La trappola di Falconer (Il Giallo Mondadori)

William Falconer #5

by Ian Morson

Un terribile flagello incombe sull'Europa. I mostruosi tartari, demoni scaturiti dall'Inferno, minacciano la cristianità dopo aver seminato morte e distruzione in Oriente. Si racconta che abbiano la testa di cane, uccidano chiunque si trovi sulla loro strada e ne divorino la carne. Davanti alla loro avanzata inarrestabile, cercare un accordo sembra l'unica possibilità di salvezza per i regni occidentali. Quando una delegazione dei barbari si accampa di fronte alle mura della città universitaria di Oxford, re Enrico III d'Inghilterra invia un emissario a incontrare l'ambasciatore Chimbai. Per la sua grande dimestichezza con le lingue è richiesta anche la presenza di William Falconer, maestro reggente della Facoltà delle Arti. Tuttavia, quando in una tenda viene rinvenuto il cadavere di Chimbai, sono altre le competenze che il docente si incarica di dispiegare in qualità di investigatore. Dal torace insanguinato della vittima spuntano le penne di una freccia, che scoccata all'apparenza dall'esterno ha trapassato il cuore con potenza inaudita. Un tiro alla cieca che ha qualcosa di sovrumano. Ma per Falconer magia e superstizioni non sono contemplate nel corso di un'indagine. La mano che ha scagliato il dardo micidiale non è quella di Dio.

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

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Born in 1947 in the Midlands town of Derby into a working class family whose members either worked for Rolls-Royce or on the railways. Educated at the local grammar school with high academic standards. The school was one of the first to start teaching Russian. Won a scholarship to Oxford University in 1965, and studied Russian. At Oxford, developed a love of folk music, and regularly performed at clubs and pubs. Was president of the Heritage Society. Almost met Bill Clinton (same college, wrong year). Fell in love with Oxford.
Obtained a grant to research into Folk-life studies at Leeds University for a year in 1968/69. Wrote a thesis on Folk and Music-hall songs. Had to look for a real job at the end of it.
Started work in London as a library assistant in Harrow, and progressed to a senior post in public libraries over the next twenty years. Got married (twice) and now lives in Mevagissey, Cornwall. Became interested in conservation, and spends a lot of time doing voluntary work for the National Trust. Also directs and performs for St Austell Players - local am-dram group.
Started writing for real at the age of 42, after having dabbled in (unperformed) radio plays and (unpublished) poetry. First Falconer novel published at the age of 47.

Reviews

[Meg Morden]

This installment of the case studies of Master William Falconer, Master Regent of Aristotle Hall in Oxford, sees him trying to solve the mysterious murder of the Tartar Ambassador to the English royal Court in the medieval equivalent of the locked room. Many hate and fear these fearsome warriors but who is responsible? Sir Hugh Leyghton whose beloved older brother Geoffrey, a Templar Knight, was cut down by the Tartars at the Battle of Leignitz? Brother Bernard who was a friend of Geoffrey and a fellow Templar? French Templar Knight Guillaume de Beaujeu who just happens to be in town in disguise? or someone from the Tartar camp? Difficulties in bridging the cultural and linguistic gaps slow our sleuth but do not deter him. A fully fleshed and sensory exploration of Oxford in 1268, far from the pristine academic idyl it now is. I highly recommend it.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An always involving mystery set in 1268 Oxford where lecturer William Falconer (with a primitive pair of glasses) uncovers the murderer of Chimbai, leader of a delegation of Tartars to the King. Roger Bacon assists in solving a “locked-room”-type killing in a tent, as other deaths occur and suspects from amongst the Tartars and locals abound. The exotic Tartars plus an elephant, which is probably the most empathetic character, are the best features of a rather slowly-unveiled solution with plenty of period detail

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

#5 in the William Falconer medieval mystery series. Falconer is in his 40's and the Regent Master of Aristotle's Hall at Oxford University. He has a fascination for the obscure with an interest in scientific experiments whose hobby is solving murders. He is considered an eccentric who suffers from poor eyesight and used Aristotle's deductive reasoning methods to solve mysteries. Prior to becoming an academic, he was a mercenary who traveled a lot.

1268. An embassary from the feared Tartars has arrived in Oxford seeking an audience with the King of England. When the Tartar ambassador is found dead, everyone believes magic is responsible. Everyone, that is, except Falconer who sets out to unmask a brutal killer.

[Caleb Diffell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, short mystery. I was hoping for a bit more color of the time period. The conclusion wasn't explained as in-depth as I would've liked. Overall, a decent entry in the genre. I wouldn't mind trying more of the Falconer books.

[David Stimpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good Story..Faulted is a a cagee old character and these Books make a very Good Series about Oxford

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very good mystery.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1268 The Tartars have sent an ambassador to Oxford to speak to the King, on their journey the entourage was joined by Roger Bacon, released from his cell in Paris and friend to Falconer. But soon Falconer is involved in a murder investigation with many suspects.
An entertaining historical mystery.

[Martina Sartor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ian Morson è un autore inglese che scrive gialli storici ambientati in diverse epoche. In particolare questa serie è ambientata nel Medioevo: il protagonista è William Falconer, filosofo aristotelico e maestro reggente della Facoltà delle Arti all’Università di Oxford e si trova spesso coinvolto in indagini su dei delitti con l’amico Peter Bullock, guardia della città. Stavolta la storia è piuttosto strana: alle porte della città sono arrivati i Tartari, popolo misterioso del lontano Oriente che vorrebbe incontrare il re inglese per un’alleanza contro i maomettani. Ma finora i Tartari sono stati sinonimo di popolo barbaro, si pensa dediti a strane usanze persino cannibali:
...una razza di uomini mostruosa e spietata era comparsa dalle montagne del Nord. Questi uomini avevano compiuto stragi nei regni di Francia e Germania, uccidendo tutti quelli che incontravano. […] Loro sono come i demoni liberatisi dal Tartaro, ed è per questo che vengono chiamati tartari.
Si dice che tali uomini abbiano teste di cani, coni denti appuntiti e i nasi piatti. Gli occhi sono pozze di tenebra, e le loro fattezze hanno qualcosa di lugubre. Rapiscono e uccidono… e divorano ogni genere di carne, compresa quella umana.
L’ambasciatore tartaro Chimbai dovrebbe incontrare gli emissari del re inglese Enrico III°, sir Hugh Leyghton e il cancelliere dell’Università di Oxford de Ewelme. Ma tutto va a rotoli quando Chimbai viene ritrovato morto nella sua iurta. Da qui la storia diventa piuttosto intricata: numerosi personaggi avevano motivi di rancore verso Chimbai. E non è facile seguire gli avvenimenti che li coinvolgono, perché il racconto è frammentato e salta da un personaggio all’altra. Fanno la loro comparsa un cavaliere templare, un ebreo convertito, un prete nestoriano, un cinese esperto in arti magiche. Per Falconer non sarà facile interessarsi al caso, anche perché i Tartari sono riluttanti a coinvolgerlo. Ma con l’aiuto dell’amico filosofo Ruggero Bacone, che si diletta anche di scienza, Falconer riuscirà a risolvere il mistero di un delitto quasi impossibile. Effettivamente la cosa che ho gradito di più è l’ingegnosa soluzione finale. Ma, nonostante il libro sia breve, la lettura è stata faticosa, proprio per la frammentazione della storia di cui dicevo sopra.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ian Morson's "Falconer and the Great Beast" is the 5th entry into Morson's Medieval mystery series based in 1268 in Oxford. His protagonist is William Falconer, Regent Master at Oxford. The Beast in the title is an aging beast that the town finds strange - an elephant - King Henry III's elephant. This is an interesting book; with the introduction of Mongol warriors into Medieval Oxford, there is a high degree of mistrust on both sides. While this story is not as exciting as some of the books in this series, it is still certainly worth reading.

Here, the Oxford community must play host to the Tartars, a tribe from the East whose deeds have wreaked havoc on Christian Knights in the past. The Tartars claim their mission is a peaceful one; they merely wish to gain audience with the king. However, when the Tartar ambassador is found dead, it looks like cold-blooded murder. Our favorite Oxford teacher and cleric Falconer is on the case once more.

An interesting stylistic note is seen as Morson skillfully draws parallels between Oxford's suspicion of the Tartars and the townspeople's attitudes toward the aging elephant; both entities are alien to the simple English townsfolk, who regard the interlopers with a mixture of fear and awe fueled by wild imagination. I really like this series and the main characters, especially Falconer and his friend the town constable, Peter Bullock. So if you like Medieval monastic mysteries, this is certainly one to try.

[William N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange

One of the more convoluted plots in recent memory. Fascinating development, great pathos, strange surprises, all that and more made for a great good read. Looking forward to the next chapter.

[Linda Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book,with the introduction of Mongol warriors into Medieval Oxford. Not as exciting as some of the books in this series,but worth reading.

[Maren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice entry to the series, good suspense and a decent payoff.