The Weaver's Inheritance

Roger the Chapman #8

by Kate Sedley

The year is 1476, and after a hard winter hawking his wares through the ice and rain, Roger the Chapman is looking forward to spending Christmas in Bristol, enjoying the warm hearth and good food of his mother-in-law Margaret-even if it means the young widower will have to endure her constant matchmaking.

However, Margaret has barely introduced him to her cousin Adela when Roger's attentions are demanded elsewhere. The long-lost son of a wealthy Bristol weaver, presumed murdered on a visit to London six years before, has miraculously reappeared, to the delight of the old man and to the indignation of Alison Burnett, who refuses to believe that the bedraggled stranger is her brother Clement-the rightful heir to half her father's fortune. When Alison's violent objections provoke Alderman Weaver into disinheriting her altogether, she appeals to Roger's reputation as a solver of mysteries to prove her growing suspicions right.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Medieval, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Crime

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 1998

About the author

Brenda Margaret Lilian Clarke, known by her pen name Kate Sedley, was an English historical novelist best known for her Roger the Chapman mystery series. Born in Bristol in 1926, she also published as Brenda Honeyman and Brenda Clarke.

Reviews

[Janis Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read other books in this series, and found this one just as enjoyable. One day I will actually get myself organised enough to read them all in order!

It is your typical historical whodunit. Not just a murder mystery, but a fine weave (pardon the pun) of the history of Chapman through this series, a revisiting of older times in his life, a broader look at the political maelstrom that was happening in England at that time… and the mystery part of it too.

A very good read, a highly enjoyable series and one I strongly recommend to lovers of historical crime series. This one has been a favourite of mine for over 10 years and it’s still fun to find and read them now.

[Cindie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better ones in the series, the twists and turns unfold and Roger is left lost until he is able to finally get past his personal issues. Love that religion did not overwhelm this one and did not interfere with the plotline. I also like the historical back drop, that regardless of whether Roger wants to be aware of Politics, he has no choice.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another conundrum presents itself to Roger the Chapman for his special brand of detective skills. This call for Roger to make his way to London during a harsh Winter and a new character is introduced for us to know and eventually come to love.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not care for the beginning third or so of the book, but I rarely leave a book unfinished, only if it truly upsets me or frustrates me. The story is written in first person, to invoke the Chapman telling the story, but as the case may be, it is one of my less preferred styles. It takes a long time for the story to get underway, partly because the author is trying to develop the bigger story of Roger the Chapman. Since this is the first book in the story I have read, though it is the 3rd, a lot of that was kind of lost on me. Once we got past the winter, and Roger could go inquiring, it became a better mystery. Though the wrap up with the dying man’s confession felt a little forced, especially the fact that he died the way he did. No explanation was made for the why of that.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sedley continues to write stories that are well plotted and fast paced. In this novel, she interweaves the ongoing saga of King Edward II and his brothers, George and Richard, in a tale that finds Roger the Chapman revisiting his first "case" in the first book of the series. This continues to be an enjoyable series.

[Kelly Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is written from the first person perspective. That's fine in a auto biography, but not a novel!

[Melina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable book; it has a great plot and Roger is adorable as ever.

[Br. Thanasi (Thomas) Stama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this Roger the Chapman series.

[Sheila Soprovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder mystery set in 1476 England and the main character is a chapman (a pedlar). Mix of politics, regular daily life and romance. Nice little read.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

No reason that I could see to tie the plot and sub-plot together, especially in such a goofy way. I liked the characters and the atmosphere.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave up trying to read these in order! I see this is number 8, but at the library all I have to go by is the copyright dates. I decided I'd read whichever one I choose and let it stand alone.

In this one, Roger the Chapman is living with his mother-in-law after the death of his wife. I get the feeling his marriage was one of convenience and he didn't really love his wife all that much. Margaret takes care of Elizabeth, his two-year old daughter while Roger peddles his wares. He doesn't enjoy being home much. Margaret meddles in his affairs by shamelessly playing matchmaker. While he loves his daughter, it's clear he's not a very hands-on father, but will do what he must to provide for them.

As he is settling in for the winter, Margaret sends him off to bring back her cousin Adela, recently widowed with a young son. That way the women can give each other company (and Margaret can woo her charms and make sure Adela and Roger end up marrying.) Roger reluctantly obliges, and almost immediately his sleuthing skills are needed. The son of a weaver, long-presumed murdered in London, has reappeared on the scene. The trouble is, some think he's an imposter (including his sister.) Only the father believes it is his long-lost son, who is the rightful heir. Roger is called to discover his true identity. Not to give anything away, just let me say I like Roger. He's funny, he doesn't miss a trick, and this is a delightful series, set in the 15th century England. Oh, and there's a twist at the end.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1476, in the turbulent times that were the 'War of the Roses', Roger the Chapman (peddlar)is looking forward to spending Christmas in Bristol. As well as a peddlar, he is somewhat of a sleuth. Margaret, His matchmaking mother-in-law,has barely introduced him to her cousin Adela when Roger's attentions are demanded elsewhere. He gets involved in the return of long-lost son of a wealthy Bristol weaver, presumed murdered on a visit to London six years before and has miraculously reappeared, to the delight of the old man and to the indignation of his daughter,Alison Burnett, who refuses to believe that the bedraggled stranger is her brother Clement. She hires Roger to prove that the long lost 'brother' is indeed an imposter. The author 'weaves' an interesting plot involving 2 murders that ends with unexpected finale. Another interesting and enjoyable aspect of this tale is the royal intrigues that are going on in the background between the brothers York, King Edward, Richard and George, Duke of Clarence. A thoroughly entertaining read

[Marfita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shame on George, Duke of Clarence! We get his treasonous history as background gossip in this book. Oh, and there's a mystery going on in the foreground. Someone comes back from the dead ... again. Not the same person, but she used that wheeze in a previous book. But mostly it's, "Have you been under a rock, Roger?" and someone fills the narrator in on Plantagenet Family Squabbles, which are actually quite interesting. It should be a reality show: Meet the Plantagenets. Each week George does something to annoy Edward and Richard tries to straighten it out. Poor, poor Richard! He has to maintain family harmony and the next thing you know he'll be stuck being king, be routed by Henry Tulip, and spend eternity in the ignominy of the shadow painted by Shakespeare (among others). You just want to hug him, don't you? And kick George in the bum. And firebomb the Woodvilles.
Clues and plot twists might be a bit telegraphed.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

1476 England. Roger the Chapman, or peddler, is hemmed in by the winter snow. He can't get out of Bristol to satisfy his wanderlust. His other love, the working out of puzzles, is an itch that can be scratched. Alderman Weaver's dead son has come home; and the Alderman's daughter and heiress Alison wants Roger to prove that the putative Clement Weaver is an imposter. Roger's mother-in-law would rather he pay attention to the young widow Adela.

I had stopped reading Kate Sedley's Roger the Chapman series for many years. Suddenly it appears refreshed and loveable again.

Favorite Historical Mystery Read of 2010

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the 1400's, a good medieval mystery. Roger the Chapman sets forth once again to solve the mystery of the man who purports to be the previously thought dead son of the Master Weaver. Six years ago, Roger had been one of those who had brought to justice the person thought to have been the murderer of said son, and had assured the father and sister that the piece of clothing he showed them had belonged to their son and brother. Now he is in a quandary because the deceased has come to life--or at least regained his memory after a blow to the head. Impostor or real? Interesting twist at the end.

[Joyce Reynolds-Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the only book I've read in this series. From that point of view, I'd say that the author does a good job of introducing me to the continuing characters without a lot of intrusive infodumps. As far as the mystery is concerned, parts of the story work for me, parts don't. On the other hand, it's much more pleasant to read about a working person in this era than the eternal dramas of royalty and nobility during the Wars of the Roses.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roger the chapman is asked by a Bristol neighbor to determine whether a long-lost son who reappears after a six-year absence is an imposter or the real thing. Complicated story that also references 15th century English political events. Sedley describes everyday life in England in this time period in her usual detailed way.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great historical detail in this mystery that gives a very good picture of the middle part of the War of the Roses. The puzzle's a good one: the inheritance of a weaver, complicated by marriages and children.

[Liz V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need to find the first book in the series.

[H. Weisel]

Interesting tale set in Medieval England.