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Matthew Bartholomew #4
A Deadly Brew
In the winter of 1353, torrential rains are spreading fever to the poor and making travel especially hazardous along the town’s outlaw-infested roads. Then three members of the University die by drinking poisoned wine. College physician Matthew Bartholomew would rather not get involved in the investigation, but when his life is threatened, he stumbles on criminal activities that implicate friends, relatives, and colleagues—a deadly brew of evil intent.
484 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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628 people want to read
About the author
Susanna Gregory
86 books433 followersSusanna Gregory is the pseudonym of Elizabeth Cruwys, a Cambridge academic who was previously a coroner's officer. She is married to author Beau Riffenburgh who is her co-author on the Simon Beaufort books.
AKA Simon Beaufort
She writes detective fiction, and is noted for her series of mediaeval mysteries featuring Matthew Bartholomew, a teacher of medicine and investigator of murders in 14th-century Cambridge.
These books may have some aspects in common with the Ellis Peters Cadfael series, the mediaeval adventures of a highly intelligent Benedictine monk and herbalist who came to the Benedictine order late in an eventful life, bringing with him considerable secular experience and wisdom combined with a deal of native wit. This sets him apart from his comparatively innocent and naíve monastic brethren. His activities, both as a monk and a healer, embroil him in a series of mysterious crimes, both secular and monastic, and he enthusiastically assumes the rôle of an amateur sleuth. Sceptical of superstition, he is somewhat ahead of his time, and much accurate historical detail is woven into the adventures. But there any resemblance to the comparatively warm-hearted Cadfael series ends: the tone and subject matter of the Gregory novels is far darker and does not shrink from portraying the harsh realities of life in the Middle Ages. The first in the series, A Plague on Both Your Houses is set against the ravages of the Black Death and subsequent novels take much of their subject matter from the attempts of society to recover from this disaster.
These novels bear the marks of much detailed research into mediaeval conditions - many of the supporting characters have names taken from the documentation of the time, referenced at the end of each book - and bring vividly to life the all-pervading squalor of living conditions in England during the Middle Ages. The deep-rooted and pervasive practice of traditional leechcraft as it contrasts with the dawning science of evidence-based medicine is a common bone of contention between Matthew and the students he teaches at Michaelhouse College (now part of Trinity College, Cambridge), whilst the conflict between the students of Cambridge and the townsfolk continually threatens to escalate into violence.
Another series of books, set just after the Restoration of Charles II and featuring Thomas Chaloner, detective and former spy, began with A Conspiracy of Violence published in January 2006, and continues with The Body in the Thames, published in hardback edition January 2011.
AKA Simon Beaufort
She writes detective fiction, and is noted for her series of mediaeval mysteries featuring Matthew Bartholomew, a teacher of medicine and investigator of murders in 14th-century Cambridge.
These books may have some aspects in common with the Ellis Peters Cadfael series, the mediaeval adventures of a highly intelligent Benedictine monk and herbalist who came to the Benedictine order late in an eventful life, bringing with him considerable secular experience and wisdom combined with a deal of native wit. This sets him apart from his comparatively innocent and naíve monastic brethren. His activities, both as a monk and a healer, embroil him in a series of mysterious crimes, both secular and monastic, and he enthusiastically assumes the rôle of an amateur sleuth. Sceptical of superstition, he is somewhat ahead of his time, and much accurate historical detail is woven into the adventures. But there any resemblance to the comparatively warm-hearted Cadfael series ends: the tone and subject matter of the Gregory novels is far darker and does not shrink from portraying the harsh realities of life in the Middle Ages. The first in the series, A Plague on Both Your Houses is set against the ravages of the Black Death and subsequent novels take much of their subject matter from the attempts of society to recover from this disaster.
These novels bear the marks of much detailed research into mediaeval conditions - many of the supporting characters have names taken from the documentation of the time, referenced at the end of each book - and bring vividly to life the all-pervading squalor of living conditions in England during the Middle Ages. The deep-rooted and pervasive practice of traditional leechcraft as it contrasts with the dawning science of evidence-based medicine is a common bone of contention between Matthew and the students he teaches at Michaelhouse College (now part of Trinity College, Cambridge), whilst the conflict between the students of Cambridge and the townsfolk continually threatens to escalate into violence.
Another series of books, set just after the Restoration of Charles II and featuring Thomas Chaloner, detective and former spy, began with A Conspiracy of Violence published in January 2006, and continues with The Body in the Thames, published in hardback edition January 2011.
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August 8, 2019
This very exciting historical mystery is the 4th part of the wonderful "Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles" from the author, Susanna Gregory.
At the beginning of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of Cambridge, England, circa AD 1353, while at the end you'll be presented with a very well documented and explained Historical Note concerning this thrilling story.
Storytelling is once more of a superb quality, the characters come all vividly to life within this astonishing historical mystery, whether they are real historical, you'll find quite a few of them in the Historical Note, or wonderful fictional persons, and the surroundings and atmosphere of Cambridge in the 1350s come astoundingly to the forefront.
The book starts with an intriguing prologue, which is situated late in the year AD 1352, and where the theft of (poisoned) bottles of wine will certainly play a significant part in this murderous mystery.
The main story itself starts off in January, in the year AD 1353, and once again we will see the humane, honest and righteous physician/doctor, Matthew Bartholomew, in full action again, together with his great friend, the secretive, sly and fierce Benedictine monk, Brother Michael, in an attempt to solve the poisoning murders of various people due to "A Deadly Brew".
When in quick succession three people die due to the poisoned wine, the student Armel, Grene, a scholar of Valence Marie, and Isaac, book-bearer of physician, Philius of Gonville Hall, while this physician is later on found murdered as well, Matthew and Michael start their investigations quickly, only to be thwarted in every way by a cunning and influential individual, who also has the means and people in threatening and almost taking the lives of Matthew and Michael themselves.
What is to follow is a thrilling mystery in which Matthew and Michael are manipulated into dangerous encounters, until they are able, on the one hand expose a young murderer who kills at random out of revenge, while on the other hand, after some very exciting twists and turns they will unveil the mastermind behind the poisoned wine, and in a deadly encounter this mystery will finally be solved.
Very much recommended, for this episode is once again absolutely superb, with all kind of guessing and thrills, and because of that I want to call this story: "An Astonishing Exciting Deadly Mystery"!
At the beginning of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of Cambridge, England, circa AD 1353, while at the end you'll be presented with a very well documented and explained Historical Note concerning this thrilling story.
Storytelling is once more of a superb quality, the characters come all vividly to life within this astonishing historical mystery, whether they are real historical, you'll find quite a few of them in the Historical Note, or wonderful fictional persons, and the surroundings and atmosphere of Cambridge in the 1350s come astoundingly to the forefront.
The book starts with an intriguing prologue, which is situated late in the year AD 1352, and where the theft of (poisoned) bottles of wine will certainly play a significant part in this murderous mystery.
The main story itself starts off in January, in the year AD 1353, and once again we will see the humane, honest and righteous physician/doctor, Matthew Bartholomew, in full action again, together with his great friend, the secretive, sly and fierce Benedictine monk, Brother Michael, in an attempt to solve the poisoning murders of various people due to "A Deadly Brew".
When in quick succession three people die due to the poisoned wine, the student Armel, Grene, a scholar of Valence Marie, and Isaac, book-bearer of physician, Philius of Gonville Hall, while this physician is later on found murdered as well, Matthew and Michael start their investigations quickly, only to be thwarted in every way by a cunning and influential individual, who also has the means and people in threatening and almost taking the lives of Matthew and Michael themselves.
What is to follow is a thrilling mystery in which Matthew and Michael are manipulated into dangerous encounters, until they are able, on the one hand expose a young murderer who kills at random out of revenge, while on the other hand, after some very exciting twists and turns they will unveil the mastermind behind the poisoned wine, and in a deadly encounter this mystery will finally be solved.
Very much recommended, for this episode is once again absolutely superb, with all kind of guessing and thrills, and because of that I want to call this story: "An Astonishing Exciting Deadly Mystery"!
February 6, 2019
Now although the fourth instalment of Susanna Gregory's Mathew Bartholomew series (which like all of the series novels I have so far read totally and wonderfully shines and sparkles with historical realism, with the author's amazing and authentic feeling sense of time and place) once again has a few too many corpses for my personal tastes, I have still and indeed enjoyed A Deadly Brew considerably more than the third novel, than A Bone of Contention and mostly because A Deadly Brew is much more streamlined in scope and thus not as annoyingly convoluted as A Bone of Contention, with even the frequent deaths generally making realistic sense with regard to the plot lines and themes presented and leading to a reasonable and also generally believable conclusion. However, truth be told, I was and remain most definitely rather surprised as to who the main villain has ended up being, as I for one had totally thought it would be Michaelhouse philosophy master Ralph Langlee and not Cambridge Vice Chancellor Harling who would be unmasked as the poisoner (the main evilodoer of A Deadly Brew, and someone with a realistic but still creepily horribly extreme grudge against Cambridge University simply because he had not been made chancellor). And yes to a certain extent, I do tend to find that there are definitely not enough relevant clues presented by Susanna Gregory in A Deadly Brew with regard to Harling's possible guilt, although perhaps that Harling rather willingly (even if attempting to feign concern) sends Matthew and Brother Michael on that in hindsight arranged by him dangerous and false errand to tend to a supposedly attacked and injured Chancellor Tynkell in Ely should have rung my alarm bells (but very much unlike Michaelhouse's Brother Paul who does in fact warn Michael and Matthew that this all sounds a bit unbelievable, I like they never managed to make that connection, and indeed Harling being exposed as the poisoner and main villain certainly has been not only quite massively surprising but in my opinion also more than a bit unbelievable and hard to accept from the narrative, the textual information and details the author provides within the pages of A Deadly Brew).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2021
Susana Gregory is a MASTER at historical fiction. She includes so many details, from hygiene, to smells and the human waste in the street. If you haven’t read one of her books you may have a romantic idea of the Middle Ages. Can’t recommend this series enough. Love me some Brother Michael and Matthew Bartholomew!
November 22, 2016
Matthew Bartholomew is dragged into another murder investigation, involving poisoned wine, smugglers and more dastardly deeds in the University hierarchy.
A decent read, which unfortunately is scuppered by Gregory's writing flaws. There are lots of characters, but as before the supporting characters remain worryingly anonymous. This makes it difficult at times to follow the flow of the action as you keep having to remember who is who, rather than just knowing who they are and what they do. Interesting to note that this is not a problem with the female characters. The revelation of the identity of the main villain has little impact as, I had no idea who he was, and when I did realise who he was, I couldn't recall his role in the previous chapters. The book is also slightly overlong. Gregory also struggles to make her lead characters voices distinctive enough. There are times during Bartholomew and Brother Michael's discussions where it is difficult to distinguish between the two very different men.
I hate to give this two stars but the ongoing problems with the writing really made this a much less enjoyable read than the previous books in the series. Where was her editor?
A decent read, which unfortunately is scuppered by Gregory's writing flaws. There are lots of characters, but as before the supporting characters remain worryingly anonymous. This makes it difficult at times to follow the flow of the action as you keep having to remember who is who, rather than just knowing who they are and what they do. Interesting to note that this is not a problem with the female characters. The revelation of the identity of the main villain has little impact as, I had no idea who he was, and when I did realise who he was, I couldn't recall his role in the previous chapters. The book is also slightly overlong. Gregory also struggles to make her lead characters voices distinctive enough. There are times during Bartholomew and Brother Michael's discussions where it is difficult to distinguish between the two very different men.
I hate to give this two stars but the ongoing problems with the writing really made this a much less enjoyable read than the previous books in the series. Where was her editor?
June 7, 2017
Oh dear. I do keep reading these books because I like the atmosphere they evoke: a cold, rain-sodden medieval Cambridge, streets filled with mud, offal and other nameless filth; it's my preferred form of the trendy Danish 'hygge' as I sit in my (reasonably) clean, warm house with a hot beverage. I also quite like the two main characters, the nice, sensible physician Matt and his fat, greedy friend Michael who get themselves involved in the underworld of crime which seems incredibly prevalent in the town. However, my problem is that when the plot gets going and the dead bodies start multiplying, my brain starts to seize up and I completely lose track of who's murdered who, which devious monk from which college has a grudge against which other monk/professor/whoever and why etc. Still, I persevere until the end because, as I said, it is very relaxing to read about other people's discomfort from the comfort of an armchair.
April 5, 2023
When I found out that "Y" murdered "X" I was sure the story was over. When I looked and saw there was still 2.5 hours of the book left on audio, I was shocked. What else could happen? Well a lot as it turns out. I have to say that I thought the book was a bit too long and living in 14th century Cambridge with all of its smells and disease doesn't help. But the historical research seems accurate as far as I know and therefore I will continue with the series.
August 17, 2020
I'm very easy to please when it comes to historical fiction, but unfortunately this one didn't quite cut it.
1) It was far, far too long. There were many instances where I felt whole paragraphs could have been taken out of the book without any difference to the plot.
2) As with the last book in this series, "A Bone Of Contention", the conclusion to the mystery of the poisoned wine was convulted, overly complicated and honestly just ridiculous. I still don't understand why most of the murders took place.
3) The murders started to drag. Here are some sub points on that topic:
• There comes a point in some mysteries where so many basic or completely random characters are dying that you really don't care anymore. It felt like every couple of chapters, the author had some formally unknown and wholly unimportant character murdered because she thought it was getting too slow. Which it was, to be honest, because any part of the book that didn't contain a murder was dull conversation between Michael and Bartholomew.
• I'm not sure how the author managed to make a murderous chase through marshland and the discovery and consequent recovery of a dead body in a well dull, but she did it.
• I don't claim to be any kind of expert, but I somehow don't think it's possible to murder a man by thrusting an ordinary nail into his heart. Are we supposed to believe that one man can overpower another sufficiently enough and with enough force to drive a nail fully through his chest with his bare hands?
• I do not understand why Katherine Mortimer commit suicide, especially when she had just brazenly told Bartholomew he didn't have enough evidence to convict her of anything. By drinking the poisoned wine, is she not completely proving his theory correct?
• I began to get throughly sick of people trying to attack or kill Bartholomew. We get it.
• It became annoying that whenever a character had important information or something to hide, they were conveniently murdered.
• As with the last book, I hated the lazy ending of "let's get the villain to take Bartholomew hostage and slowly explain every step of his evil plan and then how he is going to kill Bartholomew only for him to be conveniently saved at the last minute."
4) The background characters were dull dull dull. There are many male scholars and students throughout Cambridge, but they're all so underdeveloped that they blend into one after a while. At many points I had to flip back to remind myself who a certain character was. Even Brother Michael, Bartholomew's best friend and partner, is dull - he is only memorable for the fact that he eats a lot.
5) The writing itself leaves a lot to be desired. The prose is bare and basic and description is little.
I do not think I will be revisiting Dr Bartholomew anytime soon.
1) It was far, far too long. There were many instances where I felt whole paragraphs could have been taken out of the book without any difference to the plot.
2) As with the last book in this series, "A Bone Of Contention", the conclusion to the mystery of the poisoned wine was convulted, overly complicated and honestly just ridiculous. I still don't understand why most of the murders took place.
3) The murders started to drag. Here are some sub points on that topic:
• There comes a point in some mysteries where so many basic or completely random characters are dying that you really don't care anymore. It felt like every couple of chapters, the author had some formally unknown and wholly unimportant character murdered because she thought it was getting too slow. Which it was, to be honest, because any part of the book that didn't contain a murder was dull conversation between Michael and Bartholomew.
• I'm not sure how the author managed to make a murderous chase through marshland and the discovery and consequent recovery of a dead body in a well dull, but she did it.
• I don't claim to be any kind of expert, but I somehow don't think it's possible to murder a man by thrusting an ordinary nail into his heart. Are we supposed to believe that one man can overpower another sufficiently enough and with enough force to drive a nail fully through his chest with his bare hands?
• I do not understand why Katherine Mortimer commit suicide, especially when she had just brazenly told Bartholomew he didn't have enough evidence to convict her of anything. By drinking the poisoned wine, is she not completely proving his theory correct?
• I began to get throughly sick of people trying to attack or kill Bartholomew. We get it.
• It became annoying that whenever a character had important information or something to hide, they were conveniently murdered.
• As with the last book, I hated the lazy ending of "let's get the villain to take Bartholomew hostage and slowly explain every step of his evil plan and then how he is going to kill Bartholomew only for him to be conveniently saved at the last minute."
4) The background characters were dull dull dull. There are many male scholars and students throughout Cambridge, but they're all so underdeveloped that they blend into one after a while. At many points I had to flip back to remind myself who a certain character was. Even Brother Michael, Bartholomew's best friend and partner, is dull - he is only memorable for the fact that he eats a lot.
5) The writing itself leaves a lot to be desired. The prose is bare and basic and description is little.
I do not think I will be revisiting Dr Bartholomew anytime soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2021
Bartholomew is called out to see one of the university students who became ill after drinking some wine that was bought from a dodgy character. The student dies and Bartholomew realizes the cause of death was a particularly nasty and quick-acting poison. Other like deaths follow, all from drinking wine from identical smoked glass bottles. Michael and Bartholomew are charged to find out whether the deaths are a plot by townspeople to discredit the university, but they discover a smuggling operation whose ringleader is far more greedy and vicious than the usual smugglers whose work is winked at by the authorities.
I love the contrast between the two main characters: generous, cautious, slightly naive Matthew and wily, sophisticated, impetuous Michael.
I love the contrast between the two main characters: generous, cautious, slightly naive Matthew and wily, sophisticated, impetuous Michael.
September 22, 2024
Oh, no! I'm gulping down this series like a bag of potato chips and I can seem to stop! I am just loving Susanna Gregory's Matthew Bartholomew series.
In the 4th of the series, A Deadly Brew, Matthew and Michael must find the stolen bottles of poisoned wine before more people are murdered. Someone wants to stop them and will go to great lengths to prevent that. On top of all that this mild winter has left the channels in the fens open rather than frozen and there is an increase in smuggling. Just how will it all come together?
Inquiring minds should indeed read this book.
In the 4th of the series, A Deadly Brew, Matthew and Michael must find the stolen bottles of poisoned wine before more people are murdered. Someone wants to stop them and will go to great lengths to prevent that. On top of all that this mild winter has left the channels in the fens open rather than frozen and there is an increase in smuggling. Just how will it all come together?
Inquiring minds should indeed read this book.
February 15, 2020
I am enjoying this series. However, I am never sure why Matthew remains friends with Michael, whose loyalty seems unreliable and his relationship to the truth fractured. I also wish it would stop raining!!!
Read
December 26, 2018I like mysteries and I suppose I'm always up for historical mysteries in particular. Set them in medieval times and I'll gladly give them a try. This one, however, ultimately disappointed in various ways. While the author does a good job of conveying early Cambridge--the sensory details about food, warmth, lighting, clothing, and cleanliness are provided to an impressive degree, as are intricacies of trade and university life--quite a few of the events and plot twists (especially approaching the end) struck me as improbable or untenable. One example would be the discovery of why the rat but not the cat had died from the poisoned wine. Given the descriptions of the wine as blisteringly acidic, I was expecting to find that the wine the cat got into had spilled into something alkali that had neutralized the pH and that the rat had drunk from a different part of the spill. However, the explanation, when it came, was in no way believable given the evidence.
Basically, I'm a reader eager to suspend disbelief in all kinds of directions, but the author has to ensure that my willing suspension of disbelief is not rudely interrupted by my critical faculties, and apparently my critical faculties (not surprisingly) became considerably pickier in the process of getting my PhD.
Still, this book does have its charms, which include the specificity of detail and also a pleasant sense of humor.
Basically, I'm a reader eager to suspend disbelief in all kinds of directions, but the author has to ensure that my willing suspension of disbelief is not rudely interrupted by my critical faculties, and apparently my critical faculties (not surprisingly) became considerably pickier in the process of getting my PhD.
Still, this book does have its charms, which include the specificity of detail and also a pleasant sense of humor.
August 12, 2018
The 4th in the Matthew Bartholomew series. Once again Bartholomew finds himself surrounded by murder, intrigue and double crossing and must not only find the culprits but save himself and those around him.
