A Brother Chandler Mystery Book 3
The ruthless reign of Henry IV and the clerical tyranny of Archbishop Arundel keep Brother Chandler and his friends under constant threat in this gripping medieval mystery featuring friar-sleuth Rodric Chandler.
Chester, 1400. Riding for his life, with a copy of Chaucer’s heretical Canterbury Tales in his possession, friar-sleuth Brother Chandler is ambushed on the road and wakes up in a stranger’s house.
Is his ‘rescuer’, wool merchant John Willoughby, friend . . . or foe? Willoughby declares that he, like Chandler, has renounced the self-crowned King Henry IV and will help Chandler get his dangerous belongings to safety. He seems trustworthy, but Chandler knows that if he’s caught by the King’s merciless censors together with the Tales, he’ll be burned at the stake.
But then Willoughby’s young wife perishes in a terrible accident at their house – or so it seems . . . Willoughby asks Chandler to help investigate if it was indeed an accident or if someone had a hidden agenda.
All Chandler wants to do is find safe haven for Chaucer’s Tales and return to London, but he accepts the case. Little does he know that it will lead to secrets being uncovered which will put not only Chandler but also those around him in unimaginable peril.
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Q&A
Whom did you inherit your love for books/reading from?
from my great uncle who was disabled from birth and had to ride in a carriage as he could not walk. He started the library in an old schoolroom in our village so whenever I wanted to read a book I would go and see him.
Can you name one of the best books you ever read?
so many but I love Lewis Carrol’s Through the Looking Glass. So enigmatic and playful.
Do you write every day?
Yes. I love it too much not to.
Which character would you like to be in this book?
I would always be the protagonist.
How do you come up with names for your characters?
I get a strong picture of them and their name always arrives – except with Hildegard. I wanted to call her Lavinia but there was a tv nun with that name. It was really hard and Hildi is probably a better name. Hildegard von Bingen is her mentor.
If you should travel to a foreign country to do research for your next book, which one would it be and why?
Italy. I love the language, art and architecture. And the cafes. And how good looking everyone is.
Do you always take a book wherever you go?
only my current notebook.
Do you go to the library?
yes. I love London because of its fabulous libraries from The British Library to Dr William’s in Gordon Square.
Have you already started writing a new book?
I’m writing something contemporary with a very special cat in it and an old, wise woman and it’s in the form of short stories and a memoir which means that instead of writing in one big surge as with the medieval series and their tight plots I can write a bit here and there on different themes. I’m enjoying the change very much at present.
What is the title of the next book on your to read pile?
‘I, Julian.’ It’s a book about woman mystic Julian of Norwich who wrote it in the same period my books are set. It was sent to me to review for HNR magazine and I’m looking forward to finding out more about her and her extraordinary life.
Thank you
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About the author
Cassandra Clark has written award-winning scripts for theatre, radio and television and now writes the medieval mystery series starring nun sleuth Hildegard of Meaux set in the time of Richard II.
Intrepid, problem-solving Hildegard and the enigmatic and sexy Abbot Hubert de Courcy are accompanied much of the time by the abbot’s two monks militant, Gregory and Egbert or by the innocent and love-smitten Brother Thomas.
Starting with Hangman Blind when Hildegard first sets out on a quest to establish her own priory, the dark side of England in the 1380’s soon threatens everything she holds most dear.
Books in order after Hangman are: The Velvet Turnshoe, The Law of Angels,The Parliament of Spies, The Dragon of Handale, The Butcher of Avignon, The Scandal of the Skulls, The Alchemist of Netley Abbey, Murder at Meaux, Murder at Whitby Abbey and to come on 31st March 2021, Murder at Beaulieu Abbey. The Bookseller called it ‘this stellar series.’ I hope you think so too.
If you wonder why Hildegard, a feisty independent young widow, decided to become a nun read the short prequel Ten Weeks That Changed England Forever. Free on Kindle Prime.
This is history with a criminal twist. Hildegard, regardless of danger, tracks down the weirdly savage medieval murderers that disturb the peace and destroy the innocent. Meanhile King Richard II fights to save his throne and his life.
Hildegard herself is not averse to being led astray by passing love-lorn knights but it is the charismatic Abbot of Meaux who wins her heart. Vowed to celibacy, will they ever get it together, or are they destined to sleep alone forever?
Gothic towns, remote and sinister abbeys and the mysterious uncharted woodlands of medieval England are the background for Hildegard’s sleuthing into the brutal conflicts of the time.
Cassandra says: don’t read this is if you want magic swords and unrealistic characters with strange eyes. I’m fascinated by real people striving to live as we might have done. Ordinary people in extraordinary times. Ambitious, greedy, sexy and above all human, they tell a far stranger story than any fantasy, so if you like authentic history read the series and follow Hildegard down the dangerous byways of medieval England if you dare!
A new series featuring cult follower Brother Rodric Chandler begins with THE HOUR OF THE FOX, out now. Rodric has a dilemma. Sworn to the House of Lancaster and his master
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Author Links
Website : cassandraclark.co.uk
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Book Link
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Wolf-Brother-Chandler-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0BPT6FSY2/
B for Bookreview 