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The Chronicles of Brother Hermitage #3
The Tapestry of Death
England 1067: Briston the weaver has been murdered – in a very special way – and it is up to his old friend Wat to avenge his death.
Brother Hermitage will naturally support his companion in the quest, but the young monk worries as the number of suspects keeps rising. He's never been good with crowds.
When events take a turn for the truly bizarre, Hermitage and Wat find themselves up to their Saxon socks in people who want them dead, people who want one another dead and people who seem to want everyone dead.
They must find a missing maiden, placate a giant killer and reveal the awful secret of the Tapestry of Death before matters are resolved. Resolved largely unsatisfactorily, but then that's life.
With a monk, tradesmen, priests, Normans and Saxons, The Tapestry of Death should be a solid, traditional medieval who-done-it, but it isn't. Really, it isn't.
Authentic and accurate representation of the time? Barely.
Historically informative? Certainly not.
Hilarious and very silly? Now you're getting warm.
Brother Hermitage will naturally support his companion in the quest, but the young monk worries as the number of suspects keeps rising. He's never been good with crowds.
When events take a turn for the truly bizarre, Hermitage and Wat find themselves up to their Saxon socks in people who want them dead, people who want one another dead and people who seem to want everyone dead.
They must find a missing maiden, placate a giant killer and reveal the awful secret of the Tapestry of Death before matters are resolved. Resolved largely unsatisfactorily, but then that's life.
With a monk, tradesmen, priests, Normans and Saxons, The Tapestry of Death should be a solid, traditional medieval who-done-it, but it isn't. Really, it isn't.
Authentic and accurate representation of the time? Barely.
Historically informative? Certainly not.
Hilarious and very silly? Now you're getting warm.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2013
67 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Howard of Warwick
52 books89 followersHoward of Warwick is but a humble chronicler with the blind luck to stumble upon manuscripts which describe the goings-on of Brother Hermitage and his companion Wat the weaver.
His work has been heard, seen and read, most of it accompanied by laughter and some of it by money. His peers have even seen fit to recognize his unworthy efforts with a prize for making up stories.
There are now eighteen - make that twenty - novels of Brother Hermitage, the most medieval of detectives, loose on the world and they have found considerable success with the buying public.
The most recent outpouring from the scriptorium is The King's Investigator Part II.
Tales of Hermitage continue to flow forth with few checks for accuracy. There are even short stories available for free.
There is a dedicated web page, HowardofWarwick.com.
Messages can be left care of Howard@howardofwarwick.com and Howardofwarwick can be followed on Twitter
There is even tweeting @HowardofWarwick
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 24, 2022
Brother Hermitage and Wat the Weaver become involved in another murder when Wat's weaver mate is found dead, totally wrapped up in embroidery silk. Turns out he was making custom tapestries of an adult nature for sale below the counter. His best customers being lords, bishops and other people, who for obvious reasons, what this to remain secret.
Funny stuff and reminds me of Black Adder. Brother Hermitage has a similar personality to Baldric. And then there are of course the Normans.. don't mention the Normans.
I received this book from a friend while on vacation in England. A small publisher so probably hard to find in other countries.
Funny stuff and reminds me of Black Adder. Brother Hermitage has a similar personality to Baldric. And then there are of course the Normans.. don't mention the Normans.
I received this book from a friend while on vacation in England. A small publisher so probably hard to find in other countries.
October 4, 2025
A good book but not sure if the manuscripts are genuine I just made up. Still this book is well worth reading.
December 2, 2020
This instalment shows much more of the non-monastic world of 1067. The wider world is opening Hermitage's eyes, though I'm not sure he wants them opened that wide!
There are some fabulous new characters in this one Virgil - the giant, not the poet, Dextus the priest, and of course Cwen. Cwen is great, hoping to see more of Cwen in other books.
This book goes places you don't expect it to, it bangs about like a Hoofhorn in a cauldron, and is great for a laugh. This has some fantastic lines in it, the bit about a wife's sarcasm made both my husband and I burst out laughing - sarcasm is now I communicate!
Really do recommend this series.
There are some fabulous new characters in this one Virgil - the giant, not the poet, Dextus the priest, and of course Cwen. Cwen is great, hoping to see more of Cwen in other books.
This book goes places you don't expect it to, it bangs about like a Hoofhorn in a cauldron, and is great for a laugh. This has some fantastic lines in it, the bit about a wife's sarcasm made both my husband and I burst out laughing - sarcasm is now I communicate!
Really do recommend this series.
August 5, 2013
Well, I finished The Tapestry of Death in two evenings so that tells you I didn't hate it.
I have to say it's another triumph from Howard's quill, though I still think Garderobe is the best.
Loved the slightly deranged Hamard the incidental butcher, and Lolby the peasant. Laughed out loud when Lolby's hovel bit the dust and yes, I'm aware of how cruel that sounds. Read it and you too will laugh at a peasant losing his home.
A huge well done to the author for keeping an appalling smartarse like myself guessing as to the identity of the Hoofhorn. I was firmly convinced of the guilt of three different people at various times.
Well worth a read, in my humble opinion
I have to say it's another triumph from Howard's quill, though I still think Garderobe is the best.
Loved the slightly deranged Hamard the incidental butcher, and Lolby the peasant. Laughed out loud when Lolby's hovel bit the dust and yes, I'm aware of how cruel that sounds. Read it and you too will laugh at a peasant losing his home.
A huge well done to the author for keeping an appalling smartarse like myself guessing as to the identity of the Hoofhorn. I was firmly convinced of the guilt of three different people at various times.
Well worth a read, in my humble opinion
March 31, 2022
I am now a huge fan of the series. The third instalment somehow manages to move the story and characters forward while maintaining the spirit of the series.
There are some very interesting new characters, as well.
What it's impressive, to me, is that while the murder and mystery seem to be there simply as an excuse to kickstart a comedy and its jokes, the "whodunit" part of the story is always fairly complicated and it will keep you guessing to very the end.
There are some very interesting new characters, as well.
What it's impressive, to me, is that while the murder and mystery seem to be there simply as an excuse to kickstart a comedy and its jokes, the "whodunit" part of the story is always fairly complicated and it will keep you guessing to very the end.
July 16, 2018
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"This book is outright humorous... Humour is a strange, individual quality. We have to discover it ourselves. Let me just say that the humour is very British, and I felt compelled to read snippets to my wife as I read the book."
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"This book is outright humorous... Humour is a strange, individual quality. We have to discover it ourselves. Let me just say that the humour is very British, and I felt compelled to read snippets to my wife as I read the book."
January 12, 2021
This series gets funnier as it goes along. This is a complicated mystery, dead Weaver, local tough hunting Weaver, the Bishops men hunting Weaver. Weaver not really dead, Norman invaders, Saxon royalty. Hermitage and Wat have one day to find the not so dead weaver and the scandalous tapestry he has created and everyone is willing to kill for.
December 23, 2016
Not quite up to previous standards
Amusing, but less strangled laughter (bed mates awakened by sudden hysterical laughter from profound sleep tend to crabbiness hence futile attempt to stiffle giggles) . A very tangled plot.
Amusing, but less strangled laughter (bed mates awakened by sudden hysterical laughter from profound sleep tend to crabbiness hence futile attempt to stiffle giggles) . A very tangled plot.
January 12, 2018
This one leans more toward the intricate plot than the belly laughs (Hoofhorn bits aside), but still a very enjoyable read. Hermitage is still delightful, Wat is still Watsony, and now they have a girl companion who is smarter than the pair of them. hooray!
September 23, 2020
Quite a different read compared to the previous one with the Garderobe which read like a Pratchett-novel for most parts.
This is a convoluted murder mystery with a few amusing scenes - still a nice read I would recommend unless you prefer your Hermitage & Wat[son] funny.
I do.
This is a convoluted murder mystery with a few amusing scenes - still a nice read I would recommend unless you prefer your Hermitage & Wat[son] funny.
I do.
January 20, 2017
Gotta love Hermitage!
These books are just too much fun! The characters are funny without even trying. And the mystery keeps you guessing! Cannot wait to start the next instalment!
These books are just too much fun! The characters are funny without even trying. And the mystery keeps you guessing! Cannot wait to start the next instalment!
August 13, 2020
A great giggle from start to finish!
Fun an games after the Norman invasion. Great plot with entertaining characters. A perfect summer garden read with more to follow.
Fun an games after the Norman invasion. Great plot with entertaining characters. A perfect summer garden read with more to follow.
March 11, 2023
Another fun installment. I wasn't crazy about the hoofhorn. He seemed a bit too silly even for such a light hearted series. Cwen was a nice addition.
June 18, 2022
A body wrapped in a Tapestry of Death has been discovered. Well, would you believe while there is a body, it's not who they thought it was.
Intriguing problem. From there I got lost.
The tapestry was woven by a weaver's apprentice, who is not as they thought ....
Eventually the problem is solved.
Each chapter was fun to read, but somehow I had trouble maintaining continuity.
Intriguing problem. From there I got lost.
The tapestry was woven by a weaver's apprentice, who is not as they thought ....
Eventually the problem is solved.
Each chapter was fun to read, but somehow I had trouble maintaining continuity.
May 7, 2022
Good read
I thoroughly enjoy these books. I like the humour and the settings a good read on a Sunday afternoon .......or any time for that matter. I always look forward to the next one
I thoroughly enjoy these books. I like the humour and the settings a good read on a Sunday afternoon .......or any time for that matter. I always look forward to the next one
December 1, 2017
The whole lot of these Hermitage books are just fun reads.
November 30, 2020
All of the Brother Hermitage books are wonderful!
May 22, 2021
Great fun. Nice blend of period and modern. Clever wit. Good story. Good character development. Looking forward to the next installment. Well worth reading.
September 11, 2014
Had to push through this one , it dragged and the dialog was wanting along with the story line. Think I've had enough of this duo; the purported humor and irreverence falls flat most of the time. The characters have to be more developed to keep this worth going back for more. Or perhaps my sense of the absurd is under developed .
August 18, 2013
amazingly brilliant romp of a read. if you love to medieval mysteries and sharp wit and humor, read this series. hard to stop reading once you start!
April 7, 2014
Kooky little mystery story with lots of made up characters traipsing around post Norman conquest England.
August 5, 2014
Very good, further adventures of Brother Hermitage and Wat the Weaver.
March 24, 2017
Another episode of Hilarious Historical Happenings.
Already have the rest of the books, so into the next one.
'The Doomsday Book...No Not That One.
☆☆☆☆☆.
.
Already have the rest of the books, so into the next one.
'The Doomsday Book...No Not That One.
☆☆☆☆☆.
.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews