I do love these Bradcote and Catchpoll medieval mysteries and many thanks to Allison&Busby, Sarah Hawkswood and NetGalley for this ARC. I first had to check on the word "wuduweard" apparently Middle English for "wood ward" an occupational name.
Two wuduweards existed in Worcestershire one in Feckenham and one in the north of Worcestershire in Tutnall. One was a good man and the other was clearly not.
Then we had a wolf, mostly unheard of in that area, who presumably killed Durand of Feckenham.
William de Beauchamp Sheriff of Worcestershire and our main men, Undersheriff Bradcote and Serjeant Catchpoll go on the chase with an entourage of hunters,dogs and soldiers and do battle with some very evil men.
There are a lot more casualties from fires, robberies gone bad and the keepers of the wolf perpetrated on innocent people. In the end, of course, our heroes and the Sheriff captured and took back to their fate these outlaws. Walkelin the young assistant to Catchpoll is elevated to "Underserjeant Walkelin"-a good way to end the story. This series never fails to be unique and exciting. I recommend it strongly!
I haven't read anything by this author before. This book sounds interesting. I love medieval mysteries.
ReplyDelete