor his grief unmolested. Taresa’s death had left a yawning hole in his spirit.
There was no room for the petty controversies of men."
August 5, 2025
Medieval political mystery
Vail writes another complex crime novel fit for mature teens and adults. Clean language, bawdy sexual scenes that must have made confession booths busy but well written and entertaining. Definitely PG13+ but nothing erotic in description. Without the sex scenes I would easily recommend this book to pretend and adults.
There was more intrigue and action and lest descriptions of everyday life. You got the sense of the times through the attitudes of characters and the events that shaped the fears, ambitions and motives of that time. Vail is a very good writer who pulls you into the plot - so hang on.
Vail writes another complex crime novel fit for mature teens and adults. Clean language, bawdy sexual scenes that must have made confession booths busy but well written and entertaining. Definitely PG13+ but nothing erotic in description. Without the sex scenes I would easily recommend this book to pretend and adults.
There was more intrigue and action and lest descriptions of everyday life. You got the sense of the times through the attitudes of characters and the events that shaped the fears, ambitions and motives of that time. Vail is a very good writer who pulls you into the plot - so hang on.
February 16, 2022
I am actually on the 4th book in the series as I write this short review for book 2. This statement in and of itself should clue you in that I'm finding Jason Vail's stories very entertaining. I will be sad when I finish the series.
Book 2 introduces the character Lady Margaret, a worthy match for our hero Stephen Attebrook. This new character is made the more interesting by her opacity. Good or evil? Does she actually care for Stephen, or is she simply using him? As the story ended, I hoped to see more of this character in later books.
Book 2 introduces the character Lady Margaret, a worthy match for our hero Stephen Attebrook. This new character is made the more interesting by her opacity. Good or evil? Does she actually care for Stephen, or is she simply using him? As the story ended, I hoped to see more of this character in later books.
January 27, 2018
This was the second book in this series, and I liked it better than the first. I think Stephen is shown in a bit more favorable light, and he's becoming more of a real character. I would still like to see more internal feeling from him, however, as I sometimes felt he was just going through the motions.
The atmosphere is described very well in this series, and you can almost feel the mud sucking at your shoes and smell the straw in the stable. The town of Ludlow is a real place, of course, and the author loses no opportunity to name the streets and waterways to good effect. Given the setting and story, the violence was applicable. There's no descriptive sex and no foul language.
This mystery had a real surprise in the end, too, which was enjoyable.
The atmosphere is described very well in this series, and you can almost feel the mud sucking at your shoes and smell the straw in the stable. The town of Ludlow is a real place, of course, and the author loses no opportunity to name the streets and waterways to good effect. Given the setting and story, the violence was applicable. There's no descriptive sex and no foul language.
This mystery had a real surprise in the end, too, which was enjoyable.
April 16, 2019
Glad to have found this series
I had been looking for a new mystery series to read and have found it in Jason Vail's character Stephen Attebrook. I read the first book, The Wayward Apprentice , and decided to go into the second book where it follows up from the first. I found both books to be turn pagers and had to finish them when I started them. I hope if you decide to start to read the series you will enjoy them as wekl.
I had been looking for a new mystery series to read and have found it in Jason Vail's character Stephen Attebrook. I read the first book, The Wayward Apprentice , and decided to go into the second book where it follows up from the first. I found both books to be turn pagers and had to finish them when I started them. I hope if you decide to start to read the series you will enjoy them as wekl.
October 22, 2020
Another interesting tale about Stephen Attebrook's adventures as deputy coroner. The story brings to life what everyday life in the 13th century was like and how society reacted to people of different social levels. You were kept guessing as to what would happen until the last few chapters where there was a final unexpected twist. I thouroghly enjoyed reading this book and have just started the next one in the series.
September 25, 2019
When I read the blurb, I saw the names Simon de Montfort/king Henry and thought the plot would be a.o. about their struggle. But apart from mentioning them, nothing was written about it. The blurb therefore was misleading. It was alright, but some mistakes were made (Beth suddenly becomes Helen, typos).
The search for the list took a very long time and I was eager to get to the end.
The search for the list took a very long time and I was eager to get to the end.
March 6, 2020
Entertaining medieval murder mystery
Stephen and Gilbert nearly get themselves killed several times while trying to locate a list of conspirators. This book is an entertaining murder mystery. The plot is cleverly woven and told. However, the book is marred by poor editing. Several grammatical errors. Otherwise it would have gotten five stars.
Stephen and Gilbert nearly get themselves killed several times while trying to locate a list of conspirators. This book is an entertaining murder mystery. The plot is cleverly woven and told. However, the book is marred by poor editing. Several grammatical errors. Otherwise it would have gotten five stars.
August 15, 2023
Stephen Attebrook, the new deputy coroner in Ludlow, is in more trouble now that the murderer Clement is released from jail. He has to find the list of traitors to King Henry III kept by the late merchant Baynard. Stephen is a former knight and a man of many talents--which are used as he tracks down the list. A good mystery with many twists and turns.
November 22, 2020
A fun read!
Good characters and it picks up where it left off from the first book. I can't wait to see this series progress. It just seems to get better from book to book. Ready for book three.
Good characters and it picks up where it left off from the first book. I can't wait to see this series progress. It just seems to get better from book to book. Ready for book three.
July 24, 2021
Deputy coroner Stephen Attebrook has been tasked with finding a list of de Montforts traitors, a list that has led to several deaths already, and that could cause some of his acquaintances to be executed for treason. Very good
June 15, 2018
... In which we learn more of Stephen's back story and he finds romance! And in which there is a very good mystery to keep him on edge.
August 2, 2018
A Good Sequel
Sometimes sequels are lacking in character development and plot, however this cannot be said of this 2nd book in this series!
Sometimes sequels are lacking in character development and plot, however this cannot be said of this 2nd book in this series!
January 6, 2020
Good, but...
Held my interest, easy reading. Horrible proof reading. Most of the historical information was easy to believe if you are familiar with the time period.
Held my interest, easy reading. Horrible proof reading. Most of the historical information was easy to believe if you are familiar with the time period.
August 21, 2020
Good read
Very good read but a little to wordy in spots and outcome a bit predictable. Otherwise I did enjoy reading it.
Very good read but a little to wordy in spots and outcome a bit predictable. Otherwise I did enjoy reading it.
September 28, 2020
Fun read . Nice historical touches withou getting bogged down in Olde English
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2020
It was an entertaining read. Good second book in the series!
July 7, 2021
This is a real step up from The Wayward Apprentice, the first book in the series. The characters are really starting to develop and the plot was steadily told. A really enjoyable read.
October 5, 2021
Having a bit of a hard time getting into this series. Not too sure why.. I'm going to put it on hold for now and will try again later on...
November 8, 2021
Well that sure took me by surprise!! Very cunning and twisted! I really enjoyed this book and I love the storyline it was just so good!!
September 14, 2022
Drink muddles the mind
I am enjoying the exploits of Stephen and Gilbert. The outcome was seen, but two little twists were not. Series is worth the time.
I am enjoying the exploits of Stephen and Gilbert. The outcome was seen, but two little twists were not. Series is worth the time.
August 8, 2024
passer
Getting better. Double cross, old enemies, who is Passer? What or who will show up in the third book? Exciting!
Getting better. Double cross, old enemies, who is Passer? What or who will show up in the third book? Exciting!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews