Mystery Book Reviews
Book Review: A Friar's Bloodfeud by Michael Jecks
By Angela Youngman
Feb 17, 2006, 0:50 GMT

Many books make the Medieval period out to be a bit glamorous, with its castles and knights, monks and peasants. What is often forgotten is just how brutal it was. Life was cheap - no matter what your rank. Bloody and destructive; death was never far away. This book brings it vividly alive.

Jecks has taken actual incidents recorded in Coroner's Rolls or the Crown Pleas; and turned them into a thought provoking story. The death of a peasant woman and her child followed by the destruction of their home is nothing untoward according to the Coroner. Others are less convinced - Sir Basil Furnshill, Keeper of the Kings Peace and his friend Bailiff Simon Puttock. After all, where is the husband - who had been Puttock's servant for many years? It quickly becomes clear that tension in the area is running high.

Two lords are seeking to dominate and gain additional land - no matter who is in their way. Lady Lucy of Meeth is missing only to be found tortured and dead. A Dominican friar holds many answers; as well as a blood feud. Solving the crimes and bringing those responsible to justice brings with it the threat of incurring the enmity of the powerful Lord Despenser who has the ear of the King. Furnshill and Puttock remain determined in the face of all threats to find the truth.

This is a gritty, attention keeping novel which makes you thankful you don't live in Medieval times. Definitely worth reading and very thought provoking. The plot line is cleverly maintained throughout, keeping the reader's attention. A neat twist in the tale at the very last moment ensures total surprize when the solution is unveiled.