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A review by jmatkinson1
The Noose's Shadow by Graham Brack
4.0
When a pretty young woman approaches Mercurius one evening saying that her husband is accused of murder and likely to be hung, for a fleeting moment he yearns to stay warm in front of the fire but then accedes to travel to her village to help. A neighbour has been stabbed shortly after arguing with the husband and although there are no direct witnesses all the evidence points to him. Mercurius is not as sure and takes advantage of the privileges granted to him as a cleric, and the holder of a dispensation from the Stadhouder, to investigate further.
This is another really entertaining outing for Master Mercurius. I love the setting in 17th century Holland, it is an unusual location but a very interesting time. Here the action is all focused around the poor villagers and their day-to-day lives, there are no courts or rich people, the sense of everyday life for the common person is well-imagined. These are never going to be high literature but for a solid and fun historical mystery it certainly hits the spot.
This is another really entertaining outing for Master Mercurius. I love the setting in 17th century Holland, it is an unusual location but a very interesting time. Here the action is all focused around the poor villagers and their day-to-day lives, there are no courts or rich people, the sense of everyday life for the common person is well-imagined. These are never going to be high literature but for a solid and fun historical mystery it certainly hits the spot.