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Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mysteries #0.5
The Bard's Daughter
The Bard’s Daughter is a 22,000 word prequel novella to the Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mysteries:
As a bard’s daughter, Gwen has spent her life traveling from castle to castle and village to village with her family, following the music. In the winter of 1141, Gwen’s family is contracted to provide the entertainment for the coming-of-age celebration of a lord's son. But before the celebration can begin, Gwen’s father is found over the body of his friend, with a harp string as the murder weapon and blood on his hands.
With the lord of the castle uninterested in finding the true killer, it is up to Gwen to clear her father’s name before her father’s music is silenced … forever.
As a bard’s daughter, Gwen has spent her life traveling from castle to castle and village to village with her family, following the music. In the winter of 1141, Gwen’s family is contracted to provide the entertainment for the coming-of-age celebration of a lord's son. But before the celebration can begin, Gwen’s father is found over the body of his friend, with a harp string as the murder weapon and blood on his hands.
With the lord of the castle uninterested in finding the true killer, it is up to Gwen to clear her father’s name before her father’s music is silenced … forever.
130 pages, ebook
First published June 17, 2012
About the author
Sarah Woodbury
169 books790 followersWith over a million books sold to date, Sarah Woodbury is the author of more than forty novels, all set in medieval Wales. Although an anthropologist by training, and then a full-time homeschooling mom for twenty years, she began writing fiction when the stories in her head overflowed and demanded that she let them out. While her ancestry is Welsh, she only visited Wales for the first time at university. She has been in love with the country, language, and people ever since. She even convinced her husband to give all four of their children Welsh names.
Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).
She makes her home in Oregon.
Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).
She makes her home in Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 23, 2022
A fun story that occurs before the reader meets Gareth. This story introduces Gwen's immergence into crime solving. It's her start into this world, giving the reader an explanation of how a woman became a crime solver in Medieval Wales.
Interesting, but with too mentions of "the bard's daughter" and many references of singing.
Gwen does do some growing up here. She begins as a young, petulant girl but begins to mature and become the Gwen of later books by the end of this little novella.
A light, fun read. Not needed to get into the Gareth and Gwen series. Enjoyable, nonetheless.
Interesting, but with too mentions of "the bard's daughter" and many references of singing.
Gwen does do some growing up here. She begins as a young, petulant girl but begins to mature and become the Gwen of later books by the end of this little novella.
A light, fun read. Not needed to get into the Gareth and Gwen series. Enjoyable, nonetheless.
August 20, 2012
I like Woodbury stories, especially since they give me a glimpse of historic Wales. Not a lot of writers focus on this tiny country. If I recall correctly, she's an anthropologist, which lends credibility to her historic research. She does her homework, so reading her stories is not only entertaining, it's educational.
February 9, 2013
This was fairly short - a teaser for the later novels I believe but was still enjoyable in its own right. Set in Medieval Wales it follows Gwen - the titular character who must save her father from a charge of murder. Some of the laws and traditions of Wales and the Norman lords appear, albeit with not a great deal of detail but it is a short book. The author covers a little more in an interesting appendix.
The character of Gwen is interesting, for although Wales had more equality for women at that time she is still seen as lesser by then men, but steps up and shows them what she can do. Solving the murder they cannot or will not. A love interest is mentioned, but he is absent in the book, and enough of a teaser is given that the reader is intrigued to find out if they are reunited in later books. Other characters mentioned are based on real figures, and it is obvious the author has done some research into the period and area. Although the scenes only take place around one specific location - a castle - I didn't feel more was needed.
In a similar vein to the Cadfael books this historical mystery is entertaining - especially without the modern knowledge of forensics, or such like. Recommended as short story for fans of the genre, and fans of Welsh fiction. I shall definitely be reading more by this author.
The character of Gwen is interesting, for although Wales had more equality for women at that time she is still seen as lesser by then men, but steps up and shows them what she can do. Solving the murder they cannot or will not. A love interest is mentioned, but he is absent in the book, and enough of a teaser is given that the reader is intrigued to find out if they are reunited in later books. Other characters mentioned are based on real figures, and it is obvious the author has done some research into the period and area. Although the scenes only take place around one specific location - a castle - I didn't feel more was needed.
In a similar vein to the Cadfael books this historical mystery is entertaining - especially without the modern knowledge of forensics, or such like. Recommended as short story for fans of the genre, and fans of Welsh fiction. I shall definitely be reading more by this author.
September 19, 2012
Sarah did a great job with this short story, creating just the right amount of confusion to keep you guessing who the killer is until the very end. In a time when technological advancements such as finger-printing and DNA analasys are non-existant, there were still ways to catch a crook! You just had to be creative... like Gwen, the heroine.
October 25, 2012
Being just a short prequel to the Gareth and Gwen mystery series, the mystery isn't too involved, and the depth of historical detail is not great, but I will have to read the next book in the series, and see how it turns out!
December 15, 2025
I found this a satisfactory little medieval mystery to introduce the character of Gwen, and was entertained enough to follow through with adding the next volume to my library.
March 17, 2019
A very short historical mystery, I'm not sure why it was written....
Gwen's father is found semi-conscious with blood on his hands, his friend laying in front of him dead (garroted)... Without any proof otherwise or caring for proof, the local men of the Laird assume him to be guilty... but there is the odor of something stronger & much different than mead.
Gwen sets out to defend her father & find his murderer....
Not only did I not particularly like the characters, I didn't like the writing it was over-simplified so too was the plot, as if it was written for 13-14 year-olds...
I'll not be reading more of the series.
Gwen's father is found semi-conscious with blood on his hands, his friend laying in front of him dead (garroted)... Without any proof otherwise or caring for proof, the local men of the Laird assume him to be guilty... but there is the odor of something stronger & much different than mead.
Gwen sets out to defend her father & find his murderer....
Not only did I not particularly like the characters, I didn't like the writing it was over-simplified so too was the plot, as if it was written for 13-14 year-olds...
I'll not be reading more of the series.
February 5, 2023
A Welsh bard's daughter helps to solve the mystery of a man's death to save her father from paying for the crime. If you like the Kat Holloway series, this will be enjoyable for you.
March 2, 2026
3 green stars.
If this were longer, I might have bumped it up to a 3.5. But as it is a prequel novella of less than 75 pages, there isn't enough here to form any deeper judgment. There isn't much in the way of either character development or plot, but I liked it okay. I'm always up for books set in Wales, and the historical details are well-enough researched. I was interested to read in the author's note that there was a real bard named Meilyr who did sing at the court of Owain Gruffydd, and he had a son Gwalchmai who also became a famous bard. Gareth did not appear in this novella and we only learn that Gwen has been pining for him for four years, but we don't learn any details about this. I'm going to assume that the first book in the series (which was written before this novella) will give that back story, and explain why Gwen at age 20 is not yet married. This book would be very suitable for young adults, and perhaps even middle grade readers. I can't say whether this will hold true for the rest of the series yet though.
Description: As a bard's daughter, Gwen has spent her life traveling from castle to castle and village to village with her family, following the music. In the winter of 1141, Gwen's family is contracted to provide the entertainment for the coming-of-age celebration of a lord's son. But before the celebration can begin, Gwen's father is found over the body of his friend, with a harp string as the murder weapon and blood on his hands. With the lord of the castle uninterested in finding the true killer, it is up to Gwen to clear her father's name before her father's music is silenced ... forever.
If this were longer, I might have bumped it up to a 3.5. But as it is a prequel novella of less than 75 pages, there isn't enough here to form any deeper judgment. There isn't much in the way of either character development or plot, but I liked it okay. I'm always up for books set in Wales, and the historical details are well-enough researched. I was interested to read in the author's note that there was a real bard named Meilyr who did sing at the court of Owain Gruffydd, and he had a son Gwalchmai who also became a famous bard. Gareth did not appear in this novella and we only learn that Gwen has been pining for him for four years, but we don't learn any details about this. I'm going to assume that the first book in the series (which was written before this novella) will give that back story, and explain why Gwen at age 20 is not yet married. This book would be very suitable for young adults, and perhaps even middle grade readers. I can't say whether this will hold true for the rest of the series yet though.
Description: As a bard's daughter, Gwen has spent her life traveling from castle to castle and village to village with her family, following the music. In the winter of 1141, Gwen's family is contracted to provide the entertainment for the coming-of-age celebration of a lord's son. But before the celebration can begin, Gwen's father is found over the body of his friend, with a harp string as the murder weapon and blood on his hands. With the lord of the castle uninterested in finding the true killer, it is up to Gwen to clear her father's name before her father's music is silenced ... forever.
February 15, 2025
Great introduction to a family
This is a short that introduces a series set in medieval Wales. The names are a mouthful but add to the feel and earthiness. Gwen grows up in facing the arrest of her father.
The plot is solid even at its length, and the writing feels natural. The Good Knight is already loaded and ready to go.
This is a short that introduces a series set in medieval Wales. The names are a mouthful but add to the feel and earthiness. Gwen grows up in facing the arrest of her father.
The plot is solid even at its length, and the writing feels natural. The Good Knight is already loaded and ready to go.
May 3, 2025
Gwen's father was accused of murdering another man. The evidence seemed pretty strong since he was found semi-conscious at the dead man's feet with the murder weapon, a harp string, was found close by Gwen knew that her father was innocent, but the lord of the castle seemed uninterested finding out the truth. Gwen determined to find the real murderer before it was to late.
May 3, 2020
This is a novella. I read this after book 11. I wish I had read it earlier only because other books in the series referenced this story. However, I don't always like novellas (usually don't) and I think I liked this novella better for having read it later. That is why I didn't start with this.
July 4, 2021
Read this one first
If you haven't started the series yet, start with this. It's a good introduction to the main characters' backgrounds as well as the laws and political situation of Wales at that time.
If you haven't started the series yet, start with this. It's a good introduction to the main characters' backgrounds as well as the laws and political situation of Wales at that time.
December 30, 2024
Woodbury provides a prequel to her medieval mystery series that certainly whets the appetite to check out the other stories. The author's interest and knowledge of Welsh history creates a believable world, even if the protagonist is allowed to be so outspoken in a male-dominated world.
March 11, 2025
Gwen’s father is found sitting over the dead body of Collen, his friend. He is accused of murdering Olen. Gwen sets out to find the evidence, hopefully to prove his innocence. This is a novella that shows Gwen starting to learn her investigative skills.
November 15, 2017
Not as good as other Woodbury storied, but still delightful.
March 5, 2018
Vergy good
Good read , I enjoy reading Sarah Woodbury books they start out good and keep that pace . I Recommend reading her work
Good read , I enjoy reading Sarah Woodbury books they start out good and keep that pace . I Recommend reading her work
June 2, 2018
This third book of this series continues on with the same characters which were likable. Lots of suspense and murder. As well as romance and excitement.
January 26, 2019
I love Gwen and her mental thoughts about everything around her are a great tool for learning and seeing what she sees and feels. Wish I’d read this book first before the others.
Read
July 23, 2019Nice novella, introducing us to a young Gwen and getting us to know her back story.
September 12, 2020
I've completed the whole series except for one book most listened to. The characters are easy to like and I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it.
June 18, 2021
Dnf normans
February 9, 2022
It was short but a really good start to the series.
July 26, 2022
Entertaining prequel to the mystery series.
August 22, 2022
Quite an enjoyable read, this apparently is a prequel to the main series, i did enjoy it so will give the series a try.
June 6, 2023
It was a little difficult for me to get into this since I'm on the 14th book in the series. Gwen has come a long way.
March 7, 2024
Reasonable introduction to period mystery
January 19, 2025
Loved learning more about Welsh medieval law
February 20, 2026
Not bad for an Audible freebie!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews