Scan barcode
bexwat's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cmbohn's review against another edition
3.0
King William of England (as in the Conqueror) is ordering a comprehensive survey of his entire kingdom to be known as the Domesday Book. His agents Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret are off to the Welsh border to investigate a claim to some hundred acres there. But one of the main witnesses is murdered and Welsh-English tensions threaten to erupt into full scale war.
I enjoyed this series, and as I read this book, I remembered reading it several years ago. But the rather nonchalant approach to some horrific violence is a little off-putting. I know that times were brutal, but I'd rather not read the details. One Welsh nobleman casually hacks the forearm off a peasant and casually rides on, while the victim moan and cries in agony. Did such things happen? I'm sure they did. But it wasn't necessary to the story to include that.
Other than the violence, the characters vary from well drawn to stereotypes. The action never lets up, which is good, but these books are not so much mysteries as thrillers, I guess. For fans of Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael, this will be much darker. And for fans of more modern hard boiled crime, there is a lot of history to wade through. A slightly odd mix, but I will read the next one in the series.
I enjoyed this series, and as I read this book, I remembered reading it several years ago. But the rather nonchalant approach to some horrific violence is a little off-putting. I know that times were brutal, but I'd rather not read the details. One Welsh nobleman casually hacks the forearm off a peasant and casually rides on, while the victim moan and cries in agony. Did such things happen? I'm sure they did. But it wasn't necessary to the story to include that.
Other than the violence, the characters vary from well drawn to stereotypes. The action never lets up, which is good, but these books are not so much mysteries as thrillers, I guess. For fans of Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael, this will be much darker. And for fans of more modern hard boiled crime, there is a lot of history to wade through. A slightly odd mix, but I will read the next one in the series.
psalmcat's review against another edition
4.0
The third book in the Domesday series. In this one, King William's auditors are at the western edge of his kingdom, just barely outside of Wales. The men they are investigating include to wealthy Norman lords and the son of a Saxon thegn who has lost much of his family's holding since the French took over England. Still, he is liked by his neighbors, and no one can understand the horror of finding him burned alive in his house.
So Gervase and Ralph, Canon Hubert and Brother Simon must find out not only who owns certain lands, but who killed one of the claimants. In the process, Gervase is kidnapped and Ralph falls in love with a woman he never would have expected to have found suitable. They are assisted--and annoyed--by a Welsh priest who has a heart of gold, the patriotism of all Welshmen, and a mouth that simply will not ever be quiet. They also make love matches, break marriage contracts and clear up a few minor land-appropriation issues.
A very good book. Well-drawn in character and in scenery.
So Gervase and Ralph, Canon Hubert and Brother Simon must find out not only who owns certain lands, but who killed one of the claimants. In the process, Gervase is kidnapped and Ralph falls in love with a woman he never would have expected to have found suitable. They are assisted--and annoyed--by a Welsh priest who has a heart of gold, the patriotism of all Welshmen, and a mouth that simply will not ever be quiet. They also make love matches, break marriage contracts and clear up a few minor land-appropriation issues.
A very good book. Well-drawn in character and in scenery.
stephend81d5's review
3.0
further adventures of the duo now in deepest herefordshire in the welsh marches , when a saxon landowner is burned alive in his manor, most think its the welsh but there is more then meets the eyes as gervase is kidnapped. enjoyed the storyline in 11th century England as the story is played out on many levels.
More...