Murder Most Murderous

From Best-Selling Howard of Warwick stumbles yet more medieval mystery that doesn't know when to stop.

Warning: If you like your medieval detectives sombre and serious, this is not the place for you.

It is Murder Most Murderous.

“Aha” on page 1? This can’t be right.

When Brother Hermitage starts the latest investigation by working out who did it, you know that things are bound to be going wrong by page 2; nothing in Hermitage’s life is that easy.

And surely, William the Conqueror hasn’t dragged Hermitage, Wat the Weaver and Cwen across the country just to idle away the passing moments? There’s a dead Norman noble to be considered, and quickly because William hasn’t got all day.

But what Hugues d’Auffay, owner of the body in question, was up to is a mystery in its own right.

His father behaved strangely enough; he fought in the battle near Hastings, conquered the country and then went home again. Why would any self-respecting Norman conqueror do that?

Hugues himself had plans but no one is talking. Perhaps the servants can be persuaded to spill the turnips?

But they’ve got their own world to organise; entirely to their advantage, and so will need some persuasion.

The Saxon servants are keeping a dark secret in a locked trunk, one that the Normans are very keen to get their hands on. Is there a bargain to be made?

Is the curse on the d’Auffay family to be believed?

Can Brother Hermitage really use questionable methods to get information?

And why do people keep dying?

All of life is here:

tapestries that dare not show their faces;

a curse from an old wise-ish woman;

a physick who is surprised at the number of dead bodies one investigation can produce.

Read the 23rd Chronicle of Brother Hermitage and you’ll wonder why the King’s Investigator still hasn’t got the hang of it.

Chronicle No. 22 garnered comment aplenty:

5* Outright Laughter

5* Laughed till my sides ached. (The Funny Book Company cannot accept responsibility for injured sides.)

5* If you're into history, crime thrillers or humour this is the series for you.

5* What fun.