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The Simon Merrivale Mysteries #1
By Treason We Perish
King’s Messenger Simon Merrivale returns to England in disgrace, his life barely intact, after a bid to create a pro-English state in Savoy goes disastrously wrong. King Edward III has assembled an uneasy alliance of European powers to enforce his claim to the throne of France. But corruption is rife both at home and abroad, emptying the king’s war chest. Lack of money could cripple everything that has been built. Faced with the difficult task of not only discovering the traitors but recovering his position and respect, Merrivale has a complex and potentially deadly mission at hand. For if just one conspirator escapes justice, all will fall. A totally gripping historical mystery, perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom, S. J. Parris and Andrew Taylor.
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2023
74 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 4, 2024
Intrigue and more during Edward III’s reign. Simon Merrivale ex King’s Messenger may have lost his position and nearly his head after happenings in Savoy with the fair Yolande (a mystery) but he didn’t lose his loyalty. He uncovers complex plots that exposes corruption, greed,embezzlement and hubris amongst the king’s friends and enemies.
A thoughtful man who needless to say gets the job done.
A thoughtful man who needless to say gets the job done.
May 8, 2023
A very complex plot embedding closely political times and historical events! Absorbing, fascinating as to the extent of informative details (wool smuggling, saffron culture, France, Flanders), this spy novel has really captivated my attention! Much action, many betrayals, distrust lead to a storyline that might appear sometimes confusing, well illustrating how Simon must have felt during this couple of years striving to find out what happened! Superb characterisations giving a vivid portrait of all around Simon. Highly recommended for readers who are keen on mystery with an astounding historical background.
I received a digital copy of this novel as an ARC from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel as an ARC from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
January 9, 2024
This series is set in the 14th Century, during the reign of King Edward III of England. In this particular tome, the newly burgeoning wool trade with Flanders and the trade in saffron is at the heart of the mystery that King's Messenger, Simon Merrivale must solve.
Wool became the backbone and driving force of the Medieval English economy between the late thirteenth century and late fifteenth century and at the time the trade was described as “the jewel in the realm”! And as such, it was heavily taxed and regulated by the English Crown. You can read more here: Britain Express - Edward III and the Development of Trade. Saffron, as today, is a very expensive spice that was produced under certain conditions. It is still processed manually, the dried stigma of the saffron crocus flower is incredibly delicate, making it difficult to harvest, especially in great quantities, hence its high price. Like the wool and saffron trade, the medieval Italian Banking families are also comprehensively dealt with as well, especially England's links to the Bardi and Peruzzi - as they too play a role in this tale.
I will preface my review by saying that this is the first in a new series. However, upon reading it, I felt that much had happened (backstory-wise) that was not - again, my own thoughts - adequately covered off. It read like I had just jumped into the middle of a series - maybe a short prequel might be in order to set things right - or will this be explored more as the series progresses, I wonder.
The author, whilst providing much information on the key subjects that form part of the narrative, I think, assumes you have some idea of what was happening at this particular time in history. And a general read of the times would be an advantage, though the author does provide a list of characters at the beginning.
Having said that, there is much to admire in this book: a good mystery; themes of murder, corruption, medieval politicking, scandal; and the promise of a series.
I am looking forward to the next installment.
Three and a half stars - rounded up to four for tackling an intricate plot.
Wool became the backbone and driving force of the Medieval English economy between the late thirteenth century and late fifteenth century and at the time the trade was described as “the jewel in the realm”! And as such, it was heavily taxed and regulated by the English Crown. You can read more here: Britain Express - Edward III and the Development of Trade. Saffron, as today, is a very expensive spice that was produced under certain conditions. It is still processed manually, the dried stigma of the saffron crocus flower is incredibly delicate, making it difficult to harvest, especially in great quantities, hence its high price. Like the wool and saffron trade, the medieval Italian Banking families are also comprehensively dealt with as well, especially England's links to the Bardi and Peruzzi - as they too play a role in this tale.
I will preface my review by saying that this is the first in a new series. However, upon reading it, I felt that much had happened (backstory-wise) that was not - again, my own thoughts - adequately covered off. It read like I had just jumped into the middle of a series - maybe a short prequel might be in order to set things right - or will this be explored more as the series progresses, I wonder.
The author, whilst providing much information on the key subjects that form part of the narrative, I think, assumes you have some idea of what was happening at this particular time in history. And a general read of the times would be an advantage, though the author does provide a list of characters at the beginning.
Having said that, there is much to admire in this book: a good mystery; themes of murder, corruption, medieval politicking, scandal; and the promise of a series.
I am looking forward to the next installment.
Three and a half stars - rounded up to four for tackling an intricate plot.
November 15, 2024
In 1338, Simon Merrivale was a King's Messenger for Edward III of England. Unfortunately, while he was supposed to be undertaking an underhanded bit of diplomacy convincing enemies to become allies, he fell in love with the wrong woman. Public discovery of the romance blows up the alliance and Simon is sacked and in disgrace.
Back in England, Isabelle, the Queen Mother, requests his assistance in discovering what has happened to her saffron crop. Saffron is frequently more costly than gold but she has seen no return and the last man she sent to investigate has disappeared. Simon quickly uncovers murder, fraud and theft but the more he learns, the larger the plot seems to be and the higher into the King's advisers it rises. All against the background of the Macchiavellian politics within England and Europe as the stage is set for the Hundred Years War.
Faithful to the royal family, Simon must uproot the conspiracy, try to keep his friends safe and stay alive himself. All this is against the dark background of his grief for his father who is becoming more demented, his horrific memories of the Great Famine of his childhood, when his mother, sisters and many friends died of starvation, and his guilt, grief and fury over the loss of Yolande. A man used to armed conflict, he is now struggling with it and with the way forward in his life.
I am keen on mediaeval history and really enjoyed this book. It is definitely plot driven rather than character driven although you do learn a lot about Simon. I learnt a great deal about the English wool trade, saffron growing and trading, and developed a better understanding of the intricacies of European diplomacy. If this is not your area of interest though, I am not sure that the plot would carry you through.
Recommended with the above provisos.
Back in England, Isabelle, the Queen Mother, requests his assistance in discovering what has happened to her saffron crop. Saffron is frequently more costly than gold but she has seen no return and the last man she sent to investigate has disappeared. Simon quickly uncovers murder, fraud and theft but the more he learns, the larger the plot seems to be and the higher into the King's advisers it rises. All against the background of the Macchiavellian politics within England and Europe as the stage is set for the Hundred Years War.
Faithful to the royal family, Simon must uproot the conspiracy, try to keep his friends safe and stay alive himself. All this is against the dark background of his grief for his father who is becoming more demented, his horrific memories of the Great Famine of his childhood, when his mother, sisters and many friends died of starvation, and his guilt, grief and fury over the loss of Yolande. A man used to armed conflict, he is now struggling with it and with the way forward in his life.
I am keen on mediaeval history and really enjoyed this book. It is definitely plot driven rather than character driven although you do learn a lot about Simon. I learnt a great deal about the English wool trade, saffron growing and trading, and developed a better understanding of the intricacies of European diplomacy. If this is not your area of interest though, I am not sure that the plot would carry you through.
Recommended with the above provisos.
April 22, 2024
By Treason We Perish has some nice attributes. It revolves around the time preceding the Battle of Crecy, a couple of years in which Edward III's treasury was plucked by by nefarious men inside of and outside of the government.
Simon Merrivale is a disgraced former King's Messenger who is removed from his position. Fortunately, the Queen sees enough merit in him to ask him to investigate why revenue from her saffron plot had not materialized. This led Simon to an even greater embezzlement, that of wool subsidies for the king. Finally Simon (now earning the right to be put back in his former position of King's messenger) to investigate why loans made to Edward have been absconded.
From a historical viewpoint, the book's authors (A. J. MacKenzie is a pseudonym for a Canadian husband and wife duo) provide a solid historical insight into the beginnings of Edward's debt for his part in the Hundred Year's War. The book's plot is interesting and the characters believable.
So it's a solid book. But the labyrinth-like connections across those guilty of crimes is confusing, and it's difficult to keep up with exactly who's doing what. Plus, we're given very little information about Merrivale's earlier life. How did he become such a proficient fighter, and where did he achieve such an acute mind?
Simon Merrivale is a disgraced former King's Messenger who is removed from his position. Fortunately, the Queen sees enough merit in him to ask him to investigate why revenue from her saffron plot had not materialized. This led Simon to an even greater embezzlement, that of wool subsidies for the king. Finally Simon (now earning the right to be put back in his former position of King's messenger) to investigate why loans made to Edward have been absconded.
From a historical viewpoint, the book's authors (A. J. MacKenzie is a pseudonym for a Canadian husband and wife duo) provide a solid historical insight into the beginnings of Edward's debt for his part in the Hundred Year's War. The book's plot is interesting and the characters believable.
So it's a solid book. But the labyrinth-like connections across those guilty of crimes is confusing, and it's difficult to keep up with exactly who's doing what. Plus, we're given very little information about Merrivale's earlier life. How did he become such a proficient fighter, and where did he achieve such an acute mind?
September 12, 2023
Another cracking slice of hisotry from this husband/wife team who write together under the name A J MacKenzie.
Simon Merrivale, the King's Messenger is the protagonist again, uncovering a complicated plot involving smuggling saffron and wool, while nursig a broken heart.. Corruption reaches the highest echelons of the Edward III's household, creaming off money which he needs to keep funding various wars including the one with France. A number of people turn their coats, the body count is high, and a poisoner is at work.
I almost ducked out of this book at the start when faced by a cast list of over fifty characters. It's quite intimidating and overwhelming to be faced with so many names and truth to tell, I got a bit muddled somewhere in the middle about who was who. Nevertheless, it's a cracking story, firmly anchored in contemporary history and with a variety of unpleasant characters out for their own benefit.
Well worth a read, as are the other books featuring Mr Merrivale.
Simon Merrivale, the King's Messenger is the protagonist again, uncovering a complicated plot involving smuggling saffron and wool, while nursig a broken heart.. Corruption reaches the highest echelons of the Edward III's household, creaming off money which he needs to keep funding various wars including the one with France. A number of people turn their coats, the body count is high, and a poisoner is at work.
I almost ducked out of this book at the start when faced by a cast list of over fifty characters. It's quite intimidating and overwhelming to be faced with so many names and truth to tell, I got a bit muddled somewhere in the middle about who was who. Nevertheless, it's a cracking story, firmly anchored in contemporary history and with a variety of unpleasant characters out for their own benefit.
Well worth a read, as are the other books featuring Mr Merrivale.
December 23, 2024
Well this was a fun little cove of a tale. It definitely didn't hang about, twisting and turning like a drunk python who's just remembered they've left the kettle on. I wasn't at all on board with the whole premise and shebang for the early going but then as we got about halfway through and all the gears just kicked in to pull me along to the finish.
For all the medieval settings, I'm not sure this really made three florins worth of difference. The details of the politics, people etc was all there, but I never really got any sense of place or chaos of the Hundred Years War that was allegedly raging around our protagonists. The characters didn't really feel like they existed in any real sense either, so it was all Simon Merrivale and the plot doing the work so all in all fun but inessential.
For all the medieval settings, I'm not sure this really made three florins worth of difference. The details of the politics, people etc was all there, but I never really got any sense of place or chaos of the Hundred Years War that was allegedly raging around our protagonists. The characters didn't really feel like they existed in any real sense either, so it was all Simon Merrivale and the plot doing the work so all in all fun but inessential.
July 30, 2025
I had never read this author before and can’t quite remember how I came across them. A J Mackenzie is a husband and wife duo.
This book is set in 1338 and a Great War is just beginning. King Edward third is being effectively fleeced by his officials, people he knows well and seems to trust.
It starts to come unravelled when his mother seems to get very little return on her saffron fields and on her wool business. Simon Merrivale, a disgraced Kings Messenger, is tasked with investigating this. Simon has, as we would say, issues that makes him lethal but tenacious. It became tricky to work out who was working against the King at times as indeed it did for Merrivale.
I gave this book five stars as it did grip me more or less from the start. I love crime mystery books set in this era.
This book is set in 1338 and a Great War is just beginning. King Edward third is being effectively fleeced by his officials, people he knows well and seems to trust.
It starts to come unravelled when his mother seems to get very little return on her saffron fields and on her wool business. Simon Merrivale, a disgraced Kings Messenger, is tasked with investigating this. Simon has, as we would say, issues that makes him lethal but tenacious. It became tricky to work out who was working against the King at times as indeed it did for Merrivale.
I gave this book five stars as it did grip me more or less from the start. I love crime mystery books set in this era.
March 25, 2025
Terrific book and the writers' are superb. I've already bought the second in the series. Very Impressed with these writers. The story really does move along right from the beginning. Not until the very end do you truly realise which are and which are not the villains. What I liked was the they way they flesh out the main characters. He has faults and makes mistakes. I like that.
The history and period is certainly well researched and well presented.
Such a superbly written book. I had trouble putting it down.
The history and period is certainly well researched and well presented.
Such a superbly written book. I had trouble putting it down.
September 24, 2023
Amazing plot
I really enjoyed this book. It has an amazing plot with lots of ins and outs to keep your on your toes. I enjoyed reading about what was happening at the time right at the beginning of the Hundred Years War and I’ve learned a lot in a very enjoyable way.
I really enjoyed this book. It has an amazing plot with lots of ins and outs to keep your on your toes. I enjoyed reading about what was happening at the time right at the beginning of the Hundred Years War and I’ve learned a lot in a very enjoyable way.
October 18, 2024
Outstanding
What a confronted mystery. Well written and well thought out. For a while I thought it was a bit slow moving, but I concluded that it was a perfect speed to allow readers to think about all that was going on. Fine book!
What a confronted mystery. Well written and well thought out. For a while I thought it was a bit slow moving, but I concluded that it was a perfect speed to allow readers to think about all that was going on. Fine book!
June 21, 2025
Started off strong but the writing was quite flat and the story just not quite interesting enough to sustain the length. How many miles must this guy travel? Why does he tell everyone almost everything he’s thinking?
July 27, 2023
A very entertaining book ut very long winded
December 4, 2023
A very enjoyable read
October 25, 2024
Great read. Best book read for a while. More please ?
Want to read
November 17, 2024give me all the scottish historical fictions.
November 19, 2025
really enjoyed this one, not my usual sort of book
October 26, 2023
1338 Kings messenger Simon Merrivale returns to England after his latest mission in disgrace. After being dismissed by the King, Queen Isabella employs him to investigate the saffron plot which leads to the revealing of more corruption in the court.
An entertaining well-written historical mystery with its varied characters. A good start to this series.
An entertaining well-written historical mystery with its varied characters. A good start to this series.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews