The Devil's Disciples

Susanna Gregory does it again with The Devil's Disciples! I was chuckling at her humor, which is what I like most about her writing style, from the get-go. Father William is a hoot as always, poor Matthew is the straight man, and Michael--well what can you say about Michael? Highly, highly recommended!

This is another good one in the Matthew Bartholomew series. The time is summer of 1357 when Cambridge is experiencing an unprecedented heat wave in June. Strange things appear to be happening and a Sorcerer is gathering many townspeople as followers. There is a lot about witches and warlocks and of course the superstitions of the people of this age. The atmosphere in these books is great, and Ms. Gregory captures the period so well. Her characters are very well-drawn. This particular book isn't as bloody as these books can get. Matthew and Michael are trying to solve a whole bunch of little mysteries as well as one or two murders. I highly recommend this series for anyone who loves medieval who-dunits.

Matthew Bartholomew is once again called upon to reduce the tension between town and gown in medieval Cambridge. If you think student unrest and violence is new, this series will quickly change your mind. And the animosity between the different monastic orders rings true through the centuries.

Not as sinister as some of her first books in the series. I like that period of time and find them enjoyable. She and Alys Clare remind me of Elis Peters.