The Three Kings of Cologne

Roger the Chapman #16

by Kate Sedley

The new Roger the Chapman novelWhen the remains of Isabella Linkinhorne, who disappeared twenty years earlier and was known to have had three secret lovers, are discovered on nunnery land, Roger the Chapman is called in. Faced with the task of tracking down three people of whom he knows next to nothing, Roger nicknames them Caspar, Balthazar and Melchior after the Magi the Three Kings of Cologne.. .

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

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

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

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Having everything you want’s no good,” she said, “if you’ve got to give your soul in return.”

Excellent medieval mystery, along the lines of the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael. Excellent sense of time and place. Our protagonist is a humble peddler who solves crimes on the side. Leavened with self-depreciating humor.

"Women, I reflected, not for the first time, were the losers in the game of life; the thankless drudges who smoothed the paths of their men."

Don’t start a series in the middle. Having said that, this sixteenth in the series tells the reader enough to without overloading with backstory. I could be wrong but a healthy man who makes his living walking about with a heavy pack should have less trouble with the relatively short distances Roger walks.

“‘If Your hand is in this, God,’ I said, addressing the sky, having first made certain that there was no one in the immediate vicinity to hear me, ‘You’ll need to give me a bit of help. I don’t think I’m capable of doing this on my own.’ There was no reply. As I have said more than once before, there never was.”

Sedley deals sparingly with Roger’s struggles of conscience and of faith. Just enough to seem real without overburdening moderns who have neither. That he is not restricted to the cloister subjects him to greater temptations without the protection of cowl and supervision. Adela tries to provide the supervision, but she has other children to manage.

‘It was a very long time ago,’ Adela protested …. ‘Twenty years. And from all that you’ve ever told me, there have been other occasions when the guilty person has apparently gone free. But God, my love, moves in His own mysterious way. It’s not our place to question His wisdom. You’ve done all you can. That should be enough.’

[Cindie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old murder, twenty years and Roger still solves it. With a bit of luck. Still, this one was easier to figure out long before he does. Sadly he also begins to lie to his wife. Sadly.

[Cel Jel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having only recently met the books of Kate Sedley, I am reading them out of chronological order. This did not prevent me from enjoying this story. Our pedlar is hired to investigate a twenty year old disappearance murder of a woman. This leads him away from home, and with good fortune he gets to meet the three kings, as he has named the suspects. For a light read that gives you an insight into aspects of medieval life, I suggest this book. I did listen to it on Audio book, and enjoyed it.

[Chris Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

In truth I was hoping for a successor for my much loved Cadfael mysteries. I fear this book didn't work in that regard. The mystery was fine. The writing was good. I didn't like his major disloyalty which is kind of a spoiler so I will not go into it. I gave it 3 stars which is an "ok" rating in my view
1 no good, 2 disappointing, 3 ok, 4 above average 5 loved it. (My rating system)

[Nance Roepke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I jumped into this series at book 16 so my opinion may be off as a result. as it was. I found the book to be acceptable but not excellent. maybe that is because I didn't read the first 15 books before this one. so perhaps I will try again.

[Allyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the series

[Cheri Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each one of these books is incredible.

[Peter Barrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good roger chapman book, great

[Pinko Palest]

Roger himself might have needed a wife. His readers though could do with less of her, or of the children

[James Wirrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read a lot of the Chapman books several years ago, and I enjoyed them, but I drifted away from them. I picked this one up to read to see if they were as good as I remembered. This was a good, engaging mystery. I thought I had spotted the twist way near the beginning of the story but I was wrong. Overall this is a pleasant whodunnit mystery set in the late 1400's in England. An enjoyable read.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great medieval mystery by Kate Sedley. Set in the year 1481, Roger Chapman is approached by Mayor-Elect Foster. It seems that the Mayor-Elect has heard of Roger's ability to solve little mysteries. This one could be a challenge. The Mayor-Elect just bought a parcel of land on which he wants to build almshouses and erect a cathedral to the three kings of Cologne, otherwise known as the three Wise Men. But while the land was being cleared, a body has been unearthed. The deceased has been missing for 20 years. Can Roger help solve the riddle so the ground can be re-consecrated and the church built?

I just LOVE Kate Sedley's mysteries. She's written about 15 of them now and not one has disappointed. If you read them, do try to read them in order because of character/story line development. However, if you cannot read them in order, never fear. Each mystery stands alone, each is well-researched and each is a really intriguing puzzle.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 20-year-old corpse is found buried in land intended for an almshouse. The Mayor of Bristol engages Roger Chapman to bring the killer to justice before he has the land re-consecrated. The three lovers of Isabella Linkinhorne, a willful beauty believed to have run away with a man, are now the main suspects in her murder. It's an old, cold mystery which Roger manages to bring back to life. From Bristol to Westbury to Bath and back again, Roger identifies the lovers, but there isn't evidence against any of them.

It's clear now that Roger needs to refresh himself often in the countryside, otherwise he becomes too cranky to be good company for the reader. Roger does a lot of foot tramping with his dog, which is good for him in the face of circumstances that test his spirit.

[Spuddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

#16 Roger the Chapman historical mystery set in the late 1400's England. A body discovered on a patch of land that had belonged to a nunnery, now being developed by the mayor-elect of Bristol as an almshouse and sanctuary proves to be a missing young woman who disappeared twenty years previously. The mayor pays Roger to investigate and hopes to find the girl's killer so he feels right about having the ground reconsecrated. This is the first time Roger has set his chapman's bag aside and accepted money for his investigations, and he's uneasy about doing so. As usual, he noses around, is attacked and warned off a few times before coming to the truth. Enjoyable as always.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was another medieval mystery series. I just wish they had published these types of series earlier. Medieval history is my favorite period, so I would have really enjoyed them. But now I have found them. I think that Susanna Gregory's novels are better though.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this tale of Roger the Chapman, he is called on to use his skills to solve a twenty year old mystery. Again, Kate Sedley's attention to detail with the people of the 15th Century and their lives and customs is excellent.

[Vontel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read some of these Roger the Chapman mysteries before. As always, a good read that kept me guessing till the end. I enjoy the glimpses into the 'middle ages' as well, and some of what life was like for others than just the nobility.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roger the Chapman series. I've read them all.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

The solution to the murder was fairly obvious and not much happens, but its decently enough written and has a minimum of eyerolling dialogue. Okay, if you've got nothing else.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical mystery set in 15th century Bristol, England. Roger is a likable hero, peddler and amateur sleuth.

[Jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roger the Chapman - good mystery, good characters

[Sarah Hearn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this before although I'd forgotten whodunnit. It wasn't as good of the Roger Chapman novels but I do enjoy her writing.

[Darla · Rating 3 out of 5]

like series. Not page turners but good