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stacydodds's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
katenetz's review against another edition
4.0
Great friendly characters (with some as-yet-to-be-revealed secrets), an interesting historical contexts, a clever murder - I'm a fan!
cmbohn's review against another edition
4.0
A group of traveling players are performing in a religious festival in Oxford. A merchant hires them to also stay at his house and perform for his guests before the festival. While there, they get caught up in the family dynamics there. Master Penteney has a married son and a single daughter, as well as two wards. The oldest of these is an 'Eden child', with what we call today Down's syndrome. The more deeply the players are drawn into the situation, the more complications are uncovered. And when a murdered man is found, only Joliffe can spot the murderer and clear the innocent.
I enjoyed this one. Good setting and convincing characters.
I enjoyed this one. Good setting and convincing characters.
saragale's review against another edition
3.0
Very well written with lots of great description. I read the Dame Frevisse books awhile back, but couldn't get my hands on these at the time. I like Joliffe and his more-than-meets-the-eye character. I look forward to learning more about him.
One thing I really liked about the book is that it doesn't dwell on the grisly, lurid parts of the murders or paint everyone in black and white roles. It focuses on the characters, the motivations, and what is at stake for each person in light of the events.
One thing I really liked about the book is that it doesn't dwell on the grisly, lurid parts of the murders or paint everyone in black and white roles. It focuses on the characters, the motivations, and what is at stake for each person in light of the events.
archytas's review against another edition
4.0
Setting a series outside the cloister (see Dame Frevisse novels for that!) gives Margaret Frazer the ability to explore a fleshier, more venal side of the world. The troupe of players - whose relationships to each other are subtly shifted from when they were introduced in Frazer's A Servants Tale - are well drawn and give a sense of the values of everyday folk. Their need to study their audience also makes them good window's for readers to get insight into the medieval world.
julieputty's review
3.0
Too much prologue and not enough mystery, but the writing is good and the characters are enjoyable. I'll read further.
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