The Goldsmith's Daughter

Roger the Chapman #10

by Kate Sedley

King Edward IV trembles as he decides the fate of his sibling. And Richard, Duke of Gloucester, plots, trying to find a way to save George from being put to death by their eldest - and powerful - brother, the King. So when the Duke sees his old and loyal servant, monk-turned-travelling salesman Roger the Chapman, among the crowd at the trial he recognises that he has a chance. If only the chapman-sleuth could prove that the kinswoman of the King's favourite leman hadn't poisoned her taciturn husband. If Isolda Bonifant, the daughter of a well-established London goldsmith, were innocent and her name cleared, then Edward's chief mistress - cousin of the accused Isolda - would be more than willing to do the wily Duke's bidding. But Roger the Chapman must act fast and, in a complex case like this one and with the pressure of Richard of Gloucester upon him, he can't simply rely on his intuition.

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

222 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2001

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

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've read any of the Roger the Chapman books, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy them. I need to go back and find the ones I haven't read (5-6 by my count), and there are more after this.

I like middle-class Roger's take on the world of late 15th century England, and I like how Sedley spools out her mysteries. She doesn't have the complex world of Sharan Newman or Candace Robb, let alone C.J. Sansom--in fact her books are far more like those of Ellis Peters or Margaret Frazer. But sometimes I don't want something so complex, and Sedley's careful enough with historical details to keep me happy, with characters I feel engaging.

But, I must confess, part of the attraction is her sympathetic portrayal of Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Yes, I'm one of those.

So, Roger, I apologize for my long absence. I'll try not to be gone so long next time.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues an enjoyable cozy series. Roger and his wife, Adela, journey to London for a pleasure trip, where Roger is summoned by Richard, Duke of Gloucester to solve a murder. The characters are interesting and likable, and the story is well-plotted and engaging. Roger uses intellect and intuition to solve the mystery.

[Br. Thanasi (Thomas) Stama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series that is Roger the Chapman.

[Sandy Carruthers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but not the best.

Took a bit of keeping track of all the family members,did get a little bit confusing at times, such is life.

[Peter Barrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this series of books, great

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Roger takes his wife to London to see a royal wedding, Richard of Gloucester ropes him in to do a favor for Jane Shore so Jane will hopefully do a favor for Richard. A cousin of Jane's, Isolda the goldsmith's daughter, has been under suspicion ever since Isolda's husband died of poison. Roger finds a basically likeable, intricately interreacting family group. I like mysteries where psychology is a reliable clue; in this one it worked neatly and cleanly.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I read an earlier book in this series, but I didn't remember any of it. And this was the earliest one available at the library, so I went for it.

The characters are pretty good and the mystery solid, though I did guess whondunnit and I'm not really generally good at that.

The sense of place was decent, but not described in detail.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during the time of King Richard, and his two brothers, one brother is trying to save his other brother from being killed by King Richard. He thinks that if he does a favor for the chief mistress, she will help persuade the king to leave their brother alone. So Roger is asked to do the prince's bidding, and puts his own life at risk.

[Liisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best of the Roger Chapman books. It’s strong from beginning to end, and I loved the mystery’s solution (ironically, that is usually the weakest part of a mystery — the “whodunit” is oftentimes so out of left field that there is no way the main character could have solved it).

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining entry in this series. Lots of characters and red herrings in this story of infidelity and death by poisoning.