The Worthy Soldier

Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mysteries #9

by Sarah Woodbury

May 1147. Gareth and Gwen have traveled to Deheubarth in the retinue of Prince Hywel. The Prince of Gwynedd has temporarily allied himself with King Cadell and his Norman relations in order to finally evict the hated Flemings from south Wales. But while the battle goes well, the celebratory feast afterwards does not, leaving Gareth and Gwen among the few left standing. And it is to them, as always, that the investigation falls and on whom peace in Wales may well depend.

The Worthy Soldier is the ninth Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mystery.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Crime

349 pages, ebook

Published May 23, 2017

About the author

With over a million books sold to date, Sarah Woodbury is the author of more than forty novels, all set in medieval Wales. Although an anthropologist by training, and then a full-time homeschooling mom for twenty years, she began writing fiction when the stories in her head overflowed and demanded that she let them out. While her ancestry is Welsh, she only visited Wales for the first time at university. She has been in love with the country, language, and people ever since. She even convinced her husband to give all four of their children Welsh names.

Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).


She makes her home in Oregon.

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are always a little better when they deal directly with real historical events, but I found myself enjoying this more than I had others in a while. This book deals with the mystery of Maud's lost loot, but it also includes a thoughtful look at the impact of constantly shifting alliances on rank and file knights and fighters, who might grow up together, end on different sides, then come back together again as their lords change priorities. As always I appreciate this glimpse into the intimacy of Welsh stronghold life, where the distance from the Prince to the local widow is not great, and culture is so strong among what is still a strong group.
I also appreciated a stronger role for the teen boys - as our plucky pair of detectives get more confident and renowned, it takes a bit of the fun out and I hope this trend continues.

[Lora Shouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Worthy Soldier, the ninth book of the Gareth and Gwen mysteries, opens with an attack on Wiston Castle, owned by the Fleming Walter FitzWizo, by the combined forces of Gwynedd and Dehubarth. The two Welch kingdoms are engaged in what both Prince Hywel of Gwynedd and King Cadell of Dehubarth probably consider to be a relatively temporary alliance to get rid of this alien presence inside Wales. The alliance appears to be pretty fragile. Although the attack on the castle mostly goes well – except for some puzzling behavior on the part of one of Cadell’s captains, at the victory celebration back in Dehubarth afterward people suddenly start falling ill and dying. As usual, Gareth is volunteered to investigate why. If he doesn’t come up with satisfactory answers quickly, one of his own men could be blamed for the outbreak, and the former allies could easily wind up fighting each other.

Again, there are numerous false leads in the case. But Gareth and Gwen, with help from Gareth’s man, Evan, Hywel, and Angharad, Cadell’s niece who was previously almost engaged to Hywel’s older brother, Prince Rhun, keep at it and eventually make some surprising discoveries.

Another man, a Sir Robert, who was formerly Evan’s sword instructor when he lived in Dehubarth earlier, is also murdered separately from what has turned out to be the poisoning incident at the party. The sleuths believe he may hold the key to what is happening in Dehubarth. Even though Sir Robert was the one acting strangely at the battle, they don’t really find much against him. But some of the people who serve him seem to be a different story.

They befriend a young man, Rhys, Cadell’s younger half-brother, who also helps in the investigation, and discover a rather large treasure. They give some of the treasure to Cadell, who shares it with his loyal subordinates, and the shaky alliance holds up for a while longer. But there are signs that it may lead to trouble, or at least more adventure later.

[PR · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best Story So Far...

And the toughest one to read so far...She gets better and better, clearer and clearer in her narration of these stories with each book. The explanations of the historic detail are easier to understand the more of these she writes. I have read so many books about this era over time and feel that it takes real study to understand this incredibly complex period in history. I am so appreciative of her expertise in this area and that she shares it with us in such an entertaining and satisfying way. I continue to read these one after the other and plan to read some of her other books as well...next! Next!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hywel, Gareth, Gwen, the newly formed Dragons (special soldiers) and Hywel’s men at arms have aligned with King Cadell of Deheubarth and his Norman relations to attack the Flemings at Wiston Castle (Walter FitzWizo). At the celebration feast, Meicol, a soldier, dies from poison. As Gareth begins investigating, numerous people at the feast become ill - they’ve all been poisoned. The Sir Robert, a master swordsman and trainer of Cadell’s men, is murdered. Many of the people who were poisoned died, so not only do Gareth and Gwen have to find the poisoner, but who murdered Sir Robert. There is also lost treasure, jealousies and another murder along the way.

[Kate Joekel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

Another great tale in the Gareth and Gwen medieval mystery series. I just keep enjoying this series with each new book. In " The Worthy Soldier", the two sleuths are more closely involved in the tragic times of England when Stephen and the Empress Matilda were battling it out for the right to rule. Treasure lost, poison, and of course a murder or two for Gareth and Gwen to solve are all part of this story. I particularly enjoy the growth of characters as the series progresses, both mentally , physically and emotionally.

[Nance Roepke · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Sometimes Woodbury creates situations in which Gareth and Gwen are called to investigate that seemed far too contrived. But, so it is. And the situation in which the mystery occurs is a good one. Unfortunately, without giving anything away, I think Ms Woodbury put something in the story or, more accurately, left something out which made part of the solution clear for me. At least it made the who more clear but not the why. Generally speaking it was pretty well done and I continue to like the main characters and want to follow them.

[Jeri L · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best mystery yet for Gwen and Gareth

Seldom have I been able to determine who done it before the results are revealed. In this case, I figured out who, but not why. Well done Sarah Woodbury.

[Chrissey Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the titles in the series, this has been one of my favourites. The poisoning was a particularly dramatic opener and getting the new perspectives of Evan and Gareth's adopted son really rounded this one out.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining. I enjoy spending time in Gareth's & Gwen's world. Medieval Wales fascinates me.

[Susanna Shipman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent mystery

I just love the characters in this series. They are like family. I hope there are many more Gareth & Gwen mysteries to come!

[Voirrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

More comfort reading whilst organising the house, which I forgot to add here.

It was really good, I recall!

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and interesting.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be sad when this series ends. Normally, my liking of a series can ebb and flow through such a long series but I have stayed consistently in love with this series so far.

[Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too much going on to focus on the central mystery imo. I did like how the son is growing up and I love how Ms. Woodbury uses real historical events throughout the books.

[Kelly Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started out slow this book, but ended with a bang.

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these Gareth and Gwen mysteries, and this one did not disappoint. Reflecting about the story after I finished it, I am wondering just who was the titular "worthy" soldier - because none of the ones in the tale apart from Prince Hywel's troops was particularly worthy! Highly recommended.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still working my way thru th Gwen an Garth books I have missed. Excellent.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of mystery and intrigue in this one. I love how Garett and Gwen’s adopted sons are coming into their adulthood. Very enjoyable stories.

[Bron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Gareth and Gwen series of mysteries, but, this is the ninth book and together they present a continuous story of Gareth and Gwen's relationship with each other and with the prince of Gwynedd. So, it's useful to read them in chronological order, and now the series is getting longer, I sometimes find the need to refer back to earlier stories. That said, this one draws you in right from the beginning. Invited to a celebratory feast, it isn't long before the pair find someone dying right in front of them for no obvious reason. The investigation hardly gets started when others fall ill and there's soon many more deaths. And on top of this, a local lord is found dead in the church yard with his head bashed in. Is it all connected somehow? The pair pick through the trail of clues with their usual thoroughness and fair play, but the answer surprises everyone.

[Bob Blanton]

These are great historical novels. Fun reads, with complex plots intertwined with history.