A Killer In Winter: The Ninth Matthew Bartholomew Chronicle

Matthew Bartholomew #9

by Susanna Gregory

Cambridge 1354. Christmas approaches and the town is gripped by the worst blizzards in living memory. As the physician, Matthew Bartholomew, struggles to help the poorer citizens cope with freezing temperatures, his colleagues prepare for the festivities. The weather has trapped many travellers in the town, including Matthew's erstwhile love, Philippa. She and her wealthy husband are invited to Michaelhouse for the main feast, and Matthew is horrified that he does not immediately recognise the over-weight, sulky woman who once stole his heart. In some ways he is relieved to accept Brother Michael's orders to identify a man found dead, apparently from exposure, in a nearby church, but the success of his mission brings him closer to Philippa's circle, for the man was her husband's servant. And then the husband himself is dead, victim of an accident on the treacherous ice of the fens - or was it a more sinister death, somehow linked to the death of one of his business rivals months earlier in London?Susanna Gregory again brings medieval Cambridge to rich and vibrant life in a beautifully crafted mystery.

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

496 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2003

About the author

Susanna Gregory is the pseudonym of Elizabeth Cruwys, a Cambridge academic who was previously a coroner's officer. She is married to author Beau Riffenburgh who is her co-author on the Simon Beaufort books.

AKA Simon Beaufort

She writes detective fiction, and is noted for her series of mediaeval mysteries featuring Matthew Bartholomew, a teacher of medicine and investigator of murders in 14th-century Cambridge.
These books may have some aspects in common with the Ellis Peters Cadfael series, the mediaeval adventures of a highly intelligent Benedictine monk and herbalist who came to the Benedictine order late in an eventful life, bringing with him considerable secular experience and wisdom combined with a deal of native wit. This sets him apart from his comparatively innocent and naíve monastic brethren. His activities, both as a monk and a healer, embroil him in a series of mysterious crimes, both secular and monastic, and he enthusiastically assumes the rôle of an amateur sleuth. Sceptical of superstition, he is somewhat ahead of his time, and much accurate historical detail is woven into the adventures. But there any resemblance to the comparatively warm-hearted Cadfael series ends: the tone and subject matter of the Gregory novels is far darker and does not shrink from portraying the harsh realities of life in the Middle Ages. The first in the series, A Plague on Both Your Houses is set against the ravages of the Black Death and subsequent novels take much of their subject matter from the attempts of society to recover from this disaster.
These novels bear the marks of much detailed research into mediaeval conditions - many of the supporting characters have names taken from the documentation of the time, referenced at the end of each book - and bring vividly to life the all-pervading squalor of living conditions in England during the Middle Ages. The deep-rooted and pervasive practice of traditional leechcraft as it contrasts with the dawning science of evidence-based medicine is a common bone of contention between Matthew and the students he teaches at Michaelhouse College (now part of Trinity College, Cambridge), whilst the conflict between the students of Cambridge and the townsfolk continually threatens to escalate into violence.
Another series of books, set just after the Restoration of Charles II and featuring Thomas Chaloner, detective and former spy, began with A Conspiracy of Violence published in January 2006, and continues with The Body in the Thames, published in hardback edition January 2011.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thrilling historical mystery, dear readers and book-lovers, is already the 9th volume of the astounding "Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles" from the author, Susanna Gregory.
At the beginning of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of Cambridge, England, in the AD 1350s, where this series has returned to after last time, when Ely, England, was the place of action.
As always the historical details concerning this fabulous historical mystery are situated at the end of the book, and once again they are superbly documented and explained by the author.
Storytelling is of an exceptional quality, all the characters come splendidly to life within this mystery, whether they are real historical or great fictional figures, and the cold winter surroundings in and around Cambridge are wonderfully described in this medieval tale.
The book starts off with a two-part prologue set in December, AD 1354, and this prologue will be the basis for the main story to come.
The main story is set from 22 December, AD 1354, Christmas time in Cambridge, until the beginning of the year AD 1355, and our formidable duo of Physician Matthew Bartholomew and his friend, the Benedictine monk, Brother Michael, come once again into full action and coming more into their own as murder investigators, in an attempt to solve several murders connecting them to the trade of Fishmongers, and in their midst are Matt's former betrothed, Philippa Abigny, her husband, Walter Turke, a fishmonger, and Philippa's brother Giles.
What is to come is a very exciting mystery in which Matthew and Michael are first leading this way and that, but after a few twist and turns and not to forget after a very well worked out plot, they can finally put all the loose threads of this case into a clear collective web of evidence and so be able to pinpoint the culprit(s) of these murders.
Highly recommended, for this is another excellent episode of this great series, and that's why I like to call this book: "A Fantastic Killer Mystery"!

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was over-complicated. There are far too many twists and turns which, rather than adding to the suspense, simply slow things down. Too many irrelevant conversations and conjecture detract from the flow of the book. I do like the characters and the historical setting but better editing would make for a more enjoyable read.

[Bookish Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Christmas in 1354 and it’s cold and icy in Cambridge. Death and murder are much more commonplace than they are today and the head proctor Michael of Michaelhouse is on the job after several deaths kick off the revelry of the Christmas season.

This series of books is just wonderful. Historically enlightening (at least to me - I learn something with each new book in the series) on everything from cooking to games to culture in the Middle Ages, there is also a comical cast of characters. Michael, self aggrandizing and gluttonous; Clippersby, a delusional Dr Doolittle of sorts, loud mouthed Langersby, the self named “frail sisters” of the prostitute community, and on and on. Oh! The mystery itself - in a snowbound setting with villains galore…no dearth on death, Matthew Bartholomew brings all to light.

[Ioana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Gregory's portrayal of the period, and her writing is still good for what it is (a fun mystery, not literature/art), but this story is basically the same as all previous 8. Even though I loved the first few, after a handful, I started getting bored... #9 will probably be my last (for a while)

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doing a re-read of this series. Such great stories, many based on real life people and events. Am listening to the audiobooks this time round - adds such a new dimension to the tales. And, while I like Bartholomew, I think Brother Michael is a hoot.

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published: 01/06/2004
Author: Susanna Gregory
Recommended for: fans of historical fiction

Another brilliant book in the Matthew Bartholomew series written by the excellent Susanna Gregory. It is a book which captures your attention and doesn't let it go until the very last word of the book. A supurb book, brilliantly written. Recommended to anyone who enjoys murder mystery books and books by Susanna Gregory.

This story is set in 1354 near Christmas Time, there is a man who has been found dead near a church in the village. However the body is identified as being Phillipa's ( Matthew's earnest love)husbands servant, then the husband is found dead. We go through the journey with Matthew Bartholomew to find out if the death's are a coincidence or if it is something much more sinister. This is an absolutely amazing murder mystery book that is sure to get hold of your attention and keep it right until the very end.

[Spuddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

#9 Matthew Bartholomew medieval mystery set in 1354 during Christmas, which was a twelve-day event back then. When one of the Ovyng College students, Norbert, is found murdered in a snowdrift after a storm, Brother Michael, the senior proctor, asks Matthew, who is a physician and college professor of medicine, to help him investigate. Over the course of the Christmas holidays, several dead bodies turn up, including the husband and a servant of the former Philippa Abigny, whom Matthew was at one time betrothed to.

While a series of severe blizzards and cold weather make life miserable for the city of Cambridge, one of Matt's students, Deynman, is elected Lord of Misrule for the duration of the Twelve Days of Christmas and seems determined to make everyone's life even worse by turning the tables on the scholars and priests who usually dictate policy and practice to them. Matt is disturbed by the change in Philippa's personality and character, and her brother Giles who was once a friend also seems different. Matt struggles with those changes while trying to help Michael uncover the truth about what happened to Norbert as well as the others who have died, and tries to balance Michael's stubborn insistence (despite a lack of evidence) that a visitor to Cambridge by the name of Harysone is behind the whole mess.

Enjoyable visit to Cambridge as always, although I have admit that even spacing these books out quite a lot, I find much of a pattern with the series. There are an awful lot of characters to try to keep straight, and many of the clues are dropped very late in the story such that it's difficult to bring together all the little bits and pieces of the various mysteries until the end. I love this time period and the characters now seem like old friends, but sometimes these mysteries get just a little too complicated and involved and I find myself rather looking forward to the end and the resolution, too.

[Freya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started out strong, like most of her books, but the anachronism and inaccuracies were distracting. To avoid spoilers but give a hint about this, let's say that Ms. Gregory seems unaware that women have hair on their legs and we didn't start shaving it off until WW2. She also messes up an easily looked up bible passage.

This plus the use of the same formula from past books coupled with a convoluted plot made this installment less enjoyable than the earlier books.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed other books in this series. This one not so much. Just left me cold (pun intended)

[Anji · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up in a charity shop recently, having read many others in the series some years ago, and enjoyed them. I grew up in Cambridge, part of a family of many generations of ‘townies’ many of whom worked in the colleges and sang in the choirs. So reading her books is a little like going home, particularly this one as I read it over the Christmas period. Whilst I like Susannah’s pace, ie not entirely a page turner, I did find this book a bit long winded and repetitive.

[Pamela Shropshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Gregory often weaves actual historical events into her tales, like the Black Death. This one features a particularly harsh winter; it is well known that Europe sustained an extended cooling climate between the 14th and 17th centuries, known today as the Little Ice Age. A number of deaths in this book are attributable, either directly or indirectly, to an extremely cold December - these deaths include persons falling through the icy river and being buried in snow sliding off roofs. Of course there are also murders that Michael must investigate.

In addition, two elderly patients of Bartholomew who have been recurring characters, Athelbald and Dunstan, died from a combination of lung conditions exacerbated by cold temperatures and exposure to smoke from the many fires in Cambridge from its citizens trying to stay reasonably warm.

In spite of the cold and the snow, it is Christmas and the scholars and townspeople alike are enjoying all the related festivities. It’s interesting reading about the Lord of Misrule and the various games that medieval people participated in such as camp-ball and skating.

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like medieval thriller but this one was never-ending : lots of descriptions about the cold & snowy winter in Cambridge in the 1300's, lots of long conversations that don't add much to the general plot of the book,etc...

This is the first time I read a Matthew Bartholomew Chronicle and will probably not read another one but regular followers of the series might find the book entertaining.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer in Winter is the ninth instalment in what is an excellent series of murder mysteries set in 14th century Cambridge.

The town is struggling to cope with the devastating impact of the plague (which features heavily in the first book) and the rivalries which exist between the various factions in the town. The various colleges of the university vie with each for supremacy and the townsfolk are antagonistic towards them all. Often, this bubbles over into violence.

In the midst of all this are the two main protagonists of the series; university fellow and physician Matthew Bartholomew and his friend, friar and university official, Brother Michael. Whenever a murder is committed they are called upon to solve the crime.

The characterisation of Matthew, Michael and other characters in the series and the humour between them is what I consider to be one of the standout qualities of Susanna Gregory’s writing.

If you look at some of the greatest sitcoms, they have something in common – you take a group of people with little in common and put them together. Then watch how they get on and laugh at the bickering, the petty disagreements and the scheming. That is what you have here – I have not seen it in any murder mysteries before and it may seem out of place, but it works.

You have Bartholomew – serious and principled, sceptical of established religious and medical opinion. Brother Michael – laid back, overweight, not a stickler for rules and often breaks them, in particular his religious vows regarding gluttony and (maybe) celibacy. Brother William, a veteran of the inquisition, always ready to label anyone a heretic if they dare to question any aspect of established religious belief, however small – but with an (occasionally seen) softer and compassionate side to his personality. Oh and err… he’s not adverse to the occasional drink – drinking is something he often preaches against! Then there is the (maybe) mad Clippesby who is often found talking to animals. The list goes on…

The characterisation and humour is developed through the first four novels and reaches its height in the fifth. It is particularly good in that instalment and in the ninth.

One of the few problems with this series is that occasionally the pace can be a bit too slow. A few of the novels could benefit by being fifty or so pages shorter. Susanna Gregory has an incredible insight into 14th century life in Cambridge. This is another standout quality of her work; however, I think sometimes there is too much detail.

Another drawback is that there can sometimes be too many murders! In one novel I think there were getting on for ten victims. So high was the death rate, there was a shortage of suspects!

Don’t let these drawbacks put you off. I have read all of the first nine instalments in order and they are all very good, each with a minimum (in my opinion) of four stars, with many of them getting a five.

Enjoy.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phillipa Turke née Abigny was once Matt's betrothed though she opted for comfort and wealth vis~à~vis poverty and paucity with a Physician. She was in Cambridge with her husband and with brother, Giles (who was once Matt's roommate and friend), en route to a pilgrimage to Walsingham. Her husband, Turke, stabbed and killed his arch enemy during their fishmongers' meeting in London hence a pilgrimage by way of atonement, sort of a 'tabula rasa' for his eventual bid to become the Lord Mayor of London. Unfortunately, for him, this ambition would not see fruition... for Turke died of hypothermia when he fell into the icy water below when the ice cracked where he was skating. There were other deaths before his own... and Matt and Michael had to find any threads of connection before the 12 days of Advent would be over. Another bloody headless chicken blindly running around Mystery... with an abundance of Christmas cheer... morbid curiosity among Michaelhouse's Fellows and Masters delving into Matt's love life and giving unsolicited advise... a clearer picture as to what it really was and where it would be going... and an unresolved death.

P.S. ~ I could not help but notice the intrusion of some Contemporary words and phrases (cross~dressing... etc...) and Americanisms like the word "totally" that for a moment there I was on a weird Timewarp watching Hailee Stienfeld's Dickinson with one guy smoothly saying "Totally" wearing an 18th century purple coat and top hat and I hated it... the obscene incongruity between the dialogues and the mid~1800's Timeline. But a lot of things could be forgiven for a truly Gifted writer of this author's calibre plus there is such a thing as plausibility and readability... so...

[Lacer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A particularly bad winter has gripped Cambridge and travellers are trapped there for Christmas. Two of the travellers are Phillipa and Giles, from the first book of the Matthew Bartholomew series. Phillipa was betrothed to Matthew but she's now married to a fish merchant, who is also with them, stuck in Cambridge. A number of deaths occur with the travellers arrival, so Matthew and Michael investigate.

I came very late to the Matthew Bartholomew series and so have been working my way through them from the beginning but I think now is the time to take a small break. I enjoyed this one, in that I always like the characters and it's fascinating finding out about fourteenth century Cambridge, particularly in this book with their Christmas traditions and how bad the weather was but, by their nature, the books are formulaic, there's always a really complicated plot that is so complicated it requires either Matthew or Michael to recap it at multiple points during the story and well, I think I need to read something different for a while but I will be back!

[Mae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the scenes are five stars and excellent. For example, when Bartholomew opens the door and finds a wall of snow. The main characters, Bartholomew and Michael are really interesting guys, as characters go. Historian Gregory is good, brings the past alive, but she falls flat on the stuff the mystery genre is made of. From page 300 to the end...I felt she should have turned this section over to a mystery writing friend, or taken a course on how to pull of a mystery story...as ...she seemed to have no clue how to do the clues! Sorry but up until page 300, or so, there were only a few (four to be exact) use of words that were post Sherlock Holmes, and then the last part of the book seemed like someone went to a modern supermarket and asked the locals what was good. Not sure how it went so bad.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

On my last visit to modern day Cambridge, I was appalled and excited, and this overlong crime novel set in medieval Cambridge somehow rekindled those sensations. Ellis Peters' Cadfael was where I began my serious crime fiction reading habit and a medieval setting still holds considerable appeal. A medieval winter setting - frozen rivers, chilly bedrooms - was even more atmospheric and the Christmas period (so beloved of novelists) was the marchpane on the top.

But it was rather hard work to get through (on the just OK side of liking it) with so many twists and turns and belaboured and repetitive misapprehensions. There was an infertility element that got lost somewhere along the way. Some of the twists were good ones, others less so. Despite the number of characters and the complicated plot, the characterisation was better than might be expected and the 'bookends' poignant.

[Liz Hamp-Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmm... really, for me it was more of a 3. The reason for a higher score was that compared to the ones I've read recently, Gregory is on better form. Last one I read was Matthew searching here, there and everywhere for Matilde, with ridiculous convoluted "plots" along the way, and often incoherence. Her books seem to begin well and then the need for write XXX words drives to go on and on about virtually irrelevant stuff; where the 'reveal' comes it often turns out there was something we didn't know about and couldn't have figured out.

She knows the history and this time I learned more about the church, which I've visited more than once as I live fairly close , but there was much of the book that was a skim-read to get to another worthwhile part.

Comparing her with Ann Cleeves, my other recent read, she falls very far below.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in this excellent series, this long mystery develops Matthew Bartholomew's history a bit further by bringing back the woman whom he loved long ago and who jilted him. Lots of complications with this novel, with so many twists and turns back and forth that the reader will almost need a scorecard, happen in the setting of Medieval university Christmas celebrations.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Philippa and Giles return at Christmas when Cambridge is buried beneath a massive snow event. A student is murdered followed by the deaths of Philippa's husband and servant. The writing was good technically. The dialogue, especially between Matthew and Michael, was not as juvenile as in previous installments, and the continuity was good but the story still wandered a lot.

[Mickey Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the period details are interesting, the plot is ridiculously complex. I like detailed and clever plots but this one is complicated to the point where it's hard to follow and becomes real work to read. The book is quite long and demanded more of me than I felt was worth my time.

[Carolyn Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine descriptions of the place and time that made me grateful for my central heat, hot water, and microwave oven. Lots of characters and a fairly slow pace and, for my taste, too much recapping at the conclusion.

[John M. Bruggeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

like the flirst 8 books, this was difficult to read. Went dead in the middle while the story line dragged on and bored me to the point of not wanting to finish the book. Makes me wonder if I want to continue with the series. This author is NOT Ellis Peters.

[Cutestar · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible :)

[Andy53 · Rating 4 out of 5]

About 100 pages too long, but a great addition to the series

[Zosia Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book as much as the rest of the series. However, the twists and turns of the plot encourage you to continue reading until the end. On to book 10!

[Rose Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

So vivid

While reading this book you almost can picture yourself actually participating in the story. Such a cache of characters to choose from. Who dunnit?????

[Nance Roepke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an outstanding offering in the Matthew Bartholomew series. I love the series and this book is one of my favorites.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geez do these books have a lot of dead bodies. A bit of a winding path to find out whodunnit, which made the narrative a bit clumsy.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect read for 2022 winter, especially the weeks right before Christmas!