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Kathryn Swinbrooke #3
The Merchant of Death
This third novel featuring medieval physician and chemist Kathryn Swinbrooke opens just before Christmas in 1471. Snowstorms have blanketed the city of Canterbury. Kathryn and her cook Thomasina are busily preparing for the holiday, when terrible news arrives: The painter Richard Blunt has confessed to killing his young wife, along with two men who were dallying with her. Kathryn is disturbed by Blunt's serene demeanor, but before she can articulate her suspicions, another death captures her attention. A tax collector, Sir Reginald Erpingham, has been found dead in his room at the Wicker Man tavern, and the King's monies have been stolen. Kathryn quickly determines that the collector was murdered, perhaps by poison, and begins questioning the guests at the tavern. Meanwhile, there are patients to be cared for, a practice to build, and a household to maintain - but Kathryn must put aside these pleasant duties if she is to find the link between Richard Blunt and the strange events at the Wicker Man tavern.
182 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1985
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145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 10, 2023
It’s 1471 and Christmas is coming, but there’s no festive cheer for Kathryn Swinbrooke, physician and apothecary of Canterbury, as she has to investigate more murders. An unpopular tax collector has been murdered, and the money he collected has disappeared, and naturally the King wants his money back. Luckily Kathryn has dashing Irishman Colum Murtagh, the King’s Commissioner, to help her. Meanwhile an unfaithful wife and her lovers have been murdered, and it seems a straightforward matter, they were killed by the jealous husband. But is it that simple? The third Kathryn Swinbrooke tale is as enjoyable as the previous two, with Kathryn a highly likeable heroine, and Colum her highly desirable suitor.
September 9, 2022
Interesting author’s note at the end. Very good story.
July 28, 2023
The Merchant of Death
Kathryn Swinbrooke #3
By Paul Doherty writing as C. L. Grace
Reviewed July 27, 2023
It’s winter 1471. A heavy snow envelops Canterbury, during which time two violent events take place.
The first is a triple homicide. Painter Richard Blunt, a respected member of the community, confesses to the murder of his much-younger wife and two men who had been dallying with her.
Not long after that, Sir Reginald Erpingham, the King’s tax collector, is poisoned. Not only is he found dead in his room at The Wicker Man, the tavern where he was staying, but the taxes he had collected are no where to be found. The problem is that there is no shortage of suspects as Erpingham was a despicable man who was not above abusing his authority.
As Kathryn Swinbrooke, local leech and apothecary, and Colum Murtagh, King Edward’s man in Canterbury, look deeper into both crimes they learn that Blunt was not the name the painter was born with, and that years ago, Blunt and Erpingham had an unpleasant history. But how does the killing of Blunt’s unfaithful wife and her amours tie in with Erpingham.
In addition, while exploring deeper into Erpingham’s history, Kathryn and Colum find some very disturbing things, including a book with sketches of a number of nude women. Are they an album of Erpingham’s conquests? Also tucked away in a coffer are items of a Satanic nature. How, if at all, does this tie in with the rumors that the room in which Erpingham died is haunted?
Once again we have a good mystery with enough twists and turns to keep the reader’s interest. And we continue to see the characters develop – not just Kathryn and Colum, who are developing feelings for each other, but secondary characters like Kathryn’s servant, the sharp-tongued Thomasina; the beggar Rawnose, who happily collects gossip for Kathryn in return for a warm meal; Wuf, the orphaned waif Kathryn’s taken in, and others.
This has turned into an enjoyable series, and I look forward to reading the rest down the road.
Kathryn Swinbrooke #3
By Paul Doherty writing as C. L. Grace
Reviewed July 27, 2023
It’s winter 1471. A heavy snow envelops Canterbury, during which time two violent events take place.
The first is a triple homicide. Painter Richard Blunt, a respected member of the community, confesses to the murder of his much-younger wife and two men who had been dallying with her.
Not long after that, Sir Reginald Erpingham, the King’s tax collector, is poisoned. Not only is he found dead in his room at The Wicker Man, the tavern where he was staying, but the taxes he had collected are no where to be found. The problem is that there is no shortage of suspects as Erpingham was a despicable man who was not above abusing his authority.
As Kathryn Swinbrooke, local leech and apothecary, and Colum Murtagh, King Edward’s man in Canterbury, look deeper into both crimes they learn that Blunt was not the name the painter was born with, and that years ago, Blunt and Erpingham had an unpleasant history. But how does the killing of Blunt’s unfaithful wife and her amours tie in with Erpingham.
In addition, while exploring deeper into Erpingham’s history, Kathryn and Colum find some very disturbing things, including a book with sketches of a number of nude women. Are they an album of Erpingham’s conquests? Also tucked away in a coffer are items of a Satanic nature. How, if at all, does this tie in with the rumors that the room in which Erpingham died is haunted?
Once again we have a good mystery with enough twists and turns to keep the reader’s interest. And we continue to see the characters develop – not just Kathryn and Colum, who are developing feelings for each other, but secondary characters like Kathryn’s servant, the sharp-tongued Thomasina; the beggar Rawnose, who happily collects gossip for Kathryn in return for a warm meal; Wuf, the orphaned waif Kathryn’s taken in, and others.
This has turned into an enjoyable series, and I look forward to reading the rest down the road.
March 4, 2023
Well written. Well crafted. Engaging.
As usual, this book...as all of the books in the series...are puzzling, full of twists and turns and Kathryn Swinbrooke is a marvel at solving intricate crimes and deciphering intricate crime scenes and discovering, by examination of deceased remains, just how many horrible deaths were perpetrated. I often feel as these stories progress how I missed the facts and clues leading up to the solution to the series of crimes in each book. They sometimes feel a bit formulaic. though Mr. Dougherty is good at adding new details to each book that make the formula feel new, mostly, each time! I enjoy the relationships as they evolve of the main and secondary characters that are in most of the books. They are evolving and keep one guessing as to what will happen to them next. I have read them out if order and will read the two remaining...books 4 and the Kat one #7? Hope I like those, too!
As usual, this book...as all of the books in the series...are puzzling, full of twists and turns and Kathryn Swinbrooke is a marvel at solving intricate crimes and deciphering intricate crime scenes and discovering, by examination of deceased remains, just how many horrible deaths were perpetrated. I often feel as these stories progress how I missed the facts and clues leading up to the solution to the series of crimes in each book. They sometimes feel a bit formulaic. though Mr. Dougherty is good at adding new details to each book that make the formula feel new, mostly, each time! I enjoy the relationships as they evolve of the main and secondary characters that are in most of the books. They are evolving and keep one guessing as to what will happen to them next. I have read them out if order and will read the two remaining...books 4 and the Kat one #7? Hope I like those, too!
October 26, 2024
"¡La taberna del Hombre de Mimbre encierra muchos secretos y temo por los que en ella se alojan!"
.
Compré esta novela cuando estaba en la universidad. Estaba en una caja de libros que tenían un descuento de locura. En ese momento veinte pesitos no me sangraban el bolsillo y además la descripción en la contraportada de Kathryn Swinbrooke, la protagonista, "médica, sangradora y experta en casos de muerte violenta", me conquistó por completo. Es una novela breve y apta para llevarla a lugares como las oficinas del SAT o al encuentro con un amigo o amiga impuntual, porque la lectura del asesinato del recaudador de impuestos del rey, Sir Reginald Erpinham [un hombre horrible], en un Canterbury nevado en las Navidades de 1471, hace más soportable cualquier espera. Y si lo acompañan con un cafecito [caramel macchiato, en mi caso], de repente la vida se arregla un poquito.
.
Compré esta novela cuando estaba en la universidad. Estaba en una caja de libros que tenían un descuento de locura. En ese momento veinte pesitos no me sangraban el bolsillo y además la descripción en la contraportada de Kathryn Swinbrooke, la protagonista, "médica, sangradora y experta en casos de muerte violenta", me conquistó por completo. Es una novela breve y apta para llevarla a lugares como las oficinas del SAT o al encuentro con un amigo o amiga impuntual, porque la lectura del asesinato del recaudador de impuestos del rey, Sir Reginald Erpinham [un hombre horrible], en un Canterbury nevado en las Navidades de 1471, hace más soportable cualquier espera. Y si lo acompañan con un cafecito [caramel macchiato, en mi caso], de repente la vida se arregla un poquito.
February 27, 2023
Another excellent addition to this series, which I am finding hard to stop!!
Here Kathryn and Colum are called to The Wicker Man tavern to investigate the murder of an unsavoury person, in the form of tax collector, Reginald Erpingham.
It is a type of closed room mystery and most characters involved are difficult to warm too.
We have a second murder, for which there is a confession, but all is not, as it seems with both murders.
I enjoy how Kathryn and Colum are getting to know each other better and we are doing so as well.
Here Kathryn and Colum are called to The Wicker Man tavern to investigate the murder of an unsavoury person, in the form of tax collector, Reginald Erpingham.
It is a type of closed room mystery and most characters involved are difficult to warm too.
We have a second murder, for which there is a confession, but all is not, as it seems with both murders.
I enjoy how Kathryn and Colum are getting to know each other better and we are doing so as well.
December 6, 2020
I really like the setting and characters in this series but I was disappointed in the writing of the first two books in the series. This installment was not writtenas sloppily as the first two although there were a couple of typos. The story was engaging and well plotted with a cliffhanger at the end.
June 12, 2023
mistress Swinbrooke solves another one.
I would like to think that there were some medieval women like Katharine and we are not imposing our modern viewpoint where and how it could not exist. I learned even more medieval words and Canterbury is even higher on my list of stops in my still-forming itinerary of literary England.
I would like to think that there were some medieval women like Katharine and we are not imposing our modern viewpoint where and how it could not exist. I learned even more medieval words and Canterbury is even higher on my list of stops in my still-forming itinerary of literary England.
August 8, 2017
Fantastic
Again the writer skillfully entangled the reader in a web where the reader wants to finish the book. Great reading.
Again the writer skillfully entangled the reader in a web where the reader wants to finish the book. Great reading.
November 16, 2017
Another enjoyable read from this author. The mysteries are great, but I also enjoy the relationship among the characters. On to the next one.
August 13, 2019
Hardly any real "feel' of the time, and the characters act like they are in a Harlequin romance. Dull.
May 25, 2021
Μια ακόμα ιστορία με την γιατρό του Μεσαίωνα.
February 16, 2023
:O totalmente impresionada con como resolvió el caso Kathryn y como era el crimen
July 2, 2025
An easy series to read, a good history lesson. About time Kathryn and Colum got together so we can all move on 😁
February 19, 2012
Ich habe leider zu spät bemerkt, dass es sich um den dritten Teil der Reihe handelt.
Die Kriminalgeschichte ist ordentlich erzählt, aber nicht umwerfend. Manche Details verwundern mich, da sie mir nicht zeitgemäß erscheinen und das Buch von einem Historiker geschrieben wurde. Konnte sich eine Frau, deren Mann verschwunden war, so einfach bei einem andern Mann in der Öffentlichkeit unterhaken, im 15. Jahrhundert? Ich bezweifle es.
Die Kriminalgeschichte ist ordentlich erzählt, aber nicht umwerfend. Manche Details verwundern mich, da sie mir nicht zeitgemäß erscheinen und das Buch von einem Historiker geschrieben wurde. Konnte sich eine Frau, deren Mann verschwunden war, so einfach bei einem andern Mann in der Öffentlichkeit unterhaken, im 15. Jahrhundert? Ich bezweifle es.
September 1, 2010
I had very conflicting desires in this book-the satisfaction of justice and the need for truth. Kathryn is such a strong character and tolerates very little as she moves with Colum to solve several mysteries. I so enjoy reading of the medieval lifestyle. Grace paints such a strong sense of the time.
November 14, 2008
Another good series that combines historical fiction and mystery. I also enjoy the female "detective" in this series.
Read
January 26, 2013loved it
June 29, 2014
A solid mystery set in the middle ages.
June 24, 2014
Every locked door mystery has a different ending. This one sure did.
October 13, 2015
I like most of the books by this written. This one is no different. I love the history in them yet he still manages to tell a good yarn.
July 16, 2023
Die Reihe wird mit jedem Buch besser. Ich mochte es, dass es dieses Mal zwei Kriminalfälle gab. Und, dass die Romanze zwischen Kathryn und Collum langsam fahrt aufnimmt.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews