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tessisreading2's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book's cheerfully matter-of-fact approach to the bureaucracy and dirt of the middle ages, but the narrative was interspersed with lengthy informational digressions which were disruptive. Also, again, the matter-of-fact and medieval-feeling approach to sex, romance, and adultery was a change, but the sex scene just made me blink incredulously at my computer, and this is definitely not a book to read for well-rounded female characters (although on the other hand, all the characters – including the main characters – are pretty much equally dislikeable).
The book is on the whole very slow-paced; we get a step-by-step, peasant’s-eye view of the Plantagenet judicial system at work. There isn’t any real stress or drama to the solving of various murders for the first half of the book or so: we just follow John and his buddies around as they live their medieval lives, doing medieval things. The amount of detail is incredible; you definitely feel like you’re poking around medieval Devon. The question is how long you feel the need to stay there.
The book is on the whole very slow-paced; we get a step-by-step, peasant’s-eye view of the Plantagenet judicial system at work. There isn’t any real stress or drama to the solving of various murders for the first half of the book or so: we just follow John and his buddies around as they live their medieval lives, doing medieval things. The amount of detail is incredible; you definitely feel like you’re poking around medieval Devon. The question is how long you feel the need to stay there.
eososray's review against another edition
3.0
In 1194 in the county of Devon, England, Sir John de Wolfe has just been appointed to the new position of coroner by King Richard the Lionheart. When a body is discovered in the village of Widecombe, Sir John, is called in to solve the mystery of the death, with the help of his man Gyn and the new coroners clerk, defrocked priest Thomas, despite the maneuverings of his brother-in-law Sheriff Richard de Revelle.
I am not used to reading stories where I don’t like the main character. He was such a rude, abrupt, unlikeable fellow. He hates his wife and she hates him, he fights with his brother-in-law all the time and he treats his new clerk abominably. Somehow, because of all this or despite of it or I don’t know why, he makes one of the best characters I’ve read. He feels authentic to the era and time, where women weren’t always treated well and most people were not open-minded or liberal. The life was rough and short and he embodies it well.
The mystery was good, the story was better and the characters were the best. Well worth the read.
I am not used to reading stories where I don’t like the main character. He was such a rude, abrupt, unlikeable fellow. He hates his wife and she hates him, he fights with his brother-in-law all the time and he treats his new clerk abominably. Somehow, because of all this or despite of it or I don’t know why, he makes one of the best characters I’ve read. He feels authentic to the era and time, where women weren’t always treated well and most people were not open-minded or liberal. The life was rough and short and he embodies it well.
The mystery was good, the story was better and the characters were the best. Well worth the read.
roshk99's review against another edition
3.0
Quite a realistic setting and main character. Crowner John has to navigate the uncertainties surrounding his newly created coroner job, solve a murder, and deal with his domestic issues (which were probably quite typical at the time). An entertaining read
didactylos's review
2.0
Very clunky at times, not sure if I want to follow up with others. The author clearly paints the life of the period very well, but the characterisation is poor and the plot is clearly obvious from early on.
natcat's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was... fine? I really like historical mysteries, and I think the historical bit of this was strong and well-researched, but I wasn't particularly grabbed by the writing, or the mystery, or the characters.
mapetiteliseuse's review against another edition
2.0
This entire series was sat collecting dust on a charity shop shelf. I only picked up book one which is probably a shame because I suspect my view of the whole series would be better than this book alone. I love the historical elements to the plot, and unlike some historical novels it doesn't get so tied up in facts that it forgets to have a plot. This first volume was very much, I feel, about establishing the character and morals of Crowner John - in later books I'm sure the plot will be more in depth, but this one was fairly superficial. A murder, some injustice and a little bit of mystery.
Im not sure I would recommend it without reading a few more books. Alas, someone else bought them before I could!
Im not sure I would recommend it without reading a few more books. Alas, someone else bought them before I could!
amalyndb's review against another edition
4.0
The first of the Crowner John mysteries. A man of apparently noble birth is found dead between two small villages, and John de Wolfe investigates in his capacity as coroner. A complex and enjoyable read, complicated by cronyism and a sheriff who resents the existence of a coroner in his city.
jamespb's review
4.0
This is the first of the Crowner John Mystery series, and is set in 1194. It follows the trails and tribulations of the Coroner for the county of Devon – Sir John de Wolfe. The book sets up matters for later plots and set the background of the time and place. Have to say that the plot moves at a fair pace and that the group of supporting characters around Black John make the setting all the more real.
julieputty's review
I seem to be alone thinking this is a terrible book, with unlikable characters and ghastly clunky writing.
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