This might actually be my favourite so far in this series, you are kept guessing and after thinking you have the mystery figured out something happens to prove you wrong. This was certainly the case with me after about 75% of the book I thought it was finished and couldn't work out what the other 25% could be about. But as is the case with some of the best stories what one thinks is right is only scratching the surface. I don't want to give too much away so I'll leave that thought there.
The setting is great, you do really get a feel for the 14th century complete with it's mud, filth, illness and comparative poverty when compared to modern day Cambridge.
I did have an issue with some of the speech, I don't currently have any examples without going back through the book, but there are phrases and statements said by some of the characters that seems to be rather anachronistic. I chose to ignore these which was tough as I'm a former history teacher but after reminding myself that this is fiction I moved on without concerning myself about it any more.
A great action packed story, full of mystery to keep you wondering till the end.
This might actually be my favourite so far in this series, you are kept guessing and after thinking you have the mystery figured out something happens to prove you wrong. This was certainly the case with me after about 75% of the book I thought it was finished and couldn't work out what the other 25% could be about. But as is the case with some of the best stories what one thinks is right is only scratching the surface. I don't want to give too much away so I'll leave that thought there.
The setting is great, you do really get a feel for the 14th century complete with it's mud, filth, illness and comparative poverty when compared to modern day Cambridge.
I did have an issue with some of the speech, I don't currently have any examples without going back through the book, but there are phrases and statements said by some of the characters that seems to be rather anachronistic. I chose to ignore these which was tough as I'm a former history teacher but after reminding myself that this is fiction I moved on without concerning myself about it any more.
A great action packed story, full of mystery to keep you wondering till the end.
December 5, 2015
The deadly brew of the title is a collection of wine bottles that have been apparently poisoned and its up to Matthew Bartholomew and his friend Michel to solve the mystery set in 14th century Cambridge. And the poisonings are only part of the problems — there are robberies afoot and while Bartholomew wants only to return to his teaching, research and providing medical treatments to the less wealthy of the community, he is drawn into searching for clues and soon is at risk for his life.
Susanna Gregory has created a good mystery and a character that I wanted to like but somehow had some difficulties with. Bartholomew is not as smart as I would have liked, not as sharp as I would have expected. The time frame is developed well and I could really get into the challenges of the period along with the mystery but my hopes for the main character were underwhelmed. Would I read another book? Probably, just to see how Gregory develops Bartholomew.
Susanna Gregory has created a good mystery and a character that I wanted to like but somehow had some difficulties with. Bartholomew is not as smart as I would have liked, not as sharp as I would have expected. The time frame is developed well and I could really get into the challenges of the period along with the mystery but my hopes for the main character were underwhelmed. Would I read another book? Probably, just to see how Gregory develops Bartholomew.
November 2, 2017
This one had some well written and interesting bits, but the overall mystery was uninteresting and the book dragged terribly. The red herring was nicely written and well pulled off but the multiple fake out/gotcha endings were so aggravating that by the third one (yes THREE of them) I was wishing for the whole cast to just die.
And while I would never question her authority on medieval Cambridge, she needs to study weapons technology.
1. Throwing knives are not the same as daggers.
2. Throwing knives are very small and lightweight. ( I have several and a shuriken)
3. Throwing knives are best if thrown at the face.
4. A throwing knife will NEVER kill someone hitting them in the back. If that were possible, we'd not have invented projectile weaponry ie bows, arrows, crossbows,and guns to do that job.
And while I would never question her authority on medieval Cambridge, she needs to study weapons technology.
1. Throwing knives are not the same as daggers.
2. Throwing knives are very small and lightweight. ( I have several and a shuriken)
3. Throwing knives are best if thrown at the face.
4. A throwing knife will NEVER kill someone hitting them in the back. If that were possible, we'd not have invented projectile weaponry ie bows, arrows, crossbows,and guns to do that job.
November 27, 2018
I read books 1-3 in this series 10 years ago and started this one, but only found it again and restarted.
I can see why I enjoyed them so. The books about a ‘doctor’ in Cambridge in the 1300s, are well written, well plotted and certainly give the impression of being well researched. They bear comparison with the Brother Cadfael books which is a compliment.
I can see why I enjoyed them so. The books about a ‘doctor’ in Cambridge in the 1300s, are well written, well plotted and certainly give the impression of being well researched. They bear comparison with the Brother Cadfael books which is a compliment.
October 6, 2018
A notch above the series standard so far - multi-layered and highly entertaining
June 24, 2019
Too formulaic, surely Bartholemew can't continue to have 2 near death experiences due to his own stupidity in every book...
May 20, 2020
Set in 1353 Cambridge, UK, the story absorbed me from page 1. I love the Matthew Bartholomew series, and A Deadly Brew did not disappoint. In addition to crafting a twisty mystery, Gregory's descriptions transport me into the squalid, crowded, tense atmosphere of medieval life. Since Bartholomew is a physician who follows the teachings of Galen, I also enjoy learning interesting tidbits about the evolution of medicine.
Some favorite excerpts:
"Unstable looking houses clustered closely along both sides, and Bartholomew was certain that if one fell they would all collapse, like a group of drunks clinging to each other for support." page 296
"A low mist was rising in the early dawn, sending ghostly fingers of white to ooze across brackish water and around the squat trunks of stunted alder trees." page 407
Some favorite excerpts:
"Unstable looking houses clustered closely along both sides, and Bartholomew was certain that if one fell they would all collapse, like a group of drunks clinging to each other for support." page 296
"A low mist was rising in the early dawn, sending ghostly fingers of white to ooze across brackish water and around the squat trunks of stunted alder trees." page 407
June 24, 2021
A brilliant brew of Humour and Mystery. This is a tale of university politics... high intrigue and murder in such an august institution of learning as Cambridge. Such circumstances were made possible because of clashing agendas... bitter resentment because of thwarted Entitlement viv~à~vis rabid Fanaticism. I was also annoyed by the number of times Bartholomew had to be taken hostage by the villain... could he not learn a bit of self~defense if only to prevent himself from being cut and his hands mangled or mutilated, given that a Physician as well as a surgeon (though surgery in this Timeline was considered the province of illiterate barbers) needs both hands in good and dexterous condition?... and in the interest of self~preservation? for he could not always look to Cynric for the brawn and preservation of their lives given that he was alone when he was captured.
June 24, 2021
I had to read this book through twice in order to really follow the story. This mystery has a lot of different layers. It’s all intertwined and was difficult to keep track of.
It was very complex, and I liked that, but it made it hard to remember what had already happened and understand what is going on.
I didn’t like how the main characters (Bartholomew and Michael) turn out to have very little to do with finally solving the mystery.
The author did a fantastic job at recreating the atmosphere of medieval Cambridge. It was like I could feel the cold and I really sympathised with the residents of Michaelhouse not having enough fires and candles during the long winter nights. While I was reading, the world really did feel saturated.
The full review can be found at www.travellingbooknerd.com/a-deadly-b...
It was very complex, and I liked that, but it made it hard to remember what had already happened and understand what is going on.
I didn’t like how the main characters (Bartholomew and Michael) turn out to have very little to do with finally solving the mystery.
The author did a fantastic job at recreating the atmosphere of medieval Cambridge. It was like I could feel the cold and I really sympathised with the residents of Michaelhouse not having enough fires and candles during the long winter nights. While I was reading, the world really did feel saturated.
The full review can be found at www.travellingbooknerd.com/a-deadly-b...
April 19, 2022
If this was the first Matthew Bartholomew book I read, it would have been the last. I read through it because I appreciate the characters, but all I can say about it is mud, mud, mud. There were so many descriptions of people walking in mud, slipping in mud, walking through filth in the streets, getting up to their hips in bogs, and nobody washing, that I was left with the image of filthy people all over old Cambridge. Even Matthew who was apparently disparaged for his adherence to cleanliness, was always finding himself in mud but never does the author have him cleaning himself. Matthew comes across as almost hapless. Father Michael is always stuffing his face. No wonder they can't solve anything. I'm hoping for better from the next one.
May 19, 2021
Poison in wine killing residents in both town and colleges in Cambridge that perplexes Matthew Bartholomew in his fourth adventure set in 1353. Bartholomew is joined by Brother Michael, by his friends and family to solve the mystery of the poison and determine who has unleashed this evil on the city.
As I read this mystery, Danny Kaye rhyme in "The Court Jester": "The pellet with the poison's in the flagon with the dragon; the vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true", ran through my brain. You'll have the clues shifting through your memory as you read this cleverly crafted mystery.
Can't wait to read the next in the series.
As I read this mystery, Danny Kaye rhyme in "The Court Jester": "The pellet with the poison's in the flagon with the dragon; the vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true", ran through my brain. You'll have the clues shifting through your memory as you read this cleverly crafted mystery.
Can't wait to read the next in the series.
April 20, 2019
Just what I want from a period mystery.
Lots of detail to get me a feel for the world, plenty of characters but not so many I struggle to keep up, and a main character who feels the tensions present in society.
Probably not sexist enough to be realistic, but I'm happy with that as a modern reader. Also suicide is mentioned a few times, but without much reference to the huge impact that would have on their immortal soul. I feel like that should have at least been touched upon more, seeing as it's set at a religious university in 1352.
Lots of detail to get me a feel for the world, plenty of characters but not so many I struggle to keep up, and a main character who feels the tensions present in society.
Probably not sexist enough to be realistic, but I'm happy with that as a modern reader. Also suicide is mentioned a few times, but without much reference to the huge impact that would have on their immortal soul. I feel like that should have at least been touched upon more, seeing as it's set at a religious university in 1352.
September 13, 2019
This historical crime mystery follows a kind university-employed doctor, in the 14th century. The story gives insights into academic life, religion, medicine, diet and the rich/poor divide in society at that time. The dialogue is in modern English, so easy to follow. I enjoyed the detailed scenes of medieval Cambridge and the author's evocative descriptions. There are some slightly gory descriptions of the murder victims, whom the main character examines. The plot is complex, and there are many characters, so this is best read over consecutive days.
May 2, 2025
This was book 4 in the Matthew Bartholomew series and a great romp of espionage in the 14th century...these are not action packed novels or sword and sandal adventures....they remind me a lot of the Edith Pargeter series "The Chronicles of Brother Cadfael" .
Susanna Gregory fills her adventures with a strong narrative, humorous banter and a fantastic historically themed story ..you can literally smell and hear the sights ,sounds and see the brutal way of existence in 14th century England when everything and everyone was governed by religion and its power.
Highly recommended.
Susanna Gregory fills her adventures with a strong narrative, humorous banter and a fantastic historically themed story ..you can literally smell and hear the sights ,sounds and see the brutal way of existence in 14th century England when everything and everyone was governed by religion and its power.
Highly recommended.
December 9, 2025
Okay, after four books I have to say - Susanna Gregory's protagonist is some Platonic ideal of a Dumb Guy who is narrowly very intelligent. This entry particularly highlights his attitude toward women being uselessly protective when he can barely take care of himself. This is played as eyerolling but endearing to the women in the series. Every woman around the men in the story are far more deeply clued in to goings on and generally more competent in Gregory's world. It's cozy comedy but may be annoying to some.
December 6, 2021
This book has literally all the same pluses and minuses of the previous books in the series. Literally all the same. I could probably just copy-paste one of my past reviews and wouldn’t need to change a damn thing.
So if you (like me) have been mostly having a good time with this series this far, you will probably also have a good time with this book. But if you haven’t been enjoying this series why are you still reading it? This book will do absolutely nothing to change your mind.
So if you (like me) have been mostly having a good time with this series this far, you will probably also have a good time with this book. But if you haven’t been enjoying this series why are you still reading it? This book will do absolutely nothing to change your mind.
September 10, 2019
3.75/ 4 stars
With each book I just love the characters more and more, Bartholomew is just great.
There were some great action and suspense in this one and the plot twisted all over the place.
I did get a little lost in some places but overall I really enjoyed it
With each book I just love the characters more and more, Bartholomew is just great.
There were some great action and suspense in this one and the plot twisted all over the place.
I did get a little lost in some places but overall I really enjoyed it
July 8, 2024
I keep wondering how I would survive in the medieval ages, likely I would not. Matthew and Micheal amaze me at their resilience and in this one more than others. Great educational read even if half of it is true.
June 3, 2017
Clever (& complex) reason for the existence of the 'deadly brew'.
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