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Savernake #2
She Moved Through the Fair: The Savernake Novels Book II
A locked tower room. Two young people. Murder has claimed them both.
The date is 1204.
The 16 year old Matilda de Neville is to marry the young noble Guy de Saye
but a week before the marriage, Sir Aumary Belvoir, warden of the forest of Savernake, under constable of Marlborough castle, hears their murder in a room in the keep, above his head.
No one went in. No one came out. They were forty feet in the air, behind seven feet of solid stone and surrounded by water.
Drawing on the skills he first honed in Belvoir’s Promise, Aumary sets out to unearth the awful truth about that locked tower room.
Is there a connection to the decayed body recently found in his forest? Does the fair, newly granted to the town by King John have any bearing upon the deaths?
Massive, menacing and malevolent, the castle keep seems to take on a life
of its own.
Have you ever wondered what might be the story behind some of our most beloved ancient folk songs? This, the first in a series, offers a chilling explanation of one such song, She Moved Through the Fair.
The date is 1204.
The 16 year old Matilda de Neville is to marry the young noble Guy de Saye
but a week before the marriage, Sir Aumary Belvoir, warden of the forest of Savernake, under constable of Marlborough castle, hears their murder in a room in the keep, above his head.
No one went in. No one came out. They were forty feet in the air, behind seven feet of solid stone and surrounded by water.
Drawing on the skills he first honed in Belvoir’s Promise, Aumary sets out to unearth the awful truth about that locked tower room.
Is there a connection to the decayed body recently found in his forest? Does the fair, newly granted to the town by King John have any bearing upon the deaths?
Massive, menacing and malevolent, the castle keep seems to take on a life
of its own.
Have you ever wondered what might be the story behind some of our most beloved ancient folk songs? This, the first in a series, offers a chilling explanation of one such song, She Moved Through the Fair.
234 pages, Paperback
Published December 23, 2017
42 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 1, 2018
Fascinating period detail
In the first Savernake book, we were give clear hints from the start about the direction that the murder mystery might take, but here the murder out of the blue at the beginning of this novel made me hope for a stronger detective thread. Whereas in "Belvoir's Promise" I felt that the investigators' tardiness in solving the case was in keeping with the thirteenth century setting, here I began to suspect that it had more to do with Susanna Newstead's greater facility with the historical setting than with the whodunit aspect of her tale.
This may sound damning of a historical amateur sleuth novel but the vivid depiction of thirteenth century England more than makes up for it. In addition to the details of day-to-day living for both a lord and his people, the role of the church in villagers' lives was truly brought to life. I particularly liked the portrayal of the portrayal of the conflict between pagan and Christian practices - it really helped with the feeling of immersion in the thirteenth century. The characterisation also adds to the addictiveness if the series; you cannot help but root for Aumary, and as for his daughter, Hawise, she is a credible five-going-on-fifteen!
I shall continue with the series and look forward to discovering another traditional folksong in the process!
In the first Savernake book, we were give clear hints from the start about the direction that the murder mystery might take, but here the murder out of the blue at the beginning of this novel made me hope for a stronger detective thread. Whereas in "Belvoir's Promise" I felt that the investigators' tardiness in solving the case was in keeping with the thirteenth century setting, here I began to suspect that it had more to do with Susanna Newstead's greater facility with the historical setting than with the whodunit aspect of her tale.
This may sound damning of a historical amateur sleuth novel but the vivid depiction of thirteenth century England more than makes up for it. In addition to the details of day-to-day living for both a lord and his people, the role of the church in villagers' lives was truly brought to life. I particularly liked the portrayal of the portrayal of the conflict between pagan and Christian practices - it really helped with the feeling of immersion in the thirteenth century. The characterisation also adds to the addictiveness if the series; you cannot help but root for Aumary, and as for his daughter, Hawise, she is a credible five-going-on-fifteen!
I shall continue with the series and look forward to discovering another traditional folksong in the process!
May 20, 2020
I enjoyed this book immensely!
I particularly love the historically accurate details within the story which add to the narrative rather than bog the story down with facts as many historically-based books tend to do. The characters are well thought out and the plot was believable.
I would not hesitate to recommend this and the first book to fans of murder mysteries, medieval or otherwise.
I particularly love the historically accurate details within the story which add to the narrative rather than bog the story down with facts as many historically-based books tend to do. The characters are well thought out and the plot was believable.
I would not hesitate to recommend this and the first book to fans of murder mysteries, medieval or otherwise.
October 12, 2020
Another wonderful mystery from Susanna M. Newstead.
I am very much enjoying these novels set in the medieval Savernake Forest, getting to know the characters and looking forward to more adventures with them. If you liked Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael mysteries, give these a try--you are sure to enjoy these stories, too.
I am very much enjoying these novels set in the medieval Savernake Forest, getting to know the characters and looking forward to more adventures with them. If you liked Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael mysteries, give these a try--you are sure to enjoy these stories, too.
January 5, 2021
Very good
I really enjoyed this second book in the series and I was pleasantly surprised that I did. The first book was just so-so and very predictable. But I decided to give this series a second chance since it was recommended to me and I’m very glad that I did. I’m definitely going to continue reading the series.
I really enjoyed this second book in the series and I was pleasantly surprised that I did. The first book was just so-so and very predictable. But I decided to give this series a second chance since it was recommended to me and I’m very glad that I did. I’m definitely going to continue reading the series.
February 7, 2018
A great book, and a big improvement on the first one in the series. The plot is interesting and involving and the characters leap off the page. The only downside is that, like the first book, i found the murder mystery a bit predictable.
May 24, 2024
Savernake Forest & Marlborough murders
Really interesting take on the early origins of Marlborough for someone who loves the town and the Savernake Forest with a few juicy murders thrown in
Really interesting take on the early origins of Marlborough for someone who loves the town and the Savernake Forest with a few juicy murders thrown in
November 4, 2017
Great book, well written and researched, currently reading the third book in the series, I'm hooked.
February 8, 2018
Mystery
Great book good mystery right to the end . getting the hang of keeping us in suspense great characters ready for number three
Great book good mystery right to the end . getting the hang of keeping us in suspense great characters ready for number three
March 5, 2018
Engrossing
Both books made really good reading and look forward to any other the author may have writen
I thorougly enjoy medieval tales
Both books made really good reading and look forward to any other the author may have writen
I thorougly enjoy medieval tales
October 18, 2024
Interesting book. Definitely more of a mystery than the first book which was obvious who killed them. More interesting development of side stories which I enjoyed over all.
August 4, 2018
Better than the first in the Savernake series and a sound recommendation for lovers of historical fiction and stories which are told in the first person (it's style is comparable with the CJ Sansom Shardlake novels). An easy and enjoyable read which transports you to a different time and way of life in the 1200s and rule of King John.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews