Book Review: The Butcher of St. Peter's

By Angela Youngman Mar 3, 2006, 17:01 GMT

When a villager\'s property is burned to the ground, the locals think no further misfortune could befall him--until they find his son\'s body among the ruins. As a sinister twist emerges in what seemed to be a tragic accident, Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock arrive to unravel the mystery. But then threats are made against Sir Baldwin\'s own family... ...more

Exeter 1323 - a man lies dead in his home having been trying to protect his children against an intruder. Initial suspicion falls upon a local man who having lost his own child tragically, now habitually enters houses to look at sleeping children.

Then other deaths start occuring- an assistant in a brothel while a prostitute is so badly maimed that she commits suicide. Is there any connection? Sir Basil de Furnshill, Keeper of the Kings Peace, is drawn into the inquiry much against his will. Events are further complicated by lead going missing from building work on the cathedral; and by a merchant claiming that his money has been stolen while sleeping in the cathedral's guest room. On top of that there is the conflict between Friars and Canons over a dead body - who is going to conduct the service and get the money?

In interesting story focusing on corruption within medieval towns, and the safety of one's own home. It shows that nothing is unusual - modern day concerns were prevalent back in the fourteenth century. Michael Jecks has used historical information as the basis on which to create this story. Well worth reading.