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Somershill Manor Mystery #2
The Butcher Bird
Oswald de Lacy is growing up fast in his new position as Lord of Somershill Manor. However, there is still the same amount of work to be done in the farms and fields, and the few people left to do it think they should be paid more—something the King himself has forbidden.
Just as anger begins to spread, the story of the Butcher Bird takes flight. People claim to have witnessed a huge creature in the skies. A new-born baby is found impaled on a thorn bush. And then more children disappear. Convinced the bird is just a superstitious rumor, Oswald must discover what is really happening. He can expect no help from his snobbish mother and his scheming sister Clemence, who is determined to protect her own child, but happy to neglect her step-daughters.
From the plague-ruined villages of Kent to the thief-infested streets of London and the luxurious bedchamber of a bewitching lady, Oswald's journey is full of danger, dark intrigue, and shocking revelations.
Just as anger begins to spread, the story of the Butcher Bird takes flight. People claim to have witnessed a huge creature in the skies. A new-born baby is found impaled on a thorn bush. And then more children disappear. Convinced the bird is just a superstitious rumor, Oswald must discover what is really happening. He can expect no help from his snobbish mother and his scheming sister Clemence, who is determined to protect her own child, but happy to neglect her step-daughters.
From the plague-ruined villages of Kent to the thief-infested streets of London and the luxurious bedchamber of a bewitching lady, Oswald's journey is full of danger, dark intrigue, and shocking revelations.
342 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
72 people are currently reading
1219 people want to read
About the author
S.D. Sykes
6 books224 followersSD Sykes (Sarah) lives in Kent, but grew up in Somerset and then South London. She is a graduate from Manchester University and was inspired to finish her first novel, Plague Land, after attending the novel writing course at literary agents, Curtis Brown. She has also written for radio and has developed screenplays with Arts Council funding. She has a passion for medieval history, and her books in the Somershill Manor series, are set in 14th Century England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
October 7, 2018
'I've seen true nobility in you, brother'. Now she whispered into my ear. 'It is not blood that makes a lord. Oswald. It is heart.' We sat in silence and listened to Humbert's sweet singing from the garden....
Great historical mystery read. Quite enjoyable and interesting, for those who like historic reads. It's the sequel to Plague Land, which I read last year. This is a writer and series (which I suspect it will become) I will certainly follow Oswald on his next challenging adventures... .
April/May 1351: Oswald de Lacy was never meant to be the Lord of Somershill Manor, but with his father and brothers killed by the Plague, he returned from the monastery and took charge of the estate, with his annoying grim mother and his sarcastic sister..... Many of his villagers killed by the plague, fewer people are left do the work in the fields. Oswald tries to use logic and patience to manage his struggling estate. Then a baby is found impaled on a thorn bush and people say they have seen a huge creature in the skies... the Butcher Bird.
'From the plague-ruined villages of Kent to the luxurious and dangerous bedchambers of London, it is a journey full of danger, darkness and shocking revelations...'
S.D. Sykes has provided another page turning tale of murder and betrayal, sprinkled with a liberal dose of dark humour... Captivating and wonderfully evocative... I believed the perilous nature of the times and flinched from the raw stink and the healing concoctions as I attempted to unravel this knotty, yet compelling mystery. Medievalists.net; Lovereading
Great historical mystery read. Quite enjoyable and interesting, for those who like historic reads. It's the sequel to Plague Land, which I read last year. This is a writer and series (which I suspect it will become) I will certainly follow Oswald on his next challenging adventures... .
April/May 1351: Oswald de Lacy was never meant to be the Lord of Somershill Manor, but with his father and brothers killed by the Plague, he returned from the monastery and took charge of the estate, with his annoying grim mother and his sarcastic sister..... Many of his villagers killed by the plague, fewer people are left do the work in the fields. Oswald tries to use logic and patience to manage his struggling estate. Then a baby is found impaled on a thorn bush and people say they have seen a huge creature in the skies... the Butcher Bird.
'From the plague-ruined villages of Kent to the luxurious and dangerous bedchambers of London, it is a journey full of danger, darkness and shocking revelations...'
S.D. Sykes has provided another page turning tale of murder and betrayal, sprinkled with a liberal dose of dark humour... Captivating and wonderfully evocative... I believed the perilous nature of the times and flinched from the raw stink and the healing concoctions as I attempted to unravel this knotty, yet compelling mystery. Medievalists.net; Lovereading
September 6, 2017
‘It is not blood that makes a lord. Oswald. It is heart.’
I really like this series. Oswald is Lord Somershill by default: as the third son, he was never expected to inherit, but the Black Plague wiped out his brothers and father. He has his hands full learning to manage his estate. His mother and sister are difficult to say the least. In this the second of the series, Oswald, at only nineteen is growing into his role. He is pretty naive and makes a lot of mistakes, although he discovers the cause of the deaths in the end.
The context and the backdrop to the story reveals it as a time of great change. More than half of the villeins of his estate died in the plague, meaning less people to do the same amount of work and demanding higher wages, when it is illegal for Oswald to raise them. Poverty and hunger are at an all time high, empty houses are raided and stripped, pregnancies no longer welcomed.
We see quite clearly the fate of women in medieval society, bartered and married off, with no say in the matter and expected to reproduce. This provides the underlying disquiet which leads to the deaths in this book. We see once again the ignorance, bigotry and scapegoating of anyone in the small community who is different in any way"
Oswald makes a charmingly innocent and fairly incompetent investigator with a kind heart. He makes inroads into improving his relationships with his sister and step-nieces.
Recommended for fans of medieval historical fiction.
I really like this series. Oswald is Lord Somershill by default: as the third son, he was never expected to inherit, but the Black Plague wiped out his brothers and father. He has his hands full learning to manage his estate. His mother and sister are difficult to say the least. In this the second of the series, Oswald, at only nineteen is growing into his role. He is pretty naive and makes a lot of mistakes, although he discovers the cause of the deaths in the end.
The context and the backdrop to the story reveals it as a time of great change. More than half of the villeins of his estate died in the plague, meaning less people to do the same amount of work and demanding higher wages, when it is illegal for Oswald to raise them. Poverty and hunger are at an all time high, empty houses are raided and stripped, pregnancies no longer welcomed.
We see quite clearly the fate of women in medieval society, bartered and married off, with no say in the matter and expected to reproduce. This provides the underlying disquiet which leads to the deaths in this book. We see once again the ignorance, bigotry and scapegoating of anyone in the small community who is different in any way"
Oswald makes a charmingly innocent and fairly incompetent investigator with a kind heart. He makes inroads into improving his relationships with his sister and step-nieces.
Recommended for fans of medieval historical fiction.
June 23, 2016
Meaty characters, Oswald Lord Somershill a 19 year old treasure. His mother and sister finely drawn and peculiarly distinct personalities, as well.
Most of the book was a 4 star. The estate itself and Versey, the trip to London and the descriptions. Overall the after Plague English world of 1351 was developed to detail and rich toward the prose and texture of just that feel.
Yes, until the last 60 pages, I would have given this a 4 star without any equivocation.
Then the mystery of the missing nephew is solved and other former crimes of the Butcher Bird's deeds revealed. And in several of those declarations to explanations for former horrors? Well, the spell for this period's worldview, the "eyes" of cognition for those living in these exact economic and cultural dimensions; it just disappears. Instead we get strongly revisionist words coming out of 14th century's mouths? And also on top of it, a few extremely strange personality reversals? Probably to be dealt with in series book #3. But regardless, in more than one case children or adult- personality disordered or severely afflicted can't be SO changed. And I never doubt the women's wiles and practices, but very much doubt any mouthing to admittance or explanation during this period.
Maybe Oswald is even more naive than he believes he is? Oh, yes.
3.5 star and I'll read the next. The most compelling aspect for me in the entire book, was the emptiness- the ruined and abandoned- the mill wheel turning and left to fallen pieces. Society with 50 to 70% of the workers gone- how the others react. And those with no knowledge and even less direction trying to put the pattern to agriculture, trade, progress to produce a commodity of need NOW- all back together. Somehow.
Most of the book was a 4 star. The estate itself and Versey, the trip to London and the descriptions. Overall the after Plague English world of 1351 was developed to detail and rich toward the prose and texture of just that feel.
Yes, until the last 60 pages, I would have given this a 4 star without any equivocation.
Then the mystery of the missing nephew is solved and other former crimes of the Butcher Bird's deeds revealed. And in several of those declarations to explanations for former horrors? Well, the spell for this period's worldview, the "eyes" of cognition for those living in these exact economic and cultural dimensions; it just disappears. Instead we get strongly revisionist words coming out of 14th century's mouths? And also on top of it, a few extremely strange personality reversals? Probably to be dealt with in series book #3. But regardless, in more than one case children or adult- personality disordered or severely afflicted can't be SO changed. And I never doubt the women's wiles and practices, but very much doubt any mouthing to admittance or explanation during this period.
Maybe Oswald is even more naive than he believes he is? Oh, yes.
3.5 star and I'll read the next. The most compelling aspect for me in the entire book, was the emptiness- the ruined and abandoned- the mill wheel turning and left to fallen pieces. Society with 50 to 70% of the workers gone- how the others react. And those with no knowledge and even less direction trying to put the pattern to agriculture, trade, progress to produce a commodity of need NOW- all back together. Somehow.
October 18, 2015
The Butcher Bird once again plunges the reader into the raw and blighted world of 14th century England. Like S D Sykes’ debut novel, Plague Land: A Novel,it features 19-year old Oswald de Lacy, the appealingly hapless Lord of Somershill Manor, but has been cleverly structured so it can be read alone. Oswald is still attempting to run his run-down Kentish estate though much hindered by his resentful staff, rebellious tenants and dreadful family. When a baby girl is found dead on a thorn bush, the superstitious villagers believe that a huge butcher bird has destroyed her. Educated at a monastery, Oswald’s sense of fairness sees him striving to battle ignorance and brutality as he pursues justice while the body count rises…
The book reaches a new depth as Oswald tries to assume greater authority over his crumbling world; like many historical plague survivors he has been burdened with responsibilities beyond his years. Yet there is a secret behind this and an underlying irony to the whole authority issue that works extremely well. My favourite section is the journey to London through a chaotic landscape. London itself is a fascinating and hostile city of economic migrants, and also home to an alluring femme fatale, Eloise Cooper. Her nouveau riche home on the Strand invites us to sample 14th century luxury: French spiced food, imported delights and, of great significance to Oswald, a deep and welcoming feather bed. Oswald’s burgeoning manhood is also at the humorous fore in his attachment to his ‘indecent manuscripts’ hidden under his mattress (the mind boggles).
So what is the significance of the Butcher Bird? Although I guessed some of the strands to this compelling mystery, there are plenty of enjoyable twists and turns to puzzle over and an intriguing answer. The parallels to our own age are occasionally uncanny: economic migrants and lawlessness stalk the dangerous roads and rational good sense is overwhelmed by credulous stupidity. I hear the next instalment will see Oswald setting off for the Holy Land by way of Venice. That’s a treat I’m already looking forward to.
The book reaches a new depth as Oswald tries to assume greater authority over his crumbling world; like many historical plague survivors he has been burdened with responsibilities beyond his years. Yet there is a secret behind this and an underlying irony to the whole authority issue that works extremely well. My favourite section is the journey to London through a chaotic landscape. London itself is a fascinating and hostile city of economic migrants, and also home to an alluring femme fatale, Eloise Cooper. Her nouveau riche home on the Strand invites us to sample 14th century luxury: French spiced food, imported delights and, of great significance to Oswald, a deep and welcoming feather bed. Oswald’s burgeoning manhood is also at the humorous fore in his attachment to his ‘indecent manuscripts’ hidden under his mattress (the mind boggles).
So what is the significance of the Butcher Bird? Although I guessed some of the strands to this compelling mystery, there are plenty of enjoyable twists and turns to puzzle over and an intriguing answer. The parallels to our own age are occasionally uncanny: economic migrants and lawlessness stalk the dangerous roads and rational good sense is overwhelmed by credulous stupidity. I hear the next instalment will see Oswald setting off for the Holy Land by way of Venice. That’s a treat I’m already looking forward to.
February 7, 2017
As good as the first book in the series, although the plots are a little too similar. Oswald continues to grow into his position as Lord of Somershill, and I loved the development of his relationship with his sister Clemence and his gradual disenchantment from his youthful naivety and misconceptions. These are very well written, and add much credibility to the characters and story. The historical background is well-researched and anything but boring. I cannot begin to imagine how people survived those times, with the unbelievable poverty, lack of freedom and almost no possibility of social mobility, disease and retarded superstitions all around. The resilience of those people is to be envied, I would never have been able to endure what they have, especially the women of the period. Fascinating and engrossing stuff, highly recommended. Waiting for the third one to come out!
December 17, 2015
enjoyed this book in the series better based in the years just after the black death and oswald has to deal with the death of a child found in the village and liked how the characters got more developed compared with the 1 st book as the world oswald lives in is everchanging and confusing with social aspects.
October 19, 2021
Second book of the Historical Mystery Oswald de Lacy series. Technically these are murder mysteries, which isn't usually a genre I go to, but they are so well-written and the historical aspects appeal to me that I really enjoy these books. This one takes place at the tail end of the first wave of the Black Death.
A baby has been killed and local superstition points the finger at one of the village men, claiming he controls a large, terrible and murderous bird they call the Butcher Bird. Oswald, who was never meant to be Lord of the Manor but was thrust in the role when his older brothers all died of the plague, sets out to learn what really happened to the child. The difficulty caused by the locals' belief in the Butcher Bird is hard to surmount.
Against this task Oswald also has to step in when his sister is near death from childbirth because her mother's physician and his 'experimental methods' are doing more harm than good. He and his mother lock horns because Oswald, his mother and his sister are the only people who know that Oswald is actually an imposter, a changeling from when a common woman was wet nurse to the real Oswald and the sickly child died, so she substituted her own son out of fear of being blamed for the noble child's death.
The writing is very good in these and the editing is spotless. The only thing I don't like is that Oswald himself is a weak character (not weak writing, weak personality) although he does develop some strength by the time this one is over.
There are interesting subplots woven in and a couple of good twists that make the story well worthwhile. The mystery does get solved at the end and I think a lot of people will be surprised by it. I certainly was.
A baby has been killed and local superstition points the finger at one of the village men, claiming he controls a large, terrible and murderous bird they call the Butcher Bird. Oswald, who was never meant to be Lord of the Manor but was thrust in the role when his older brothers all died of the plague, sets out to learn what really happened to the child. The difficulty caused by the locals' belief in the Butcher Bird is hard to surmount.
Against this task Oswald also has to step in when his sister is near death from childbirth because her mother's physician and his 'experimental methods' are doing more harm than good. He and his mother lock horns because Oswald, his mother and his sister are the only people who know that Oswald is actually an imposter, a changeling from when a common woman was wet nurse to the real Oswald and the sickly child died, so she substituted her own son out of fear of being blamed for the noble child's death.
The writing is very good in these and the editing is spotless. The only thing I don't like is that Oswald himself is a weak character (not weak writing, weak personality) although he does develop some strength by the time this one is over.
There are interesting subplots woven in and a couple of good twists that make the story well worthwhile. The mystery does get solved at the end and I think a lot of people will be surprised by it. I certainly was.
April 7, 2016
Few writers can put you right in the middle of medieval England in all its stench and glory like S.D. Sykes. The Butcher Bird is the perfect follow-up to Plague Land, although Sykes provides enough backstory that newcomers don't really need to read the first book. (If you're a fan of the period, read it anyway!)
Dare I say it, but the death of a baby seems a welcome distraction to Oswald de Lacy. Barely nineteen, he was never meant to be lord of the manor. Instead he was sent to a monastery at the age of seven to lead the religious life until his father and two brothers died of the plague. Now Oswald finds himself thrust into a job he has no training or aptitude for-- and at a time when the whole world is changing. Although the work load remains the same, there are so few peasants left to do it that they are realizing that they can demand higher wages. Naturally the nobility passes a law to prevent that, and Oswald finds himself caught in the middle. He wants to pay his people more money, but he's afraid of the spies who are roaming the countryside to check up on everyone.
As Oswald begins to investigate the baby's death, he sees that-- once again-- fear + ignorance = hatred. Not only do his villagers not want to work for him, they have no intentions of being swayed from their belief in the Butcher Bird. As he struggles to find clues, we are taken on an up-close-and-personal tour of village life immediately following the ravages of the plague. It is fascinating, revolting, funny, and heartbreaking-- and Sykes makes us see and feel it all.
I would imagine that some readers will find Oswald too weak to be the main character. I don't. It's his weakness that makes him perfect for the role. So what if he's not been trained for his role in life? So what if he doesn't seem to have any real aptitude for it? He is an intelligent young man who genuinely wants to do good, and he's taken over Somershill Manor at the precise time that the old world is changing. He's also a teenage boy filled with raging hormones and a fascination with himself. At the end of The Butcher Bird, one of the villagers looks Oswald right in the eye and says, "There is a butcher bird in Somershill." What I cannot wait to see is how Oswald assimilates that statement, and yes, that means I'm eagerly awaiting book number three.
In this second book I found the mystery rather easily solved, especially if one uses the deductive powers of one's heart over one's mind. However, this is such a wonderful evocation of time and place that I can easily overlook something like that. (I do wish I could overlook de Lacy's mother and sister as easily, although I know that they represent the whining, complaining Chorus of Things Past.) Oswald has reached a turning point at the end of this book, and I want to see what he does next.
It's going to be a long, long wait for book number three....
Dare I say it, but the death of a baby seems a welcome distraction to Oswald de Lacy. Barely nineteen, he was never meant to be lord of the manor. Instead he was sent to a monastery at the age of seven to lead the religious life until his father and two brothers died of the plague. Now Oswald finds himself thrust into a job he has no training or aptitude for-- and at a time when the whole world is changing. Although the work load remains the same, there are so few peasants left to do it that they are realizing that they can demand higher wages. Naturally the nobility passes a law to prevent that, and Oswald finds himself caught in the middle. He wants to pay his people more money, but he's afraid of the spies who are roaming the countryside to check up on everyone.
As Oswald begins to investigate the baby's death, he sees that-- once again-- fear + ignorance = hatred. Not only do his villagers not want to work for him, they have no intentions of being swayed from their belief in the Butcher Bird. As he struggles to find clues, we are taken on an up-close-and-personal tour of village life immediately following the ravages of the plague. It is fascinating, revolting, funny, and heartbreaking-- and Sykes makes us see and feel it all.
I would imagine that some readers will find Oswald too weak to be the main character. I don't. It's his weakness that makes him perfect for the role. So what if he's not been trained for his role in life? So what if he doesn't seem to have any real aptitude for it? He is an intelligent young man who genuinely wants to do good, and he's taken over Somershill Manor at the precise time that the old world is changing. He's also a teenage boy filled with raging hormones and a fascination with himself. At the end of The Butcher Bird, one of the villagers looks Oswald right in the eye and says, "There is a butcher bird in Somershill." What I cannot wait to see is how Oswald assimilates that statement, and yes, that means I'm eagerly awaiting book number three.
In this second book I found the mystery rather easily solved, especially if one uses the deductive powers of one's heart over one's mind. However, this is such a wonderful evocation of time and place that I can easily overlook something like that. (I do wish I could overlook de Lacy's mother and sister as easily, although I know that they represent the whining, complaining Chorus of Things Past.) Oswald has reached a turning point at the end of this book, and I want to see what he does next.
It's going to be a long, long wait for book number three....
January 3, 2018
Very entertaining medieval mystery set during the aftermath of the Black Death.
August 17, 2016
This highly enjoyable sequel to Plague Lands once again pits young Oswald de Lacey against the superstitions of his tenants in 14th century England as he tries to solve the mystery of why two dead babies have been found impaled on thorn bushes near his manor in Kent.
The villagers, led by the father of one of the infants, believe that a distraught man in the village has somehow released a Butcher Bird that has swooped down and stolen the children. Oswald of course thinks this is nonsense, although he is disturbed by momentary sightings of a large bird in the village.
To complicate matters, he loses track of his two wild, rebellious nieces, who live in a neighboring castle and are at odds with his sister Clemence, who married their father, who has since died. Oswald eventually tracks the girls to London and the home of their father's sister, the ravishing Eloise, with whom he has a brief affair.
Oswald is making little progress in solving the murders when suddenly his sister's newborn and the heir to her castle is snatched, and events rush headlong toward a tense but satisfying conclusion.
I understand Sykes has already finished book three in this series, and I look forward to its publication, because she can not only tell a good tale, but provides fascinating details about medieval English life in the process.
The villagers, led by the father of one of the infants, believe that a distraught man in the village has somehow released a Butcher Bird that has swooped down and stolen the children. Oswald of course thinks this is nonsense, although he is disturbed by momentary sightings of a large bird in the village.
To complicate matters, he loses track of his two wild, rebellious nieces, who live in a neighboring castle and are at odds with his sister Clemence, who married their father, who has since died. Oswald eventually tracks the girls to London and the home of their father's sister, the ravishing Eloise, with whom he has a brief affair.
Oswald is making little progress in solving the murders when suddenly his sister's newborn and the heir to her castle is snatched, and events rush headlong toward a tense but satisfying conclusion.
I understand Sykes has already finished book three in this series, and I look forward to its publication, because she can not only tell a good tale, but provides fascinating details about medieval English life in the process.
August 19, 2017
Fascinating window into 14th century England through the mystery of a mysterious bird -- the butcher bird -- having killed an infant, child of one of Lord Oswald de Lacy's tenants. He sets out to find the murderer and give sanctuary to a man who his tenants feel is the culprit. The man appears to be mad. Oswald's two nieces disappear and he travels to London to find them. His nephew disappears and another infant is killed. Who or what is the butcher-bird? The story moved along at a good clip; only the ending was a bit convoluted for my taste. I will read others in this series. Oswald was an appealing hero.
October 5, 2021
Good story, but I didn’t warm up to the characters. Oswald was annoyingly wishy-washy and everyone else was downright unpleasant. Except Hector, and he’s a dog.
On the plus side, the author did a great job of conveying the squalor and harshness of living in the Middle Ages, and I loved the final “reveal” about the true butcher bird.
On the plus side, the author did a great job of conveying the squalor and harshness of living in the Middle Ages, and I loved the final “reveal” about the true butcher bird.
April 10, 2017
The Butcher Bird is a mesmerising mystery as an epidemic of a different kind arrives in Somershill, one spread by panic and fear. After disease flocked to our 14th century shores with no regard for social status, the years that follow breed superstition and madness, although it’s exceptionally difficult to tell which when dealing with the tenants under Oswald de Lacy’s jurisdiction.
Poor Oswald. The naïve, spoiled novice we met in Plague Land and watched as he solved a medieval mystery involving a desperate persecution among the locals, only to unearth more skeletons in his family’s cupboard than any person should have accrued in a lifetime. Having left his cloistered life to reluctantly accept a title bestowed upon him, he discovers the hard way that time doesn’t heal everything: recent mass deaths have caused an abrupt shortage of labour, wage grievances entice his tenants to greener pastures, and the contempt the rest of the villagers feel for their newly appointed young Lord could easily result in heckling given the slightest opportunity.
Inadequacies of his servants, the senseless laws he must uphold, his mother re-enacting tragedy at every waking moment and her physician who believes dung cures all known ailments chips away at him from all sides. Add to that a heavily pregnant, condescending widow, who is also his sister, and her feral step-daughters, well, his Lordship is wrung out by the ordeal. Even his horse requires bribery before considering a command!
Oswald barely has a moment in private to consult the ‘tempting’ manuscript he keeps hidden in his room when The Butcher Bird arrives in Somershill. This most recent challenge is the fantastical reasoning to explain how infants are missing from the safety of their cribs and are found dead in nearby shrubbery. As Oswald has morphed into a human misery magnet, unwillingly attracting the manor’s redundant souls who can no longer find their place in this baron world, he is tasked with discovering the whereabouts of a murderous beast. More importantly he must intervene to prevent the lynching of a grief-stricken local man accused of inviting this winged creature to feast on children after he lost his own during the pestilence.
From this point onward, everything that cannot be explained by simple means is the fault of The Butcher Bird , or Oswald himself. The gravity of the grim riddle that taunts him is complimented by the amusing witlessness of humble folk, as they feign ignorance when it suits and develop a brutal shrewdness when beneficial. It’s essential in tales like these that the writing evokes the wretchedness of the era but in this case it also projects the physical disgust of our young investigator when approached by, well, people. At first he copes admirably, that is until they taint the moment by attempting to prolong a conversation, or heaven forbid touch him!
I’m incredibly fond of Oswald for both his poor judgement resulting from both an aversion to peasants and also his own confidence, even when he’s on the right track. Life is certainly more illuminating outside monastic walls; Oswald de Lacy may be a novice in every respect but he’s learning, and witnessing his progress after he’s considered the bleakness faced by others is the pearl in a sea of despair.
Source: My own purchased copy. Another one off the personal TBR bites the dust, and quite brilliant it was too – just like Plague Land (Book 1) which I read back in 2014! Very much looking forward to City of Masks (Book 3) which will be published in July!
Poor Oswald. The naïve, spoiled novice we met in Plague Land and watched as he solved a medieval mystery involving a desperate persecution among the locals, only to unearth more skeletons in his family’s cupboard than any person should have accrued in a lifetime. Having left his cloistered life to reluctantly accept a title bestowed upon him, he discovers the hard way that time doesn’t heal everything: recent mass deaths have caused an abrupt shortage of labour, wage grievances entice his tenants to greener pastures, and the contempt the rest of the villagers feel for their newly appointed young Lord could easily result in heckling given the slightest opportunity.
Inadequacies of his servants, the senseless laws he must uphold, his mother re-enacting tragedy at every waking moment and her physician who believes dung cures all known ailments chips away at him from all sides. Add to that a heavily pregnant, condescending widow, who is also his sister, and her feral step-daughters, well, his Lordship is wrung out by the ordeal. Even his horse requires bribery before considering a command!
Oswald barely has a moment in private to consult the ‘tempting’ manuscript he keeps hidden in his room when The Butcher Bird arrives in Somershill. This most recent challenge is the fantastical reasoning to explain how infants are missing from the safety of their cribs and are found dead in nearby shrubbery. As Oswald has morphed into a human misery magnet, unwillingly attracting the manor’s redundant souls who can no longer find their place in this baron world, he is tasked with discovering the whereabouts of a murderous beast. More importantly he must intervene to prevent the lynching of a grief-stricken local man accused of inviting this winged creature to feast on children after he lost his own during the pestilence.
From this point onward, everything that cannot be explained by simple means is the fault of The Butcher Bird , or Oswald himself. The gravity of the grim riddle that taunts him is complimented by the amusing witlessness of humble folk, as they feign ignorance when it suits and develop a brutal shrewdness when beneficial. It’s essential in tales like these that the writing evokes the wretchedness of the era but in this case it also projects the physical disgust of our young investigator when approached by, well, people. At first he copes admirably, that is until they taint the moment by attempting to prolong a conversation, or heaven forbid touch him!
I’m incredibly fond of Oswald for both his poor judgement resulting from both an aversion to peasants and also his own confidence, even when he’s on the right track. Life is certainly more illuminating outside monastic walls; Oswald de Lacy may be a novice in every respect but he’s learning, and witnessing his progress after he’s considered the bleakness faced by others is the pearl in a sea of despair.
Source: My own purchased copy. Another one off the personal TBR bites the dust, and quite brilliant it was too – just like Plague Land (Book 1) which I read back in 2014! Very much looking forward to City of Masks (Book 3) which will be published in July!
April 2, 2017
It's September, 1351, and young English lord Oswald Somerville is trying to balance a somewhat senile mother, a harridan of a pregnant sister, and a raft of grumpy and intransigent fiefs against a mere nineteen years of life and experience. With no one to really depend on – since the last person he leaned on turned out to be a bit obsessive and murderous and his current right hand is lazy and disrespectful – he has quite a job of work in front of him, and it is all suddenly made more difficult when news reaches him that a baby has been stolen and murdered by a butcher bird – a gigantic bird supposedly sired by one of Oswald's tenants on his dead wife. Now that tenant, driven mad by grief and trouble, is being hunted by the rest of the village who wants his blood, because of course it's all his fault, and Oswald is trying very hard to convince people he's just crazy, not sorcerous. Oh, and then there's also the fact that though the plague – sorry, the Plague – has literally decimated (or more) the population, and so fewer people have to work harder to get the same crops in et cetera, the King has forbidden his lords to raise wages. Which makes no sense at all from a modern perspective, nor from a tenant's perspective, nor even from Oswald's perspective … so just about everyone is on the verge of either leaving or rebelling.
Basically, Oswald's life is no fun at all.
And you know, after a certain point it's not fun to read about either. Oswald's okay; I don't mind him. He legitimately does his best. But my lord does everyone around him start to get to me after a minute. And he stands out so drastically as someone who is good-hearted, earnest, trying to do what's right for everyone around him … when everyone around him (everyone) is either out for himself or acting in a superstitious frenzy. But his sister is vicious, his mother is useless. The tenants want a) more money and b) to kill that guy they think is responsible for the baby's death. Oswald wants to give them more money, but he will be in huge trouble with the powers that be if he does; he does not want to give them the madman, but it gets harder and harder to keep him out of their clutches.
It's an intriguing setting – the secret of Oswald's history, which is revealed in a solid manner to someone who didn't read the first book in the series, leads to some very interesting dynamics with his family and within his own heart. It is all very much couched in a setting of medieval ignorance and superstition which I find I need to take in small doses; after a while I just find myself wanting to shake everyone till their brains rattle, because it might do them some good. I liked it; I don't think I liked Oswald enough to go back and tolerate his female kinsfolk in the first book or in books to come.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
Basically, Oswald's life is no fun at all.
And you know, after a certain point it's not fun to read about either. Oswald's okay; I don't mind him. He legitimately does his best. But my lord does everyone around him start to get to me after a minute. And he stands out so drastically as someone who is good-hearted, earnest, trying to do what's right for everyone around him … when everyone around him (everyone) is either out for himself or acting in a superstitious frenzy. But his sister is vicious, his mother is useless. The tenants want a) more money and b) to kill that guy they think is responsible for the baby's death. Oswald wants to give them more money, but he will be in huge trouble with the powers that be if he does; he does not want to give them the madman, but it gets harder and harder to keep him out of their clutches.
It's an intriguing setting – the secret of Oswald's history, which is revealed in a solid manner to someone who didn't read the first book in the series, leads to some very interesting dynamics with his family and within his own heart. It is all very much couched in a setting of medieval ignorance and superstition which I find I need to take in small doses; after a while I just find myself wanting to shake everyone till their brains rattle, because it might do them some good. I liked it; I don't think I liked Oswald enough to go back and tolerate his female kinsfolk in the first book or in books to come.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
October 30, 2015
This is an absolutely fascinating and compelling story that I have enjoyed so much.
The reader is catapulted back through hundreds of years; the setting is the Summershill Estate in the Autumn of 1351. The Plague has decimated the estate, in fact the whole country will never be the same again. Half of the population have died, the farms and estates are failing and superstition and suspicion abound.
Oswald de Lacy is the third son of the Summershill Estate, he was never meant to be the Lord, but the Plague did not only take the poor. So, after spending his formative years being educated in a monastery, he finds himself, aged just nineteen, in charge of the Manor and the Estate.
Not only does Oswald have to deal with the crumbling Estate, the lack of labour, the demand for higher wages and the idiocy of many of his servants; he also has to deal with his Mother and Sister. There can't be two other characters who are worse than these two. Spoilt, vindictive, ridiculous and quite frankly, just thorns in Oswald's side, Mother and Clemence really are literary gold. SD Sykes has an incredible imagination, backed up by impeccable research.She has created characters and a setting that jump from the pages, she combines humour and mood. The setting is wonderfully described, with turns of phrase that had me laughing and cringing within the same paragraph.
There is a mystery running through The Butcher Bird. and Oswald is determined to solve it. A young baby is found impaled on a thorn bush and the residents of the Estate are convinced that she was murdered by The Butcher Bird which was released when John Burrows opened up the casket of his dead wife. Oswald, being the educated man that he is, pours scorn on this and is determined to find out the truth.
The Butcher Bird is well plotted and is screaming with atmosphere. I was totally enveloped by Oswald's world and the pace never fails. For me, the stand out parts of this book are the descriptions: the journey through the streets of London, the food, the people; all so incredibly realistic and it all feels so authentic. Oswald is a great character, he constantly battles against the deep-set beliefs of those about him, he tries to be fair and to treat everyone with consideration, even those who prove him wrong. There are some wonderfully descriptive phrases, some of the characters have stunning one-liners and each of them, even the lowliest servant has huge character.
I have been captivated and fascinated by The Butcher Bird, it's a novel that has surprised me, but has delighted me. I really look forward to the next chapter in Oswald's life.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
The reader is catapulted back through hundreds of years; the setting is the Summershill Estate in the Autumn of 1351. The Plague has decimated the estate, in fact the whole country will never be the same again. Half of the population have died, the farms and estates are failing and superstition and suspicion abound.
Oswald de Lacy is the third son of the Summershill Estate, he was never meant to be the Lord, but the Plague did not only take the poor. So, after spending his formative years being educated in a monastery, he finds himself, aged just nineteen, in charge of the Manor and the Estate.
Not only does Oswald have to deal with the crumbling Estate, the lack of labour, the demand for higher wages and the idiocy of many of his servants; he also has to deal with his Mother and Sister. There can't be two other characters who are worse than these two. Spoilt, vindictive, ridiculous and quite frankly, just thorns in Oswald's side, Mother and Clemence really are literary gold. SD Sykes has an incredible imagination, backed up by impeccable research.She has created characters and a setting that jump from the pages, she combines humour and mood. The setting is wonderfully described, with turns of phrase that had me laughing and cringing within the same paragraph.
There is a mystery running through The Butcher Bird. and Oswald is determined to solve it. A young baby is found impaled on a thorn bush and the residents of the Estate are convinced that she was murdered by The Butcher Bird which was released when John Burrows opened up the casket of his dead wife. Oswald, being the educated man that he is, pours scorn on this and is determined to find out the truth.
The Butcher Bird is well plotted and is screaming with atmosphere. I was totally enveloped by Oswald's world and the pace never fails. For me, the stand out parts of this book are the descriptions: the journey through the streets of London, the food, the people; all so incredibly realistic and it all feels so authentic. Oswald is a great character, he constantly battles against the deep-set beliefs of those about him, he tries to be fair and to treat everyone with consideration, even those who prove him wrong. There are some wonderfully descriptive phrases, some of the characters have stunning one-liners and each of them, even the lowliest servant has huge character.
I have been captivated and fascinated by The Butcher Bird, it's a novel that has surprised me, but has delighted me. I really look forward to the next chapter in Oswald's life.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
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May 10, 2016A year older, but still struggling with his obligations as lord of the manor, Oswald de Lacy is back in this second of S. D. Sykes gripping 14th century mystery series.
Oswald's superstitious peasants are convinced the "butcher bird' is responsible for carrying off two babies and leaving them impaled on thorns. Oswald scoffs at the idea a shrike, a tiny bird with the gruesome nickname, could be incapable of such a crime since its usual victims are insects, small birds and rodents. The villagers insist a crazed local man invoked demonic rites to create a monster bird with the habits of the shrike.
Oswald takes the accused into his custody to prevent villagers from lynching him while he launches an investigation of the crimes.
This is only one of a number of problems confronting the 19-year-old lord. Their number diminished by the Black Plague, his tenants are demanding higher wages, though the king has forbidden granting such pay increases. Oswald is torn between a desire to compensate and keep his laborers and fear of the king's retribution should he do so.
Meanwhile, he is constantly nagged by his witless mother, needled by his sister Clemence who wants assurance he will standby his promise to turn over property to the child she bore with her late husband. Adding to the turmoil, Clemence's neglected stepdaughters suddenly disappear and there are fears the Butcher Bird may have acquired a taste for older children.
When Oswald learns the truth about his own origins and is troubled about his future if the story is revealed.
As in the previous novel, Sykes provides comic relief (this time mainly from the foibles of Oswald' mother) to offset the horrors of the crimes, along with plenty of twists and a surprise ending. A worthy series. Looking forward to the next book.
Oswald's superstitious peasants are convinced the "butcher bird' is responsible for carrying off two babies and leaving them impaled on thorns. Oswald scoffs at the idea a shrike, a tiny bird with the gruesome nickname, could be incapable of such a crime since its usual victims are insects, small birds and rodents. The villagers insist a crazed local man invoked demonic rites to create a monster bird with the habits of the shrike.
Oswald takes the accused into his custody to prevent villagers from lynching him while he launches an investigation of the crimes.
This is only one of a number of problems confronting the 19-year-old lord. Their number diminished by the Black Plague, his tenants are demanding higher wages, though the king has forbidden granting such pay increases. Oswald is torn between a desire to compensate and keep his laborers and fear of the king's retribution should he do so.
Meanwhile, he is constantly nagged by his witless mother, needled by his sister Clemence who wants assurance he will standby his promise to turn over property to the child she bore with her late husband. Adding to the turmoil, Clemence's neglected stepdaughters suddenly disappear and there are fears the Butcher Bird may have acquired a taste for older children.
When Oswald learns the truth about his own origins and is troubled about his future if the story is revealed.
As in the previous novel, Sykes provides comic relief (this time mainly from the foibles of Oswald' mother) to offset the horrors of the crimes, along with plenty of twists and a surprise ending. A worthy series. Looking forward to the next book.
April 14, 2016
This is the second in the series, set in the Middle ages, a time period that I find fascinating. There was so much sickness, superstition and a strong belief in evil, the devil witches, strong ties to the church. This takes place after the plague has ended, so many dead including Oswald's elder brothers, leaving him the Lord of Somershill, though he had been raised in a monastery and was meant for the church. He is a rather naïve character, still very young and not being raised to assume control of the manor, has much to learn.
The plague presented an opportunity for many of the peasants to improve their status in life. With so many gone, some left moved into larger houses and now needing to do the work of many, they demanded more pay. As Oswald tries to deal with this a bigger problem presents itself. A baby is killed, said to be the work of the Butcher bird that many claim to have seen. There is much more to it of course, and Oswald as Lord, tries to find out the truth.
Atmospheric, more historical fiction than mystery, but the storyline flows well as Oswald also deals with problems of a personal nature. The characters are authentically portrayed as to the time period and despite the fact that many are unlikable they are interesting. This is a good solid series, well written and I look forward to the next one.
The plague presented an opportunity for many of the peasants to improve their status in life. With so many gone, some left moved into larger houses and now needing to do the work of many, they demanded more pay. As Oswald tries to deal with this a bigger problem presents itself. A baby is killed, said to be the work of the Butcher bird that many claim to have seen. There is much more to it of course, and Oswald as Lord, tries to find out the truth.
Atmospheric, more historical fiction than mystery, but the storyline flows well as Oswald also deals with problems of a personal nature. The characters are authentically portrayed as to the time period and despite the fact that many are unlikable they are interesting. This is a good solid series, well written and I look forward to the next one.
February 27, 2016
I SAY
If you like your crime fiction with a touch of history, you’ll love this book. Set in 1351, just after the Black Death ravaged Britain, it features Oswald, a 19-year-old with secrets in his past that threaten to be unmasked. As if that isn’t enough, he is faced with the murder of a child, which his superstitious friends and family are convinced has been committed by a bird sent by the devil – the Butcher Bird. It is up to Oswald to not only solve the crime but avoid causing a lynch mob in the process.
What’s so wonderful about this book is that not only does it feature a fascinating crime, with inevitable twists and red herrings, and characters that are utterly realistic, but it manages to bring history alive too. It’s not dry and boring. You’ll feel as if you have been transported back in time to Medieval times – a time full of people just like you and me, from annoying mum’s to nagging sisters. Entertaining, absorbing, and also educational, I thoroughly enjoyed this blast from the past. Give it a try – it’s time to get medieval!
If you like your crime fiction with a touch of history, you’ll love this book. Set in 1351, just after the Black Death ravaged Britain, it features Oswald, a 19-year-old with secrets in his past that threaten to be unmasked. As if that isn’t enough, he is faced with the murder of a child, which his superstitious friends and family are convinced has been committed by a bird sent by the devil – the Butcher Bird. It is up to Oswald to not only solve the crime but avoid causing a lynch mob in the process.
What’s so wonderful about this book is that not only does it feature a fascinating crime, with inevitable twists and red herrings, and characters that are utterly realistic, but it manages to bring history alive too. It’s not dry and boring. You’ll feel as if you have been transported back in time to Medieval times – a time full of people just like you and me, from annoying mum’s to nagging sisters. Entertaining, absorbing, and also educational, I thoroughly enjoyed this blast from the past. Give it a try – it’s time to get medieval!
March 24, 2018
Last time it was demon dogs, now it's a large hideous bird causing havoc in Somershill. Poor Oswald has to deal with the baby-killing beast while still recovering from finding out he is in fact not the lord of Somershill, thanks to a baby-swapping alcoholic monk. His insufferable mother drives him up the mansion wall, his sister grosses him out by sacking the wetnurse and breastfeeding her baby by herself, and the peasants are getting uppity. Despite these stressful circumstances, he manages to investigate murders and kidnappings, and is finally deflowered by an older woman. Most enjoyable.
July 13, 2017
A perfectly competent historical crime novel, I enjoyed the whole historical snapshot post the Black Death in England. Especially the whole labor demand supply dynamics. What I did not enjoy is he way a lovingly drawn historical tableau is entirely populated by characters who have entirely modern sensibilities. It jars and Oswald's sensitive new man persona is just weird.
February 12, 2018
Recommended historical fiction book about the aftermath of the Black Plague with a description of what went on in England during the time.
The story is about Oswald de Lacy,( or so we think he is until we are informed that he was actually somebody else ) who becames Lord Somershill after his father and two older brothers die of the plague. He is still young and not sure of himself as lord of the manor. Following the death of many people to the scourge, farm labor is scarce, and the population is starving. Still King Edward III issued an order that made it a crime to raise wages to pre the plague , Oswald feels otherwise . He is also troubled by the superstitions of the people of Somershill especially when two infants are snatched from their cradles and found dead near a blackthorn bush. A wretch who lost his family to the plague and who is rumored to have conjured up a demonic butcherbird after opening the coffin of his family, is blamed. The peasants are out to kill him and Oswald must prevent this lynching and arrive at the true cause of death and who was the perpetrator .
What I did not like in the book is the reference by the author to abortion that was practised readily during those times in view of the poverty amongst the population . It seemed to me that the author also tries to argue in favour since it is the woman’s body and she can decide who lives and who dies .
The story is about Oswald de Lacy,( or so we think he is until we are informed that he was actually somebody else ) who becames Lord Somershill after his father and two older brothers die of the plague. He is still young and not sure of himself as lord of the manor. Following the death of many people to the scourge, farm labor is scarce, and the population is starving. Still King Edward III issued an order that made it a crime to raise wages to pre the plague , Oswald feels otherwise . He is also troubled by the superstitions of the people of Somershill especially when two infants are snatched from their cradles and found dead near a blackthorn bush. A wretch who lost his family to the plague and who is rumored to have conjured up a demonic butcherbird after opening the coffin of his family, is blamed. The peasants are out to kill him and Oswald must prevent this lynching and arrive at the true cause of death and who was the perpetrator .
What I did not like in the book is the reference by the author to abortion that was practised readily during those times in view of the poverty amongst the population . It seemed to me that the author also tries to argue in favour since it is the woman’s body and she can decide who lives and who dies .
August 20, 2018
I like novels written by women, about women... even though the protagonist of these mysteries is the young Lord Somershill, in this installment many of the other characters are female, even including infant murder victims (not that that's a good thing). Although Oswald's mother continues to irk me as a shrill and shallow character, his sister is developing into a complex and interesting person. So too are several other village residents and the tale gradually evolves into a lesson on the power and powerlessness of women in medieval Britain.
March 16, 2020
First sentence: It was the tail end of the morning when the charges were laid before me and I would tell you I was tempted to laugh at first, for the story was nonsense.
Premise/plot: Oswald de Lacy is still settling into his new position as Lord of Somershill and Versey. While he’d hoped that things in the village would have calmed down, he is soon solving another murder or two. This time someone is targeting newborn babies. It’s gruesome and cruel. Can he solve the crime or will he be beguiled by a temptress?
My thoughts: I am liking this series. I like the continuation of the story and recurring characters. I am finding the plot to be more compelling than not. In fact the tension had been so strong that I have resorted to cheating with both books.
Quotes: Nothing can be counted upon in this world. Nothing at all. You might see the future as a progression of the past, but this is a fool’s notion, a delusion—for the future is as mixed up and unpredictable as a stew of leftovers. It could taste of anything. (43)
Premise/plot: Oswald de Lacy is still settling into his new position as Lord of Somershill and Versey. While he’d hoped that things in the village would have calmed down, he is soon solving another murder or two. This time someone is targeting newborn babies. It’s gruesome and cruel. Can he solve the crime or will he be beguiled by a temptress?
My thoughts: I am liking this series. I like the continuation of the story and recurring characters. I am finding the plot to be more compelling than not. In fact the tension had been so strong that I have resorted to cheating with both books.
Quotes: Nothing can be counted upon in this world. Nothing at all. You might see the future as a progression of the past, but this is a fool’s notion, a delusion—for the future is as mixed up and unpredictable as a stew of leftovers. It could taste of anything. (43)
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April 15, 2018Klasse!!!
March 10, 2023
Well paced decent historical mystery/crime based story. Some good characters.
June 13, 2025
Enjoyable sequel. In places formulaic but the humorous narrative perspective kept it amusing for me.
October 29, 2015
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The Butcher Bird hooked me right from the first page and it never let me go – I was engrossed from start to finish and what a brilliantly executed story this was. Though it is the second book of the series, it can be read on its own but I chose to read the first book, Plague Land, straight before and it felt great to be back in Somershill – with its uncomfortable dynamics and interesting characters. It’s made easy to get a feel for the backstory straight away as the author really builds up the layers of history and sets the scene well. Her vivid description and attention to detail from the characters’ appearances to their social standing and emotions all made me get into the story more and, having never read medieval mystery before, all my worries of the plot going over my head were thrown away right at the beginning. Butcher Bird isn’t the most complex of mystery novels but there are plenty of twists to lead you off track and I found it to be highly fascinating.
Oswald de Lacy, Lord of Somershill Manor, is a character I couldn’t help but root for. There were always so many things going on in his young life – from trying to uncover the mystery to deterring the ‘butcher bird’ theories and dealing with a group of pretty sour residents, not to mention his humorously mad mother and sister. With every turn of the page, Oswald had something else to deal with but I found him endearing and an easy character to like. Some of his descriptions of people made me laugh and I loved the style and tone to this book – how really he was talking to the reader rather than the author telling us what was happening. It allowed me to pick up on his feelings and doubts and so I found I had a good understanding of his character, unlike the miserable characters he had to face on a daily basis. The author’s characterisation was a strong point – I feel like I could picture the main characters exactly as was intended as there was plenty of effortless detail and research to her writing.
The event leading to the mystery of this novel made me wince, I have to admit. A new born baby is discovered impaled on a thorn bush – leading to the theory that is was the huge butcher bird that put it there. It seemed like everybody in Somershill had their own opinion on the matter, and most of them were to the belief that the butcher bird existed and did so, though Oswald spent a lot of time telling them that idea was ridiculous. As Oswald sets out to uncover what really happened, I was captivated by the idea of this massive creature – the butcher bird – and whether it truly existed. The idea sounded ridiculous and yet I couldn’t wait to read on and learn more. Each time I picked this book up, I read for far longer than I had intended to because it was mostly compelling and always intriguing. There were a couple of times I thought there was a bit of a lull in the narrative, where things seemed to go round in circles a little bit but the author soon brought the story out of it and a new strand to the mystery had me drawn back in. Twists and revelations had me turning the pages so quickly, ready to learn more and I thought the author’s control of the pace was great.
Other than the mystery, there’s plenty of things to keep the reader entertained in The Butcher Bird. One of my favourite parts was seeing Oswald’s family, his domineering mother and his heavily pregnant sister, Clemence. I loved the dynamics between them – how despite Oswald’s standing, his mother still always told him what to do and couldn’t believe it when he stood up for himself, against her. Clemence was quite cold and bossy, maybe a little bitter at times but I did like her character. I loved Oswald’s way of describing her and how humour was interlaced with the story involving his unbecoming family, who were a bit of a nightmare. I laughed out loud at some of the descriptions and things that happened, especially early on, which was a nice contrast to the rest of the story which although wasn’t overly serious, had a level of mystery that was more engaging and with the times than witty.
I truly enjoyed reading The Butcher Bird and having read it straight after Plague Land, I’m now a little sad to be approaching a book which has nothing to do with Somershill or Oswald de Lacy. I’m such a fan of Oswald’s character that it makes the books in this series so readable and I really can’t wait for the next instalment. Oswald is courageous and has inner strengths, not necessarily the obvious fit to his role but that makes him so interesting to read about as it’s equally a case of seeing him learn more about his role and the people he encounters than solving the mystery. Seeing him grow as a character and uncover the truth was very satisfying and I found The Butcher Bird to be even stronger than Plague Land – but both are fantastic novels.
(review copy)
January 8, 2025
Well written but it’s a very dark and depressing story. But I finished it.
September 27, 2022
The genre is full of mediocrity, but this historical mystery series is wonderful.
April 2, 2018
Oswald de Lacy has been thrust into the position of lord of Somershill, following the death of his father and older brothers. Following the events of the previous book, Plague Land, he continues to battle with resentful villagers, mostly his tenants who are struggling to survive after the plague has wiped out so many of them and asking for increased wages for their heavier workload - wages that by law he is not permitted to give. He has to deal with his manipulative mother and sharp-tongued sister Clemence, and truculent servants who still view him as a boy. Then an infant is found dead in a thorn bush, and stories begin to circulate of a sinister butcher bird that preys on children, and Oswald must investigate the killing while attempting to manage the growing fear and superstition of the villagers.
Like the previous book, this is an intelligent and well-researched historical mystery that does not shy away from revealing the poverty, misery and brutality of life in the fourteenth century. The descriptions of London, especially the hubbub of London Bridge, are fascinating in their detail and an interesting contrast to the rural life portrayed at Somershill. Oswald is a likeable but rather naive lad, but he has a determination to do right and a sense of justice that lead him in the right direction. His attempts to take on the role that is expected of him, and the mistakes caused by his inexperience, are very convincing and build a well rounded character.
Like the first book, there are a few very unpleasant scenes that are not for the faint-hearted - this is not a book in the light hearted mystery mould, although there are certainly also moments of humour. However, I found it a very satisfying read and I am looking forward to seeing where Oswald's path will take him next.
Like the previous book, this is an intelligent and well-researched historical mystery that does not shy away from revealing the poverty, misery and brutality of life in the fourteenth century. The descriptions of London, especially the hubbub of London Bridge, are fascinating in their detail and an interesting contrast to the rural life portrayed at Somershill. Oswald is a likeable but rather naive lad, but he has a determination to do right and a sense of justice that lead him in the right direction. His attempts to take on the role that is expected of him, and the mistakes caused by his inexperience, are very convincing and build a well rounded character.
Like the first book, there are a few very unpleasant scenes that are not for the faint-hearted - this is not a book in the light hearted mystery mould, although there are certainly also moments of humour. However, I found it a very satisfying read and I am looking forward to seeing where Oswald's path will take him next.
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