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The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan #24
The Meadows of Murder
The twenty-fourth gripping Brother Athelstan medieval mystery sees the friar-sleuth investigate a series of ominous murders with a dark secret at their heart – perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom, Bernard Cornwell, Candace Robb and Peter Tremayne.
London, 1383. William the weaver bursts into Brother Athelstan’s church, desperately seeking sanctuary. His crime? The bloody murder of a vicious loan shark. Athelstan takes him in, but a short while later William lies dead in the locked church. Who would take revenge for the death of a universally hated man – and how did they commit an almost impossible crime?
Athelstan’s investigations are complicated by news of the murder of an eminent member of the Guild of Fishmongers, an ominous message left on his corpse. More deaths quickly follow. Athelstan and his old friend, the coroner Sir John Cranston, realise they have a serial killer on their hands.
But when their investigations lead to the small priory of St Osyth’s, which hides a shocking secret, Athelstan starts to realise there’s much more at stake than catching a twisted killer – and the truth will shock even as experienced a sleuth as him . . .
London, 1383. William the weaver bursts into Brother Athelstan’s church, desperately seeking sanctuary. His crime? The bloody murder of a vicious loan shark. Athelstan takes him in, but a short while later William lies dead in the locked church. Who would take revenge for the death of a universally hated man – and how did they commit an almost impossible crime?
Athelstan’s investigations are complicated by news of the murder of an eminent member of the Guild of Fishmongers, an ominous message left on his corpse. More deaths quickly follow. Athelstan and his old friend, the coroner Sir John Cranston, realise they have a serial killer on their hands.
But when their investigations lead to the small priory of St Osyth’s, which hides a shocking secret, Athelstan starts to realise there’s much more at stake than catching a twisted killer – and the truth will shock even as experienced a sleuth as him . . .
- GenresMystery
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2026
35 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
236 books609 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 14, 2026
1383, Vengeance comes calling!
Once again Brother Athelstan, Dominican friar annd parish priest of St Erconwald’s, and Sir John Cranston, Lord High Coroner of London, are embroiled in a situation that reaches into the highest levels of power and politics in the land.
Joan, Queen Mother, widow of the Black Prince, mother to King Richard, and John of Gaunt are involved
The death by stabbing of an avaricious and merciless money lender is a prelude to even more deaths of the powerful leaders of the London guilds. Who is targeting certain guild leads and why?
Father Athelstan is embroiled when the killer, William the Weaver seeks sanctuary in St Erconwald’s. William later dies in the church in mysterious circumstances.
Athelstan and Cranbourne’s attention turns to St Osyth’s Priory. A religious house with a deep harbor that John of Gaunt’s cogs from Castile can sail into.
Matters have taken a grim turn in the priory, the Abbess, Isabella Beaumont has disappeared, her replacement has left, and eight nuns have succumbed to a reoccurrence of plague.
At series no. 24, Athelstan never loses my fascination.
A complex mystery that our Brother works his way logically and sympathetically through to its conclusion.
A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Once again Brother Athelstan, Dominican friar annd parish priest of St Erconwald’s, and Sir John Cranston, Lord High Coroner of London, are embroiled in a situation that reaches into the highest levels of power and politics in the land.
Joan, Queen Mother, widow of the Black Prince, mother to King Richard, and John of Gaunt are involved
The death by stabbing of an avaricious and merciless money lender is a prelude to even more deaths of the powerful leaders of the London guilds. Who is targeting certain guild leads and why?
Father Athelstan is embroiled when the killer, William the Weaver seeks sanctuary in St Erconwald’s. William later dies in the church in mysterious circumstances.
Athelstan and Cranbourne’s attention turns to St Osyth’s Priory. A religious house with a deep harbor that John of Gaunt’s cogs from Castile can sail into.
Matters have taken a grim turn in the priory, the Abbess, Isabella Beaumont has disappeared, her replacement has left, and eight nuns have succumbed to a reoccurrence of plague.
At series no. 24, Athelstan never loses my fascination.
A complex mystery that our Brother works his way logically and sympathetically through to its conclusion.
A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
January 25, 2026
I confess to being a devoted fan of medieval mysteries. I think it started with The White Company. Though clearly not a crime novel, that book triggered my interest in the period and it’s people. Since then, we have had Ellis Peters, Umberto Eco and Sarah Hawksworth, to name but three. I am new to Paul Doherty’s Brother Athelstan books, but was not disappointed by The Meadows of Murder. We are in late 14th century London, Athelstan is priest of St Erconwald’s church, and on the north bank of the Thames, the bodies of those executed for their role in the recently crushed Peasant’s Revolt are hanging rotting from their gibbets. The prologue explains the complex political situation of the day: the King, Richard II, is little more than a boy; John of Gaunt is locked in conflict with the powerful guildsmen of London, while powerful figures like Richard’s mother Joan, conspire behind the scenes. The country is still struggling from devastating effects of The Black Death.
This is no softly tinted golden account of a fondly imagined medieval England. It is full of dark corners and harsh realities. Members of a London Guild who were guilty of what is best described as a group rape of a Spanish entertainer are being murdered, one by one. A terminally Ill craftsman has sought sanctuary in Athelstan’s church for murdering a Jewish moneylender. London’s streets are dangerous places, violent and foul with sewage. Somehow, Athelstan rides the storm, helped by a mixture of his own resolute faith and the strength of his personality.
Athelstan and his friend Sir John Cranston, the Lord Hugh Coroner of London, are drawn to St Osyth’s Priory on the north bank of the Thames. It was there, that Massimo Servini, the abused Spaniard, was taken to die. The Priory has its own mysteries. Why the previous Abbess and Prioress disappear, one with a quantity of stolen treasure? Why is Thibault, the Queen Mother’s confidante ever present? And is Adam the Anchorite actually the brain damaged fool he appears to be, or is his imbecility a cloak masking something far more sinister?
There are touches of wry humour. Athelstan’s parishioners are certainly a peculiar bunch. He has summoned them to the church.
“He glared and he stared, managing his anger, but also counting heads and remembering faces. Watkin, the Dung collector, his nephew, Michael the Minstrel, Pike the Ditcher, Ranulph, the Rat Ctcher, with his two caged ferrets, Ferox and Audax, the Hangman of Rochester, Crispin, the Carpenter, Jocelyn, the Tavern Master, and all the rest of the motley crew.”
Looming over the narrative is the immense figure of John of Gaunt. The third son of Edward III, denied the crown by primogeniture, he was still an immense political figure. Best remembered today for the memorable speech Shakespeare put into his mouth in Richard II, he nevertheless was – briefly, and by marriage – king of the ancient Spanish kingdom of Castile. His son was crowned Henry IV in 1399. The animosity between him and the London Guilds is a key part of this tale. His name? He was born in the Flemish city of Ghent, now Gand. Paul Doherty (via the perception and acuity of Athelstan) raises the concept of what were called ‘by-blow’ progeny, – children not legitimised by marriage. Men like John of Gaunt could have numerous bastard offspring, and it was seen as nothing more than a testament to their virility, but for women of noble birth it was another matter altogether.
The key to the mystery lies at St Osyth’s, both above and beneath the ground. Athelstan uncovers a fatal network of allegiances and grievances that has caused many deaths. The humble priest’s ability to move effortlessly between Court, Cloister and Commons is rather implausible, but Paul Doherty has given us a compulsive read, full of larger-than-life characters, set against an impeccably researched portrait of mid-14thC London.
This is no softly tinted golden account of a fondly imagined medieval England. It is full of dark corners and harsh realities. Members of a London Guild who were guilty of what is best described as a group rape of a Spanish entertainer are being murdered, one by one. A terminally Ill craftsman has sought sanctuary in Athelstan’s church for murdering a Jewish moneylender. London’s streets are dangerous places, violent and foul with sewage. Somehow, Athelstan rides the storm, helped by a mixture of his own resolute faith and the strength of his personality.
Athelstan and his friend Sir John Cranston, the Lord Hugh Coroner of London, are drawn to St Osyth’s Priory on the north bank of the Thames. It was there, that Massimo Servini, the abused Spaniard, was taken to die. The Priory has its own mysteries. Why the previous Abbess and Prioress disappear, one with a quantity of stolen treasure? Why is Thibault, the Queen Mother’s confidante ever present? And is Adam the Anchorite actually the brain damaged fool he appears to be, or is his imbecility a cloak masking something far more sinister?
There are touches of wry humour. Athelstan’s parishioners are certainly a peculiar bunch. He has summoned them to the church.
“He glared and he stared, managing his anger, but also counting heads and remembering faces. Watkin, the Dung collector, his nephew, Michael the Minstrel, Pike the Ditcher, Ranulph, the Rat Ctcher, with his two caged ferrets, Ferox and Audax, the Hangman of Rochester, Crispin, the Carpenter, Jocelyn, the Tavern Master, and all the rest of the motley crew.”
Looming over the narrative is the immense figure of John of Gaunt. The third son of Edward III, denied the crown by primogeniture, he was still an immense political figure. Best remembered today for the memorable speech Shakespeare put into his mouth in Richard II, he nevertheless was – briefly, and by marriage – king of the ancient Spanish kingdom of Castile. His son was crowned Henry IV in 1399. The animosity between him and the London Guilds is a key part of this tale. His name? He was born in the Flemish city of Ghent, now Gand. Paul Doherty (via the perception and acuity of Athelstan) raises the concept of what were called ‘by-blow’ progeny, – children not legitimised by marriage. Men like John of Gaunt could have numerous bastard offspring, and it was seen as nothing more than a testament to their virility, but for women of noble birth it was another matter altogether.
The key to the mystery lies at St Osyth’s, both above and beneath the ground. Athelstan uncovers a fatal network of allegiances and grievances that has caused many deaths. The humble priest’s ability to move effortlessly between Court, Cloister and Commons is rather implausible, but Paul Doherty has given us a compulsive read, full of larger-than-life characters, set against an impeccably researched portrait of mid-14thC London.
November 19, 2025
This is the 24th book in the Brother Athelstan medieval mystery series but my first foray into it and its author. First, in wanting to read this book, the historical setting of the series - the reign of Edward III- is one of my favorite historical periods, and second having read many of the books in the Ellis Peters’ Cadfael series (set in the 12th C), delving into another medieval mystery series seemed like a good choice. And, to me, there’s something unique and compelling about these medieval clergy sleuths just as much as other fictional sleuths like Sherlock Holmes, Philip Marlowe or Sam Spade
Athelstan is a strong, clever character. Caring of his flock at St. Erconwald, but demanding of their commitment to truth, he moves in pretty rarified air with his close relationship with Sir John Cranston, Lord High Corner of London. He also has quite an eye for detail and his mind is in constant motion as he pulls together clues to find a solution.
This book deals with a series of murders of prominent men in the Fishmonger Guild that have ties to the death of William the Weaver who has sought sanctuary in Athelstan’s church. The investigation takes Athelstan and Cranston to St. Osyth’s Priory where strange things are happening which seemed to have ties to the other murders. No spoilers here; you must read the book to learn more. The ending is pretty good.
If you enjoy clever mystery stories, take a chance on a medieval sleuth, Athelstan. You may be pleasantly surprised.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Severn House for allowing me to read this ARC.
Athelstan is a strong, clever character. Caring of his flock at St. Erconwald, but demanding of their commitment to truth, he moves in pretty rarified air with his close relationship with Sir John Cranston, Lord High Corner of London. He also has quite an eye for detail and his mind is in constant motion as he pulls together clues to find a solution.
This book deals with a series of murders of prominent men in the Fishmonger Guild that have ties to the death of William the Weaver who has sought sanctuary in Athelstan’s church. The investigation takes Athelstan and Cranston to St. Osyth’s Priory where strange things are happening which seemed to have ties to the other murders. No spoilers here; you must read the book to learn more. The ending is pretty good.
If you enjoy clever mystery stories, take a chance on a medieval sleuth, Athelstan. You may be pleasantly surprised.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Severn House for allowing me to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I thank NetGalley and Severn House for an advance reader copy of The Meadows of Murder. All opinions and comments are my own.
The circumstances are getting more diabolical as the Brother Athelstan/Lord John series rolls on, this being the 24th outing of the medieval monk and town coroner snuffing out clues and seeking murderers while keeping the peace at St. Erconwald’s in Southwark, in The Year of Our Lord 1383. In “The Meadows of Murder,” the miraculous wineskin definitely gets a workout.
Keeping his readers firmly anchored to time and place, author Paul Doherty does his investigative best with our two protagonists, involving them in revengeful death, dark and terrible deeds and two young Spanish brothers pledging eternal fealty to each other. And how the plot will eventually tie all this together is, in Mr. Doherty’s capable hands, entertaining and enlightening in a most mysterious way.
As always, Brother Athelstan must also deal with the fanciful whims of his parishioners, who are at their resourceful best when it comes to their little side hustles. It’s almost the best part of the book to find out what these folks have decided to come up with now, and what he decides to do to put a stop to their machinations.
The Meadows of Murder will tax your powers of observation and deduction, as murder, revenge and reprisal become standard practice on these pages, as both men race to draw conclusions, find motive, and stop the carnage. And since nothing is ever easy in a Brother Athelstan book, there are other secrets that must be kept. Satisfying reading, in every respect.
The circumstances are getting more diabolical as the Brother Athelstan/Lord John series rolls on, this being the 24th outing of the medieval monk and town coroner snuffing out clues and seeking murderers while keeping the peace at St. Erconwald’s in Southwark, in The Year of Our Lord 1383. In “The Meadows of Murder,” the miraculous wineskin definitely gets a workout.
Keeping his readers firmly anchored to time and place, author Paul Doherty does his investigative best with our two protagonists, involving them in revengeful death, dark and terrible deeds and two young Spanish brothers pledging eternal fealty to each other. And how the plot will eventually tie all this together is, in Mr. Doherty’s capable hands, entertaining and enlightening in a most mysterious way.
As always, Brother Athelstan must also deal with the fanciful whims of his parishioners, who are at their resourceful best when it comes to their little side hustles. It’s almost the best part of the book to find out what these folks have decided to come up with now, and what he decides to do to put a stop to their machinations.
The Meadows of Murder will tax your powers of observation and deduction, as murder, revenge and reprisal become standard practice on these pages, as both men race to draw conclusions, find motive, and stop the carnage. And since nothing is ever easy in a Brother Athelstan book, there are other secrets that must be kept. Satisfying reading, in every respect.
January 27, 2026
An excellent entry in the Brother Athelstan series. We get some fun with the quirky personalities in Athelstan’s church flock, as well as a good murder mystery to solve. A surprising revelation I was not expecting at the end added some depth to a recurring character.
The scene setting and medieval life were well done, as always with Doherty. I really enjoy his rich descriptions. He makes a story come alive for the reader. I read this book as a break in a long binge reading of Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive. What a difference in styles! It was a relief to get into a story that actually moves along, has lush prose, and has some resolution! This is one of my favorite series and Athelstan is one of my favorite literary characters.
The scene setting and medieval life were well done, as always with Doherty. I really enjoy his rich descriptions. He makes a story come alive for the reader. I read this book as a break in a long binge reading of Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive. What a difference in styles! It was a relief to get into a story that actually moves along, has lush prose, and has some resolution! This is one of my favorite series and Athelstan is one of my favorite literary characters.
