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A Bradecote and Catchpoll Investigation #6
Faithful Unto Death
June 1144. When the naked corpse of an unknown man is discovered and the Prince of Powys's messenger fails to reach Earl Robert of Gloucester, Bradecote, Catchpoll and Walkelin head to Wales to confirm his identity, and piece together evidence that the dead man deserved a noose rather than a dagger.
Retracing his steps leads them to a manor with a sarcastic lord, a neglected wife, a bitter mother and a fevered brother, all amidst folk who do not want the truth uncovered. The lord sheriff's men have to unravel a knot where the law and justice seem to be in opposition.
Retracing his steps leads them to a manor with a sarcastic lord, a neglected wife, a bitter mother and a fevered brother, all amidst folk who do not want the truth uncovered. The lord sheriff's men have to unravel a knot where the law and justice seem to be in opposition.
288 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2020
129 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Hawkswood
23 books112 followersSarah Hawkswood describes herself as a ‘wordsmith’ who is only really happy when writing. She read Modern History at Oxford and her factual book on the Royal Marines in the First World War, From Trench and Turret, was published in 2006. She also writes Regency romance as Sophia Holloway. The Bradecote and Catchpoll series are her first novels.
She takes her pen name from one of her eighteenth century ancestors who lived in Worcestershire, and selected it because the initials match those of her maiden name. She is married, with two grown up children, and now lives in Worcestershire.
She is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association, the Historical Writers’ Association, and the Historical Novel Society.
You can contact her at sarahhawkswood@gmail.com
She takes her pen name from one of her eighteenth century ancestors who lived in Worcestershire, and selected it because the initials match those of her maiden name. She is married, with two grown up children, and now lives in Worcestershire.
She is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association, the Historical Writers’ Association, and the Historical Novel Society.
You can contact her at sarahhawkswood@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 9, 2022
This exciting medieval mystery is the 6th volume of the extremely likeable "Bradecote & Catchpoll" series.
Storytelling is superb, all characters, whether real historical or wonderful fictional, are very believable and lifelike, while also the atmosphere and dealings with life and law in the 12th Century are very well described and pictured within this mystery by the author.
We are now in the month of June, of the year AD1144, and a body of a dead man is discovered near Worcester, and this dead murdered man will be the next case for Undersheriff Bradecote, Serjeant Cathpoll and Serjeant apprentice Walkelin to investigate.
This man turns out to be Hawel ap Rhodri, the Prince of Powys's messenger, Powys is part of Wales, while his "Faithful unto Death" servant, Rhydian, has gone missing, never to be seen again in this story.
Our trio are ordered to investigate this case of murder, and are first on their way to Powys, which is in Wales, to the Prince of Powys, to learn more about this Hawel ap Rhodri, and what they will learn about him is very disturbing, especially his behaviour towards women.
At last, they will enter and stay at a place called, Doddenham, where the essence of this murder lies, and where the sly Lord of the Manor of Doddenham, Thorold FitzRoger, is trying to pull the strings, but finds strong opposition from his formidable mother, Lady Matilda, his seductive wife, Avelina, and his scheming younger brother, Durand, making this place one of animosity and hatred towards and for each other.
What will follow is a thrilling and intriguing mystery, in which Bradecote, Catchpoll and Walkelin are at first running in circles before they are beginning to unravel the truths from the lies, and after a superbly constructed mystery followed by a masterly worked-out plot, they will be able to solve the "accidental" Welsh murder and the real crime of murder and assault, and thus reveal the real culprit behind all these hostile atrocities and deadly evil.
Very much recommended, for this is an astounding addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Excellent Faithful Dead Mystery"!
Storytelling is superb, all characters, whether real historical or wonderful fictional, are very believable and lifelike, while also the atmosphere and dealings with life and law in the 12th Century are very well described and pictured within this mystery by the author.
We are now in the month of June, of the year AD1144, and a body of a dead man is discovered near Worcester, and this dead murdered man will be the next case for Undersheriff Bradecote, Serjeant Cathpoll and Serjeant apprentice Walkelin to investigate.
This man turns out to be Hawel ap Rhodri, the Prince of Powys's messenger, Powys is part of Wales, while his "Faithful unto Death" servant, Rhydian, has gone missing, never to be seen again in this story.
Our trio are ordered to investigate this case of murder, and are first on their way to Powys, which is in Wales, to the Prince of Powys, to learn more about this Hawel ap Rhodri, and what they will learn about him is very disturbing, especially his behaviour towards women.
At last, they will enter and stay at a place called, Doddenham, where the essence of this murder lies, and where the sly Lord of the Manor of Doddenham, Thorold FitzRoger, is trying to pull the strings, but finds strong opposition from his formidable mother, Lady Matilda, his seductive wife, Avelina, and his scheming younger brother, Durand, making this place one of animosity and hatred towards and for each other.
What will follow is a thrilling and intriguing mystery, in which Bradecote, Catchpoll and Walkelin are at first running in circles before they are beginning to unravel the truths from the lies, and after a superbly constructed mystery followed by a masterly worked-out plot, they will be able to solve the "accidental" Welsh murder and the real crime of murder and assault, and thus reveal the real culprit behind all these hostile atrocities and deadly evil.
Very much recommended, for this is an astounding addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Excellent Faithful Dead Mystery"!
September 22, 2025
Took me a bit of time to get into the characters not having read the previous books, but really enjoyed it. Very interesting. Worth the read.
June 24, 2022
I find this to be such an excellently researched series. It is set in the time of the Anarchy, when Empress Matilda and King Stephen were battling it out as to whom would rule England. The author has done such an excellent job with developing her characters and plots that once I begin reading her books I can't put them down. I love Sarjeante Catchpole the most.
February 27, 2020
Excellent
Excellent! read all six books within two weeks, recommend to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries. Love the three main characters. Hope there are more to come.
Excellent! read all six books within two weeks, recommend to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries. Love the three main characters. Hope there are more to come.
March 16, 2021
I am a fan of this series in this book was as good as the others. I adore both title characters and they play off each other perfectly. As before, the mystery is well done as well as the writing. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
May 23, 2020
This book is part 6 of the Bradecote and Catchpoll medieval mystery series.
When the body of a murdered man is found in the woods, the first priority is to find out if he's English or not since otherwise the local community will have to pay a fine for a 'foreigner' being murdered under a law William the Conqueror passed to prevent the Anglo-Saxons from killing any Norman French. Finding out who did it and why is another task, of course. The undersheriff Bradecot and his sergeant, Catchpoll, start to investigate the case, which turns out to have a very ugly background. It takes them to Wales and back, as well as into a community in England that has a lot to hide.
Like the rest of the series, this book has very well developed characters, which goes for the leads, but also for new characters, both small and central to the story. I found what you might call the bad guys particularly interesting from a psychological point of view. There's a very entertaining sense of humour, the plot is well developed, and the time and place well researched. I enjoy the series very much and would recommend it. To me it just keeps getting better, and I'm looking forward to more volumes.
When the body of a murdered man is found in the woods, the first priority is to find out if he's English or not since otherwise the local community will have to pay a fine for a 'foreigner' being murdered under a law William the Conqueror passed to prevent the Anglo-Saxons from killing any Norman French. Finding out who did it and why is another task, of course. The undersheriff Bradecot and his sergeant, Catchpoll, start to investigate the case, which turns out to have a very ugly background. It takes them to Wales and back, as well as into a community in England that has a lot to hide.
Like the rest of the series, this book has very well developed characters, which goes for the leads, but also for new characters, both small and central to the story. I found what you might call the bad guys particularly interesting from a psychological point of view. There's a very entertaining sense of humour, the plot is well developed, and the time and place well researched. I enjoy the series very much and would recommend it. To me it just keeps getting better, and I'm looking forward to more volumes.
December 9, 2019
A unique and wonderful series
I love the mystery, the characters and their relationship, as well as the authors fantastic ability to use unique and interesting words that seem appropriate to the setting and time period. There’s interesting and wonderful interaction between the characters of different class of people set in a time when class mattered. The series is set in the Middle Ages. The author has done a considerable amount of research on life in this time period.
I hope Sarah Hawkswood continues this series. If I could give it 6 stars, I would!
I love the mystery, the characters and their relationship, as well as the authors fantastic ability to use unique and interesting words that seem appropriate to the setting and time period. There’s interesting and wonderful interaction between the characters of different class of people set in a time when class mattered. The series is set in the Middle Ages. The author has done a considerable amount of research on life in this time period.
I hope Sarah Hawkswood continues this series. If I could give it 6 stars, I would!
April 2, 2023
Well here we are on number 6 in the series and same high quality story telling, this time our trio are to venture in wales to solve a murder most foul. So we are enlightened on the welsh and english attitudes to each other, this is a story with not the same level of action as the previous books but still a very good read.(no spoilers) So sit back for a ride into wales and enjoy.
October 15, 2024
This medieval whodunnit is set in the same time period as the Brother Cadfael novels by Ellis Peters i.e. 'The Anarchy' of Queen Matilda and King Stephen's civil war, and in almost the same part of the country. It's hard not to make comparisons between the two. Faithful Unto Death lacks the romance, but the historical details are as convincing.
An easy read for a rainy day.
An easy read for a rainy day.
July 11, 2023
The body found turns out to be that of the envoy of the Prince of Powys. But who killed him and why? That’s what undersheriff Bradecote, serjeant Catchpoll and serjeanting apprentice Walkelin need to find out.
February 10, 2024
Definitely a high 4 star. This is the first novel I have read in the series but this did not matter as I soon caught up with the story and characters. I really liked the main protagonists and enjoyed the historical setting. I will be looking for more by this author!
May 16, 2025
I am speachless with admiration.
This might be the most complicated plot I have ever read.
(I am 68).
"Oh what a tangeled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive".
Recommended warmly.
This might be the most complicated plot I have ever read.
(I am 68).
"Oh what a tangeled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive".
Recommended warmly.
May 5, 2020
Wow
Great what a tale! So many twists and turns hard to find out who the guilty party or parties were. Loved it.
Great what a tale! So many twists and turns hard to find out who the guilty party or parties were. Loved it.
November 20, 2020
Good
Strong storyline with the background giving the main characters the problems of some rather nasty people and their peculiar actions luckily with a good end.
Strong storyline with the background giving the main characters the problems of some rather nasty people and their peculiar actions luckily with a good end.
December 26, 2020
a new author I will look for more
January 30, 2021
Really enjoyed this one.
January 20, 2022
A wonderful cast of character set in a world so easy to comprehend by a wonderful wordsmith.
June 6, 2025
A Twisty One, This
Excellent plot with a very unexpected ending. The more I read of this series the more I like it. Very satisfying character development and growth.
Excellent plot with a very unexpected ending. The more I read of this series the more I like it. Very satisfying character development and growth.
May 23, 2020
This book is part 6 of the Bradecote and Catchpoll medieval mystery series.
When the body of a murdered man is found in the woods, the first priority is to find out if he's English or not since otherwise the local community will have to pay a fine for a 'foreigner' being murdered under a law William the Conqueror passed to prevent the Anglo-Saxons from killing any Norman French. Finding out who did it and why is another task, of course. The undersheriff Bradecot and his sergeant, Catchpoll, start to investigate the case, which turns out to have a very ugly background. It takes them to Wales and back, as well as into a community in England that has a lot to hide.
Like the rest of the series, this book has very well developed characters, which goes for the leads, but also for new characters, both small and central to the story. I found what you might call the bad guys particularly interesting from a psychological point of view. There's a very entertaining sense of humour, the plot is well developed, and the time and place well researched. I enjoy the series very much and would recommend it. To me it just keeps getting better, and I'm looking forward to more volumes.
When the body of a murdered man is found in the woods, the first priority is to find out if he's English or not since otherwise the local community will have to pay a fine for a 'foreigner' being murdered under a law William the Conqueror passed to prevent the Anglo-Saxons from killing any Norman French. Finding out who did it and why is another task, of course. The undersheriff Bradecot and his sergeant, Catchpoll, start to investigate the case, which turns out to have a very ugly background. It takes them to Wales and back, as well as into a community in England that has a lot to hide.
Like the rest of the series, this book has very well developed characters, which goes for the leads, but also for new characters, both small and central to the story. I found what you might call the bad guys particularly interesting from a psychological point of view. There's a very entertaining sense of humour, the plot is well developed, and the time and place well researched. I enjoy the series very much and would recommend it. To me it just keeps getting better, and I'm looking forward to more volumes.
January 9, 2020
Another enjoyable Bradecote and Catchpoll medival mystery, parts of which take place in Wales with lots of cultural detail. The murder mystery also crosses both ethnic, geographic and class differences which was delightful to read. ( Hint Bradecote is becoming almost fairly egalitarian)
The mystery was sort of micromanaged and complicated in the last 10% and I gave it 4.5 for that- rounded up to 5 stars. I am now starting with book #1 of this fine series.
The mystery was sort of micromanaged and complicated in the last 10% and I gave it 4.5 for that- rounded up to 5 stars. I am now starting with book #1 of this fine series.
May 29, 2025
Not the best book in this series but still and enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews