A Wicked Deed (Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles)

Engrossing addition to Susan Gregory's series. Kept thinking it sounded familiar. It was. I read it about a year ago.

A WICKED DEED (Hist. Mys-Matthew Bartholomew-England-1353) - VG Gregory, Susanna - 5th in series Time Warner Books, 1999, Paperback - ISBN: 0751525448 First Sentence: Twigs slashed at Alice Qui's fact and arms as she raced through the undergrowth, certain that the dog that chased her would bring her down at any moment. Matthew Bartholomew, a doctor of medicine, and a group of scholars, priests and students travel to Grundisburgh. The parish church is being gifted to the Michaelhouse, Cambridge as a living gift so they are on their way to conduct the legal transfer and leave behind, Unwin as the new priest. Along the way they come across a hanged man whose last word is "padfoot." Once in Grundisburgh, Brother Unwin is murdered in the church where he was to be priest. Matthew discovers this is not the first suspicious death; nor is it the last. I really enjoy this series. Gregory pays great attention to the historical accuracy of the events of the period. I was fascinated by the state of medicine during the period. She creates great dimensional characters with very real and human interaction and relationships. The dialogue is not of the period, thank heaven, but doesn't throw me out of the story. I did feel the story was a bit overlong, but certainly held my attention and was an, interesting and entertaining read. Highly recommended.

I have joined the throng of devoted fans of this author in general and this series in particular. Those who loved Ellis Peters' Cadfael mysteries, will find some of the same elements present here. Gregory's books are hard to put down and the humorous elements in this particular one had me laughing out loud. The ending was a bit muddled, I felt, and perhaps a bit far-fetched, but the book is well worth the read whether you like the ending or not. I have only recently discovered Gregory's medieval series, but this will not be my last one to read. I intend to read all of this series and then start on her other series'. Don't miss this one! It's a winner!

Susanna Gregory is the pseudonym of a Cambridge academic who was previously a coroner's officer. Her series of mediaeval mysteries have gained a formidable following. This book is the fifth in the series and introduces the physician Matthew Bartholomew to the reader. There are now a number of books in the series and they are always eagerly awaited by the author's fans. Besides practising medicine Matthew is also a teacher at a Cambridge University and his sometimes unorthodox treatment of his patients draws accusations of heresy from his more traditional, but less skilled colleagues. Matthew Bartholomew fellow of Michaelhouse college, and doctor of medicine is taking a journey to Suffolk with other members of the college. They are travelling to accept the gift of the living of a parish in Suffolk, where one of their companions Unwin, is to be installed as priest. They reach their destination with some relief after being beset by a number of incidents. Their hope that they can relax a little having arrived at their destination is short lived, as they are soon drawn into a dispute between local landowners, but worse is to happen. Unwin their travelling companion and the new priest of the church is found murdered and it is not the first time that an unnatural death has struck the village . . .

In this installment, Matthew and Michael find themselves on the road in another county. They are to be taking a new priest from Cambridge to this county to become parish priest, but before they get there they are attacked by footpads, see someone hanging on a tree, and find one of their party murdered. Just a typical trip for these two dastardly heros. This is a great book like all her books. Ms. Gregory mixes history and mystery so well, it's more like a web than a novel. I find this series every bit as enjoyable as the Wonderful Brother Cadfael.