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The Chronicles of Brother Hermitage #14
The Chester Chasuble
History, hilarity and some horrible goings on.
Howard of Warwick, the No 1 Best Selling author who brought you The Bayeux Embroidery, has fabricated yet another outing for the world's most medieval detective.
At the request of some rather peculiar monks, Brother Hermitage and his companions, Wat and Cwen the weavers, travel to Chester to try and work out who has suffocated a priest with his own chasuble.
They've even been recommended for this job by some very important people, but of course it starts to go wrong even before they arrive.
Chester appears to be full of some very strange people and some even stranger religious institutions, all of whom detest one another with fervour. There are Saxon Nobles who have run away from the Normans and townsfolk for whom corruption is what they do best.
Brother Hermitage must find out if the man who got killed is all he seems to be. Then there's a number of reasons why he could have been killed. And the list of who could have done it is a bit too long, even for Hermitage, who likes a list.
Why does Brother Merle seem so keen on dead people?
Who is the mysterious monk in the tower?
How many Saxons does it take to change a kingdom?
Be warned, Howard of Warwick has history:
"very good indeed, brilliant," BBC Coventry and Warwick
"5* Hilarious"
"5* Laugh out loud"
"5* Like Pratchett does 1066"
Howard of Warwick, the No 1 Best Selling author who brought you The Bayeux Embroidery, has fabricated yet another outing for the world's most medieval detective.
At the request of some rather peculiar monks, Brother Hermitage and his companions, Wat and Cwen the weavers, travel to Chester to try and work out who has suffocated a priest with his own chasuble.
They've even been recommended for this job by some very important people, but of course it starts to go wrong even before they arrive.
Chester appears to be full of some very strange people and some even stranger religious institutions, all of whom detest one another with fervour. There are Saxon Nobles who have run away from the Normans and townsfolk for whom corruption is what they do best.
Brother Hermitage must find out if the man who got killed is all he seems to be. Then there's a number of reasons why he could have been killed. And the list of who could have done it is a bit too long, even for Hermitage, who likes a list.
Why does Brother Merle seem so keen on dead people?
Who is the mysterious monk in the tower?
How many Saxons does it take to change a kingdom?
Be warned, Howard of Warwick has history:
"very good indeed, brilliant," BBC Coventry and Warwick
"5* Hilarious"
"5* Laugh out loud"
"5* Like Pratchett does 1066"
- GenresMystery
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2019
51 people are currently reading
28 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 14, 2022
This one is competent, but I think Howard of Warwick's speed is starting to compromise the quality a bit. The footnotes to the story are actually more entertaining than most of the story, which is a shame.
It's a shame because the actual plot is pretty good. Hermitage, Wat and Cwen are called to Chester to investigate the murders of two monks. The monks have been killed by suffocating them with their garments, which was most unusual then and now. The reasons for this get a little convoluted, and don't seem to explained fully, despite numerous attempts by Hermitage to tell the other characters the story behind the story.
This leads to a somewhat unsatisfactory ending, with a good hook for any sequels.
It's a shame because the actual plot is pretty good. Hermitage, Wat and Cwen are called to Chester to investigate the murders of two monks. The monks have been killed by suffocating them with their garments, which was most unusual then and now. The reasons for this get a little convoluted, and don't seem to explained fully, despite numerous attempts by Hermitage to tell the other characters the story behind the story.
This leads to a somewhat unsatisfactory ending, with a good hook for any sequels.
May 24, 2019
Aha!
Another great chronicle, this one with enough of a cliff-hanger ending that you just know the sequel will be on its way very soon. Hermitage seems to be settling in to his occupation as King's Investigator with more equanimity. Wat and Cwen come along and lend a hand as usual (although Wat's presence gives a good deal of pause to several of the monks). It's a refreshing change to find another character as unworldly as Hermitage. One of my favorite lines in the book is Wat asking, "Are you sure you're not related to Hermitage?". I laughed out loud, which is sorely needed in these dark times. Jump right in to these Chronicles, they're great.
Another great chronicle, this one with enough of a cliff-hanger ending that you just know the sequel will be on its way very soon. Hermitage seems to be settling in to his occupation as King's Investigator with more equanimity. Wat and Cwen come along and lend a hand as usual (although Wat's presence gives a good deal of pause to several of the monks). It's a refreshing change to find another character as unworldly as Hermitage. One of my favorite lines in the book is Wat asking, "Are you sure you're not related to Hermitage?". I laughed out loud, which is sorely needed in these dark times. Jump right in to these Chronicles, they're great.
April 22, 2019
The Brother Hermitage books have become some of my favorites and I'm always happy to have another in my library.
Brother Hermitage, Wat and Cwen are summoned to Chester to investigate the death of a priest and, of course, chaos and hilarity aren't far behind. There are Normans and Saxons, a brother who has some pretty strong feelings about dead people and a mysterious monk hidden in a "tower".
All in all, one of the more enjoyable additions to this series.
Brother Hermitage, Wat and Cwen are summoned to Chester to investigate the death of a priest and, of course, chaos and hilarity aren't far behind. There are Normans and Saxons, a brother who has some pretty strong feelings about dead people and a mysterious monk hidden in a "tower".
All in all, one of the more enjoyable additions to this series.
July 5, 2021
OMG. FUNNY.
A great vacation from vital, important, meaningful and educational reading. I am reading these aloud Sith my husband and, these days, it's CEO great just to laugh and laugh fully and consciously over and over again. Monty Python in book form. Wonderfully weird and wacky characters throughout. Makes reading these so humorously worthwhile. Brother Hermitage and company must go on forever. Amen.
A great vacation from vital, important, meaningful and educational reading. I am reading these aloud Sith my husband and, these days, it's CEO great just to laugh and laugh fully and consciously over and over again. Monty Python in book form. Wonderfully weird and wacky characters throughout. Makes reading these so humorously worthwhile. Brother Hermitage and company must go on forever. Amen.
April 24, 2019
Yet again, Master Howard comes up with another surprising tale of murder, deception, confusing clues and a surprise ending! I’m still not sure what a chausable is (I know, Google it!), but I now have a better appreciation for all the crap Catholic priests wear, thanks to Wat, Cwen and Brother Hermitage. Just don’t kill me with any of it! A good, fun, quick read.
April 18, 2019
Brilliant
Once again a brilliant book. Storyline excellent and the characters just keep on developing. Can't wait for the next one to come out. Keep up the good work.
Once again a brilliant book. Storyline excellent and the characters just keep on developing. Can't wait for the next one to come out. Keep up the good work.
July 13, 2019
A fun romp with several daft characters and great verbiage. Great to read!
November 30, 2020
All of the Brother Hermitage books are wonderful!
June 19, 2021
Um
As always bumble footed and askew in thought but still finds the bad one.One of the better ones actually,a nice way to waste a cold afternoon.
As always bumble footed and askew in thought but still finds the bad one.One of the better ones actually,a nice way to waste a cold afternoon.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews