The Slaughtered Widow

Bailiff Mountsorrel Tudor Mysteries #3

by David Field

A gripping mystery set in Tudor England! Perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden, Robyn Young, Alison Weir and Anthony Riches.

Is it an open and shut case…?

Nottingham, England, 1593

Town Bailiff Francis Barton has been arrested for the murder of his former lover, the widow Agnes Timberlake, and the case against him is a strong one.

Agnes was hacked to death where she lay in her bed and Francis was found standing next to her body, with both his clothing and his sword covered in her blood.

And there is a motive. Agnes had recently loaned Francis her entire life savings and was believed to be demanding an accounting for them.

Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Francis’s friend, County Bailiff Edward Mountsorrel, refuses to believe that Francis is guilty and sets out to investigate for himself.

Edward wants to speak to the serving girl from the widow’s house who may have been the last to see her mistress alive, but she has vanished.

Is the girl running from a guilty conscience? Or has she also fallen victim to the killer?

Time is running out for Francis. Can Edward clear his friend’s name … or is it time to accept that Francis really is capable of murder…?

The Slaughtered Widow is the third historical thriller in the Bailiff Mountsorrel Tudor Mystery Series – private investigation crime novels set during the reign of Elizabeth I and beyond.

THE BAILIFF MOUNTSORREL TUDOR MYSTERY
BOOK The Castle Abductions
BOOK The Assassination Players
BOOK The Slaughtered Widow
BOOK The Clamorous Dead

Genres: Historical Fiction

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2024

About the author

David was born in post-war Nottingham, and educated at Nottingham High School. After obtaining a Law degree he became a career-long criminal law practitioner and academic, emigrating in 1989 to Australia, where he still lives.

Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to fulltime retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips.

Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a fulltime occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.

David Field is published by Sapere Books.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy books from the Tudor period usually, and this one was quite different from others I have read. It featured a good deal of action in discovering who was responsible for large scale burglaries. The investigative work was successful and there was plenty of sword play and action along with attractive characters keeping law and order.
I will now have to look into the first two volumes of this series.

Kindle Unlimited

[Soozee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great Tudor series set in Nottinghamshire, continuing the adventures of Bailiff Edward Mountsorrel and his friend the town bailiff, Francis. Unfortunately Francis is in the Shire Hall, having been found covered in blood by the body of his lover! Edward is sure he is innocent, and sets out to prove it as well as solve a series of audacious robberies which have been taking place in the area.

The result is a good read, historically accurate (although I'm not sure anyone said 'yeah' in Tudor times).

Looking forward to the next in the series!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1593. Nottingham. The lover of town sheriff Francis Barton, Agnes Timberlake had been murdered and he has been arrested. Can friend and Bailiff Edward Mountsorrel prove his innocent.
An entertaining historical mystery with its likeable main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.

[HAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the description of the whole legal procedure back in not-so-merry England At least for those wrongfully accused!). This story, though descriptive, is not bogged down but moves quickly. Edward is a totally likeable character and he proves himself a logical and good friend when he sets out to prove his boss innocent of murder. Never mind his boss was discovered on the scene, nude, covered in blood and his sword nearby, Edward follows his gut feeling that his friend did not do this and actively tries to prove his point. Of course he gets tied up and needs rescuing himself and the accused aren't afforded a defense, but should that be allowed to stop him?
I gave this 5stars because it is a pretty clean read, no sexualized descriptions, has a great plot and criminal twists (that thieves in NYC have obviously learned from and employ) and I can recommend for mid teens and above for great, entertaining and educational reading. Enjoy!!

[Maya Ch · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the 3rd book in the series intensity of the story builds up. Francis is accused of murder of his beloved Agnes and facing trial. It is up to Edward Mountsorrel, a friend and a colleague to untie all the knits in the mystery, save Francis and find responsible party. Meanwhile he has to act as a bailiff for town and for county, doubling his workload.
Story is fast paced, gripping and entertaining.
Looks like Edward introduced “bad cop-good cop” interrogation practice in medieval Nottinghamshire 😀

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this one was great fun even though it began with a viciously slaughtered widow and Edward's closest friend arrested for the murder. If you enjoy a mystery in which you must work backward to find the culprits as well as the motive, you'll love this third book in the series. I find all of the details about Elizabethan life for commoners fascinating in these books and in this one, we also learn about the workings of a jury trial.
I'm looking forward to the next one being released in August!

[William N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one

I've really come to like this series. The way the two bailiffs and friends work together is inspiring. That's what friends do. And in this story friendship is all! The presentation of primitive justice is fascinating, and terrifying. Glad that people have improved, a bit.

[Gerald S Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!

This is the third book in the series and doesn't disappoint! The main two characters are believable and work well together. There are plots and sub plots which make it an enjoyable read,highly recommended.

[Phillip Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

Further investigations by bailiff Mountsorrel.
Murder and Housebreakings in Nottingham.
A really good Elizabethan detective series.
Highly recommend for its clear story lines.

[Christa Saccullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good One

The adventures and excitement get more interesting with each book. And new turns come to the characters with time. I wonder what the next book brings...

Christa

[wally walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very predictable