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Kate Clifford #3
A Murdered Peace
It is deep winter in York, 1400, the ground frozen, the short days dimmed with the smoke from countless fires, the sun, when it shines, low in the sky. It is rumored that the Epiphany Uprising, meant to relieve the realm of the Henry the usurper and return King Richard to the throne has, instead, spelled his doom. As long as Richard lives, he is a threat to Henry. So, too, the nobles behind the plot. The ringleaders have been caught, some slaughtered as they fled west by folk loyal to Henry, and the king’s men now search the towns for survivors.
A perilous time, made worse for Kate Clifford by the disappearance of Berend, her cook and confidante, shortly after Christmas. Her niece saw his departure in a dream—he said he was honor bound to leave. Honor bound—to a former lord? One of the nobles who led the uprising? Is he alive? She is hardly consoled when Berend reappears, wounded, secretive, denying any connection to the uprising, but refusing to explain himself. When he is accused of brutally murdering a spice seller in the city, Kate discovers a chest of jewels in his possession. Some of the jewels belong to her old friend Lady Margery, wanted by the king for her husband’s part in the uprising. For the sake of their long friendship, and the love she and her wards bear for him, Kate wants to believe his innocence. So, too, does Sir Elric. And he has the powerful backing of the Earl of Westmoreland. All she need do is confide in him. If only she trusted her heart.
A perilous time, made worse for Kate Clifford by the disappearance of Berend, her cook and confidante, shortly after Christmas. Her niece saw his departure in a dream—he said he was honor bound to leave. Honor bound—to a former lord? One of the nobles who led the uprising? Is he alive? She is hardly consoled when Berend reappears, wounded, secretive, denying any connection to the uprising, but refusing to explain himself. When he is accused of brutally murdering a spice seller in the city, Kate discovers a chest of jewels in his possession. Some of the jewels belong to her old friend Lady Margery, wanted by the king for her husband’s part in the uprising. For the sake of their long friendship, and the love she and her wards bear for him, Kate wants to believe his innocence. So, too, does Sir Elric. And he has the powerful backing of the Earl of Westmoreland. All she need do is confide in him. If only she trusted her heart.
304 pages, Paperback
First published December 11, 2018
80 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Candace Robb
48 books511 followersStoryteller, mythweaver, author of the Owen Archer, Kate Clifford, & Margaret Kerr mysteries. Primary residence, medieval York.
I blog about writing, medieval history, writing women's stories, and feature new scholarship in my field at candacerobbbooks.com, and share loads of medieval news, folklore, and whimsy on my facebook page, Candace Robb
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 27, 2018
A fast paced medieval murder mystery that's so much more!
Kate Clifford, a successful York merchant, is confused by the disappearance of her friend and cook Berend. It's 1400 and what with the disastrous Epiphany Uprising, an attempt to return King Richard to his rightful place, the times are challenging and dangerous. What could have prompted his abrupt departure? In a measure Kate feels betrayed that her confidante might not have been as open as she had thought.
When a wounded Berend resurfaces, in hiding from the King's men, Kate is worried that he has been involved in the uprising. Then theres a further problem. A friend, Lady Margery, arrives distraught and alone except for one retainer, on Kate's doorstep. Kate has no choice but to take her in and hide her. An action that puts Kate's family in danger.
Meanwhile a spice seller has been murdered and all fingers are pointing towards Berend. A further death invokes more questions.
The Earl of Westmoreland's man, Sir Elric becomes involved in the search for Lady Margery and Berend. A man Kate feels drawn to and wants to trust but can she?
I do love Kate's two dogs and her relationship with them. More than anything else they make a statement about who she is!
Like all of Robb's works there are layers within layers. I do feel that the reading of the prior books in the series would have increased my understanding of some of the pressures on Kate and given me greater understanding about the complexity of the relationships between the characters. The relationship between Kate and her dead brother, who has somehow remained with her, is another question. Still, these factors did not in anyway hamper my involvement with the storyline, if anything it increased my desire to read the prior episodes in Kate Clifford's life.
A NetGalley ARC
Kate Clifford, a successful York merchant, is confused by the disappearance of her friend and cook Berend. It's 1400 and what with the disastrous Epiphany Uprising, an attempt to return King Richard to his rightful place, the times are challenging and dangerous. What could have prompted his abrupt departure? In a measure Kate feels betrayed that her confidante might not have been as open as she had thought.
When a wounded Berend resurfaces, in hiding from the King's men, Kate is worried that he has been involved in the uprising. Then theres a further problem. A friend, Lady Margery, arrives distraught and alone except for one retainer, on Kate's doorstep. Kate has no choice but to take her in and hide her. An action that puts Kate's family in danger.
Meanwhile a spice seller has been murdered and all fingers are pointing towards Berend. A further death invokes more questions.
The Earl of Westmoreland's man, Sir Elric becomes involved in the search for Lady Margery and Berend. A man Kate feels drawn to and wants to trust but can she?
I do love Kate's two dogs and her relationship with them. More than anything else they make a statement about who she is!
Like all of Robb's works there are layers within layers. I do feel that the reading of the prior books in the series would have increased my understanding of some of the pressures on Kate and given me greater understanding about the complexity of the relationships between the characters. The relationship between Kate and her dead brother, who has somehow remained with her, is another question. Still, these factors did not in anyway hamper my involvement with the storyline, if anything it increased my desire to read the prior episodes in Kate Clifford's life.
A NetGalley ARC
May 24, 2021
I’d forgotten about Candace Robb for a bit, but after I read The Cross Legged Knight, I just had to read another one of the Kate Clifford Mysteries, another series by her.
A Murdered Peace is the third book in the Kate Clifford series and it deals heavily with characters from the first two books. Berend, Kate’s cook with a shady past, has come back with new wounds after disappearing for a while. So has Lady Margery, who is back in York as she hides from the vengeance of the newly crowned King Henry IV. When a spice seller is murdered and all signs point to Berend as the killer, Kate must investigate to protect someone that she considers a brother.
Helping Kate is Sir Elric, a knight who has feelings for her. If I remember correctly, this has been building up over the last two books, so it was interesting to see how Kate navigates these feelings, as she feels that she may not be able to fully trust him.
Other characters, apart from Kate’s household, include her mother and the beguines. In my review of the previous book, I mentioned the beguines being a new concept to me. Thankfully, in the span of time between that book and this one, the Medievalist podcast released an episode on beguines and I would highly recommend that if you’re interested in building your knowledge of that era.
Like her other books, A Murdered Peace is steeped in history and the politics of this time. In this book, a large part of the political chaos stems from King Henry IV’s unconventional way of taking the throne and the uprisings (namely, the Epiphany Uprising) that resulted from it. While it’s easy for historical context to become info-dumps that slow down the book, here, it was incorporated so skilfully that it actually raised the tension in the book for me, because I could see how high the stakes were for Kate, Berend, and Elric.
As usual, the mystery was great. It starts with one murder and ends up leading to more deaths, but the way Kate and Elric investigated and solved the case was very satisfying. Kate is a very savvy woman and I really liked the way she collected and processed information.
While nothing is going to beat the experience of reading a medieval mystery set in York while in York, this book has helped me to remember what it was like visiting the city. I highly recommend this for fans of medieval mysteries. If you’re new to Candace Robb and are trying to choose between a Kate Clifford mystery and an Owen Archer mystery, well there are fewer Kate Clifford books but somehow, I like this series more.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
A Murdered Peace is the third book in the Kate Clifford series and it deals heavily with characters from the first two books. Berend, Kate’s cook with a shady past, has come back with new wounds after disappearing for a while. So has Lady Margery, who is back in York as she hides from the vengeance of the newly crowned King Henry IV. When a spice seller is murdered and all signs point to Berend as the killer, Kate must investigate to protect someone that she considers a brother.
Helping Kate is Sir Elric, a knight who has feelings for her. If I remember correctly, this has been building up over the last two books, so it was interesting to see how Kate navigates these feelings, as she feels that she may not be able to fully trust him.
Other characters, apart from Kate’s household, include her mother and the beguines. In my review of the previous book, I mentioned the beguines being a new concept to me. Thankfully, in the span of time between that book and this one, the Medievalist podcast released an episode on beguines and I would highly recommend that if you’re interested in building your knowledge of that era.
Like her other books, A Murdered Peace is steeped in history and the politics of this time. In this book, a large part of the political chaos stems from King Henry IV’s unconventional way of taking the throne and the uprisings (namely, the Epiphany Uprising) that resulted from it. While it’s easy for historical context to become info-dumps that slow down the book, here, it was incorporated so skilfully that it actually raised the tension in the book for me, because I could see how high the stakes were for Kate, Berend, and Elric.
As usual, the mystery was great. It starts with one murder and ends up leading to more deaths, but the way Kate and Elric investigated and solved the case was very satisfying. Kate is a very savvy woman and I really liked the way she collected and processed information.
While nothing is going to beat the experience of reading a medieval mystery set in York while in York, this book has helped me to remember what it was like visiting the city. I highly recommend this for fans of medieval mysteries. If you’re new to Candace Robb and are trying to choose between a Kate Clifford mystery and an Owen Archer mystery, well there are fewer Kate Clifford books but somehow, I like this series more.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
January 3, 2019
The best in the series so far. An intricate plot that never loses its way, no matter how far the web stretches, and a perfect evocation and place and the turbulent political times that comes to York. Kate is better than ever, stronger, firmer in her convictions (at least in some ways), and the cast of characters is more fully realised than before. We find out about Berend's past, and possibly about some of Kate's future. Robb has rarely been better than she is here, every word, action, and thought assured and clear in its mix of national and local issues. The reader feels the bitter winter, tastes the smoke from the fires and follows her and the wolfhounds around the streets.
October 29, 2018
The third in Candace Robb’s Kate Clifford series, set in 1400 York, finds much has changed in Kate’s world. Kate, a widow who had been shackled by her late husband’s debts, has at last paid them off. She’s a happy mother to her wards – two of them her late husband’s illegitimate children – but she loves all three of her children, one of them saved from the streets of York, equally. Her household is a bustling and happy one.
As the book opens, a friend appears of her doorstep in a snowstorm, requesting shelter. Kate unthinkingly takes her in and only on reflection realizes the danger of taking in a woman who may be regarded at the worst as a traitor, at the least as a fugitive and corpse thief. The woman, Lady Kirkby, has witnessed the beheading of her husband during an uprising in nearby Cirencester.
The world of 1400 York is in turmoil; the rightful King, Richard, has been imprisoned by what some consider a usurper, Henry, who has proclaimed himself Henry IV. The morass of alliances, enemies and power relationships are both the larger focus and the more intimate focus of this book. Kate is struggling with the moral and practical realities of hiding her friend; the larger society is struggling with the idea of an anointed King being imprisoned.
Kate’s problems are deepened by the disappearance of her beloved cook and steadfast friend and ally, Berend. He was beloved by her household and beloved by many in York, so when he starts popping up in various alleys and byways, he’s concealed, despite the fact the Henry’s men are looking for him.
Kate has the good fortune slash awkward fortune of being befriended by one of Henry’s men, the knight Elric. Each feels a powerful pull toward the other, frequently suppressed, and hampered by Kate’s concealment of Lady Kirkby and her very real fears for Berend’s fate.
As Elric and Kate become allies and then uneasy allies as Elric discovers what she has concealed, Kate is not only desperately trying to find and save Berend, she’s also trying to sort her life out. She’s also, of course, trying to solve a few murders, which in typical medieval fashion have taken place through means of poison and throat slashing.
Toward the very end of the novel, Kate exclaims “I am sick of women being punished for their husbands’ foolishness.” While much of the novel concerns the politics of the time, it also concerns the place of women and what they needed to do to both achieve and sustain control of their lives. Kate’s not so unlikely ally is taverner Bess, an older, feisty, strong and wily neighbor, who helps to broker a solution to many of Kate’s troubles.
Kate, who conceals a throwing axe in her skirts and is accompanied by two giant hounds wherever she goes, is fearful of little except how to face the future. Reading her exploits for three books now, however, I have no doubts of her success.
As the book opens, a friend appears of her doorstep in a snowstorm, requesting shelter. Kate unthinkingly takes her in and only on reflection realizes the danger of taking in a woman who may be regarded at the worst as a traitor, at the least as a fugitive and corpse thief. The woman, Lady Kirkby, has witnessed the beheading of her husband during an uprising in nearby Cirencester.
The world of 1400 York is in turmoil; the rightful King, Richard, has been imprisoned by what some consider a usurper, Henry, who has proclaimed himself Henry IV. The morass of alliances, enemies and power relationships are both the larger focus and the more intimate focus of this book. Kate is struggling with the moral and practical realities of hiding her friend; the larger society is struggling with the idea of an anointed King being imprisoned.
Kate’s problems are deepened by the disappearance of her beloved cook and steadfast friend and ally, Berend. He was beloved by her household and beloved by many in York, so when he starts popping up in various alleys and byways, he’s concealed, despite the fact the Henry’s men are looking for him.
Kate has the good fortune slash awkward fortune of being befriended by one of Henry’s men, the knight Elric. Each feels a powerful pull toward the other, frequently suppressed, and hampered by Kate’s concealment of Lady Kirkby and her very real fears for Berend’s fate.
As Elric and Kate become allies and then uneasy allies as Elric discovers what she has concealed, Kate is not only desperately trying to find and save Berend, she’s also trying to sort her life out. She’s also, of course, trying to solve a few murders, which in typical medieval fashion have taken place through means of poison and throat slashing.
Toward the very end of the novel, Kate exclaims “I am sick of women being punished for their husbands’ foolishness.” While much of the novel concerns the politics of the time, it also concerns the place of women and what they needed to do to both achieve and sustain control of their lives. Kate’s not so unlikely ally is taverner Bess, an older, feisty, strong and wily neighbor, who helps to broker a solution to many of Kate’s troubles.
Kate, who conceals a throwing axe in her skirts and is accompanied by two giant hounds wherever she goes, is fearful of little except how to face the future. Reading her exploits for three books now, however, I have no doubts of her success.
May 5, 2023
An Unsatisfying Read
Despite the review’s title the mystery is an engaging one. Kate continues to be an intriguing and complex main character (though her hard-headed mistrust of men is getting old). More than the previous two novels, this mystery is very personal with frightening consequences. Kate is torn between loves and loyalties, all the while needing to protect her beloved wards. That the personal relationships get short shrift to a very cluttered mystery is one reason I walked away disappointed. Another is that no Kate novel has appeared in almost 4 years. This novel ended with so much up in the air for Kate, for Elfric and for Berend, characters we have grown to care about who are now caught up in the dangers of Henry IV’s reign.
As an Owen Archer fan having Bess Merchet front and center was fun, while Gwen Ferriby’s minimal appearances did not feel like nearly enough (and who is Tom Ferriby? Emma’s sons were John and Ivo.) Another tiny quibble: Irish Wolfhounds lifespan is on average 7 years, 10 max. Lille and Ghent are at least 7 but closer to 8 or 9, yet they act as if they are in their prime. Shouldn’t Kate be worrying about that and thinking about puppies to train?
Despite the review’s title the mystery is an engaging one. Kate continues to be an intriguing and complex main character (though her hard-headed mistrust of men is getting old). More than the previous two novels, this mystery is very personal with frightening consequences. Kate is torn between loves and loyalties, all the while needing to protect her beloved wards. That the personal relationships get short shrift to a very cluttered mystery is one reason I walked away disappointed. Another is that no Kate novel has appeared in almost 4 years. This novel ended with so much up in the air for Kate, for Elfric and for Berend, characters we have grown to care about who are now caught up in the dangers of Henry IV’s reign.
As an Owen Archer fan having Bess Merchet front and center was fun, while Gwen Ferriby’s minimal appearances did not feel like nearly enough (and who is Tom Ferriby? Emma’s sons were John and Ivo.) Another tiny quibble: Irish Wolfhounds lifespan is on average 7 years, 10 max. Lille and Ghent are at least 7 but closer to 8 or 9, yet they act as if they are in their prime. Shouldn’t Kate be worrying about that and thinking about puppies to train?
May 8, 2019
A Murdered Peace is the third and final book in Candace Robb’s Kate Clifford Mystery series. Beautiful cover to this mystery novel set in York, England in the winter of 1400. Again the research is impressive. It continues the story of independent young widow Kate, the people around her, and the time and place she inhabits. The transition from King Richard II to Henry IV, who deposed him, creates uncertain times and shifting allegiances. Kate risks much by helping to hide a noblewoman wanted as a traitor. Meanwhile, her cook and close friend Berend is in trouble, accused of two murders she does not believe he committed, so she must try to find the real murderers. Here are her young wards again, and her devotion to Berend contending with her attraction to a knight whom she doesn’t quite trust. It brings the series to a fitting conclusion, yet the world in these pages is so real I could imagine the story continuing. One caveat: it’s easier to get the full flavor if you have read the two previous books so you understand her relationship with Berend.
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March 3, 2024I'd forgotten all about Candace Robb and this series until my eye fell on it in the library. Kate is a very interesting person, a maverick for her time, an independent woman. I love her dogs. She has a sorrowful past, an uneasy relationship with her mother and is well-respected. I have to say there were a great many characters, a great many murders and it was hard to keep track of all of them. I'm up on my English history, but I could have used a short summary to begin with and an index for all the characters. Also, it kind of seesawed as to her feelings towards the other characters - she likes them, she mistrusts them, she's in lust with one, sometimes he loves her, sometimes he doesn't and vice versa. I sound like the girl picking petals off of a daisy, but anyhow, there is just too much. Too many characters and too many plots for me to keep straight. Robb certainly knows her history and writes very well - and not in that stilted style many writers of historical novels affect. Very good, but not as good as it could have been.
July 5, 2024
I adore this series and loved this book. Kate Clifford is such a gutsy heroine: strong, independent, intelligent, loyal and sensitive. The setting, as always, is so finely evoked. It's winter in 1400 in York, England and Henry IV has wrested power from Richard II and loyalties are divided. I know very little of this period but after reading this book I have resolved to do more research into it. The only con for me is the sheer number of characters I had to keep track of. It definitely helps to read the series one after the other or not leave too much time in between books so that you forget some of the minor characters. This is the third and last book of this series so far and I fervently hope Candance Robb will continue this series.
March 11, 2019
I didn't realize it was the third book in a series...but it managed to fill in the gaps fairly quickly. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the characters very much. However, it is one slow burn of a book...and the pace seems glacial at times, when I was desperate for the story to speed up. It's also full of a great many characters, and it was hard to keep track of them, especially towards the climax. Overall, it's a busy, stuffed-to-the-gills piece of historical fiction, but with plenty of charm and one formidable & immensely likeable protagonist in the form of Kate Clifford.
May 7, 2019
A well written, well plotted and fast paced story in which Kate Clifford's family is in danger after their cook, Berend, disappears and is later connected to a plot to murder King Henry IV and his sons and return King Richard II to the throne. Then Kate's friend, Lady Kirkby, turns up on her doorstep widowed and fleeing from King Henry's men. Kate must help her friends with the assistance of Sir Elric and his men and solve a couple of murders along the way. Is this the end of the series or will there be more adventures for Dame Katherine and Sir Elric?
December 31, 2018
Lighten the Head that wears the Crown
Kate Clifford is an ideal heroine, independent, beautiful, ingenious, loving, and always the searcher. Ms Robb provides us with actions that demand answers by characters that are believable and always striving for answers to mysteries. Great read. Thanks,
Ken B
Kate Clifford is an ideal heroine, independent, beautiful, ingenious, loving, and always the searcher. Ms Robb provides us with actions that demand answers by characters that are believable and always striving for answers to mysteries. Great read. Thanks,
Ken B
May 21, 2019
I've now read two of these and I have a consistent reaction: They are incredibly well reasearched, give you densely textured portrait of life in medieval York, but are just not that great as mysteries. The prose is a little too stolid, I think. I'm sure this is just a matter of taste, though. So your mileage may vary.
August 1, 2022
A Murdered Peace by Catherine Robb is a well-written, medieval murder mystery that is also a continuation of the series. Great characterizations and an atmospheric vibe.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
December 20, 2018
The good knights woman
While this story was interesting there were several times it was difficult to keep up with all the characters and changes. Having said that I really enjoyed the story and would recommend this book to my friends.
While this story was interesting there were several times it was difficult to keep up with all the characters and changes. Having said that I really enjoyed the story and would recommend this book to my friends.
March 24, 2019
" A Murdered Peace" was intriquing. I love English history and intrigue and this plot and characters met all my expectations. I did not anticipate getting so involved but it was certainly a page-turner.
August 9, 2019
I like the strong characters and interesting historical setting but found the 1400s political intrigue details really kinda confused up the central mystery. Loved that the dogs were such integral characters though!
February 16, 2020
Outstanding
One of her very best. I love her writing. The best in the genre. I am in love with her characters, the plots, the settings, the period...I do hope there are many more of this series. Pleasdpleaseplease write more Ms. Robb...maps and all! I cannot wait for more!
One of her very best. I love her writing. The best in the genre. I am in love with her characters, the plots, the settings, the period...I do hope there are many more of this series. Pleasdpleaseplease write more Ms. Robb...maps and all! I cannot wait for more!
April 18, 2020
I had to concentrate to keep track of everyone and everything but it was worth it. I also enjoyed the ties to some of the characters in Ms Robb's Owen Archer series which is another of my favorites. Please keep them coming, Candace Robb!
November 14, 2023
This was a complicated mystery within a mystery curing a time of confusion and changing loyalties for many in England. Those close to Kate are in danger and she has much to figure out, including who to trust.
January 7, 2019
I absolutely love Candace Robb's writing style. Historical fiction is my favorite and she uses modern language with a bit of old English thrown in, so it doesn't take away from the story. Her characters are interesting, I did not see all the twists coming in this story. I also love her Owen Archer series and this book ties in a main character from it, I love it!
January 5, 2019
I think this was my favorite Kate Clifford. Loved loved loved this!
January 27, 2019
Interesting and well written, but a bit hard to follow. It probably would have helped if I'd read the first two.
September 27, 2019
"A Murdered Peace" is a compelling murder mystery set during a turbulent time in British history. Kate Clifford is a strong, intelligent and likable character.
April 25, 2020
Interesting History
Though it started out as a slow read by chapter 2 there were so many twists and turns I couldn't put it down until I saw how it all came together.
Though it started out as a slow read by chapter 2 there were so many twists and turns I couldn't put it down until I saw how it all came together.
February 10, 2022
Not a stand-alone story and I didn't read the previous books. Too many characters and back story to keep track.
July 20, 2022
Okay, but not one of my favorites. First time reading mystery set during the times of kings and knights.
December 18, 2023
I've enjoyed this series, but am glad it's over. I found it dragged a bit.
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February 6, 2019set in winter of 1400 in York, England as King Henry IIV is taking the kingdom from King Richard
March 21, 2019
interesting portrayal of an independent woman in medieval England.
plot was a bit contrived and the Characters a bit stereotypical, but fast paced and easily read
plot was a bit contrived and the Characters a bit stereotypical, but fast paced and easily read
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews