The Admirable Physician

Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mysteries #16

by Sarah Woodbury

Gareth and Gwen investigate murder amongst the Hospitallers in The Admirable Physician, the sixteenth Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mystery.

April 1150. War has come yet again to Ceredigion. As Prince Hywel marches south alongside his wily uncle, preparing to battle his own cousins, Gareth and Gwen learn of murder and treachery among the Hospitallers who are succoring the ill and wounded within the army.

As they investigate, even in the midst of war, they uncover not only murder, but treason and betrayal as well—and inadvertently set the stage for that final reckoning within King Owain's court that has been such a long time coming.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2024

About the author

With 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.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gareth, Gwen and family have come to Ysbyty Cynfyn, a hospitaller commander, at the request of Saran’s brother, Iago. They arrive to discover Iago has died and many monks are ill, as are Gareth, Llelo, Meilyr and Taran. Gareth is recovered from his illness, Gwen is attending the funeral of Helen, the monk Desmond’s mother, with Dai as a pallbearer. Dai thinks the coffin is rather heavy when one of the front pallbearers slips in the mud at the edge of the grave causing the casket to overturn revealing a second body under Helen’s. It is the physician, Everard. And thus begins another murder investigation for Gareth and family. To compound matters, there is a war going on.

[Bron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a long running series. These days I read the books more to keep up with developments in Gwen's family and in the background history of Wales, than to try and solve the murder mystery! They are lovely evocations of medieval life in a country that doesn't often feature in the history we learn in school. This episode takes place in a hospital run by the Knights of St John, during an outbreak of sickness, though some of the deaths are not from natural causes! Gareth's two adopted sons, Llelo and Dai are growing up and taking on important roles.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foxglove is one of the most potent of medicines. It is also one of the deadliest of poisons. The murdered Hospitaller physician was not poisoned but the foxglove is a central image in the story. Gareth and Gwen involve their entire talented family in the investigation. One of the attractions of the book is the dynamics between the characters and the trust among the family members. Set in 12th century Wales, the setting is well-researched but the politics are too complicated for even the characters to figure out.

[Rachel N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining, with a side of education

I’ve learned quite a bit about history from this author over the years. She really excels at painting a picture of life in the 12th century - and Gwen and Gareth are interesting characters, always surrounded by intrigue. I’m excited to see where they go next!

[Voirrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good to catch up with Gareth and Gwen, and their family, again. And Sarah Woodbury managed to come up with a fascinating, and different, mystery for them to uncover, even as discontent and possible war continues to build around them.

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story from Sarah Woodbury. This time, death is sweeping through a hospital run by the Hospitaller monks, and Gareth and Gwen, ably assisted by Dai, Llelo, Meilyr and Saran, have a very convoluted path to follow.

[Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Welsh pronunciation is so difficult for me that I'm, once again, grateful for Mr. Mumford's narration. I just wish there was an easier way to follow the twists and turns of intrigue in which Welsh history is founded.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting twist with this since there were so many plots going on in the story. Really liked the history bits that work their way through the story as well. One issue with listening is that you have no clue how things are spelled, especially Welsh words.

[LeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best in the Gareth and Gwen series. I particularly loved the development of Llelo and Dai, and I felt Gwen was more back in the action where she should be. Also, as always, loved the historical context. I learn something new with every book.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reading.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled to enjoy this. I also had a lot of interruptions. That could have been the reason I struggled. It was an okay story.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

13. Forsooth , I declare, the dialogue is very much in the olde worldly. I am glad that I didn’t read the previous 18 (yes, 18) books.

[Debra]

Another great read