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Crispin Guest Medieval Noir #8
The Silence of Stones
A medieval mystery featuring disgraced knight Crispin Guest
London, 1388. When the mythical Stone of Destiny disappears from the throne of England during mass in Westminster Abbey, the populace takes it as a sign to side with King Richard II’s rebellious barons. The last thing the king needs is for his authority to be put in question, especially after his army suffers a crushing defeat against a Scottish uprising.
Desperate, Richard calls in Crispin Guest to find the missing stone. And to ensure that he will do the deed, the king imprisons Jack Tucker and orders Crispin to find the stone before Parliament convenes in three days' time - or Jack will hang for treason.
London, 1388. When the mythical Stone of Destiny disappears from the throne of England during mass in Westminster Abbey, the populace takes it as a sign to side with King Richard II’s rebellious barons. The last thing the king needs is for his authority to be put in question, especially after his army suffers a crushing defeat against a Scottish uprising.
Desperate, Richard calls in Crispin Guest to find the missing stone. And to ensure that he will do the deed, the king imprisons Jack Tucker and orders Crispin to find the stone before Parliament convenes in three days' time - or Jack will hang for treason.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2016
About the author
Jeri Westerson
65 books437 followersLos Angeles native JERI WESTERSON currently writes two new series: a Tudor mystery series, the King’s Fool Mysteries, with Henry VIII’s real court jester Will Somers as the sleuth and a Sherlockian pastiche series called An Irregular Detective Mystery, with one of Holmes’ former Baker Street Irregulars opening his own detective agency. She’s also written fifteen Crispin Guest Medieval Noir Mysteries, a series nominated for thirteen awards from the Agatha, to the Macavity, to the Shamus. She’s written several paranormal series (including a gaslamp-steampunk fantasy series), standalone historical novels, and had stories in several anthologies, the latest of which was included in SOUTH CENTRAL NOIR, an Akashic Noir anthology. She has served as president of the SoCal Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, president and vice president for two chapters of Sisters in Crime (Orange County and Los Angeles), and is also a founding member of the SoCal chapter of the Historical Novel Society. See JeriWesterson.com for discussion guides, book trailers, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 1, 2025
4.5 rounded up to 5 and I can say that Crispin Guest is definitely my favorite mystery series !
2024 has been a year in which I've read a lot of boring and unsatisfying books, so when I read one of Crispin Guest's adventures I always feel like I'm finally with an amazing long-time friend, who I can always count on for fun!
It's difficult to love every book in the same series with the same enthusiasm and I admit that I feared the moment had come when I would be disappointed... especially in the first pages when everything seemed too calm to be anything other than the world of Crispin and his apprentice Jack Tucker.
Luckily for me, that world is always full of rude rascals and when, after a few chapters, another nice friend of Crispin's arrived (already a co-protagonist in book #3), the adventure began!
___ PLOT IN SHORT __ England, 1388.
Crispin Guest and his loyal apprentice Jack Tucker are attending a ceremony in Westminster Abbey, when suddenly, after an explosion, King Richard II realizes the Stone of Destiny has disappeared.
After the crushing defeats suffered by the Scottish rebels, the king cannot afford any further weakening of authority and power. He, desperate, requires Crispin to find both the stone and the culprits within 3 days and with his usual contempt and hatred for the former knight, he has Jack imprisoned and promises to have him hanged if the case is not solved.
Without clues or witnesses, everything turns out to be very complicated and while Jack's life hangs by a thread, Crispin will have to get help from an old friend to face 3 groups of enemies.
______________________
Unlike the other first 7 books, here Crispin and Jack ( __THE 2 MAIN CHARACTERS __ ) find themselves separated and while Crispin desperately tries to save the life of his apprentice, for the first time Jack also has his own little case to solve, entrusted to him by none other than the queen!
I found it a good variant to give a bit of freshness to the series and above all it allows the reader to see how Jack is growing not only physically, but also acquiring awareness and maturity.
The series begins with thirty-year-old Crispin and twelve-year-old Jack.
A disgraced knight estranged from court because he was involved in a plot against the king and a small cutpurse with no one in the world who cares about him.
WHY ONLY 4.5 stars and not 5__WHAT I LIKED LESS THAN USUAL ___
While all the previous books introduce their past and their beginning together in an exhaustive way, this volume focuses more on the bond of father-son affection and mutual dependence that was created between the two of them, leaving the reader in a sort of limbo (and therefore too many questions without answer) regarding their past and who and what made them who they are now.
For this reason, although the adventure of this book has a beginning and an end without leaving anything unfinished, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT AS A STANDALONE.
I liked the book, but I admit that I would not have been able to appreciate either the emotional dynamics or the witty moments between Crispin and another character already seen in book 3, if I had not read the previous books first.
-----> This is also why I didn't give it 5 full stars.
In fact, I think that this story is enjoyable and appreciable only by those who already know the characters and their vicissitudes very well, otherwise it could seem like a mystery that can easily be forgotten.
__WHAT I LIKE HERE AND IN ALL THE BOOKS IN THE SERIES ___
Crispin Guest's mystery series usually mixes fictional events and fictional characters alongside a handful of real-life characters.
What makes reading enjoyable for me is that while in parallel I can briefly read about the true lives of the characters on Wikipedia (along with all the historical notions that concern them), in the book I see them come to life as if by magic they appeared before my eyes.
Through the dialogues imagined by the author, they take shape and life, surprising me with lively or laconic, sometimes sardonic jokes, generous or despicable actions, behaving cowardly or courageous, siding with Crispin or against him and making themselves adorable or hateful in my eyes.
This is the beauty of fiction, it makes the news from history books more real and closer to us and encourages us to discover more about events and people that perhaps seemed boring to us when we were at school.
___ HISTORICAL FIGURES and also CHARACTERS in this story___
The recurring side characters are often the king Richard II and those around him:
his uncle John of Gaunt the founder of the royal House of Lancaster, Henry Bolingbroke, son of John and future King Henry IV, the sheriffs of the moment, the abbot of Westminster and so on.
Each book gives a special role as co-protagonist to other historical figures of that moment.
This time we have :
___ John/Eleonor Rykener :
a really nice character, good at heart and with a double identity, who, as in real life, worked disguised as a woman both as an embroiderer and as a prostitute.
The character went down in history due to her arrest for prostitution and sodomy and the confusion generated by her disguise.
In the stories of Jeri Westerton, the author, he is a good friend of Crispin, ready to help him in the investigations and also to pleasantly embarrass him with his feminine attitudes that Crispin hates, but which often prove useful to confuse even enemies.
___ Queen Anne of Bohemia:
first wife of King Richard II. Here too, as in reality (considering what I have read about the two young spouses) they are very much in love and Anna has a mitigating effect on Richard's impulsive and unwise decisions.
Through the case that she entrusts to Jack we can admire her in all her kindness and generosity.
___ Katherine Swynford :
first the mistress and then the third wife of John of Gaunt.
Crispin, who has greatly broadened his outlook over his years of disgrace, still clings to the prejudices he held about her as a boy, as he did not approve of Gaunt's affairs outside of marriage.
In this new adventure we see Crispin take another step forward towards greater open-mindedness, capable of giving a second chance to those who deserve it.
A CURIOSITY ABOUT KATHERINE SWINFORD that probably you don't know:
---> Although she is not a prominent figure in history books, many important historical figures descended from her, from that time to modern times including: Princess Diana, Sir Winston Churchill, (Lord) Alfred Tennyson and 5 American presidents (G. Washington, T. Jefferson. J. Quincy Adams, F. D. Roosevelt and G. W. Bush)
___ HISTORICAL OBJECTS : Stone of Scone also known as Stone of Destiny
In each book of the series Crispin is looking for a famous and legendary missing object (this is why he is called the Tracker, his job is to track down missing objects and usually a murder also happens and he will find the culprit).
The object of the moment is something that I, being Italian, had never heard of: the Stone of Scone also known as Stone of Destiny.
A stone which in 1296, First War of Scottish Independence, Edward I of England took as war booty and brought to Westminster Abbey, where it was placed in a wooden chair, known as the coronation chair.
Since then it has been a symbol of the divine right of English kings to rule over Scotland.
The stone only returned to Scotland in 1996 (7 centuries after it was taken!!).
It has been kept in Edinburgh Castle ever since, but with the agreement that it would be brought back to England for each coronation.
Every English monarch has sat on that stone on their coronation day, including Elizabeth II and her son Charles III in 2023.
Being Italian, I know little about English history, so I am fascinated when I read the author's historical notes with all the connections to the book and to reality.
___ MY CONCLUSIONS ____
Although I liked it a lot, this adventure has less action than usual and it's less fast paced compared to the previous books in the series and less impressive, so I suggest you do not start with this one, much better to start from book #1 or at least book #2.
Thanks for reading my opinion and please be patient with my english, it's not my language.
2024 has been a year in which I've read a lot of boring and unsatisfying books, so when I read one of Crispin Guest's adventures I always feel like I'm finally with an amazing long-time friend, who I can always count on for fun!
It's difficult to love every book in the same series with the same enthusiasm and I admit that I feared the moment had come when I would be disappointed... especially in the first pages when everything seemed too calm to be anything other than the world of Crispin and his apprentice Jack Tucker.
Luckily for me, that world is always full of rude rascals and when, after a few chapters, another nice friend of Crispin's arrived (already a co-protagonist in book #3), the adventure began!
___ PLOT IN SHORT __ England, 1388.
Crispin Guest and his loyal apprentice Jack Tucker are attending a ceremony in Westminster Abbey, when suddenly, after an explosion, King Richard II realizes the Stone of Destiny has disappeared.
After the crushing defeats suffered by the Scottish rebels, the king cannot afford any further weakening of authority and power. He, desperate, requires Crispin to find both the stone and the culprits within 3 days and with his usual contempt and hatred for the former knight, he has Jack imprisoned and promises to have him hanged if the case is not solved.
Without clues or witnesses, everything turns out to be very complicated and while Jack's life hangs by a thread, Crispin will have to get help from an old friend to face 3 groups of enemies.
______________________
Unlike the other first 7 books, here Crispin and Jack ( __THE 2 MAIN CHARACTERS __ ) find themselves separated and while Crispin desperately tries to save the life of his apprentice, for the first time Jack also has his own little case to solve, entrusted to him by none other than the queen!
I found it a good variant to give a bit of freshness to the series and above all it allows the reader to see how Jack is growing not only physically, but also acquiring awareness and maturity.
The series begins with thirty-year-old Crispin and twelve-year-old Jack.
A disgraced knight estranged from court because he was involved in a plot against the king and a small cutpurse with no one in the world who cares about him.
WHY ONLY 4.5 stars and not 5__WHAT I LIKED LESS THAN USUAL ___
While all the previous books introduce their past and their beginning together in an exhaustive way, this volume focuses more on the bond of father-son affection and mutual dependence that was created between the two of them, leaving the reader in a sort of limbo (and therefore too many questions without answer) regarding their past and who and what made them who they are now.
For this reason, although the adventure of this book has a beginning and an end without leaving anything unfinished, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT AS A STANDALONE.
I liked the book, but I admit that I would not have been able to appreciate either the emotional dynamics or the witty moments between Crispin and another character already seen in book 3, if I had not read the previous books first.
-----> This is also why I didn't give it 5 full stars.
In fact, I think that this story is enjoyable and appreciable only by those who already know the characters and their vicissitudes very well, otherwise it could seem like a mystery that can easily be forgotten.
__WHAT I LIKE HERE AND IN ALL THE BOOKS IN THE SERIES ___
Crispin Guest's mystery series usually mixes fictional events and fictional characters alongside a handful of real-life characters.
What makes reading enjoyable for me is that while in parallel I can briefly read about the true lives of the characters on Wikipedia (along with all the historical notions that concern them), in the book I see them come to life as if by magic they appeared before my eyes.
Through the dialogues imagined by the author, they take shape and life, surprising me with lively or laconic, sometimes sardonic jokes, generous or despicable actions, behaving cowardly or courageous, siding with Crispin or against him and making themselves adorable or hateful in my eyes.
This is the beauty of fiction, it makes the news from history books more real and closer to us and encourages us to discover more about events and people that perhaps seemed boring to us when we were at school.
___ HISTORICAL FIGURES and also CHARACTERS in this story___
The recurring side characters are often the king Richard II and those around him:
his uncle John of Gaunt the founder of the royal House of Lancaster, Henry Bolingbroke, son of John and future King Henry IV, the sheriffs of the moment, the abbot of Westminster and so on.
Each book gives a special role as co-protagonist to other historical figures of that moment.
This time we have :
___ John/Eleonor Rykener :
a really nice character, good at heart and with a double identity, who, as in real life, worked disguised as a woman both as an embroiderer and as a prostitute.
The character went down in history due to her arrest for prostitution and sodomy and the confusion generated by her disguise.
In the stories of Jeri Westerton, the author, he is a good friend of Crispin, ready to help him in the investigations and also to pleasantly embarrass him with his feminine attitudes that Crispin hates, but which often prove useful to confuse even enemies.
___ Queen Anne of Bohemia:
first wife of King Richard II. Here too, as in reality (considering what I have read about the two young spouses) they are very much in love and Anna has a mitigating effect on Richard's impulsive and unwise decisions.
Through the case that she entrusts to Jack we can admire her in all her kindness and generosity.
___ Katherine Swynford :
first the mistress and then the third wife of John of Gaunt.
Crispin, who has greatly broadened his outlook over his years of disgrace, still clings to the prejudices he held about her as a boy, as he did not approve of Gaunt's affairs outside of marriage.
In this new adventure we see Crispin take another step forward towards greater open-mindedness, capable of giving a second chance to those who deserve it.
A CURIOSITY ABOUT KATHERINE SWINFORD that probably you don't know:
---> Although she is not a prominent figure in history books, many important historical figures descended from her, from that time to modern times including: Princess Diana, Sir Winston Churchill, (Lord) Alfred Tennyson and 5 American presidents (G. Washington, T. Jefferson. J. Quincy Adams, F. D. Roosevelt and G. W. Bush)
___ HISTORICAL OBJECTS : Stone of Scone also known as Stone of Destiny
In each book of the series Crispin is looking for a famous and legendary missing object (this is why he is called the Tracker, his job is to track down missing objects and usually a murder also happens and he will find the culprit).
The object of the moment is something that I, being Italian, had never heard of: the Stone of Scone also known as Stone of Destiny.
A stone which in 1296, First War of Scottish Independence, Edward I of England took as war booty and brought to Westminster Abbey, where it was placed in a wooden chair, known as the coronation chair.
Since then it has been a symbol of the divine right of English kings to rule over Scotland.
The stone only returned to Scotland in 1996 (7 centuries after it was taken!!).
It has been kept in Edinburgh Castle ever since, but with the agreement that it would be brought back to England for each coronation.
Every English monarch has sat on that stone on their coronation day, including Elizabeth II and her son Charles III in 2023.
Being Italian, I know little about English history, so I am fascinated when I read the author's historical notes with all the connections to the book and to reality.
___ MY CONCLUSIONS ____
Although I liked it a lot, this adventure has less action than usual and it's less fast paced compared to the previous books in the series and less impressive, so I suggest you do not start with this one, much better to start from book #1 or at least book #2.
Thanks for reading my opinion and please be patient with my english, it's not my language.
November 5, 2015
3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up.
It's 1388. Richard II holds the English throne, and still considers Crispin Guest, the Master Tracker, a traitor. When the Stone of Scone is stolen from virtually under Richard's nose, Crispin is given an ultimatum: find it in 3 days, or his apprentice will pay the price. As Crispin searches, a confusing picture appears, and he begins to fear that Jack's life will be forfeit.
A nice slightly convoluted mystery and a range of unusual people make for an interesting read. But it was a fun read, and I'll look for others in the series.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's 1388. Richard II holds the English throne, and still considers Crispin Guest, the Master Tracker, a traitor. When the Stone of Scone is stolen from virtually under Richard's nose, Crispin is given an ultimatum: find it in 3 days, or his apprentice will pay the price. As Crispin searches, a confusing picture appears, and he begins to fear that Jack's life will be forfeit.
A nice slightly convoluted mystery and a range of unusual people make for an interesting read. But it was a fun read, and I'll look for others in the series.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2016
First Sentence: The columns rose to impossible heights, casting irregular shadows upon the crowded nave of Westminster Abbey.
Disgraced knight, Crispin Guest, is regarded as a traitor by King Richard II. When the Stone of Destiny disappears, in a dramatic fashion, from under King Edward’s Chair, on which England’s monarch’s are crowned, Richard demands Crispin find the stone in three days, or his apprentice, Jack Tucker, will be executed.
Westerson establishes the premise, the characters, the threat and the risk, and then lets loose the story. And what a wonderful, compelling story it is. The story is truly brought to live with a combination of historical figures and vividly created ones. The balance of experience-hardened Crispin and Jack Tucker, the once street thief who inveigled his way into being Crispin’s apprentice, works so well. While Crispin provides the preponderance of the action, Jack often makes us smile through his actions and dialogue—“My lady, if it pleases you to call me “Goat,” than whom am I to naysay you? “Goat” it is.”, and they both account for the story’s suspense. Although the character of Rykener was introduced in an early book, he has a much greater role here and provide an excellent early twist and very good dialogue—“You canna make certain that the woman you abduct is a sarding women?”—which has a flavor of the prior but makes no attempt to be of the period. The inclusion of the Gaelic, which is, happily, translated, provides veracity to the story.
The detail and amount of historical research is apparent, while never overshadowing the story, which is clearly character-driven. One sees Jack maturing, as well as Crispin coming to realize just how much Jack means to him. That Jack has adopted Crispin’s propensity for quoting Aristotle is delightful. The Lady Katherine in the story, is not the “Katherine” of Anya Seaton—a book beloved by so many--but is a more honest representation of the figure, yet still one which can be recognized—“I am surrounded by men who cannot be commanded one way or the other…”
Westerson is good at providing those moments which give us pause—“but we have a habit, does Man, of taking that which we see every day with a certain amount of disdain in its monotony. Only when there is chaos do we find it golden. Only when it is lost do we feel the loss.”
“The Silence of Stones” is a captivating book with two mysteries solved from different sides, and which also provides a lesson in honor.
THE SILENCE OF STONES: A Crispin Guest medieval noir (Hist Myst-Crimpin/Jack Taylor-England-1338) – VG+
Westerson, Jeri – 7th in series
Severn House – Feb 2016
Disgraced knight, Crispin Guest, is regarded as a traitor by King Richard II. When the Stone of Destiny disappears, in a dramatic fashion, from under King Edward’s Chair, on which England’s monarch’s are crowned, Richard demands Crispin find the stone in three days, or his apprentice, Jack Tucker, will be executed.
Westerson establishes the premise, the characters, the threat and the risk, and then lets loose the story. And what a wonderful, compelling story it is. The story is truly brought to live with a combination of historical figures and vividly created ones. The balance of experience-hardened Crispin and Jack Tucker, the once street thief who inveigled his way into being Crispin’s apprentice, works so well. While Crispin provides the preponderance of the action, Jack often makes us smile through his actions and dialogue—“My lady, if it pleases you to call me “Goat,” than whom am I to naysay you? “Goat” it is.”, and they both account for the story’s suspense. Although the character of Rykener was introduced in an early book, he has a much greater role here and provide an excellent early twist and very good dialogue—“You canna make certain that the woman you abduct is a sarding women?”—which has a flavor of the prior but makes no attempt to be of the period. The inclusion of the Gaelic, which is, happily, translated, provides veracity to the story.
The detail and amount of historical research is apparent, while never overshadowing the story, which is clearly character-driven. One sees Jack maturing, as well as Crispin coming to realize just how much Jack means to him. That Jack has adopted Crispin’s propensity for quoting Aristotle is delightful. The Lady Katherine in the story, is not the “Katherine” of Anya Seaton—a book beloved by so many--but is a more honest representation of the figure, yet still one which can be recognized—“I am surrounded by men who cannot be commanded one way or the other…”
Westerson is good at providing those moments which give us pause—“but we have a habit, does Man, of taking that which we see every day with a certain amount of disdain in its monotony. Only when there is chaos do we find it golden. Only when it is lost do we feel the loss.”
“The Silence of Stones” is a captivating book with two mysteries solved from different sides, and which also provides a lesson in honor.
THE SILENCE OF STONES: A Crispin Guest medieval noir (Hist Myst-Crimpin/Jack Taylor-England-1338) – VG+
Westerson, Jeri – 7th in series
Severn House – Feb 2016
March 15, 2016
This is the review I left on the author's Facebook page.
I hope you don't mind me invading your personal space, but I wanted to leave a little appreciation.
I found your books - your Crispin Guest series - last fall while doing a reading challenge (I ended up reading 70 books last year. Not bad, while job hunting, moving across state on no mula, playing in my own wordage, moving into a new home, moving my son who doesn't move well, etc.) I started several series last year and set them aside after one or two books during the course of the year challenge to complete the challenge. Not Crispin. I wasn't satisfied until I had read them all. Needless to say, I met my challenge by a hair. (December 31st) but I finished all of Crispin's books.
This month, I read a few books I could NOT stand. I finished them wishing I had those few days, precious hours, of my life back. I had planned to buy Silence of the Stones next month, when my monthly budget for books would allow for such extravagance - meaning something more than 'free' or under 3.99. I'm all for used and libraries and I'm discovering the little library in the small town I've ended up in has little to nothing and the used book store down the street from me is open at will. And it's never its will to be open when I'm not at work. I might have to do something about that.
Either way after reading back to back drudgery, poor plot development, and weak characterization, I said enough, threw up my hands, settled for cheap yogurt in my lunch box for the rest of the month, bought Silence of the Stones and read it way too fast. (Because now I have to wait until August.)
Crispin and Jack's adventures were a warm, welcome rescue from a crappy reading month. Thank you for writing characters that grow, that learn, that evolve over time. Crispin in Silence is a different man - and believably so - than the Crispin in Cup of Blood. Jack as well.
I had the privilege of participating in a Santa Book Swap with a group of LOTR Fanfic authors this past Christmas. My drawn name (who is also my friend) loves mystery and historical action adventure (and romance. Mustn't forget the romance) so I dug deep (because she lives in Canada) and sent her the first three books of Crispin's adventures. I was informed last night (and it's on my wall, go look) that Crispin has another fan.
So, in my long-winded, meandering way, thank you. Crispin Guest is awesome and so are you!
2017 Edit: I was not going to do this, but several friends have urged me to do so. As much as I love Crispin, this will be the last Crispin Guest book I read, much less purchase. The author needs to come to grips that one cannot plead and beg for reviews and then turn around and insult her readers for whatever purpose, whether it be religion, political, or any other. It's readers like me who buy books, not only for ourselves, but for friends, bookswaps, gifts for reader Secret Santas, who allow you to sit home and write. I know many authors who punch a clock, work a 40 hour work week and then come home and write, who don't have the luxury of a significant other or a large volume of sales to quit the day job and write. We join facebook, twitter pages to keep up on news on the books we read, not to scroll through entry after entry of ranting and insults aimed at a group or a specific person. Also, if you're going to insult someone, you might want to take more than a nano-second to actually read what they wrote, before you insult them directly and tell people they said something they didn't say. It makes one question your research abilities and wonder if you've actually hired someone else to research or even write for you, since you can't seem to be bothered to read what you're arguing over. I follow many authors on Facebook and Twitter and you are the only one I've seen use the platform to insult people. I refuse to support in any way, anyone this unprofessional, this petty, this childish, or this hypocritical.
That's sad, because I really loved Crispin.
I hope you don't mind me invading your personal space, but I wanted to leave a little appreciation.
I found your books - your Crispin Guest series - last fall while doing a reading challenge (I ended up reading 70 books last year. Not bad, while job hunting, moving across state on no mula, playing in my own wordage, moving into a new home, moving my son who doesn't move well, etc.) I started several series last year and set them aside after one or two books during the course of the year challenge to complete the challenge. Not Crispin. I wasn't satisfied until I had read them all. Needless to say, I met my challenge by a hair. (December 31st) but I finished all of Crispin's books.
This month, I read a few books I could NOT stand. I finished them wishing I had those few days, precious hours, of my life back. I had planned to buy Silence of the Stones next month, when my monthly budget for books would allow for such extravagance - meaning something more than 'free' or under 3.99. I'm all for used and libraries and I'm discovering the little library in the small town I've ended up in has little to nothing and the used book store down the street from me is open at will. And it's never its will to be open when I'm not at work. I might have to do something about that.
Either way after reading back to back drudgery, poor plot development, and weak characterization, I said enough, threw up my hands, settled for cheap yogurt in my lunch box for the rest of the month, bought Silence of the Stones and read it way too fast. (Because now I have to wait until August.)
Crispin and Jack's adventures were a warm, welcome rescue from a crappy reading month. Thank you for writing characters that grow, that learn, that evolve over time. Crispin in Silence is a different man - and believably so - than the Crispin in Cup of Blood. Jack as well.
I had the privilege of participating in a Santa Book Swap with a group of LOTR Fanfic authors this past Christmas. My drawn name (who is also my friend) loves mystery and historical action adventure (and romance. Mustn't forget the romance) so I dug deep (because she lives in Canada) and sent her the first three books of Crispin's adventures. I was informed last night (and it's on my wall, go look) that Crispin has another fan.
So, in my long-winded, meandering way, thank you. Crispin Guest is awesome and so are you!
2017 Edit: I was not going to do this, but several friends have urged me to do so. As much as I love Crispin, this will be the last Crispin Guest book I read, much less purchase. The author needs to come to grips that one cannot plead and beg for reviews and then turn around and insult her readers for whatever purpose, whether it be religion, political, or any other. It's readers like me who buy books, not only for ourselves, but for friends, bookswaps, gifts for reader Secret Santas, who allow you to sit home and write. I know many authors who punch a clock, work a 40 hour work week and then come home and write, who don't have the luxury of a significant other or a large volume of sales to quit the day job and write. We join facebook, twitter pages to keep up on news on the books we read, not to scroll through entry after entry of ranting and insults aimed at a group or a specific person. Also, if you're going to insult someone, you might want to take more than a nano-second to actually read what they wrote, before you insult them directly and tell people they said something they didn't say. It makes one question your research abilities and wonder if you've actually hired someone else to research or even write for you, since you can't seem to be bothered to read what you're arguing over. I follow many authors on Facebook and Twitter and you are the only one I've seen use the platform to insult people. I refuse to support in any way, anyone this unprofessional, this petty, this childish, or this hypocritical.
That's sad, because I really loved Crispin.
September 24, 2015
I am a huge fan of the Crispin Guest books. He's a riveting character and Jeri Westerson has seamlessly blended history and mystery with Crispin as the central character. A disgraced knight who works as a tracker, finding things and solving mysteries with ingenuity and tenaciousness. He is a very relatable character and is written so well that you feel as if you know him, as well as young Jack Tucker, who readers have seen grow up through the books.
The characters are continually evolving - and with such complex characters who are never flat, boring or static, I am always immediately drawn into the story and never want to put the book down. The growth of each character throughout the books means that there are always new elements for readers to discover and it bonds you to the characters even more.
In this book, I was please to see a character who I've always thought was fascinating, John Rykener, get some more page time.
This is a real page turner, full of rich and well-developed characters and all of the details that you need to put you back in medieval London and you'll even learn something, without realizing that you are learning it.
If you haven't read any of the Crispin Books yet, there is no time like the present. The writing is excellent and you won't be disappointed.
The characters are continually evolving - and with such complex characters who are never flat, boring or static, I am always immediately drawn into the story and never want to put the book down. The growth of each character throughout the books means that there are always new elements for readers to discover and it bonds you to the characters even more.
In this book, I was please to see a character who I've always thought was fascinating, John Rykener, get some more page time.
This is a real page turner, full of rich and well-developed characters and all of the details that you need to put you back in medieval London and you'll even learn something, without realizing that you are learning it.
If you haven't read any of the Crispin Books yet, there is no time like the present. The writing is excellent and you won't be disappointed.
August 18, 2024
This is definitely my favorite book of the series so far. Crispin and Jack are at Westminster Abbey for a service celebrating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, albeit way in the back. During the service, there is a sudden explosion; most of the congregants panic and try to escape, but Crispin and Jack move toward where the explosion happened. It turns out that someone had stolen the Stone of Scone, replaced it with a duplicate loaded with gunpowder and blown it up. Richard II is, as usual, angry to see Crispin anywhere near him, but in this case he commands Crispin to find the true stone. The king grabs Jack and holds him at dagger point and tells Crispin to find the stone within three days or Jack will be executed as a traitor.
This is a great setup. Crispin is handicapped by not having his apprentice (although John Ryneker, the cross-dresser/male prostitute we met earlier, acts as Crispin’s assistant during this adventure) and the stakes literally could not be higher. Secondly, Jack is held inside Westminster Palace and thus meets a number of influential people. In fact, Jack happens upon a young woman in distress and pledges to help her find a lost piece of jewelry, not knowing she is Queen Anne and that the stolen jewelry is part of the greater plot against the Crown.
5 stars!
This is a great setup. Crispin is handicapped by not having his apprentice (although John Ryneker, the cross-dresser/male prostitute we met earlier, acts as Crispin’s assistant during this adventure) and the stakes literally could not be higher. Secondly, Jack is held inside Westminster Palace and thus meets a number of influential people. In fact, Jack happens upon a young woman in distress and pledges to help her find a lost piece of jewelry, not knowing she is Queen Anne and that the stolen jewelry is part of the greater plot against the Crown.
5 stars!
November 4, 2022
It's been years since I read the previous books in this medieval mystery series, but the characters quickly felt familiar again. The plot took a while to suck me in, but I got there eventually. And the upside of waiting so long to get back to these books: There's plenty more of them by now!
May 31, 2022
Another wonderful book. Jack is turning into a fine young man. I love how he has changed and grown up in these last few books.
January 30, 2016
Another engrossing mystery featuring my favourite 'medieval noir' investigator and former knight!
Tracker Crispin Guest's dilemma in this new and dangerous situation paces alongside the coming-of-age of Jack Tucker, Crispin's apprentice. We have seen Jack's development as the novels have progressed. Now it is even more to the fore. A fact I like.
It's 1338, the Stone of Scone has been stolen, an explosion has occurred in the Cathedral right as King Richard and Queen Anne are there to attend the Feast of the Holy Virgin's Nativity.
Crispin is there (amongst the 'rabble') at Jack's bidding (pleading rather), 'his apprentice, a rangy boy and now [Crispin's] match In height, though the lad was only fifteen.'
When the explosion occurs, of course they both rush towards the action, only to come under the King's gaze and then be subjected to his ire. Years previously Crispin had been stripped of his knighthood for treasonous actions against the King.
Jack is hauled off to the dungeons and Crispin is given three days to find the stone or else Jack's life is forfeit.
Crispin is submerged in Scottish plots and counterplots, enough to make even the Tracker's head ring with the complexity--and often inanity. Meanwhile Jack is befriended by Crispin's friends in high places and does his own investigating.
Both are pursuing the problem from different ends, both are coming to similar conclusions. When Jack helps a young wife who is in distress things become even more interesting.
I love that Jack keeps minding his behaviour and finds himself concerned for his honour, so delightfully telling in little reflective conversations he has with himself. He wants to do his master proud--and he does!
Crispin's search is made even more interesting by the addition of 'John Rykener ... who sometimes goes by the name "Eleanor" to, er ... ply his trade.' John is a cross dressing male prostitute, whose proclivities certainly help Crispin to winkle out information from folks in the know. In many ways John becomes a little like Crispin's conscience as he points out things that Crispin should be paying attention to with regard to Jack now that he's older.
I am sure that there is a note of wistfulness and love in John's voice as he and Crispin part.
We have no woman chasing after Crispin in this novel. We do have an artifact of religious significance, the Stone of Scone. In many ways the absence of some lady that is interested in Crispin or vice versa, getting in the way of Crispins task, is a relief.
We do have high born and important ladies adding to the tension of the story. Their stories are important to the plot, but they are not Crispin's downfall. Jack plays a major, absolutely delightful, though harrowing, part with this regard. He is a wonderful source of tension and richness for the plot. I felt that as Jack comes-of-age, so Crispin find a renewed emotional place to some degree. Brilliant!
As always Westerson's research and working knowledge of the era is impeccable. I must say I really liked the cover, the brooding Cathedral sets the tone.
A NetGalley ARC
Tracker Crispin Guest's dilemma in this new and dangerous situation paces alongside the coming-of-age of Jack Tucker, Crispin's apprentice. We have seen Jack's development as the novels have progressed. Now it is even more to the fore. A fact I like.
It's 1338, the Stone of Scone has been stolen, an explosion has occurred in the Cathedral right as King Richard and Queen Anne are there to attend the Feast of the Holy Virgin's Nativity.
Crispin is there (amongst the 'rabble') at Jack's bidding (pleading rather), 'his apprentice, a rangy boy and now [Crispin's] match In height, though the lad was only fifteen.'
When the explosion occurs, of course they both rush towards the action, only to come under the King's gaze and then be subjected to his ire. Years previously Crispin had been stripped of his knighthood for treasonous actions against the King.
Jack is hauled off to the dungeons and Crispin is given three days to find the stone or else Jack's life is forfeit.
Crispin is submerged in Scottish plots and counterplots, enough to make even the Tracker's head ring with the complexity--and often inanity. Meanwhile Jack is befriended by Crispin's friends in high places and does his own investigating.
Both are pursuing the problem from different ends, both are coming to similar conclusions. When Jack helps a young wife who is in distress things become even more interesting.
I love that Jack keeps minding his behaviour and finds himself concerned for his honour, so delightfully telling in little reflective conversations he has with himself. He wants to do his master proud--and he does!
Crispin's search is made even more interesting by the addition of 'John Rykener ... who sometimes goes by the name "Eleanor" to, er ... ply his trade.' John is a cross dressing male prostitute, whose proclivities certainly help Crispin to winkle out information from folks in the know. In many ways John becomes a little like Crispin's conscience as he points out things that Crispin should be paying attention to with regard to Jack now that he's older.
I am sure that there is a note of wistfulness and love in John's voice as he and Crispin part.
We have no woman chasing after Crispin in this novel. We do have an artifact of religious significance, the Stone of Scone. In many ways the absence of some lady that is interested in Crispin or vice versa, getting in the way of Crispins task, is a relief.
We do have high born and important ladies adding to the tension of the story. Their stories are important to the plot, but they are not Crispin's downfall. Jack plays a major, absolutely delightful, though harrowing, part with this regard. He is a wonderful source of tension and richness for the plot. I felt that as Jack comes-of-age, so Crispin find a renewed emotional place to some degree. Brilliant!
As always Westerson's research and working knowledge of the era is impeccable. I must say I really liked the cover, the brooding Cathedral sets the tone.
A NetGalley ARC
November 10, 2015
The Silence of Stones is my first venture into the Crispin Guest series by Jeri Westerson. I am very much a fan of historical mysteries and began reading this novel set in 1388 London with the hope of having found another author to add to my list of "must read" books. The book was just an alright reading experience for me. I didn't have any trouble beginning the series with book eight although I do wish the author had given some detail as to what kinds of things Crispin had "tracked" in the past which made him so universally known throughout London and Westminster as The Tracker. I would have also liked to see why people seemed to have fear of him and his reputation. Nothing I saw would have given me the impression that people should have been afraid of him. The Stone of Destiny has been stolen from beneath the royal throne and a plaster facsimile put in place which was blown up during a mass while King Richard was in attendance. There was obviously not enough gunpowder in place to kill the monarch, but he was publicly embarrassed and the theft of the stone was brought to light in a dramatic way. Crispin Guest and his apprentice Jack Tucker were standing in the back of the church but were spied by King Richard. Richard seized Jack to hold as hostage in order to force Crispin to search for the stone and return it to its rightful place. Because of the past bad relationship between these two men there was no reasoning with Richard and Jack would die in three days if Crispin failed in his search.
There were simply too many times when my attention was pulled away from the story in order to try to figure out why the author had chosen a particular word or phrase. These incidences continued throughout the novel. Some examples are: someone shuffled closer to a table when they were already sitting down; a character made a comment with a sneer on his face when he had actually given a compliment; someone was described as drinking a dose of wine when he took a drink; at one point Crispin ticked his head (I never did figure that one out); a person didn't lean over a table, he canted over; someone inclined closer. These are just a few of the things which interrupted the flow of the story for me and sent me scurrying for a dictionary to see if I really understood what some particular word meant. All of this distracted from the story and made me feel distanced from the characters and their circumstances.
I read the entire book to see how the author would solve the various tasks she had set for her characters. My overall reading experience was not satisfactory.
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley.
There were simply too many times when my attention was pulled away from the story in order to try to figure out why the author had chosen a particular word or phrase. These incidences continued throughout the novel. Some examples are: someone shuffled closer to a table when they were already sitting down; a character made a comment with a sneer on his face when he had actually given a compliment; someone was described as drinking a dose of wine when he took a drink; at one point Crispin ticked his head (I never did figure that one out); a person didn't lean over a table, he canted over; someone inclined closer. These are just a few of the things which interrupted the flow of the story for me and sent me scurrying for a dictionary to see if I really understood what some particular word meant. All of this distracted from the story and made me feel distanced from the characters and their circumstances.
I read the entire book to see how the author would solve the various tasks she had set for her characters. My overall reading experience was not satisfactory.
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley.
June 21, 2020
London 1388 ~ Jack Tucker was now 16 years old and as tall as his mentor when the Scottish Stone of Scone was dramatically and spectacularly shown to have been stolen during a celebration at Westminster Abbey with a literal Bang in order to humiliate King Richard... in the ensuing melee both Trackers were impelled to investigate and thus were exposed to the presence of the King. The King upon setting eyes on Guest was outraged, even more so when he espied the Traitor wearing a sword, a gift from Henry of Derby as he soon knew when he read the inscription. He gave back the sword blade first... then he commissioned Guest to find the Stone within three days or Jack Tucker dies... for England's possession of Scotland's Stone of Destiny was a historical symbol of English victory over the Scots. Guest sorely felt Tucker's absence... only the presence of John Rykener aka Eleanor, his sodomite 'cross~dressing' (to ply his trade) friend and temporary assistant kept him going on with his search for the Stone... what with 3 Scottish factions all doing their best to distract and misdirect The Tracker with even one faction kidnapping the wrong Eleanor supposedly for leverage against Guest... the factions separately wanted to hire Guest to find the Stone for it seemed that something went wrong with the grand plan because apparently none of them had it. Though McGuffin's job was to discredit the Queen. Rykener provided the bouts of humor in this work. The author is the reason why historical fiction is not at all boring for me for I prefer people to think and figure out puzzles and mysteries the old way.
P.S. ~ Americanisms and Contemporary Context words and phrases that mangle the Timeline:
Chapter 6 ~ dynamic (early 19th century)
Chapter 15 ~ "... pursue this 'line of attack'..."
Chapter 19 ~ "'Go on back' to my lodgings." Lots of phrases with the word "back" inserted between words sometimes awkward and unnecessary at times even Contemporary.
Chapter 25 ~ "... mustn't 'put the cart before the horse.'" (1589 George Puttenham)
P.S. ~ Americanisms and Contemporary Context words and phrases that mangle the Timeline:
Chapter 6 ~ dynamic (early 19th century)
Chapter 15 ~ "... pursue this 'line of attack'..."
Chapter 19 ~ "'Go on back' to my lodgings." Lots of phrases with the word "back" inserted between words sometimes awkward and unnecessary at times even Contemporary.
Chapter 25 ~ "... mustn't 'put the cart before the horse.'" (1589 George Puttenham)
February 19, 2020
Another relic is missing! And not just any relic, but the legendary Stone of Destiny, the once hereditary relic upon which the clans of Scotland crowned their kings, a relic taken by the English a hundred years before and set within their own Coronation Chair. Imagine the wrath of Richard II when it is stolen from Westminster Abbey.
Crispen Quest once more is on the case. Only this time, Crispen is under a time constraint, at least if he wants to save the life of his apprentice, Jack Tucker, who is arrested and will be executed as a traitor if the Stone is not found in three days. The problem is the list of suspects keeps growing.
Without his trusted servant, Crispen reluctantly enlists the services of an old friend to help him—and not just any friend, but one in a skirt who gives Crispen as much grief as the thieves. Meanwhile, young Jack is not idle, and we begin to see the makings of a future Tracker as he tries to assist his master from behind locked doors. There might just be more to Jack Turner than Crispen, or anyone else, realizes...
Another rousing whodunnit in 14th century London...
Crispen Quest once more is on the case. Only this time, Crispen is under a time constraint, at least if he wants to save the life of his apprentice, Jack Tucker, who is arrested and will be executed as a traitor if the Stone is not found in three days. The problem is the list of suspects keeps growing.
Without his trusted servant, Crispen reluctantly enlists the services of an old friend to help him—and not just any friend, but one in a skirt who gives Crispen as much grief as the thieves. Meanwhile, young Jack is not idle, and we begin to see the makings of a future Tracker as he tries to assist his master from behind locked doors. There might just be more to Jack Turner than Crispen, or anyone else, realizes...
Another rousing whodunnit in 14th century London...
January 12, 2018
This one read out of order, sorry to have missed a chapter in the mutual development of Jack and Crispin, but it was not available at the public library at the time. This mystery focuses on the stolen Throne of Scone,or rather the Stone of Scone. The Stone has been stolen and a false one laced with gunpowder has been explorded to embarass the unpopular King Richard. Also concurrent is the plot to embarass his wife, Anne of Bohemia, who hired a jeweler to make a broach with the kings arms prominent. Unfortunately it looks like the arms of a disgraced courtier when held at a certain angle, and it has been taken from her the day the Stone blew up. Crispin is involved, with Jack held hostage. In this condition he comes into his own in a way that i will not spoil for you, but I did like the title given to him-the Queen's Goat. His life hangs in the balance while Crispins truggles to untangle many plots to steal the Stone, and one to steal the Broach which is unraveled by master Jack, even within his captive state. Great Read!
April 6, 2019
I'm not much of one for reading mysteries, though I do love watching crime on tv, so I'm not sure why! Still, I enjoyed this, and 3 stars isn't my saying this is bad at all - that would be wrong, as this is actually a really enjoyable story! It has everything I love, aside from a stereotyped king, which tbh I kinda get tired of - poor Richard II has been as badly treated as Richard III, as much so as Richard I has been idealised despite being a violent man who spent less than 10% of his reign in Britain! Still, back to the book - I did enjoy the mystery, I liked the characters, and I applaud the author on her ability to show the intricacies and pitfalls of life in the medieval court, even for royalty and those linked to it.
July 9, 2017
I absolutely loved this Crispin mystery. I love them all but this one was especially fantastic. Jack is growing up and is becoming more independent all the while both realize just how dependent they are on each other. Rykener is emerging as one of my favorite characters, hope to see more of him in future mysteries.
June 13, 2021
I am in the process of re reading all of the Crispin Guest novels. I found this one of the best -- so far in the series. It gives Jack a big role which adds considerable interest and drama. The whole thing with Jack and the Queen is a bit of a tall tale, rivaling Paul Bunyan but it makes it all that much more fun.
April 1, 2022
Very entertaining installment in this series!
The Stone of Scones has been stolen right under the noses at Westminster Abbey! The king takes Jack Tucker as prisoner until Crispin Guest discovers its whereabouts and the plot that stole it. As it turns out both Crispin and Jack become embroiled in palace plots.
The Stone of Scones has been stolen right under the noses at Westminster Abbey! The king takes Jack Tucker as prisoner until Crispin Guest discovers its whereabouts and the plot that stole it. As it turns out both Crispin and Jack become embroiled in palace plots.
June 26, 2017
Wanda, North River patron, June 2017, 5 stars:
Enjoyable mystery set in medieval London.
Enjoyable mystery set in medieval London.
February 24, 2021
One of my favorite Crispin Guest books so far.
July 28, 2023
Well done. Jack gets a case of his own.
Read
August 8, 2024This was a really good one. Moves fast
November 6, 2015
3.5 stars
I’m a bit of a sucker for Medieval mysteries, and a huge fan of Cadfael and the Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton series which is set only a decade or two before this series. I confess, the Crispin Guest books are not my favourites. I listened the audiobooks of the first two novels in the series recently, and whilst I enjoyed them on some level, there was some silliness and certain details and inconsistencies in the content that did not seem realistic, or did not appeal to me. Mostly the inappropriate sex references, which did not add anything, and just were not necessary).
I think I preferred The Silence of Stones to the earlier ones, probably because there was no sleazy ‘love interest’, and I liked seeing the Jack Tucker, now in his late teens, (Crispin’s teenage companion and assistant) come into his own. The exploration of Anglo-Scottish relations in the late fourteenth century provided an interesting backdrop, with some well used details about Scottish history and customs.
Some well-known historical figures also made an appearance including Katherine Sywnford and Henry, Earl of Derby, the man who would one day become King Henry IV and the father of Henry V. He has, I understand been in previous titles, but it was interesting have some events and political atmosphere of the late 1380s presented from the perspective of these characters.
Altogether, it was a satisfying mystery with lots of twists and turns. Not too predictable, but not impossible to keep up with either, and plenty of historical detail. I will read the next one, which I am interested in mainly because it contains some details about the legal system and its personnel, which I am doing some work on at the moment.
I received an electronic version of this title from the publisher for the purposes of writing a review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
I’m a bit of a sucker for Medieval mysteries, and a huge fan of Cadfael and the Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton series which is set only a decade or two before this series. I confess, the Crispin Guest books are not my favourites. I listened the audiobooks of the first two novels in the series recently, and whilst I enjoyed them on some level, there was some silliness and certain details and inconsistencies in the content that did not seem realistic, or did not appeal to me. Mostly the inappropriate sex references, which did not add anything, and just were not necessary).
I think I preferred The Silence of Stones to the earlier ones, probably because there was no sleazy ‘love interest’, and I liked seeing the Jack Tucker, now in his late teens, (Crispin’s teenage companion and assistant) come into his own. The exploration of Anglo-Scottish relations in the late fourteenth century provided an interesting backdrop, with some well used details about Scottish history and customs.
Some well-known historical figures also made an appearance including Katherine Sywnford and Henry, Earl of Derby, the man who would one day become King Henry IV and the father of Henry V. He has, I understand been in previous titles, but it was interesting have some events and political atmosphere of the late 1380s presented from the perspective of these characters.
Altogether, it was a satisfying mystery with lots of twists and turns. Not too predictable, but not impossible to keep up with either, and plenty of historical detail. I will read the next one, which I am interested in mainly because it contains some details about the legal system and its personnel, which I am doing some work on at the moment.
I received an electronic version of this title from the publisher for the purposes of writing a review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
November 9, 2015
Review pending - has to post to HNS first. Yay, they let me do the review for this one OMG!!!
Official HNS review link: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
Set in London in 1388, The Silence of Stones is the exciting eighth installment of the Crispin Guest series. The novel opens, as anticipated, with action, in this case an explosion, after which it is discovered that the Stone of Destiny has been stolen from the coronation chair and replaced with a replica. King Richard II tasks Crispin with finding the Stone, which is thought to create kings. To “encourage” Crispin's best efforts, Richard imprisons his apprentice, Jack Tucker, with the threat of a traitor’s death if Crispin doesn’t find the Stone in three days.
Crispin himself seems to be growing as a character, for he is less bitter about his situation in life than in previous books. His tracking skills are as keen as ever, though, and help make his compelling characteristics shine.
Jack Tucker also is growing both as a character and as a boy. He manages a wonderful side job of his own, despite being under lock and key. It is wonderful to see him stretch his wings as a tracker and as a boy becoming a man.
Henry Bolingbroke, Katherine Swynford, and, delightfully, John Rykener all make important appearances throughout the book as well. Despite his squeamishness, Rykener makes a terrific and funny sidekick, one who will hopefully continue the role in future novels, though of course not to replace Jack. For readers less familiar with Rykener, he was a 14th century cross-dressing prostitute. He had been arrested and interrogated, not for prostitution, but for cross dressing. Westerson’s Author’s Note goes into further detail about this intriguing historical figure. This is a satisfying and fast-paced tale, complete with Westerson’s typical dry humor and thorough research.
Official HNS review link: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
Set in London in 1388, The Silence of Stones is the exciting eighth installment of the Crispin Guest series. The novel opens, as anticipated, with action, in this case an explosion, after which it is discovered that the Stone of Destiny has been stolen from the coronation chair and replaced with a replica. King Richard II tasks Crispin with finding the Stone, which is thought to create kings. To “encourage” Crispin's best efforts, Richard imprisons his apprentice, Jack Tucker, with the threat of a traitor’s death if Crispin doesn’t find the Stone in three days.
Crispin himself seems to be growing as a character, for he is less bitter about his situation in life than in previous books. His tracking skills are as keen as ever, though, and help make his compelling characteristics shine.
Jack Tucker also is growing both as a character and as a boy. He manages a wonderful side job of his own, despite being under lock and key. It is wonderful to see him stretch his wings as a tracker and as a boy becoming a man.
Henry Bolingbroke, Katherine Swynford, and, delightfully, John Rykener all make important appearances throughout the book as well. Despite his squeamishness, Rykener makes a terrific and funny sidekick, one who will hopefully continue the role in future novels, though of course not to replace Jack. For readers less familiar with Rykener, he was a 14th century cross-dressing prostitute. He had been arrested and interrogated, not for prostitution, but for cross dressing. Westerson’s Author’s Note goes into further detail about this intriguing historical figure. This is a satisfying and fast-paced tale, complete with Westerson’s typical dry humor and thorough research.
November 30, 2015
The Silence of Stones: A Crispin Guest Medieval Noir by Jeri Westerson is set in 1388 during the reign of King Richard II. So, naturally, there is going to be some peripheral association with John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Richard's uncle. Gaunt is going to be a part of any English history during the late 1300's, but it is Katherine Swynford (Gaunt's mistress, and eventually, his wife) who plays an important role in Westerson's novel.
I read the first Crispin Guest novel in 2011 and enjoyed it, but I did think it a bit dark, so I found it interesting that the series is now considered medieval noir. I read the first novel, and The Silence of Stones is the 8th in the series--so much for keeping up.
Brief plot outline: The Stone of Destiny is stolen, King Richard enlists Guest's services to find and recover it. The King, who justifiably, hates Guest has imprisoned Jack Tucker. If Guest does not recover the Stone in 3 days, Jack Tucker will be executed.
I like medieval mysteries, and I enjoy seeing the way different authors view the powerful characters of the times, their views of events and political maneuvering. The 1300's are particularly popular among medieval mystery authors, and each one gives his or her own imaginative take on kings, archbishops, regents, wives, mistresses.
My view of Katherine Swynford was formed years ago by Anya Seton's Katherine, so having Westerson give Katherine an important role in the novel appealed to me.
NetGalley/Severn House
Medieval Mystery. Feb. 1, 2016. Print length: 240 pages.
I read the first Crispin Guest novel in 2011 and enjoyed it, but I did think it a bit dark, so I found it interesting that the series is now considered medieval noir. I read the first novel, and The Silence of Stones is the 8th in the series--so much for keeping up.
Brief plot outline: The Stone of Destiny is stolen, King Richard enlists Guest's services to find and recover it. The King, who justifiably, hates Guest has imprisoned Jack Tucker. If Guest does not recover the Stone in 3 days, Jack Tucker will be executed.
I like medieval mysteries, and I enjoy seeing the way different authors view the powerful characters of the times, their views of events and political maneuvering. The 1300's are particularly popular among medieval mystery authors, and each one gives his or her own imaginative take on kings, archbishops, regents, wives, mistresses.
My view of Katherine Swynford was formed years ago by Anya Seton's Katherine, so having Westerson give Katherine an important role in the novel appealed to me.
NetGalley/Severn House
Medieval Mystery. Feb. 1, 2016. Print length: 240 pages.
September 24, 2015
This is the latest book in the wonderful Crispin Guest historical mystery series. It starts off with a bang and doesn't let go. So many times in series the subsequent books never quite keep up the excitement level as those early ones. That is not the case with The Silence of Stones. It has the characters growing (especially Jack) and changing as they meet the current mystery, which is a good one. The author introduces a new character who is a real historical figure, and I hope to see more of her in future books. The author gives us glimpses of recurring characters and fond mention of one who has departed. Most of all is Crispin Guest himself who must daily come to terms with his reduced station in life while struggling to survive. He is a wonderful tortured hero who has risen above his circumstances to become a better man than he was. There is a reason I read this book in one day - I couldn't put it down.
Read
October 28, 2015London, 1388. When the mythical Stone of Destiny is stolen from the throne of England in Westminster Abbey, Crispin Guest, the Tracker, witnesses the dramatic disappearance for himself"
My first Crispin Guest and here it is book #8. Everyone else already knows Crispin and Jack but in I jump with plenty of help from the author's fine afterword.
Crispin had a lot to deal with, people were crawling out of the woodwork,literally wanting to help him (for a price of course) or for him to help them. He had an astonishing amount of acquaintances and friends!
Guess who one of them was? Katherine Swynford..what a treat! She is a favorite of mine and conducted herself with her usual elegance (if a bit sneaky to King Richard)
Speaking of King Richard, Crispin's apprentice Jack ends up having a bit more than a nodding acquaintanceship with his queen. She calls him..well you need to read about it yourself..
You can start with Book #1 and preorder this one now. Enjoy!
My first Crispin Guest and here it is book #8. Everyone else already knows Crispin and Jack but in I jump with plenty of help from the author's fine afterword.
Crispin had a lot to deal with, people were crawling out of the woodwork,literally wanting to help him (for a price of course) or for him to help them. He had an astonishing amount of acquaintances and friends!
Guess who one of them was? Katherine Swynford..what a treat! She is a favorite of mine and conducted herself with her usual elegance (if a bit sneaky to King Richard)
Speaking of King Richard, Crispin's apprentice Jack ends up having a bit more than a nodding acquaintanceship with his queen. She calls him..well you need to read about it yourself..
You can start with Book #1 and preorder this one now. Enjoy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2015
Loved it! Great to be reading about Crispin and Jack again . The author, Ms. Westerson, researches her material superbly, and I enjoy her 'Author's Notes' as she presents additional history about the era of the book's setting, characters, and objects. In this 8th Crispin Guest medieval Mystery, one object that is of extreme interest is the Coronation Chair on which every monarch since Edward I, who commissioned thr Chair to be built, has supposedly sat during his/her coronation. In her Author's Notes, Ms. Westerson explains that the 1st monarch who definitely did use the Coronation Chair is Edward IV, Henry of Bolingbroke, who is the first cousin to Richard II, the king in this present mystery. Enough of a history lesson! The twist and turns of this plot makes it a real page turner. Well done, Ms. Westerson . I heartily recommend this book.
February 9, 2016
Hopefully I didn’t live in 1388!
I was hoping that the first sentence of the book “The columns rose to impossible heights, casting irregular shadows upon the crowded nave of Westminster Abbey” was going to be carried forward throughout the book, in other words, descriptive beautiful flowing writing. Unfortunately, I got bogged down amongst the various characters and not having read the previous books found that I had moments when I completely lost the plot.
I’m sure that followers of Jeri Westerson will love this book – look at the five star reviews it has received, but unfortunately I’m being generous with my three stars. A shame because so much research has gone into the book, with rich characters to tell the story.
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
I was hoping that the first sentence of the book “The columns rose to impossible heights, casting irregular shadows upon the crowded nave of Westminster Abbey” was going to be carried forward throughout the book, in other words, descriptive beautiful flowing writing. Unfortunately, I got bogged down amongst the various characters and not having read the previous books found that I had moments when I completely lost the plot.
I’m sure that followers of Jeri Westerson will love this book – look at the five star reviews it has received, but unfortunately I’m being generous with my three stars. A shame because so much research has gone into the book, with rich characters to tell the story.
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
May 19, 2016
First I would like to say that I live the main characters and am glad I was able to get this book. I would also like to say that even though I enjoyed the book, it felt a little to breezy and not as deep as the others before it.
That being said, Crispin was told to solve a mystery, the Stone of Destiny was stolen and if he cannot find it within three days his apprentice, Jack Tucker will day the ultimate price and be put to death. Unexpected help comes from Jack Rykener, a cross dresser who, for some reason, took to Crispin and Jack and wants to help save Jack. This is an interesting turn as Crispin needs someone to help him as Jack is held prisoner.
The whole story takes place in that three day time frame and it does move quickly. I am looking forward to the next installment of this series when it comes out, I think, this summer.
That being said, Crispin was told to solve a mystery, the Stone of Destiny was stolen and if he cannot find it within three days his apprentice, Jack Tucker will day the ultimate price and be put to death. Unexpected help comes from Jack Rykener, a cross dresser who, for some reason, took to Crispin and Jack and wants to help save Jack. This is an interesting turn as Crispin needs someone to help him as Jack is held prisoner.
The whole story takes place in that three day time frame and it does move quickly. I am looking forward to the next installment of this series when it comes out, I think, this summer.
October 29, 2015
London, 1388 is the setting; King Richard I is battling the Scots and his own advisors. Crispin Guest, aka The Tracker, is suddenly drawn into the drama.
Jeri Westerson weaves a story of intriuge, loyalty, and history that captures the reader from page one. You quickly find yourself in the streets of London and Westminster chasing one clue after another. The plot has more branches than a bramble bush and with as many thorns. This is a story you can't put down.
I gave this 4.5 stars and rounded up to five stars. I didn't realize that there were so many books in this series! It's a complete stand alone novel. I'm looking forward to reading both past and future installments.
I was given this copy of THE SILENCE OF STONES by the publisher.
Jeri Westerson weaves a story of intriuge, loyalty, and history that captures the reader from page one. You quickly find yourself in the streets of London and Westminster chasing one clue after another. The plot has more branches than a bramble bush and with as many thorns. This is a story you can't put down.
I gave this 4.5 stars and rounded up to five stars. I didn't realize that there were so many books in this series! It's a complete stand alone novel. I'm looking forward to reading both past and future installments.
I was given this copy of THE SILENCE OF STONES by the publisher.
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