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Stephen Attebrook Mysteries #5
Saint Milburga's Bones
War has come again to the March of England and Wales. An army under Prince Edward is massing at Ludlow to subdue the Welsh after their invasion of the autumn of 1262, which caused so much devastation and suffering in England.
Stephen Attebrook, the deputy coroner, wants more than anything to be part of that army, despite his maimed foot, hoping for a stroke of luck that will bring him to the attention of some magnate and free him from the poverty and the lack of prospects of his dead end position.
Yet Fate conspires against him. His infirmity will not be overlooked. Moreover, other matters are forced upon him — the body of a missing Ludlow castle guard is discovered at the foot of the castle walls and the precious relic of a saint intended as a gift for Prince Edward goes missing from a locked and guarded chamber.
Stephen’s superior, Sir Geoffrey Randall, is quick to volunteer his services to Edward to find the relic. The commission thrusts Stephen into the path of a bitter and powerful enemy, Earl Percival FitzAllen. And the search for the relic — and the guard’s killer — leads deep into Wales itself, where Stephen finds the battle he craves.
Stephen Attebrook, the deputy coroner, wants more than anything to be part of that army, despite his maimed foot, hoping for a stroke of luck that will bring him to the attention of some magnate and free him from the poverty and the lack of prospects of his dead end position.
Yet Fate conspires against him. His infirmity will not be overlooked. Moreover, other matters are forced upon him — the body of a missing Ludlow castle guard is discovered at the foot of the castle walls and the precious relic of a saint intended as a gift for Prince Edward goes missing from a locked and guarded chamber.
Stephen’s superior, Sir Geoffrey Randall, is quick to volunteer his services to Edward to find the relic. The commission thrusts Stephen into the path of a bitter and powerful enemy, Earl Percival FitzAllen. And the search for the relic — and the guard’s killer — leads deep into Wales itself, where Stephen finds the battle he craves.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 9, 2021
Some old bones.
I must say that the bartering going back in fourth between Stephen, Gilbert an Harry makes for a read. Along with a good English mystery an this time there is alot of deaths that need figure in out an long with some old Saints bones with some big ass stones that go missing. Will Stephen figure out who killed who for what. An will he get his just rewards???
I must say that the bartering going back in fourth between Stephen, Gilbert an Harry makes for a read. Along with a good English mystery an this time there is alot of deaths that need figure in out an long with some old Saints bones with some big ass stones that go missing. Will Stephen figure out who killed who for what. An will he get his just rewards???
November 13, 2020
Frustrating
I really am beginning to get fed up with the way the author keeps piling bad luck on his main character. It is starting to get tedious. I skipped a lot of the book because it started to focus on the doings of other characters and I was just getting frustrated. I am going to give the next book in the series a go and if the main character is still treated so shabbily then I give up.
I really am beginning to get fed up with the way the author keeps piling bad luck on his main character. It is starting to get tedious. I skipped a lot of the book because it started to focus on the doings of other characters and I was just getting frustrated. I am going to give the next book in the series a go and if the main character is still treated so shabbily then I give up.
October 27, 2015
This book had the makings of a much better story than the others but it ran up short - sadly.
Attebrook has to find the stolen relic of St Milburga as well as find the killers of a couple of people alnog the way, which all made for a strong mystery. However the story seemed to rush to a conclusion in the last two chapters which was a shame. Attebrook leads a defence in an army skirmish which is also not concuded - the assumption on my part is that the political fallout alluded to in the story will be finished in another book?
I was really enjoying this story until the end - shame. Still a good 3 stars tho.
Attebrook has to find the stolen relic of St Milburga as well as find the killers of a couple of people alnog the way, which all made for a strong mystery. However the story seemed to rush to a conclusion in the last two chapters which was a shame. Attebrook leads a defence in an army skirmish which is also not concuded - the assumption on my part is that the political fallout alluded to in the story will be finished in another book?
I was really enjoying this story until the end - shame. Still a good 3 stars tho.
January 26, 2018
Thereby a Tale of Mediaeval Mystery
My complaint about all of Stephen Attebrook's tales is the fact that they are printed using USA spelling. These coloUrful stories set in England and Wales should at least be told in UK English of today which will make them more rounded and acceptable historical " memories ".
ALSO
The e-book proof readers, if there are any, are overpaid no matter the sum.
My complaint about all of Stephen Attebrook's tales is the fact that they are printed using USA spelling. These coloUrful stories set in England and Wales should at least be told in UK English of today which will make them more rounded and acceptable historical " memories ".
ALSO
The e-book proof readers, if there are any, are overpaid no matter the sum.
September 28, 2019
What do you do if you're a medieval knight who suffers just severe enough a wound that you can no longer soldier, but you still need to make a living for yourself and your young son? Anything that pays, that's what. And that's what Stephen Attebrook does when the returns to England from the wars in Spain. Leveraging his better-off relations and taking what work he can find, he agrees to serve as the deputy coroner for Ludlow, a town on the volatile and sometimes dangerous frontier with Wales.
This fifth book in the Attebrook series finds the all-too-interesting events of the autumn of 1262 and winter of 1263 coming to a close, but more turmoil is on the horizon. King Henry III is facing Welsh rebels on the border and supporters of rebel Simon de Montfort at home, so he dispatches his son Prince Edward to the Welsh border to control the situation there. For a short time, Edward and his small army encamp at Ludlow and bring chaos with them. One of the local castle guards is mysteriously murdered, and more importantly, a sacred relic brought as a gift to the Prince is stolen and, apparently, desecrated. Caught up in all these events, Attebrook and his friend, the innkeeper Gilbert Wistwode, have to solve both mysteries simultaneously--and determine whether they are related.
This may be Vail's most "even" book so far, and I like how both he and I are settling into the series. Geographical borders are expanded a bit in this story, but most of it still takes place in the now-familiar environs of Ludlow and the adjacent villages. The old settings are here: the Wobbly Kettle bathhouse and brothel, Wistwode's Broken Shield inn, the castle, St. Laurence's church, Galdeford, and more. The cast of regular characters are here too, mostly unchanged with two exceptions: Stephen himself is becoming more desperate that he will never be able to escape his looming poverty, and will never return to the life of a knight errant that he loved; and the legless beggar Harry, who lives in Wistwode's stable, who has been undergoing a transformation of sorts since the last book, and who is increasingly emerging as a gifted craftsman.
In fact, one of his experimental creations gives Stephen a faint hope that he will be able to return to soldiering. The plot even leads Stephen out of the story for a while, focusing instead on Gilbert's autonomous investigations of the crimes in Ludlow. While he's doing that, Stephen is sent abroad on a mission for the Prince which gives him a chance to taste battle once again--and gives Vail the opportunity to display his deep knowledge of medieval warfare, which he does at least once in every book in the series.
Since at this point loyal readers know that sometimes Vail wraps his books up with a nice closure at the end, and sometimes he leaves us hanging while the story leads right into the next book, I won't give any hints as to which pattern this book follows. Suffice to say that whatever successes he might experience in the course of this tale, by its end Stephen is in as dire a strait as he's experienced since his return from Spain--and he suffers a devastating loss.
There are only two brief instances in this story of the awkward and artificial-sounding dialog that I've complained about in Vail's earlier works, and they're short enough that I could overlook them. In all, Vail's writing skill (or the skill of his editor, who knows) has clearly grown from what was displayed in the earlier works.
And I have to give real credit for the fact that not only does the book contain the now-familiar map of the town of Ludlow, it also contains a diagram of the castle and a map of the journey Stephen undertakes for Prince Edward. These two illustrations make the entire story much easier to follow than if they were absent, and I compliment the publisher for including them. Now, if only all three had the same style and didn't look like a Frankenstein collection...
This fifth book in the Attebrook series finds the all-too-interesting events of the autumn of 1262 and winter of 1263 coming to a close, but more turmoil is on the horizon. King Henry III is facing Welsh rebels on the border and supporters of rebel Simon de Montfort at home, so he dispatches his son Prince Edward to the Welsh border to control the situation there. For a short time, Edward and his small army encamp at Ludlow and bring chaos with them. One of the local castle guards is mysteriously murdered, and more importantly, a sacred relic brought as a gift to the Prince is stolen and, apparently, desecrated. Caught up in all these events, Attebrook and his friend, the innkeeper Gilbert Wistwode, have to solve both mysteries simultaneously--and determine whether they are related.
This may be Vail's most "even" book so far, and I like how both he and I are settling into the series. Geographical borders are expanded a bit in this story, but most of it still takes place in the now-familiar environs of Ludlow and the adjacent villages. The old settings are here: the Wobbly Kettle bathhouse and brothel, Wistwode's Broken Shield inn, the castle, St. Laurence's church, Galdeford, and more. The cast of regular characters are here too, mostly unchanged with two exceptions: Stephen himself is becoming more desperate that he will never be able to escape his looming poverty, and will never return to the life of a knight errant that he loved; and the legless beggar Harry, who lives in Wistwode's stable, who has been undergoing a transformation of sorts since the last book, and who is increasingly emerging as a gifted craftsman.
In fact, one of his experimental creations gives Stephen a faint hope that he will be able to return to soldiering. The plot even leads Stephen out of the story for a while, focusing instead on Gilbert's autonomous investigations of the crimes in Ludlow. While he's doing that, Stephen is sent abroad on a mission for the Prince which gives him a chance to taste battle once again--and gives Vail the opportunity to display his deep knowledge of medieval warfare, which he does at least once in every book in the series.
Since at this point loyal readers know that sometimes Vail wraps his books up with a nice closure at the end, and sometimes he leaves us hanging while the story leads right into the next book, I won't give any hints as to which pattern this book follows. Suffice to say that whatever successes he might experience in the course of this tale, by its end Stephen is in as dire a strait as he's experienced since his return from Spain--and he suffers a devastating loss.
There are only two brief instances in this story of the awkward and artificial-sounding dialog that I've complained about in Vail's earlier works, and they're short enough that I could overlook them. In all, Vail's writing skill (or the skill of his editor, who knows) has clearly grown from what was displayed in the earlier works.
And I have to give real credit for the fact that not only does the book contain the now-familiar map of the town of Ludlow, it also contains a diagram of the castle and a map of the journey Stephen undertakes for Prince Edward. These two illustrations make the entire story much easier to follow than if they were absent, and I compliment the publisher for including them. Now, if only all three had the same style and didn't look like a Frankenstein collection...
January 27, 2025
Almost forgot to review this! Was already into the next story.
As gruesome and grimy (its the 1200's) and murdery as these are, they are also kind of cozy. I get to see Gilbert and Harry's relationship with Stephen grow as they work to solve these murders together.
Harry with Jen is a revelation in this one, with a side hustle, and I genuinely felt annoyed at how Stephen got SHAFTED!
The poor man just needs a break! And obviously the love of a good woman HA!
Anyway- spoilers and highlights:
This was unusual, dealing with a Prince and war with the Welsh. Some light raiding which I was surprised Stephen indulged in but at least he kept the others from worse.
As always, he ends up imprisoned at some point and I was really cheesed that he had to give up an expensive stallion to get that pardon. That burned...
The fact that Stephen suspected the monks was refreshing as well as he found a nice way to get Gilbert out of trouble with them.
Stephen at his best:
Stephen was no more accustomed to suffering such insults than Walter Henle might be, but for the sake of his inquiry, he held back a sharp retort.
It was too bad Gilbert wasn’t here so he could get credit for it.
Loved this with Gilbert:
"As they wended their way toward the gate, Stephen said, “You know, there is one thing about you that has always wounded me.”
“What is that?”
“You question everything I say.”
“You are so often wrong, after all. And I wouldn’t call it questioning; it is a fine and gentle guiding hand leading you away from error.”
As gruesome and grimy (its the 1200's) and murdery as these are, they are also kind of cozy. I get to see Gilbert and Harry's relationship with Stephen grow as they work to solve these murders together.
Harry with Jen is a revelation in this one, with a side hustle, and I genuinely felt annoyed at how Stephen got SHAFTED!
The poor man just needs a break! And obviously the love of a good woman HA!
Anyway- spoilers and highlights:
This was unusual, dealing with a Prince and war with the Welsh. Some light raiding which I was surprised Stephen indulged in but at least he kept the others from worse.
As always, he ends up imprisoned at some point and I was really cheesed that he had to give up an expensive stallion to get that pardon. That burned...
The fact that Stephen suspected the monks was refreshing as well as he found a nice way to get Gilbert out of trouble with them.
Stephen at his best:
Stephen was no more accustomed to suffering such insults than Walter Henle might be, but for the sake of his inquiry, he held back a sharp retort.
It was too bad Gilbert wasn’t here so he could get credit for it.
Loved this with Gilbert:
"As they wended their way toward the gate, Stephen said, “You know, there is one thing about you that has always wounded me.”
“What is that?”
“You question everything I say.”
“You are so often wrong, after all. And I wouldn’t call it questioning; it is a fine and gentle guiding hand leading you away from error.”
March 13, 2022
Recovering the stolen bones of a saint brings Sir Stephen to the attention of Prince Edward. Because succeeding in this quest is not guaranteed, such august attention may not necessarily be a good thing, especially since the bones are encrusted with precious emeralds purchased by Stephen's bitter enemy to impress the monarch. Caught in mid leap between the proverbial fire and the frying pan, Sir Stephen solves the mystery through a combination of clever insights and bold action. This story shows the devastating and deadly power of the knightly sword in the hands of an expert.
July 24, 2021
Attebrook is denied his chance to fight the invading Welsh army because of his crippled foot, instead he is told to discover what happened to the Saints bones that were sent to Prince Edward. As always he has to deal with the enemies that his previous adventures have created, with little help from anyone but his close friends. Very good
August 22, 2021
i am tired of stephen getting the shaft.
and he is quite smart despite what gilbert says. he solves all the mysteries ultimately. why not let him get an actual reward that betters his life for once?
and he is quite smart despite what gilbert says. he solves all the mysteries ultimately. why not let him get an actual reward that betters his life for once?
December 28, 2024
very exciting book great read
Great read very exciting and surprising I recommend this book very much and Harry is getting more involved I like him he is very much a pain in Gilbert’s ass
Great read very exciting and surprising I recommend this book very much and Harry is getting more involved I like him he is very much a pain in Gilbert’s ass
October 23, 2017
Twists and Turns
Very good story within a story, though Sir Stephen still hasn't much of a providential future to look forward to at the end.
Very good story within a story, though Sir Stephen still hasn't much of a providential future to look forward to at the end.
November 20, 2020
Good read
Enjoy reading about the adventures of Stephen the description of the period in which the mystery takes place are very vivid
Enjoy reading about the adventures of Stephen the description of the period in which the mystery takes place are very vivid
April 26, 2021
Better and Better
The characters improve in depth and realism as the books go on. I would certainly continue to read the series
The characters improve in depth and realism as the books go on. I would certainly continue to read the series
December 19, 2021
An excellent book in an excellent series. Attebrook Mysteries are among my favorites. Reasonable, unpredictable, fun and entertaining, as well as educational. Can't be beat.
July 9, 2022
Satisfying
…as usual. Jason Vail has a way of ending his stories as a neat package, bow and all. I’m looking forward to book six.
…as usual. Jason Vail has a way of ending his stories as a neat package, bow and all. I’m looking forward to book six.
September 30, 2022
What is the Value of a Horse? Could be a man's life.
January 8, 2024
I have been reading the Stephen Attebrook mysteries on vacation this Christmas. I have really enjoyed following Stephen's adventures in the time of King Henry III--lots of action and spy activity.
August 19, 2024
Harry
Lots of loose threads. Many deaths. Who did what to whom? Soldiers, monks, the Prince. Where will Stephen go next?
Lots of loose threads. Many deaths. Who did what to whom? Soldiers, monks, the Prince. Where will Stephen go next?
September 7, 2015
Another solid Attebrook mystery
I enjoy the Stephen Attebrook mysteries for what they are. Not lengthy murder mysteries with likable main character and his supporting cast of returning characters. As Stephen is a medieval knight, down on his luck, there is usually at least one good fight scene of well-described sword play. Fun banter between the men. Enjoyable read. However, after 5 books, I'm ready for Stephen to catch a break. While the end provided a satisfying conclusion to the mystery, there was no similar satisfaction for our hero. Jason Vail, please, something good must eventually happen to our guy.
I enjoy the Stephen Attebrook mysteries for what they are. Not lengthy murder mysteries with likable main character and his supporting cast of returning characters. As Stephen is a medieval knight, down on his luck, there is usually at least one good fight scene of well-described sword play. Fun banter between the men. Enjoyable read. However, after 5 books, I'm ready for Stephen to catch a break. While the end provided a satisfying conclusion to the mystery, there was no similar satisfaction for our hero. Jason Vail, please, something good must eventually happen to our guy.
November 8, 2015
This is an entertaining series of medieval mysteries. This one, like the rest, is characterized by character and scene development but not by a great whodunnit. Who killed whom becomes almost secondary, but that doesn't detract from the story. The series has always been a bit on the dark side and I felt this one was even more so. Stephen Attebrook gets involved in plundering in Wales, there is rape, and torture is accepted as something that just happens in the justice system. Attebrook has always been a downcast figure and the end of the book (irrespective of the mystery) only deepens that.
May 10, 2016
#5 in the Sir Stephen Attebrook, down in his luck, and serving as a deputy coroner, for Ludlow near the Wales boarder mystery series set in March/April 1263. War with Wales serves as the background with Stephen seeking to find a murderer as well as who stole a secret relic. Turned down to fight in the war because of his maimed foot, he is hoping for a stroke of luck that will bring him to the attention of some magnate and free him from the poverty and the lack of prospects of his dead end position.
October 13, 2015
This has been an enjoyable historical fiction series - the main characters are so likable and diverse & the interplay amongst them truly adds to the story! The plot is well thought-out and not obvious as to "whodunit". Fans of historical fiction will definitely need to put this series on their To Read list!
January 31, 2016
Cant speak to the book
The formatting for this book made it unreadable. Literally unreadable. Sections of the book were missing with other sections duplicated. I have enjoyed this series of books but between typos in earlier books & the AWFUL formatting in this book Amazon owes this author an apology. And a refund to anyone who bought this book. So disappointing.
The formatting for this book made it unreadable. Literally unreadable. Sections of the book were missing with other sections duplicated. I have enjoyed this series of books but between typos in earlier books & the AWFUL formatting in this book Amazon owes this author an apology. And a refund to anyone who bought this book. So disappointing.
November 30, 2016
Poor Stephen!
This author writes very well but I wish he'd let his poor hero catch a break. I have read this and all others before it in the series. The plots are varied and well developed. the characters are believable and well drawn. The hero is both honorable and likeable. He just never really gets anything but a moral victory.. Fie!
This author writes very well but I wish he'd let his poor hero catch a break. I have read this and all others before it in the series. The plots are varied and well developed. the characters are believable and well drawn. The hero is both honorable and likeable. He just never really gets anything but a moral victory.. Fie!
August 21, 2015
Pretty good - again the battle and fight scenes are the best thing. Some of the sentences seemed to go on forever and become completely tangled as they went, so it's not as tightly written as some of the earlier ones, but I still enjoyed it.
September 1, 2015
Justice Will be. Or maybe not
Poor stephen he always comes close to being out of misery well maybe next adventure thank you Mr.Vail just glad to go back to medieval times more please.
Poor stephen he always comes close to being out of misery well maybe next adventure thank you Mr.Vail just glad to go back to medieval times more please.
December 16, 2015
You know, this book was better than the last. Still some typos, and a couple of anachronistic Americanisms, but far less than the other books, so I was able to just enjoy a cracking storyline and the great characters.
January 26, 2016
Most Excellent Read!!
Excellent read, I am looking forward to further misadventures of Sir Stephen, Will Harry become the master mind of the spy network? Will St. Rosamond Grace the town with blessings? Stand by for the next exciting episode. I know I will
Excellent read, I am looking forward to further misadventures of Sir Stephen, Will Harry become the master mind of the spy network? Will St. Rosamond Grace the town with blessings? Stand by for the next exciting episode. I know I will
August 17, 2016
Another triumph by Vail
The character development and historical insight is excellent and interaction between Stephen, Harry, and Gilbert makes the story. You can feel the story move through the setting with clever surprises at every corner.
The character development and historical insight is excellent and interaction between Stephen, Harry, and Gilbert makes the story. You can feel the story move through the setting with clever surprises at every corner.
April 30, 2020
1262 and Prince Edward has come to Ludlow in prepation for war with the Welsh. Attebrook wishes to join up but his injury prevents this so he must stay and investigate the death of a castle guard and a stolen relic.
Another enjoyable mystery as I re-read this series.
Another enjoyable mystery as I re-read this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews