What do you think?
Rate this book
Stephen Attebrook Mysteries #6
Bad Money
Medieval Ludlow’s deputy coroner, Stephen Attebrook would like nothing better than to enjoy a temperate spring, the Broken Shield Inn’s sweet ale and delicious mutton stew. But a murdered man in possession of stolen stamps for minting money is found floating in the inn’s privy. And counterfeit money turns up in the hands of innkeepers Gilbert and Edith Wistwode. Possessing counterfeit money is a hanging offense, and to save his friends from the gallows, Stephen pursues those behind a desperate plot to mint false money — intrigue that stretches into the upper reaches of English society and threatens the throne of King Henry III.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2016
196 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 18, 2021
Fantastic work
Will its about damn time Stephen got his due. What a big heart he has sharing his new life with a cripple an an old lady who sits in the window all day. He is now the head corner. Will have to see what falls in his lap the next go. So lets read on.
Will its about damn time Stephen got his due. What a big heart he has sharing his new life with a cripple an an old lady who sits in the window all day. He is now the head corner. Will have to see what falls in his lap the next go. So lets read on.
December 3, 2019
You would expect that by the time an author has gotten to the sixth book in a series, he'd have well established his characters, made the reader feel at home and familiar with the setting, and gotten the cadence of his stories and dialog refined to a point where the rough spots from the earlier stories have been smoothed down—all without becoming repetitive or predictable. And that's pretty much what you get with Bad Money, the sixth volume in the tales of Sir Stephen Attebrook, a crippled (and therefore impoverished) knight forced to seek a living befitting his diminished, but still gentry, social status as the deputy coroner for the small English border town of Ludlow in the mid-13th Century.
You really don't want to jump into this one without reading at least a few of the preceding novels, because many references are made to people, places, and events from those stories. But with that familiarity secured, you will appreciate the fact that this is one of the tightest, well-crafted works in the series.
Since this tale is set within a year of the first book in the series, it is still against the backdrop of the rivalry between King Henry III and Simon de Montfort, including cross-border raids by Welsh mercenaries. These freebooters, and more professional soldiers as well, expect to be paid for their services; and with the king and the barons gearing up for war against each other, the demand (and price) for soldiers is going up.
Attebrook discovers that someone is making and passing counterfeit silver pennies—"bad money"—in order to beef up their treasury, betting that the mercenaries won't find out until the fighting is over. But is it the royal faction making the fake coins, or the barons? Or both? And does that have anything to do with a rash of bold burglaries in Ludlow and the nearby towns? Or with the discovery of some bodies (a red-haired boy in someone's back garden, a man found drowned in an inn's privy) and the disappearance of a leading citizen? Attebrook must find out without getting himself or his friends Gilbert and Harry killed, and without landing himself on the wrong side of the Barons' Rebellion.
Lots of characters from the earlier books have cameos in this, and there are a couple of clever plot twists to keep the reader engaged and entertained.
My only suggestion is that, since parts of these stories are increasingly taking place outside Ludlow, the map of that town that's appeared on the frontispiece since the first volume is no longer sufficient on its own; it needs to be accompanied by a map of the larger area. Since Vail has set the stories in an historically accurate setting, it is possible to follow along on a modern map; but a lot has changed since the 1200s so it would be better to craft a reusable period map.
You really don't want to jump into this one without reading at least a few of the preceding novels, because many references are made to people, places, and events from those stories. But with that familiarity secured, you will appreciate the fact that this is one of the tightest, well-crafted works in the series.
Since this tale is set within a year of the first book in the series, it is still against the backdrop of the rivalry between King Henry III and Simon de Montfort, including cross-border raids by Welsh mercenaries. These freebooters, and more professional soldiers as well, expect to be paid for their services; and with the king and the barons gearing up for war against each other, the demand (and price) for soldiers is going up.
Attebrook discovers that someone is making and passing counterfeit silver pennies—"bad money"—in order to beef up their treasury, betting that the mercenaries won't find out until the fighting is over. But is it the royal faction making the fake coins, or the barons? Or both? And does that have anything to do with a rash of bold burglaries in Ludlow and the nearby towns? Or with the discovery of some bodies (a red-haired boy in someone's back garden, a man found drowned in an inn's privy) and the disappearance of a leading citizen? Attebrook must find out without getting himself or his friends Gilbert and Harry killed, and without landing himself on the wrong side of the Barons' Rebellion.
Lots of characters from the earlier books have cameos in this, and there are a couple of clever plot twists to keep the reader engaged and entertained.
My only suggestion is that, since parts of these stories are increasingly taking place outside Ludlow, the map of that town that's appeared on the frontispiece since the first volume is no longer sufficient on its own; it needs to be accompanied by a map of the larger area. Since Vail has set the stories in an historically accurate setting, it is possible to follow along on a modern map; but a lot has changed since the 1200s so it would be better to craft a reusable period map.
June 24, 2019
#6 in the deputy coroner Stephen Attebrook mystery series set in the English town of Ludlow near the Welsh border during April & May, 1263. An impoverished knight considered too disabled because of a foot injury for combat, so gets by by working as a coroner’s invesitgator.
Ludlow is normally a pleasant small country town where little happens except for the occasional murder or an attack by the savage Welsh when a strange series of events strikes in what should be a quiet spring: silver stolen from the house of sleeping widow, an unknown dead boy is discovered, then a dead man in the privy pit at the inn Attebrook lives, one of the town’s leading citizens disappears without a trace, and counterfeit pennies turn up in the inn’s possession which appears just to be the surface of the counterfeiting. Plus, the Welsh are making another incursion across the boarder into the area. Thus Attebrook is faced with a series of challenges that grow increasingly complicated.
Ludlow is normally a pleasant small country town where little happens except for the occasional murder or an attack by the savage Welsh when a strange series of events strikes in what should be a quiet spring: silver stolen from the house of sleeping widow, an unknown dead boy is discovered, then a dead man in the privy pit at the inn Attebrook lives, one of the town’s leading citizens disappears without a trace, and counterfeit pennies turn up in the inn’s possession which appears just to be the surface of the counterfeiting. Plus, the Welsh are making another incursion across the boarder into the area. Thus Attebrook is faced with a series of challenges that grow increasingly complicated.
January 28, 2025
4.5 stars- this one had a great mystery. Not too much jail time for Stephen, Margaret makes an appearance (what a ho), a happy ending with a promotion from the Prince and his horse back!! I like how at the end of these stories, Stephen is generous and giving to those in need as well as helping them get out of trouble. He has no problem bending his morals to help a friend :)
I appreciate the twists.
The counterfeiting of money is age old I guess and that was the basis of this story, as well as the kidnapping of Gilbert. Stephen will do what needs to be done to get him back.
Harry is terrific:
(Stephen) “I have no conscience. Not any more, anyway.”
“That’s a good thing. They are such a burden. But what’s bothering you?”
“Nothing. I said it’s nothing.”
Harry shrugged. “All right. But Father Harry will have this nothing out of you eventually.”
“You are becoming irritating.”
“Wouldn’t be doing my job if I wasn’t.”
I appreciate the twists.
The counterfeiting of money is age old I guess and that was the basis of this story, as well as the kidnapping of Gilbert. Stephen will do what needs to be done to get him back.
Harry is terrific:
(Stephen) “I have no conscience. Not any more, anyway.”
“That’s a good thing. They are such a burden. But what’s bothering you?”
“Nothing. I said it’s nothing.”
Harry shrugged. “All right. But Father Harry will have this nothing out of you eventually.”
“You are becoming irritating.”
“Wouldn’t be doing my job if I wasn’t.”
June 30, 2025
Another excellent book in an enjoyable series
I have enjoyed this series about Stephen Attebrook. The author draws you into a sense of the historical setting - the grittiness, smells, political intrigue, and often the grimness of the subsistence living that most of that time experienced. The first book has a very good audio recording, and I wish that the rest of the series did, as well, because that is how I “read” most books now. However, I will continue with the series regardless. I am glad that Sir Stephen finally has something good happen to him at the end of this book. He deserves it. And this series deserves to be read and enjoyed!
