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Stephen Attebrook Mysteries #13
Bag of Bones
The Ludlow beggar One-eye Dick finds the scattered bones of two dead men on a hillside north of the town — and a precious gold ring. Hoping to make some easy money, he sells the ring to Will Thumper, a well-known criminal in town, who then resells the ring to a crooked Ludlow goldsmith.
But the ring is identified as belonging to a wealthy cattle merchant and his bodyguard who went missing weeks before. Thumper is arrested and charged with the merchant’s murder and that of the bodyguard. Given Thumper’s unsavory reputation, it is obvious that the local jury who know him well will be happy to send him to the gallows regardless of the evidence.
Yet Stephen Attebrook, newly appointed as coroner for southern Shropshire, has doubts. These are strong enough to entice him to promise Thumper’s family that he will do what he can to exonerate the rogue.
Thumper’s dilemma is the least of Stephen’s troubles. For he must confront the campaign of one of his greatest enemies, Nigel FitzSimmons, to convict him of treason and the vendetta of the brother of a man he killed in battle. Defeat by either man means Stephen’s death and the confiscation of his manor.
But the ring is identified as belonging to a wealthy cattle merchant and his bodyguard who went missing weeks before. Thumper is arrested and charged with the merchant’s murder and that of the bodyguard. Given Thumper’s unsavory reputation, it is obvious that the local jury who know him well will be happy to send him to the gallows regardless of the evidence.
Yet Stephen Attebrook, newly appointed as coroner for southern Shropshire, has doubts. These are strong enough to entice him to promise Thumper’s family that he will do what he can to exonerate the rogue.
Thumper’s dilemma is the least of Stephen’s troubles. For he must confront the campaign of one of his greatest enemies, Nigel FitzSimmons, to convict him of treason and the vendetta of the brother of a man he killed in battle. Defeat by either man means Stephen’s death and the confiscation of his manor.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2022
149 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 31, 2022
I enjoy each episode of the story of Stephen Attebrook and was delighted to purchase this kindle book, and why not? Only $1.39. Amazing bargains, all the books of the series. My eyes have quit on me, so this has to be short. One of the fiercest sword/axe fights I have come across is included in this campaign for justice by Stephen Attebrook, Coroner. Well...I should say this book is not for the weak of stomach. Great action for Attebrook fans!
January 9, 2023
July 1264 Ludlow. The bones of two men have been found north of the town. Newly appointed coroner Sir Stephen Attebrook doesn't believe the accused, Will Thumper, is guilty of the merchant Kembold and his bodyguard Faget deaths
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery. Another good addition to this enjoyable series with its cast of varied and likeable characters.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery. Another good addition to this enjoyable series with its cast of varied and likeable characters.
February 11, 2025
4.5 stars- definitely a Bag of Bones, another unique story. Once again Stephen is against the ropes and he finds a way to save Will as well as free Ida. And the end, with him and Ida? Precious. FINALLY.
Although our dear author is very short on romantic descriptive relations, at least the inevitable finally happens!
And I was wondering what the heck, why was Oliver still there with Stephen and putting his life at risk? And what about payment??
Stephen was also wondering:
"It was a little manor capable of providing a good living for him and all the people on it, and it angered him that Margaret’s failure to come for Oliver put that good life in danger. What was she doing?"
I had 11 highlights this time, so I was stopping to cherish the dialogue more as I get closer to catching up to the latest book:
“What are you doing here!” she cried. “It isn’t safe!”
“I ran into Greystok at Bromfield,” Stephen said. “I think I’ve seen him off, at least for the time being.”
“And the boy?” Ida asked anxiously.
“With the Thumpers,” Gilbert answered for Stephen.
Ida’s eyes went round at the sudden comprehension of the implications of this. You had to give her credit: she was very quick. “You didn’t!” she said.
“He did,” Gilbert said.
“Oh, dear God. A fool’s errand,” she said.
“Clearly,” said Gilbert.
“Is he unable to speak for himself?” Ida asked.
“I have instructed him that I will do all his talking from now on,” Gilbert said. “Less likelihood of trouble that way.”
“A wise course,” Ida said. “Which means that you’ll always have to be at his side. I’m having none of it in our bedchamber, however.”
“That thought never crossed my mind,” Gilbert said. “What foolishness he says to you is his own affair.”
LOL
---------
“Go on,” Stephen said. “I know you want to.”
“Are you sure?” Gilbert inquired. “I know you can’t function without me.”
“I’ll tell you what happens. And then you can tell me what questions I should have asked but didn’t.”
This was so funny and true:
“Thank you, Osbert, that will be enough,” Gilbert said. “Must we speak ill of the dead?”
“If you can speak ill of them when they are alive, why does death make a difference?” Osbert said.
“Perhaps because they can hear you?” Gilbert said.
“Hell is far away,” Osbert replied.
And Joan:
“Sir, I can’t help but say it!” she hissed. “I hope what you have in mind isn’t some stupid idea.”
“I like the way you mince your words,” Stephen said.
After Stephen gets ambushed but escapes:
“What is it now?” Stephen rasped. He did not like to be interrupted when he was busy flogging himself.
And this tidbit:
“He’s built an unlicensed castle?” Alditheley burst out.
“I wouldn’t call it a castle exactly, sir,” Eggereton said. “More like just a big house, with a few crenelations and a wall and moat.”
Although our dear author is very short on romantic descriptive relations, at least the inevitable finally happens!
And I was wondering what the heck, why was Oliver still there with Stephen and putting his life at risk? And what about payment??
Stephen was also wondering:
"It was a little manor capable of providing a good living for him and all the people on it, and it angered him that Margaret’s failure to come for Oliver put that good life in danger. What was she doing?"
I had 11 highlights this time, so I was stopping to cherish the dialogue more as I get closer to catching up to the latest book:
“What are you doing here!” she cried. “It isn’t safe!”
“I ran into Greystok at Bromfield,” Stephen said. “I think I’ve seen him off, at least for the time being.”
“And the boy?” Ida asked anxiously.
“With the Thumpers,” Gilbert answered for Stephen.
Ida’s eyes went round at the sudden comprehension of the implications of this. You had to give her credit: she was very quick. “You didn’t!” she said.
“He did,” Gilbert said.
“Oh, dear God. A fool’s errand,” she said.
“Clearly,” said Gilbert.
“Is he unable to speak for himself?” Ida asked.
“I have instructed him that I will do all his talking from now on,” Gilbert said. “Less likelihood of trouble that way.”
“A wise course,” Ida said. “Which means that you’ll always have to be at his side. I’m having none of it in our bedchamber, however.”
“That thought never crossed my mind,” Gilbert said. “What foolishness he says to you is his own affair.”
LOL
---------
“Go on,” Stephen said. “I know you want to.”
“Are you sure?” Gilbert inquired. “I know you can’t function without me.”
“I’ll tell you what happens. And then you can tell me what questions I should have asked but didn’t.”
This was so funny and true:
“Thank you, Osbert, that will be enough,” Gilbert said. “Must we speak ill of the dead?”
“If you can speak ill of them when they are alive, why does death make a difference?” Osbert said.
“Perhaps because they can hear you?” Gilbert said.
“Hell is far away,” Osbert replied.
And Joan:
“Sir, I can’t help but say it!” she hissed. “I hope what you have in mind isn’t some stupid idea.”
“I like the way you mince your words,” Stephen said.
After Stephen gets ambushed but escapes:
“What is it now?” Stephen rasped. He did not like to be interrupted when he was busy flogging himself.
And this tidbit:
“He’s built an unlicensed castle?” Alditheley burst out.
“I wouldn’t call it a castle exactly, sir,” Eggereton said. “More like just a big house, with a few crenelations and a wall and moat.”
August 11, 2022
I've been reading medieval fiction for decades now even though my reading material has greatly changed over the years. Now the medieval novels are read are primarily mystery series and one of my go to series is Jason Vail's Stephen Attebrook series.
Vail an expert in martial art has studied medieval combat, so one knows that each of his books will feature some fighting, for those who avoid it.
Bag of Bones is the 13th in the series and I generally read them as soon as they come out. I enjoy the characters and story line, but the mystery seems to be less important and I can usually figure it out fairly early. What keeps me reading is there is usually some conundrum that Attebrook is caught up in and must resolve.
In this episode Attebrook returns to his old position of coroner, which is a welcome twist for me.
Vail an expert in martial art has studied medieval combat, so one knows that each of his books will feature some fighting, for those who avoid it.
Bag of Bones is the 13th in the series and I generally read them as soon as they come out. I enjoy the characters and story line, but the mystery seems to be less important and I can usually figure it out fairly early. What keeps me reading is there is usually some conundrum that Attebrook is caught up in and must resolve.
In this episode Attebrook returns to his old position of coroner, which is a welcome twist for me.
March 30, 2023
I grabbed this because it kept popping up in the "like books you read" section in Kindle Unlimited. The name Attebrook was vaguely familiar so I gave it a shot. And now I remember why I wasn't particularly fond of the first book The Wayward Apprentice. Its not that the writing is bad, and by this point in the series, its a bit better establishing the characters and the setting feels fuller and richer.
But its a fantasy world, its a mystery world unattached to history and its alleged setting. There's zero presence of the church, an incredibly ever present and important, powerful portion of medieval culture. It actually would have been very important and a powerful ally for Steven the not-so-injured knight by book 13. And again, the class structures and social difference between a beggar and a knight, for example, are almost nonexistent.
Which for me and anyone aware of history and culture of the time is like having aliens land and help Doc Holliday in the OK Corral by giving him a light saber. Even if its written well, you've so abandoned the entire idea of history and the setting that its ruined.
But its a fantasy world, its a mystery world unattached to history and its alleged setting. There's zero presence of the church, an incredibly ever present and important, powerful portion of medieval culture. It actually would have been very important and a powerful ally for Steven the not-so-injured knight by book 13. And again, the class structures and social difference between a beggar and a knight, for example, are almost nonexistent.
Which for me and anyone aware of history and culture of the time is like having aliens land and help Doc Holliday in the OK Corral by giving him a light saber. Even if its written well, you've so abandoned the entire idea of history and the setting that its ruined.
October 31, 2023
#13 in the Sir Stephen Atterbrook mystery series. July, 1264. #12 took place in March & April. Stephen is a knight who is down on his luck and trying to regain his fortune and birthright. He has worked as a coroner aided by Gilbert an innkeeper and former monk and has now returned to his former coroner position. This blends together adventure, betrayal, loyalty and love along with solving the murder of two men.
Part of the plot continues from the previous book as Stephen continues to seek to return the child held by his bitter enemy to the child's mother which poses a continuous threat to his life.
A town beggar's discovery of hidden scattered bones his selling of a ring found among them triggers a series of events which involves more murders and threatens the life of an innocent man as Stephen attempts to unravel the mystery.
Part of the plot continues from the previous book as Stephen continues to seek to return the child held by his bitter enemy to the child's mother which poses a continuous threat to his life.
A town beggar's discovery of hidden scattered bones his selling of a ring found among them triggers a series of events which involves more murders and threatens the life of an innocent man as Stephen attempts to unravel the mystery.
August 11, 2023
A worthy successor to Ellis Peters and Brother Cadfael, with Sir Stephen Attebrook
If you like well written historical who-dunnits, loaded with great plots, well researched medieval detail, inhabited by well drawn heroes and villains -this series is for you. Jason Ball's knowledge and practical experience of medieval weaponry gives a thrilling edge to the many fights and skirmishes that take place and evoke life in those more warlike days. Sir Stephen is a man you would put your trust in if you hoped for justice ...he is flawed and makes mistakes but he is a True Knight...a fictional character but one you would wish had really lived!
If you like well written historical who-dunnits, loaded with great plots, well researched medieval detail, inhabited by well drawn heroes and villains -this series is for you. Jason Ball's knowledge and practical experience of medieval weaponry gives a thrilling edge to the many fights and skirmishes that take place and evoke life in those more warlike days. Sir Stephen is a man you would put your trust in if you hoped for justice ...he is flawed and makes mistakes but he is a True Knight...a fictional character but one you would wish had really lived!
August 11, 2022
Sir Stephen survives another mystery where he willingly enters the lion's den to fight for justice. As usual, I enjoyed every minute of the story. This tale was very focused, with most of the cast of characters having limited stage time, appearing just long enough to add to the forward momentum. I found the battle scene grim and hard-fought, but with a wholly satisfying ending -- proving once again Sir Stephen's successful survival strategy: high risk, high reward. Well done, Mr. Vail!
September 23, 2022
Keep writing, Mr Vail!
I have enjoyed every Stephen Attebrook mystery. This is one of the best historical series. These are books written for adult readers. The characters are interesting. While caring about the main individuals we can learn about the middle ages, its virtues and flaws. The plots include mundane activities along with the challenges of living in a culture that is frequently mentally and physically trying.
I have enjoyed every Stephen Attebrook mystery. This is one of the best historical series. These are books written for adult readers. The characters are interesting. While caring about the main individuals we can learn about the middle ages, its virtues and flaws. The plots include mundane activities along with the challenges of living in a culture that is frequently mentally and physically trying.
December 20, 2025
Great storytelling
This is another wonderful book in the saga of Stephen Attebrook . Now under the rule of Lord Simon, every day the Royalist walk the line that could lead to their death, which makes Stephen, now coroner again, very cautious when accusing certain persons guilty of crimes especially when it's murder. This story is full of charm and sorrow in the pursuit of the truth.
This is another wonderful book in the saga of Stephen Attebrook . Now under the rule of Lord Simon, every day the Royalist walk the line that could lead to their death, which makes Stephen, now coroner again, very cautious when accusing certain persons guilty of crimes especially when it's murder. This story is full of charm and sorrow in the pursuit of the truth.
August 9, 2022
Just Brilliant
I cannot tell you how eagerly I await each and every story of Stephen Attebrook. I was hooked from the very first. It helps that I know Ludlow well and can easily imagine it in the 14th century. The telling of this period of English history is wonderful, we learn so much. Of course, I can't hardly wait for Book 14. Thank you.
I cannot tell you how eagerly I await each and every story of Stephen Attebrook. I was hooked from the very first. It helps that I know Ludlow well and can easily imagine it in the 14th century. The telling of this period of English history is wonderful, we learn so much. Of course, I can't hardly wait for Book 14. Thank you.
October 27, 2022
Hurrah!!’
Has Sir Stephen finally succeeded? Seems to be the case. The 13 volumes of this series were a very good read. Well written in my opinion. Great plots lines throughout. Interesting characters, as greedy and corrupt as anyone could imagine. Dangerous solutions that usually worked out to Stephen’s benefit. What next?
Has Sir Stephen finally succeeded? Seems to be the case. The 13 volumes of this series were a very good read. Well written in my opinion. Great plots lines throughout. Interesting characters, as greedy and corrupt as anyone could imagine. Dangerous solutions that usually worked out to Stephen’s benefit. What next?
February 19, 2024
Once again Stephen Attebrook as the new coroner of Ludlow, is charged with solving the killing of two men killed near Ludlow--only the bones are left with a few snippets of clothing and a dagger found deeper in the woods. Also Greystok, Lord of the castle, has taken Stphen's wife Ida hostage. A very complicated plot with a judicial duel at the end--lots of twists and turns and action.
September 10, 2022
Only one noble knight in this book.
Lots of good and bad guys and often the reader isn't sure who's who. Adventure, betrayal, loyalty and love are blended together, in a smooth batter, giving the reader a great story.
Lots of good and bad guys and often the reader isn't sure who's who. Adventure, betrayal, loyalty and love are blended together, in a smooth batter, giving the reader a great story.
September 17, 2022
Another thrilling tale
Quite an interesting story continuing the adventures of Stephen Attebrook. Lots of action and a few twists in the plot that keep you guessing. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Quite an interesting story continuing the adventures of Stephen Attebrook. Lots of action and a few twists in the plot that keep you guessing. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 15, 2022
A roller coaster ride
Stephen has trials and tribulations. Why do kind acts come back to haunt the peace of Ludlow. Perhaps this time letting another live will not boomerang and hit him upside the bucket helm.
Stephen has trials and tribulations. Why do kind acts come back to haunt the peace of Ludlow. Perhaps this time letting another live will not boomerang and hit him upside the bucket helm.
December 26, 2022
Nice addition to series
Some interesting character development, but not personal a good as some of the others in the series. Will certainly read the next when it is published. Missed Harry in this one.
Some interesting character development, but not personal a good as some of the others in the series. Will certainly read the next when it is published. Missed Harry in this one.
October 20, 2024
Run, Rabbit, Run
The best book of the series. Lots of deaths, excitement and solving riddles. The king is a hostage, Montfort on the rampage taking towns. Enemies vanquished, what will come next? Proof reading was poor.
The best book of the series. Lots of deaths, excitement and solving riddles. The king is a hostage, Montfort on the rampage taking towns. Enemies vanquished, what will come next? Proof reading was poor.
September 11, 2022
Great Read
Difficult to put down. Another fast paced book in the continued adventures of Stephen Attebrook. Humour and tragedy in equal measure and avidly await the next chapter.
Difficult to put down. Another fast paced book in the continued adventures of Stephen Attebrook. Humour and tragedy in equal measure and avidly await the next chapter.
November 30, 2022
series gets better and better
Great pace, characters that get deeper with every new book. I couldn’t put this one and the last two down.
Great pace, characters that get deeper with every new book. I couldn’t put this one and the last two down.
October 1, 2023
Excellent
I have yet to find a book by Jason Vail that is not excellent. The characterization, historical setting, plot, are all well done. I just wish there were lots more of them to enjoy.
I have yet to find a book by Jason Vail that is not excellent. The characterization, historical setting, plot, are all well done. I just wish there were lots more of them to enjoy.
December 8, 2023
Loads of typos with wrong words or meaningless sentences. Overall it was short and quite interesting to read.
January 14, 2024
Entaining
The story line is very similar to another writer who s books I have read that being said I would recommend it.
The story line is very similar to another writer who s books I have read that being said I would recommend it.
February 21, 2024
Pretty interesting when justice involves trial by combat!
September 15, 2024
great
I really enjoyed the book it had a lot happening and the characters were well played and it was great reading to the end.
I really enjoyed the book it had a lot happening and the characters were well played and it was great reading to the end.
January 15, 2025
Much better than the last book. Less political shenanigans and more about the characters
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews