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Stephen Attebrook Mysteries #4
The Girl in the Ice
A sudden thaw on Christmas Day reveals to Harry the beggar a dead girl of extraordinary beauty frozen beneath the snow off the pathway to Saint Laurence’s church in medieval Ludlow. It looks like murder, and medieval deputy coroner Stephen Attebrook, a poverty-stricken knight, feels compelled to find those responsible. It is a task that propels him into the domain of his worst enemy, Earl Percival FitzAllan, where he must play an involuntary role in the shadow war of espionage and raid being waged between the supporters of King Henry III and the rebellious barons under Simon de Montfort — a game that could cost him his life.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2013
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191 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 28, 2020
Ludlow, England. March area (“borderland between England and Wales). December 1262-February 1263. Jason Vail’s The Girl in the Ice (Stephen Attebrook #4) illustrates an extreme period of England’s winter weather during extensive and brutal political strife between Henry III (King John’s son) and Marcher lord, Simon de Montfort in England and Llywelyn ap Gruffydd of Wales. Blizzards! These blizzards have pushed the Welsh back to their “fortresses”. “It is still a time of suffering, misery, and death....” But today is Christmas Day with lovely weather to match, and the characters. Gilbert and Edith, his wife, owners of the inn, Broken Shield, and Stephen, deputy coroner, and Harry, a beggar, both live in the barn, and the guests of the inn are going to Christmas Mass. Harry, who waits outside the church door, spots what he knows is not part of the churchyard. He brushes away the snow and sees a woman’s hand with ‘slender fingers’ attached to a arm which was then hidden under mounds of snow. Harry has found ‘The Girl in the Ice’. Who? Why? How? Where? Stephen being deputy coroner must put himself in ‘harm’s way’ to discover whom this woman is. Stephen must go to the March, where his enemies are, to retrieve this information. The author’s prose has this medieval time period encircling the reader. I felt as though I was with Stephen as he finds the identity of this poor victim. Well done! Recommended for those who are interested in the Medieval Period.
4.25 stars.
4.25 stars.
December 12, 2015
I like reading Jason Vail's Stephen Attebrook stories. I've read the first 4 and I've downloaded the 5th, so why only give them 2 stars? Well, they also annoy me - a lot.
What I like? The characters are interesting and the plot holds me. I like the period and the genre.
What annoys me? The mistakes and the anachronistic Americanisms.
Now, in a way I can forgive some of the mistakes, especially when they are down to proofreading. I write historical fiction too and know how hard being your own editor is. Something always seems to slip through, but this was published in 2013, so there's been plenty of time to find and correct them.
Other mistakes are less forgivable - Cambridge is not in Norfolk. I know this. I live there. I can't find much out about the author, but I'm assuming from his use of language that he's American, so maybe he doesn't know England all that well, but checking is only a quick Google away these days and besides, it's in the name - Cambridgeshire.
What really annoys me about the stories, and stops me rating them higher, is the use of modern American language. I can just about tolerate American spelling in general, and I would never advocate that historical fiction should be written in the language of the time (if I wanted that I'd read Chaucer), but words such as 'dumbass' and names such as 'Mike' and Steve' really jolt a reader out of the era, and, in my opinion, should be avoided at all costs.
What I like? The characters are interesting and the plot holds me. I like the period and the genre.
What annoys me? The mistakes and the anachronistic Americanisms.
Now, in a way I can forgive some of the mistakes, especially when they are down to proofreading. I write historical fiction too and know how hard being your own editor is. Something always seems to slip through, but this was published in 2013, so there's been plenty of time to find and correct them.
Other mistakes are less forgivable - Cambridge is not in Norfolk. I know this. I live there. I can't find much out about the author, but I'm assuming from his use of language that he's American, so maybe he doesn't know England all that well, but checking is only a quick Google away these days and besides, it's in the name - Cambridgeshire.
What really annoys me about the stories, and stops me rating them higher, is the use of modern American language. I can just about tolerate American spelling in general, and I would never advocate that historical fiction should be written in the language of the time (if I wanted that I'd read Chaucer), but words such as 'dumbass' and names such as 'Mike' and Steve' really jolt a reader out of the era, and, in my opinion, should be avoided at all costs.
May 5, 2021
Stephen got payed
Oh I so do like this one very much. Even all the hell that Stephen had to go through to find out the truth about the girl in the ice, burning barns and crops killing an stealing. The man got played. To top it off he even help Harry the no legs beggar look like a man an handsome at that. Stephen is coming in to himself an learning how better to figure out the mystery he is challenged to do. This telling moved at a better pace an was more exciting to read.
Oh I so do like this one very much. Even all the hell that Stephen had to go through to find out the truth about the girl in the ice, burning barns and crops killing an stealing. The man got played. To top it off he even help Harry the no legs beggar look like a man an handsome at that. Stephen is coming in to himself an learning how better to figure out the mystery he is challenged to do. This telling moved at a better pace an was more exciting to read.
March 28, 2014
Girl in the Ice by Jason Vail features Stephen Attebrook, a knight who lost half his foot during the crusades. His military career over and his prospects considerably dimmer, he takes a job as a deputy coroner. (I'm finding that coroners are frequent characters in medieval mysteries. I mentioned some of the background of the crowner, coronarius, coroner, Keeper of the Pleas here. )
The winter of 1262 has been brutal, frequent snow storms all but burying the village. On Christmas Day, the frozen body of a young girl is discovered buried in a drift of snow. She is very young and very beautiful and captures the imagination of the villagers.
Stephen must discover her identity, and no one in the village or its immediate surroundings knows who she is. His investigation leads to some political complications that are dangerous.
I liked the book, but didn't love it. Stephen, Gilbert, and Harry are interesting characters and the plot has some historical aspects concerning the Welsh March and the Simon de Montfort rebellion. I like that the ebook was 99 cents, and I was able to experience another medieval author. Would I read another in this series? Yes, but I'm also interested in trying other new authors.
Medieval Mystery. 2013. Print version: 270 pages.
The winter of 1262 has been brutal, frequent snow storms all but burying the village. On Christmas Day, the frozen body of a young girl is discovered buried in a drift of snow. She is very young and very beautiful and captures the imagination of the villagers.
Stephen must discover her identity, and no one in the village or its immediate surroundings knows who she is. His investigation leads to some political complications that are dangerous.
I liked the book, but didn't love it. Stephen, Gilbert, and Harry are interesting characters and the plot has some historical aspects concerning the Welsh March and the Simon de Montfort rebellion. I like that the ebook was 99 cents, and I was able to experience another medieval author. Would I read another in this series? Yes, but I'm also interested in trying other new authors.
Medieval Mystery. 2013. Print version: 270 pages.
January 22, 2025
I think I enjoy these stories for the banter between characters and every once in a while, I get a surprise. I also enjoy the sneak peek into life into the 1200's and am grateful to be as advanced as we are now.
Stephen is a solid character but always seems to get himself beaten or locked up, thankfully not at the very end for this one so we get to see the mystery play out. This was a good one, it's interesting how people can want hope so badly that they make a dead girl into a Saint. Huh- that might explain the elections results. Thankfully, I have hope but this gave me some rare insight just now...
And spoiler! Harry gets a day at the brothel spa and hope with Jennifer! Totally unexpected.
Highlights:
“You know,” Harry said, “if it was hers you’d think she’d be wearing it.”
“Wearing what?” Gilbert asked.
“The ring, you dolt.”
“I’m losing my patience with you, you legless idiot,” Gilbert said.
----------
“Have you any idea how she died?” the prior asked.
“We were just about to find out. We’ll need blankets — two if you can spare that many. Or sheets.”
“Two? What for?”
“To cover her.”
“But — but — she is clothed!”
“Not for long!” Harry cackled.
“Shut up, Harry!” Stephen said.
Love the townspeople's:
“We’d have given them more of a fight if they’d come here,” somebody else said.
(Stephen or Gilbert) “That’s probably why they didn’t come. The Welsh aren’t as stupid as you.”
There was a chorus of “ayes.” It was not clear which statement everyone agreed to.
And Margaret is back!:
“I cannot have you die on me,” Margaret said when they had settled him in. “My conscience would not abide it.”
“I am glad to know you have one,” Stephen said. “I was beginning to doubt it.”
“Well, it is a hindrance to those with power and those who work for them, I admit, so I must often suppress it. Do you care for literature? I suppose that is a silly question, as you are a man, and worse, a soldier. Never mind. You shall have some anyway.” She settled on a high-backed chair by the bed and opened a small book.
“Literature about what?” Stephen asked.
“Just be quiet and listen. Perhaps you might learn something useful. Your mind certainly could use a sharpening.”
Stephen is a solid character but always seems to get himself beaten or locked up, thankfully not at the very end for this one so we get to see the mystery play out. This was a good one, it's interesting how people can want hope so badly that they make a dead girl into a Saint. Huh- that might explain the elections results. Thankfully, I have hope but this gave me some rare insight just now...
And spoiler! Harry gets a day at the brothel spa and hope with Jennifer! Totally unexpected.
Highlights:
“You know,” Harry said, “if it was hers you’d think she’d be wearing it.”
“Wearing what?” Gilbert asked.
“The ring, you dolt.”
“I’m losing my patience with you, you legless idiot,” Gilbert said.
----------
“Have you any idea how she died?” the prior asked.
“We were just about to find out. We’ll need blankets — two if you can spare that many. Or sheets.”
“Two? What for?”
“To cover her.”
“But — but — she is clothed!”
“Not for long!” Harry cackled.
“Shut up, Harry!” Stephen said.
Love the townspeople's:
“We’d have given them more of a fight if they’d come here,” somebody else said.
(Stephen or Gilbert) “That’s probably why they didn’t come. The Welsh aren’t as stupid as you.”
There was a chorus of “ayes.” It was not clear which statement everyone agreed to.
And Margaret is back!:
“I cannot have you die on me,” Margaret said when they had settled him in. “My conscience would not abide it.”
“I am glad to know you have one,” Stephen said. “I was beginning to doubt it.”
“Well, it is a hindrance to those with power and those who work for them, I admit, so I must often suppress it. Do you care for literature? I suppose that is a silly question, as you are a man, and worse, a soldier. Never mind. You shall have some anyway.” She settled on a high-backed chair by the bed and opened a small book.
“Literature about what?” Stephen asked.
“Just be quiet and listen. Perhaps you might learn something useful. Your mind certainly could use a sharpening.”
August 10, 2019
A beautiful young woman is found dead under the snow in front of the town church on Christmas. Deputy coroner Stephen Attebrook, an impoverished knight, and his clerk and friend Gilbert Wistwode have to not only determine how she died, but who she is. While the townspeople bury the unfortunate girl (and start to wonder if maybe she's a saint with healing powers), Stephen and Gilbert follow clues to the nearby city of Shrewsbury. Along the way they also discover who is responsible for the multiple murders of a family in the previous Attebrook story, A Dreadful Penance, and Stephen rekindles a dormant romance.
With this fourth book in Vail's Attebrook series, I am really starting to become comfortable in this medieval world and feel like I know the town of Ludlow and its citizens. Add to that the better pace and more intense action scenes in this story, and this could be the best of the series so far. As usual, Vail has several plot threads running at once--some of them related and some not, though you don't always know which is which until the end--so you need to pay some attention in order to get the most out of your reading.
My only quibble is one that I've had with the other works in this series: Vail goes into a lot of detail describing the movements of the characters in town or across the countryside, demonstrating that he knows the area well; but while the level of detail in these directions lead us to think they are important, usually they are just incidental and make it harder to follow the plot. He should back off the details of how many country lanes someone passed while on the road, and whether there were trees on the hill across the valley. I'm a cartographer and I love those kinds of descriptions, but they often add nothing to the story (except a little atmosphere, admittedly) and just get in the way of the pacing.
So--good story, good dialog, good characters, great action scenes. I can't help but wonder if the title of the next book in the series, Saint Milburga's Bones, is a reference to the dead girl in the churchyard.
With this fourth book in Vail's Attebrook series, I am really starting to become comfortable in this medieval world and feel like I know the town of Ludlow and its citizens. Add to that the better pace and more intense action scenes in this story, and this could be the best of the series so far. As usual, Vail has several plot threads running at once--some of them related and some not, though you don't always know which is which until the end--so you need to pay some attention in order to get the most out of your reading.
My only quibble is one that I've had with the other works in this series: Vail goes into a lot of detail describing the movements of the characters in town or across the countryside, demonstrating that he knows the area well; but while the level of detail in these directions lead us to think they are important, usually they are just incidental and make it harder to follow the plot. He should back off the details of how many country lanes someone passed while on the road, and whether there were trees on the hill across the valley. I'm a cartographer and I love those kinds of descriptions, but they often add nothing to the story (except a little atmosphere, admittedly) and just get in the way of the pacing.
So--good story, good dialog, good characters, great action scenes. I can't help but wonder if the title of the next book in the series, Saint Milburga's Bones, is a reference to the dead girl in the churchyard.
November 4, 2023
Deputy coroner Stephen Attebrook's friend Harry discovers a young girl's body in the ice at St. Lawrence's Church after Christmas Day Mass. Stephen is responsible for overseeing the removal of the body. As the body is moved he discovers distinctive ring. He is also hired by a family of salt merchants who has come from beyond Bristol to inquire about why their brother has not returned from a trip to the northern markets. Stephen had found evidence of their murders and agrees to investigate further. The ring on the dead young girl matches the branding on the salt merchants barrels. Lots of traveling, adventures and fights ensue before Stephen is able to solve these mysteries.
March 4, 2020
Enjoying this series as mysteries set in past ages are interesting to me. I do find myself getting annoyed though when sudden modern american words pop up. Its bad enough that I have to put up with American spelling in middle age England (are there no UK English versions?) but I agree with previous comment that the sudden change in the type of language used really jolts me out of the story and spoils my immersion in it. Otherwise a fairly enjoyable read.
July 24, 2021
When Attebrooks beggar friend Harry finds the body of a beautiful young girl in the ice, Ludlow goes mad for the spectacle, and rumours spread of miracles occurring. Tasked with finding out who she is, Attebrook ends up in Wales, and involved more deeply than he would like in the troubles between Henry III and Simon de Montfort
November 14, 2021
Steven has a knack for finding trouble as well as answers. I love reading how he gets out of trouble. This is a great storyline and I love how the author has advanced the story from the first book through each consecutive book so that that’s what happens in real life - the story continues. I love the characters and the interplay between them!
October 27, 2022
I am really enjoying this series. I hope you enjoy it too.
Another good mystery. I like Sir Stephen because he is human and fallible, and has suffered.
I am not a scholar of English Medieval history. So, I cannot judge the accuracy of the historical setting, but It seems very appropriate to me. The description s are detailed and realistic.
Another good mystery. I like Sir Stephen because he is human and fallible, and has suffered.
I am not a scholar of English Medieval history. So, I cannot judge the accuracy of the historical setting, but It seems very appropriate to me. The description s are detailed and realistic.
January 11, 2023
Best of the series so far
Very enjoyable story of treachery and scull duggery
Attebrook once again dragged into solving the crime which turns into something unexpected, the characters are well rounded and plausible with some humour along the way. Really well paced who done it
Good read
Very enjoyable story of treachery and scull duggery
Attebrook once again dragged into solving the crime which turns into something unexpected, the characters are well rounded and plausible with some humour along the way. Really well paced who done it
Good read
June 23, 2023
Good, entertaining .
Good, entertaining with good action, good humor, very likable characters like Harry and Gilbert. I will keep reading Attebrook mysteries, I just have a question: Spoiler alert......
I understood that it was Marjorie the maid who was pregnant, then why is the girl in the ice the one that took the potion?
Good, entertaining with good action, good humor, very likable characters like Harry and Gilbert. I will keep reading Attebrook mysteries, I just have a question: Spoiler alert......
I understood that it was Marjorie the maid who was pregnant, then why is the girl in the ice the one that took the potion?
May 29, 2018
A thoroughly good read. I love the Stephen Attebrook mysteries.
A fast read. Great attention to details and plenty of action. If you like period pieces from the middle ages, this series is hard to best.
A fast read. Great attention to details and plenty of action. If you like period pieces from the middle ages, this series is hard to best.
November 9, 2020
Enjoyable
Another good read in this enjoyable series. My only wish is that I hope Stephen's luck turns more quickly. He is such a likeable character that I hope he doesn't have to struggle quite so much inlater books!
Another good read in this enjoyable series. My only wish is that I hope Stephen's luck turns more quickly. He is such a likeable character that I hope he doesn't have to struggle quite so much inlater books!
April 4, 2021
Yet another fantastic Stephen Attebrook mystery
This is the next installment in Stephen Attebrook storyline and it is well worth a read. It will keep you enthralled until the final pages!
This is the next installment in Stephen Attebrook storyline and it is well worth a read. It will keep you enthralled until the final pages!
February 16, 2022
A complicated tale of birds of a feather flocking together. This story contained a large assortment of villains, connected partly through fealty, but mostly through greed and wickedness. Such evil could only be dispatched by a white knight. Enter Stephen Attebrook.
February 21, 2022
I like these books, but when will apparently American authors learn that if you are writing about medieval England you don't use the word "fall" for autumn, you use the English word autumn!
Come on Jason, how hard can that be?!
September 25, 2022
What makes a Saint? That is a question which arises from the story. Steven has a knack to get into deep trouble placing his life in jepordy. Lucky for him the Spanish experience has developed superior skill.
October 12, 2022
some answers and justice
An enjoyable book and also a fairly quick read. Good plot line and interesting new characters. Stephen progresses in his abilities. He may make a good detective yet.
An enjoyable book and also a fairly quick read. Good plot line and interesting new characters. Stephen progresses in his abilities. He may make a good detective yet.
August 15, 2024
Harry
Good read. A little too quick of an ending. Old enemies, old friends… Several mysteries that intertwined. Stephen’s always getting into trouble and Harry is a new man. What’s next?
Good read. A little too quick of an ending. Old enemies, old friends… Several mysteries that intertwined. Stephen’s always getting into trouble and Harry is a new man. What’s next?
October 16, 2017
Harry becomes a new man
Things take a turn for the better for Stephen and Harry in this novel, and another mystery involving a beautiful corpse is solved.
Things take a turn for the better for Stephen and Harry in this novel, and another mystery involving a beautiful corpse is solved.
November 1, 2018
Ok, mildly diverting, didn't believe it some of the time. But others in my book club enjoyed it.
February 18, 2019
Engaging tale
Engaging exciting an filled with interesting details I will certainly buy more of this talented authors work a totally wonderful work
Engaging exciting an filled with interesting details I will certainly buy more of this talented authors work a totally wonderful work
March 11, 2019
Good series.
I am ready for book 5. I like the descriptions of medieval England and the people the author introduced and carries throughout the series!
I am ready for book 5. I like the descriptions of medieval England and the people the author introduced and carries throughout the series!
February 8, 2020
Good humor, respectable historic accuracy. Editing has improved. Light reading.
March 10, 2020
Another fun murder mystery
This is book 4 in the series. Stephen must go back into Wales to find out who murdered the girl found in the ice by the church. Humorous dialogue.
This is book 4 in the series. Stephen must go back into Wales to find out who murdered the girl found in the ice by the church. Humorous dialogue.
August 19, 2021
meh
this was the least mysterious, i felt. so much stephen escaping being beaten up. not nearly enough gilbert. and what was the point of what he did with harry at the end?
this was the least mysterious, i felt. so much stephen escaping being beaten up. not nearly enough gilbert. and what was the point of what he did with harry at the end?
July 5, 2022
Unusual
Ultimately the most satisfying of all of the Vail books I have read. No solution in a nice tidy box. I enjoyed it.
Ultimately the most satisfying of all of the Vail books I have read. No solution in a nice tidy box. I enjoyed it.
July 18, 2022
Very good
A good story of a bad time. I am slowly making my way through the series and my impression of stephen attebrook goes up and down but never do i dislike him.
A good story of a bad time. I am slowly making my way through the series and my impression of stephen attebrook goes up and down but never do i dislike him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews