Caught Red-Handed by Denise Domning Series: Servant of the Crown Mystery, #5
Published by Self-published on October 26th 2019
Genres: Historical Mystery
Pages: 192
Format: Kindle Edition
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Buy on Amazon
Rating:
THE DEAD WALK! It’s the time of year when the immortal army of the ancient king rides Watling Street and the dead become uneasy in their graves. Indeed, in the far north of Warwickshire, the villagers insist that one dead man returned to kill his only son. Now it’s up to Sir Faucon de Ramis, the shire’s new Crowner, to run the walking corpse to ground and put him back where he belongs.
Servant of the Crown Mystery series is one I discovered earlier this year and I binged on the four currently released installments thinking I would have a long wait until next year for the fifth. However, I timed it well and Caught Red-Handed released this past fall right. Imagine my delight to see the fun spooky twist the author wove into her medieval-era murder mysteries making it perfect for the seasonal release.
Sir Faucon is settling into his royally-appointed task as Keeper of the Pleas or King’s Coronarius for Warwickshire while watching his back because the sheriff of the shire wants him dead since the truth Faucon knows after a certain murder investigation is a danger to the man. Not to mention the fact that Faucon’s new duties remove investigating murders and levying fines from the sheriff and thus depriving him of charging extra fines or bribe money to look the other way.
Sir Faucon is assisted by a sharp-tongued and bookishly clever Benedictine monk, Brother Edmund, his man at arms, Alf, and, of recent date, his own older brother in a shaky new peace between them.
They are about to stay at a Cistercian Monastery overnight on their way to perform a task in the area when a common villager and the village priest from a place to the north beg help to prevent a sacrilege. The villager, Wattard, says his step-son was killed that morning by his deceased father. A father, who has been a member of the walking dead for several years, but has become more active of late. While Faucon is digesting the news that a corpse is animated and ambling around a village, the father pleas with the abbot to protect the body of his step-son from getting chopped up for fear it will also walk.
Faucon’s hunter instincts rise and he suspects this is a task that falls into his bailiwick more than the abbot’s and goes hunting murder and shambling corpses even while Brother Edmund beguiles him with tales of the Wild Hunt who charge down Watling Street not far off and Harlequin and his wicked army of the dead.
Yep, Medieval Zombies! I chuckled with glee when Faucon had to investigate that one. I was also thrilled that the ongoing series thread about the serial killer of little girls was come to a tension-filled head in this one.
What I’ve always enjoyed about these is the attention to the historical setting, to the developing of the characters and their personal backgrounds, and to the clever mysteries. I enjoy the camaraderie Faucon shares with his group as they all work together to solve the crimes. This one was easier than most to work out, but it was still entertaining and exciting.
In the end, Faucon figures out the truth on both matters. I am left looking forward to the next installment. Those who enjoy the medieval era and love a good murder mystery should definitely pick these up.
About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
I have to say, I really love the blog banner and all the graphics you have going on in your blog! It’s truly beautiful. I also really like the sound of medieval zombies! That is so unique and I haven’t heard of a book like it. I’m all for bookish but also snarky characters 😀 Sounds like so much fun.
Olivia-S @ Olivia’s Catastrophe
That sounds fun and medieval zombies? That’s funny.
Isn’t that a hoot, Mary? I laughed out loud when I realized we had zombies. 🙂
My writing partner loves mysteries but quickly gets tired of medieval ones. I’ll have to share this series with her as it sounds super fun!
Well hopefully this series will hit the spot for your partner, Dani. 🙂
Historical mystery? That seems an interesting one Sophia Rose!
I do love blending history and mystery. 🙂 Thanks, Sophie!
Medieval zombies?! Sounds like a fun series, and I’m even more curious seeing that you binged read all four books. Hope you’re enjoying the holiday, Sophia Rose and Lily! 🙂
LOL, I laughed when I saw where the story was going.
I don’t know why, but this series was just the thing when I picked up the first one and I just couldn’t stop. 🙂
This sounds very cool! I like the idea of a medieval mystery series even though I don’t really read mysteries!
The cover is pretty cool too. 🙂
Yeah, its neat to see the traditional knight in shining armor playing detective. 🙂
The author designs them herself.
I am super intrigued by the idea of medieval zombies! I am really interested in learning more about this series. So happy that you enjoyed it. 🙂
Haha! It startled me and then I chuckled. You don’t get that every day.
I’ve really been enjoying these, Lori. Hope you like them if you get the chance.
I love medieval times, and a wicked army of the dead? Adventurous and intriguing! I really appreciate when an author puts particular attention to the historical setting, and the characters’ development in here sounds like it was quite good as well, which is just what one likes in their reads. Glad you had a good time with this book 🙂
You said it, Silvia! If I’m going to enjoy a historical, it’s usually one that feels historical. 🙂