I have enjoyed this series about Stephen Attebrook. The author draws you into a sense of the historical setting - the grittiness, smells, political intrigue, and often the grimness of the subsistence living that most of that time experienced. The first book has a very good audio recording, and I wish that the rest of the series did, as well, because that is how I “read” most books now. However, I will continue with the series regardless. I am glad that Sir Stephen finally has something good happen to him at the end of this book. He deserves it. And this series deserves to be read and enjoyed!
March 13, 2022
An interesting mystery that starts with the theft of silver spoons from an elderly widow's small hoard. Weaving this personal tragedy (she ends up evicted from her home for failure to pay rent) with a treacherous plot that could destabilize the realm, Jason Vail builds a glorious mystery steeped in the history of Sir Stephen Attebrook's time. I particularly loved the ending of this story. On to the next mystery in the series...
April 26, 2019
The more the merrier!
This, the sixth book in the series is the best so far. Stephen, Gilbert, Harry and company continue to delight. Unlike many series, there is true growth for these characters, and the mystery keeps you guessing. The intrigues of 1200s can be fascinating. Highly recommended.
This, the sixth book in the series is the best so far. Stephen, Gilbert, Harry and company continue to delight. Unlike many series, there is true growth for these characters, and the mystery keeps you guessing. The intrigues of 1200s can be fascinating. Highly recommended.
November 24, 2020
Great New Attebrook Installment
I have read all of the Stephen Attebrook mysteries and enjoyed all of them. The characters are so well drawn that I feel I know them and need to "visit" them in a new story from time to time. If you are intrigued by the premise of this book I guarantee that you will enjoy it.
I have read all of the Stephen Attebrook mysteries and enjoyed all of them. The characters are so well drawn that I feel I know them and need to "visit" them in a new story from time to time. If you are intrigued by the premise of this book I guarantee that you will enjoy it.
August 25, 2021
finally
spoiler alert! finally sir stephen gets he good he deserves. pretty well done mystery, though i am still thrown off by the two different characters whose last name starts with “fitz”. i also find it funny that these characters is the 1200s use modern slang. like the f word. it does amuse me.
spoiler alert! finally sir stephen gets he good he deserves. pretty well done mystery, though i am still thrown off by the two different characters whose last name starts with “fitz”. i also find it funny that these characters is the 1200s use modern slang. like the f word. it does amuse me.
February 11, 2023
Interesting story
This is a book to involve your mind in the solving of an intricate bit of intrigue while learning some history about the life of ordinary medieval Englishmen. The main character is a good man who is not portrayed as a superhero but as an ethical person who works at being good when the world around him is not.
This is a book to involve your mind in the solving of an intricate bit of intrigue while learning some history about the life of ordinary medieval Englishmen. The main character is a good man who is not portrayed as a superhero but as an ethical person who works at being good when the world around him is not.
June 8, 2017
Good plot and characters, well written, with a hint of humour
The sign of a well written book is when you start reading you can visualize the characters and places, Jason vail does just that
The sign of a well written book is when you start reading you can visualize the characters and places, Jason vail does just that
November 11, 2017
Unexpected Ending
Sir Stephen goes above and beyond to solve murders and numerous silver thefts in Ludlow. The surprise ending provides a new chapter for himself and a faithful friend.
Sir Stephen goes above and beyond to solve murders and numerous silver thefts in Ludlow. The surprise ending provides a new chapter for himself and a faithful friend.
February 1, 2018
Well Told Tale.
Very good yarn. Still a pity about the spelling. A hart is a deer not a muscle for pumping blood! I'm still giving the book 5 stars as the well told tale, despite the "Yankee" spelling, deserves it.
Very good yarn. Still a pity about the spelling. A hart is a deer not a muscle for pumping blood! I'm still giving the book 5 stars as the well told tale, despite the "Yankee" spelling, deserves it.
March 24, 2018
Attention wins one
The mystery starts simply with stolen spoons and builds from there. Attention takes on several quest and survives beatings to discover the truth in a satisfying mystery.
The mystery starts simply with stolen spoons and builds from there. Attention takes on several quest and survives beatings to discover the truth in a satisfying mystery.
December 18, 2018
Very enjoyable read like the others in the series--Attebrook is both humane and prone to violence when he feels it is needed. The plot centers on silver and counterfeiting, with a surprise ending affecting some of the recurring characters.
December 30, 2019
Exciting tale
Great addition to the series of books. Lots of twists and turns in the plot that keep you on your toes. Quite satisfactory ending. I already have the next book lined up to read.
Great addition to the series of books. Lots of twists and turns in the plot that keep you on your toes. Quite satisfactory ending. I already have the next book lined up to read.
November 21, 2020
Stephen Attebrook
Love this series by Jason Vail. The protagonist is likable and there is a strong cast of characters to help him in his investigations. The fight scenes are vivid and the historical references educational. An enjoyable read!
Love this series by Jason Vail. The protagonist is likable and there is a strong cast of characters to help him in his investigations. The fight scenes are vivid and the historical references educational. An enjoyable read!
July 24, 2021
Attebrook seems to be rising in the world a bit when his friend Giles comes to him with a story of counterfeit coins. Not only could this ruin Giles and his business, bit the repercussions could stretch as far as the King himself. Good, but counterfeiting stories are not hugely exciting IMO
April 9, 2023
This series is a quick read, and true escapism. It also shows that humankind has survived far worse ears than the 20th century. If we could just learn from history, we wouldn't keeping making the same mistakes!
January 17, 2019
Finally a Good Ending!
I have enjoyed the series but was always a little disappointed with the endings. I am satisfied with this ending.
This series is worth the time.
I have enjoyed the series but was always a little disappointed with the endings. I am satisfied with this ending.
This series is worth the time.
May 6, 2019
Good Read
Always enjoyable to read the trials and adventures of the hero who is not the usual type and at last to be improving his position. Looking forward to his next battle.
Always enjoyable to read the trials and adventures of the hero who is not the usual type and at last to be improving his position. Looking forward to his next battle.
December 23, 2019
Love this series
I’m enjoying the detail in your books, such that I can vividly picture walking about in this medieval life. Brilliant!
I’m enjoying the detail in your books, such that I can vividly picture walking about in this medieval life. Brilliant!
Read
February 13, 2020As always...a joy to read!
Read
March 13, 2020Another great one
A new twist on this, the 6th book in the series. Stephen looks into a counterfeiting ring, and discovers some high level involvement
A new twist on this, the 6th book in the series. Stephen looks into a counterfeiting ring, and discovers some high level involvement
August 8, 2020
Best yet!
I love positive ending...
The sword fight was probably accurate . However could any one make those escapes and come out alive?
I love positive ending...
The sword fight was probably accurate . However could any one make those escapes and come out alive?
November 29, 2020
Good reading
Another good read in the series Jason makes the book become alive with his intresresting characters and intriguing plots now on to the next in the series
Another good read in the series Jason makes the book become alive with his intresresting characters and intriguing plots now on to the next in the series
August 17, 2021
Finally! Stephen isn’t penniless any more. Read here to find out how!! As for me, still enjoying a well crafted series.
October 3, 2022
The series is lightening my heart. Having a moral compass and hard work without regard to station can lead to reward. A rag tag group is assembling to develop an ad-hoc family. Where could this lead?
June 22, 2024
A surprising good read
Attebrook is an engaging character and the story has some good twists and turns. I admit to especially enjoying the ending.
Attebrook is an engaging character and the story has some good twists and turns. I admit to especially enjoying the ending.
August 25, 2024
Forgery
Burglaries, murder, deception - oh my what a mess. Can Stephen figure it out. Old enemies, new friends and a promotions. What will happen next?
Burglaries, murder, deception - oh my what a mess. Can Stephen figure it out. Old enemies, new friends and a promotions. What will happen next?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews