2008-03-21 An entertaining debut

The medieval mystery novel is a rapidly expanding genre- but in this first of the Crowner John series, the action is fast paced and the historical detail enriches but never slows down the story. So many of these books seem to be weighed down by the author's need to add and explain historical facts and ideas at length - here, the characters are vividly described and there is a sense of humanity despite the dragging poverty and hardship that characterised everyday life. Well worth a read, and a great start to the series.