December 9, 2025
1383 William the weaver after committing murder seeks sanctuary in Brother Athelstan’s church. Meanwhile members of the Fishmongers Guild are being murdered in possible retaliation. But what is happening at St. Osyth's Priory. Brother Athelstan and the coroner Sir John Cranston investigate.
An entertaining historical mystery with its likeable main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
An entertaining historical mystery with its likeable main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2026
I WANTED to like :"The Meadows of Murder" by Paul Doherty, but just didn't get there. The prose was redundant, anachronistic, Maid & Butler, and withheld vital information. The protagonist is a priest in the 1380s who drew conclusions on little or no evidence, violated the confession, lied to mask a suicide, and covered up other crimes. Not a very believable or trustworthy priest.
January 11, 2026
Secrets and lies
They say that all secrets will eventually be brought forth into the light and whilst this is a work of fiction it shows the to be a truism. I don't know how Paul Doherty does it but he writes some excellent books, no doubt backed by equally excellent research. He is definitely my favourite author.
They say that all secrets will eventually be brought forth into the light and whilst this is a work of fiction it shows the to be a truism. I don't know how Paul Doherty does it but he writes some excellent books, no doubt backed by equally excellent research. He is definitely my favourite author.
February 1, 2026
The meadows
Several members of the Fish Mongers guild are murdered. Each killed by a bolt to the head from a arblast. William the Weaver admits that he killed a money lender and seeks sanctuary from Brother Athelstan. He dies in a locked church. There are strange events taking place at nuns Priory. There are secrets buried in an old abounded church. I enjoyed the story.
Several members of the Fish Mongers guild are murdered. Each killed by a bolt to the head from a arblast. William the Weaver admits that he killed a money lender and seeks sanctuary from Brother Athelstan. He dies in a locked church. There are strange events taking place at nuns Priory. There are secrets buried in an old abounded church. I enjoyed the story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another great novel featuring Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston in medieval England. Gruesome murders mixed with ecclesiastical and state politics. Really well- written with an array of colourful characters
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC
January 19, 2026
Excellent work
I love this story. I am appalled by how people lived at this time. This is one of the few authors that I love to do my own research on people of this time. I encourage you to read this series. It is a fabulous saga.
I love this story. I am appalled by how people lived at this time. This is one of the few authors that I love to do my own research on people of this time. I encourage you to read this series. It is a fabulous saga.
November 20, 2025
The central mystery is interesting, but the plotting is needlessly convoluted and there's little in the way of character development. The dialog is repetitive and weirdly stilted in a way that reminds me of a bad translation.
Received via NetGalley.
Received via NetGalley.
December 14, 2025
Paul Doherty is usually a sure thing for me—especially the Brother Athelstan series. He has a real gift for immersing readers in medieval London, and by book 24, Athelstan and his parishioners feel like old friends. That said, even long-running, beloved series can have the occasional misfire, and The Meadows of Murder didn’t quite work for me.
The novel juggles several mysteries at once: the execution-style killing of the fishmongers, the death of a man claiming sanctuary, the disappearance of the abbess and prioress (along with a treasure) at St. Osyth’s Priory, and the true identity of a servant at the priory. Although all of these threads do come together by the end, I found it difficult to stay fully engaged, and there was only one real “aha” moment for me.
That said, Athelstan’s lively parishioners are present and up to their usual antics—characters I continue to love. While this wasn’t a standout entry, my love for the series remains strong, and I’m looking forward to book 25.
Thank you Netgalley and Severn House for the ARC.
The novel juggles several mysteries at once: the execution-style killing of the fishmongers, the death of a man claiming sanctuary, the disappearance of the abbess and prioress (along with a treasure) at St. Osyth’s Priory, and the true identity of a servant at the priory. Although all of these threads do come together by the end, I found it difficult to stay fully engaged, and there was only one real “aha” moment for me.
That said, Athelstan’s lively parishioners are present and up to their usual antics—characters I continue to love. While this wasn’t a standout entry, my love for the series remains strong, and I’m looking forward to book 25.
Thank you Netgalley and Severn House for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews