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Stephen Attebrook Mysteries #9
The Burned Man
One of medieval Ludlow’s mills burns to the ground during a cold November night. Former coroner Stephen Attebrook walks down to the site out of curiosity the following morning like many of the town’s residents, where he discovers the charred corpse of the miller in the smoldering ruins. It could have been an accident, but the evidence points to murder.Mysterious deaths are no longer Attebrook’s business — or so he mistakenly supposes. The constable of Ludlow Castle, anxious to ingratiate himself with the local lord who owns the mill, pushes Attebrook into pursuing the culprit, a move that pitches him into a tapestry of murder and robbery that reaches even into his own home — for a rampaging criminal gang steals all the money he has in the world, threatening him with poverty and ruin. Pulled two ways, Attebrook must decide whether to save his fortune or seek justice for the miller’s death.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 13, 2021
Stephen the man who thinks of others before himself
Stephen can always figure out over time who did what to whom. Every murder that comes his way an always dragging his friends along for the ride. So he dose in this tale an its not his job anymore. All goes well till someone takes all his money that he has put away for those he loves an lives with. They don't know who they are an how they know about the money but come to find out they think they took it cause it was the money from the murder he figured out. He gets his money back an the money from the murder. But damn he really went through hell just for all that.
A good read if you like a good mystery in Old England. I wonder what the Last book in the series well have in store for our young Stephen. He dose more for others then himself. I'd like to think he comes out ahead an his life is what he has want for himself. A happy home for his son, a place for his friend Harry an his girl and money to live on for the rest of his days. Maybe a lady to brighten his days?
Stephen can always figure out over time who did what to whom. Every murder that comes his way an always dragging his friends along for the ride. So he dose in this tale an its not his job anymore. All goes well till someone takes all his money that he has put away for those he loves an lives with. They don't know who they are an how they know about the money but come to find out they think they took it cause it was the money from the murder he figured out. He gets his money back an the money from the murder. But damn he really went through hell just for all that.
A good read if you like a good mystery in Old England. I wonder what the Last book in the series well have in store for our young Stephen. He dose more for others then himself. I'd like to think he comes out ahead an his life is what he has want for himself. A happy home for his son, a place for his friend Harry an his girl and money to live on for the rest of his days. Maybe a lady to brighten his days?
January 24, 2020
The latest Stephen Attebrook book a bargain at 99 cents, happily paid. I believe the other eight books are included in Kindle Unlimited.
There is plenty of action, traveling to and fro, challenges to discern the truth with so many citizens active in various criminal activities.
There is plenty of action, traveling to and fro, challenges to discern the truth with so many citizens active in various criminal activities.
February 2, 2025
4.5 stars- mystery of a Miller killed and then the Mill torched, another solid story. Thankfully this time Stephen didn't have to escape prison but he did fall victim to the same thieves as for the Mill situation and shit got real. Don't mess with Stephen!
As always, one murder involves another theft which makes for another situation (more murder and theft). Its never cut and dried, which is fine since it makes an interesting story.
Loved this:
They rounded the chapel and stopped some distance from the others. “You don’t plan on bothering Lillybita, do you, she in mourning and all?” Will asked.
“When have I been a bother?”
“Most of the time?”
Harry (& Joan), Gilbert and Stephen are a great combo and its so fun to see how they all get along together. And slowly, slowly, Stephen is getting ahead in life instead of backwards!
As always, one murder involves another theft which makes for another situation (more murder and theft). Its never cut and dried, which is fine since it makes an interesting story.
Loved this:
They rounded the chapel and stopped some distance from the others. “You don’t plan on bothering Lillybita, do you, she in mourning and all?” Will asked.
“When have I been a bother?”
“Most of the time?”
Harry (& Joan), Gilbert and Stephen are a great combo and its so fun to see how they all get along together. And slowly, slowly, Stephen is getting ahead in life instead of backwards!
September 6, 2020
In this, the ninth volume in the Stephen Attebrook series, winter is coming once again to the English border town of Ludlow. Former knight Stephen Attebrook is no longer the deputy coroner but is now the captain of the guard at the town castle, which is on alert for raids from nearby Wales as tensions mount between the factions of the king and his adversary Simon de Montfort. Attebrook has no obligation to investigate when one of the town's mills mysteriously burns to the ground and the charred remains of a man are found inside; but with the help of his friend Gilbert Wistwode he does anyway--at first at the request of a lady of the minor gentry, and later for more personal reasons.
This is a pretty standard outing of this series--not the best, but not bad. There were no jarring episodes of bad dialog such have cropped up in a couple of earlier volumes, and while of course there are some very exciting fight scenes, Vail has kept the descriptions of the action terse and tight, not spinning them out like they are disquisitions on a certain style of sword fighting, which he clearly relishes and knows a lot about.
The Burned Man is a bit more of a good standalone story than many of the previous books in the series, which make many references to people and events in the earlier stories. A reader could sit down with this book and enjoy the story without really needing to be immersed in the whole series.
There are some pretty good plot developments in this tale--it certainly doesn't move in a straight line, and there is some fairly significant gain and loss that I won't spoil here.
This is a pretty standard outing of this series--not the best, but not bad. There were no jarring episodes of bad dialog such have cropped up in a couple of earlier volumes, and while of course there are some very exciting fight scenes, Vail has kept the descriptions of the action terse and tight, not spinning them out like they are disquisitions on a certain style of sword fighting, which he clearly relishes and knows a lot about.
The Burned Man is a bit more of a good standalone story than many of the previous books in the series, which make many references to people and events in the earlier stories. A reader could sit down with this book and enjoy the story without really needing to be immersed in the whole series.
There are some pretty good plot developments in this tale--it certainly doesn't move in a straight line, and there is some fairly significant gain and loss that I won't spoil here.
February 2, 2020
#9 in the deputy coroner Stephen Attebrook mystery series set in the English town of Ludlow near the Welsh border from November to December 1263. An impoverished knight considered too disabled because of a foot injury for combat, so gets by by working as a coroner’s investigator. Things are looking up for Stephen as he has been appointed the coroner which comes with a stipend.
One of the local mills burns to the ground It was delibarately set resulting in the death of the miller in the smoldering ruins. Attebrook is no longer the coroner and is acting as temporary guard captain for Ludlow castle. The constable of Ludlow Castle, anxious to ingratiate himself with the local lord who owns the mill, pushes Attebrook into pursuing the culprit, a move that pitches him into a tapestry of murder and robbery that reaches even into his own home — for a rampaging criminal gang steals all the money he has in the world, threatening him with poverty and ruin. Pulled two ways, Attebrook must decide whether to save his fortune or seek justice for the miller’s death.
One of the local mills burns to the ground It was delibarately set resulting in the death of the miller in the smoldering ruins. Attebrook is no longer the coroner and is acting as temporary guard captain for Ludlow castle. The constable of Ludlow Castle, anxious to ingratiate himself with the local lord who owns the mill, pushes Attebrook into pursuing the culprit, a move that pitches him into a tapestry of murder and robbery that reaches even into his own home — for a rampaging criminal gang steals all the money he has in the world, threatening him with poverty and ruin. Pulled two ways, Attebrook must decide whether to save his fortune or seek justice for the miller’s death.
February 19, 2020
"The Burned Man" a great read to while away the hours
Book nine of the Stephen Attebrook series is a delightful mystery set in medieval England, filled with hints and plot twists, and, of course, sword fights,surreptitious attacks, vile villains, handsome and not so handsome heroes. I particularly enjoyed the way Jason Vail developed each of the characters throughout the series. He succeeded in creating people I desired to spend more time with, fantastically so, beginning with "The Wayward Apprentice" Book 1 to his last episode "The Burned Man" Book 9. Each book is successful as a stand alone or read in order or out of order. Don't miss a glimpse into our past , filled with revelations of the beginning of our society and odd prejudices and peer pressure of the 12th century, all deftly interwoven in this tale of mystery, murder and thievery.👸🏽🤴🏾👍🏿👍🏿👍🏾👍🏾🤴🏾👸🏽
Book nine of the Stephen Attebrook series is a delightful mystery set in medieval England, filled with hints and plot twists, and, of course, sword fights,surreptitious attacks, vile villains, handsome and not so handsome heroes. I particularly enjoyed the way Jason Vail developed each of the characters throughout the series. He succeeded in creating people I desired to spend more time with, fantastically so, beginning with "The Wayward Apprentice" Book 1 to his last episode "The Burned Man" Book 9. Each book is successful as a stand alone or read in order or out of order. Don't miss a glimpse into our past , filled with revelations of the beginning of our society and odd prejudices and peer pressure of the 12th century, all deftly interwoven in this tale of mystery, murder and thievery.👸🏽🤴🏾👍🏿👍🏿👍🏾👍🏾🤴🏾👸🏽
March 1, 2020
Ever since I discovered The Stephen Attebrook Mysteries several years ago, I've been addicted to this series. Jason Vail's latest The Burned Man did not disappoint me.
The reader can count on a fair amount of action some of which will include hand to hand combat in this series , as Jason Vail is an aficionado and student of combat.
Stephen is in a continual struggle to earn a living and increase his fortune.
I am sure that this is not a series which I can recommend to everyone.
The reader can count on a fair amount of action some of which will include hand to hand combat in this series , as Jason Vail is an aficionado and student of combat.
Stephen is in a continual struggle to earn a living and increase his fortune.
I am sure that this is not a series which I can recommend to everyone.
June 30, 2021
Intriguing story
It's a time of war, people are weary, money is scarce and sickness is ever present, welcome to the 11th century. When a murder is committed, his lordship has Stephen Attebrook investigate the crime, which in turn leads him to a theft ring who will resort to murder to keep what they stolen. Along the way Stephen encounters some unsavory characters and his potential ruin. Very interesting book.
It's a time of war, people are weary, money is scarce and sickness is ever present, welcome to the 11th century. When a murder is committed, his lordship has Stephen Attebrook investigate the crime, which in turn leads him to a theft ring who will resort to murder to keep what they stolen. Along the way Stephen encounters some unsavory characters and his potential ruin. Very interesting book.
April 19, 2020
As usual, a thoroughly enjoyable mystery, with plenty of murder, killing in self-defense, plot twists, and a lot of vomiting. And as always, a very human story where ethics are not cut and dried. If, for example, you desperately need money and successfully find some that had been stolen from others, what do you do with it?
April 2, 2022
A lovely tale illustrating that what you reap, you sow. Those who deserved a bad end received proper recompense for their misdeeds. And we find out that even an injured Stephen Attebrook is still a deadly force. I am already mourning the end of this series (only two stories to go...) and I dearly hope Jason Vail writes another one soon.
March 25, 2020
The usual good stuff – in fact, perhaps a little better than the last couple in the series, which were turning into some kind of American action film. But we’ve settled back into 12th century England now, and there is indeed plenty of action and excitement and humour, as well as a decent plot.
May 21, 2020
November 1263 former coroner Stephen afternoon becomes interested when a mill is burnt down and the body of the miller discovered, and is 'informed by the Ludlow castle constable to investigate. But this leads to a series of robberies, and more deaths.
Another entertaining historical mystery
Another entertaining historical mystery
July 24, 2021
Poor Stephen, just as he gets back on his feet and is starting to feel a bit more financially secure, he gets involved with the burning of a mill, and in trying to solve the mystery, he risks losing all of his newly acquired wealth. Very good
August 30, 2021
stephen has a strange sense of honor
i sure hope he saved some of the money for himself. we will, of course, learn that in the next book. a better mystery this time. did people really kill that readily? i suppose in the 1200s they did.
i sure hope he saved some of the money for himself. we will, of course, learn that in the next book. a better mystery this time. did people really kill that readily? i suppose in the 1200s they did.
November 3, 2021
Remarkably good.
It never ceases to amaze me now much I like this series of books. I find my self wanting to rush to the next volume the minute I finish one. I REALLY like them. Plain and simple.
It never ceases to amaze me now much I like this series of books. I find my self wanting to rush to the next volume the minute I finish one. I REALLY like them. Plain and simple.
January 28, 2022
Another thrilling tale
Another great adventure for Stephen Attebrook. Lots of action and side stories that somehow end up all connected in the end. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Another great adventure for Stephen Attebrook. Lots of action and side stories that somehow end up all connected in the end. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 14, 2024
Money
Arson, deaths, greed, bad luck, oh my! Stephen taking a step back and guarding Ludlow castle. Gilbert gambling, Stephen gambling and losing. Robbery and gain and loss for a good cause. Exciting. Who will show up in the next book?
Arson, deaths, greed, bad luck, oh my! Stephen taking a step back and guarding Ludlow castle. Gilbert gambling, Stephen gambling and losing. Robbery and gain and loss for a good cause. Exciting. Who will show up in the next book?
January 27, 2020
Wonderful!!!
I was so glad to see another Stephen Attebrook story. Al our favorite characters in another headlong, death defying adventure! Hazzah!!!!!!!!
I was so glad to see another Stephen Attebrook story. Al our favorite characters in another headlong, death defying adventure! Hazzah!!!!!!!!
January 27, 2020
Really enjoyable...
February 12, 2020
A good read
As always with this character of Jason Vailes a good tale of its time which moves along at a nice pace. Historically fine but not to be taken to seriously
As always with this character of Jason Vailes a good tale of its time which moves along at a nice pace. Historically fine but not to be taken to seriously
March 18, 2020
Burned miller
This last in the series of mine books begins with the death of a miller, but then weaves through several other subplots before the end.
This last in the series of mine books begins with the death of a miller, but then weaves through several other subplots before the end.
March 31, 2020
Burned man
Having read many of Vails books was like revisiting old friends. Good story line,occasionally a bit of a stretching good.
Having read many of Vails books was like revisiting old friends. Good story line,occasionally a bit of a stretching good.
April 22, 2020
This one got a bit dull and was hard to stick with consequently. As usual, good detail about medieval life.
September 12, 2020
Great fun
I like this series and it's characters. They go fast so you know it's good. Flawed people are real people.
I like this series and it's characters. They go fast so you know it's good. Flawed people are real people.
September 1, 2021
Really enjoyed
I really enjoyed the story. I look forward to immersing myself in it as time permitted. I was in the action as much as the chapters. Enjoying the adventure.
I really enjoyed the story. I look forward to immersing myself in it as time permitted. I was in the action as much as the chapters. Enjoying the adventure.
September 3, 2021
Stephen is at it again.
I liked this better than the last one. It gets depressing when Stephen is always down on his luck so it's nice that things go good for him sometimes.
I liked this better than the last one. It gets depressing when Stephen is always down on his luck so it's nice that things go good for him sometimes.
January 31, 2020
Another time entry
Another excellent Stephen Attebrook tale...please keep them coming!! Excellent read. Plenty of twists, with a great ending. Looking forward to the next thrilling tale.
Another excellent Stephen Attebrook tale...please keep them coming!! Excellent read. Plenty of twists, with a great ending. Looking forward to the next thrilling tale.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews