Litany of Lies

Midsummer, 1145: Walter, the steward of Evesham Abbey, is found dead at the bottom of a well pit. The Abbot, whose relationship with the lord Sheriff of Worcestershire is strained at best, dislikes needing to call in help. However, since foul play is suspected, he is relieved by the arrival of Undersheriff Hugh Bradecote, Serjeant Catchpoll and Underserjeant Walkelin. As the sheriff’s men investigate the steward’s death, they discover that truth is in short supply. With the tensions between the Abbey and the local castle guard reaching boiling point, another killing will force the investigation down a dangerous path.

Thus reads the blurb on the back of the twelfth book in this medieval murder series, set around Worcestershire in the mid-twelfth century. There is no doubt that the author has done her research – reading this novel gives you a real feel for what life must have been like in that time period. But as the latest novel in an established series, this doesn’t really stand alone on its own.

There are three main characters – although the series is called Bradecote and Catchpoll, Walkelin seems to be more than just a supporting character, and all three of them are viewpoint characters. However, I never really felt I got to know any of them very well. I imagine this is not the case for established readers of this series, who will no doubt come to this book with the feeling of revisiting old friends.

It's a solidly written mystery, with a strong plot and plenty of intrigue, and vivid descriptions of life in medieval Evesham. Long-time fans of the series will enjoy this latest addition.

Fans of other historical crime writers such as Ariana Franklin, CJ Sansom and SJ Parris might also find much to like in the Bradecote and Catchpoll series, but I would recommend starting with the first book, to come to know the characters as the author intended.