The Prodigal Son

Roger the Chapman #15

by Kate Sedley

The latest title in the acclaimed Roger the Chapman series When Roger the Chapman discovers he has a hitherto unknown half-brother, he has mixed feelings about the matter. But when John Wedmore is accused of being the young page who, six years earlier, robbed his mistress and murdered a fellow servant, and is thrown into prison, Roger feels obliged to investigate the charge.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Medieval, Historical Mystery, Historical, British Literature, Fiction

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Brenda Margaret Lilian Clarke, known by her pen name Kate Sedley, was an English historical novelist best known for her Roger the Chapman mystery series. Born in Bristol in 1926, she also published as Brenda Honeyman and Brenda Clarke.

Reviews

[Spuddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

#15 Roger the Chapman medieval mystery set in the UK. Roger is in the Green Lattis pub savoring an ale when a stranger approaches several people including the chapman, asking after news of his brother's ship that sailed from Bristol several weeks previously. There has been no news, but Roger thinks he's met the young man somewhere before, but can't quite place John Wedmore.

Until a day later when the sheriff comes calling, stating he's got young Mr. Wedmore in his jail, accused of being a thief and murderer, implicated by a countrywoman who named him her page six years ago. And he's asked to speak to Roger--who subsequently learns that John Wedmore is his previously unknown half-brother and he realizes he 'recognized' his father's facial features in the young man.

Roger ends up journeying out to Wells, where he was born and grew up, to the country manor of his brother's accuser to see what he can learn about this six-year-old murder in hopes of exonerating him. Meanwhile, a long lost son returns to that manor at the same time as Roger and begins stirring up a hornet's nest.

Enjoyable visit as always to 14th century England. The mysteries are not terribly difficult to figure out, but the writing style, the characters and historical ambiance make all the difference.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it was easy to see where the plot was going, I still enjoyed this book. I really like Sedley's characters. Her writing reveals the good in humanity, flaws and all, even when actions and characters are evil.

[Richard Souza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each of the Roger the Chapman’s books puts me in the 1400’s. The blending of history and Rogers solving of mysteries is amazing. Rogers interaction with historical characters is a treat. I spend as much time researching the names of people, the towns, rivers, roads and professions as reading the novels. The author was obviously a Middle Ages historian who lent her knowledge to her fiction.

[Cindie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I figured out most of the murderers and guilty parties long before Roger does but liked his empathy and the development of the other characters. This was a good read of country life in rural areas of Briton.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as satisfied with the way things ended in this one

[Peter Barrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodn as always a good read

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE PRODIGAL SON (Hist. Mys-Roger the Chapman-England-1480) – Good
Sedley, Kate – 15th in series
Severn House, 2006, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0727863371

First Sentence: I first saw the strange young man whilst sipping a beaker of my favourite ale (the cheapest), sitting in a corner of the Green Lattis.

Roger the Chapman (peddler) encounters a young man, John Wedmore, learning he is a hitherto unknown half-brother. When John is accused of having been a woman’s page, six years ago and murdering a fellow servant, he asks Roger’s help in proving his innocence.

This is the first book I’ve read by Sedley and my reaction was mixed. There was some rather good plotting and the bit of information that caused Roger to realize the killer was very clever. Sedley does convey the period well, particularly though the cadence of style of her characters speech.

Each character’s dialogue is well suited; in particular, a 15-year-old who has just the right level of petulance and arrogance. Sedley writes with a gentle, pleasant element of humor, which I enjoyed.

What disappointed me was the massive amount of coincidences which overwhelmed the story and became almost absurd. I hope this is an anomaly and do plan to read more books in the series.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ne'er do well Anthony Bellknapp, thought or hoped by his family to be dead, has returned to claim the inheritance long expected by his brother Simon. Anthony seems to love stirring up hatred against himself. After a few days every man on the estate and some women have reason to kill him.

Roger the Chapman is already investigating a death at Anthony's old home, on behalf of his own half-brother. Does the prodigal son of the title refer to Anthony or to John Wedmore? Like THE GREEN MAN of a couple of years later in Sedley's series, THE PRODIGAL SON picks up its pace dramatically near the end of the book. I especially enjoy Roger's woodsy travels.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Rogers half brother (who he did not know existed until that day) ends up in jail accused of being a page who robbed a family and killed their stewards wife and then disappeared Roger feels he must help him prove his innocence. However it becomes a lot more than that as he gets deeper into the case of what really happened that night 6 years before.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good entry in this series.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great mystery series that more people should read.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More murder & mayhem for our intrepid chapman, Roger to solve. This time roger has to save a member of his family from the gallows.

[Sarah Hearn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as other Roger the Chapman books but it improved as the story got closer to the denouement.