From Publishers Weekly
A welcome addition to Jecks's successful medieval mysteries, this 10th in the series takes place at Christmastime 1321 in the city of Exeter, whose citizens are preparing for the holy day and for the election of the "boy-bishop," who for 24 hours beginning on December 27 will serve as bishop while all the cathedral clergy, canons and choristers enjoy a day free from the rigid routines of the church. The day ends with a mass and the awarding of gem-studded gloves to the honored boy and outstanding citizens, who include Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace of Credition in Devon, and Simon Puttock, Bailiff to the Warden of the Stannaries. Baldwin, his wife, Lady Jeanne, and Simon arrive for the festivities only to find a hanging victim swinging by the gate and to hear news that Ralph Glover, the well-respected and benevolent craftsman commissioned to make the gloves for the ceremony, has been murdered and his apprentice accused of the crime. After the poisoning of a cathedral cleric, Baldwin and Simon investigate. Their inquiries reveal long-hidden secrets of some of Exeter's most prominent citizens and lead to an unlikely murderer. Vivid descriptions of the agonizing death by poison and the muck in the streets, combined with the more pleasing majesty of the cathedral and candle-studded hall decorated with holly and ivy, re-create Exeter as it was. Realistic characters from the disfigured beggar to the angst-ridden adolescents only add to this well-conceived, well-written story. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
KIRKUS REVIEWS
"Memorable characters, steadily absorbing period background...a commendable achievement."
LIBRARY JOURNAL
"The whole series belongs in any collection where historicals are popular."
Book Description
New in paperback, from the richly atmospheric series of medieval murder mysteries, in which Michael Jecks gives us tales steeped in intrigue and historical detail. Skillfully evoking the colorful, but often brutal tableau of the Middle Ages, Jecks has drawn comparison with Ellis Peters. Now former Knight Templar Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock, his savvy sleuths, are on the case again in another compelling, well-crafted tale.
From the Publisher
For Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and Bailiff Simon Puttock, the Christmas of 1321 promises to be one of great festivity. They are to receive the prestigious Gloves of Honor in a ceremony led by the specially elected Boy-Bishop of Exeter. But they soon learn that Ralph, the glovemaker, has been stabbed to death. Then Peter, a Secondary at the cathedral, collapses from poisoning. Sir Baldwin and his colleague must waste no time in solving the riddles surrounding the deaths, but as they dig for the truth, they find that many of Exeter's leading citizens are not what--or whom--they seem to be. "The Boy-Bishop's Glovemaker" is the tenth novel in this superbly plotted medieval mystery series.
The Boy-Bishop's Glovemaker FROM THE PUBLISHER
For Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and Bailiff Simon Puttock, the Christmas of 1321 promises to be one of great festivity. They are to receive the prestigious Gloves of Honor in a ceremony led by the specially elected Boy-Bishop of Exeter. But they soon learn that Ralph, the glovemaker, has been stabbed to death. Then Peter, a Secondary at the cathedral, collapses from poisoning. Sir Baldwin and his colleague must waste no time in solving the riddles surrounding the deaths, but as they dig for the truth, they find that many of Exeter's leading citizens are not whator whomthey seem to be. "The Boy-Bishop's Glovemaker" is the tenth novel in this superbly plotted medieval mystery series.
SYNOPSIS
New in paperback, from the richly atmospheric series of medieval murder mysteries, in which Michael Jecks gives us tales steeped in intrigue and historical detail. Skillfully evoking the colorful, but often brutal tableau of the Middle Ages, Jecks has drawn comparison with Ellis Peters. Now former Knight Templar Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock, his savvy sleuths, are on the case again in another compelling, well-crafted tale.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
A welcome addition to Jecks's successful medieval mysteries, this 10th in the series takes place at Christmastime 1321 in the city of Exeter, whose citizens are preparing for the holy day and for the election of the "boy-bishop," who for 24 hours beginning on December 27 will serve as bishop while all the cathedral clergy, canons and choristers enjoy a day free from the rigid routines of the church. The day ends with a mass and the awarding of gem-studded gloves to the honored boy and outstanding citizens, who include Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace of Credition in Devon, and Simon Puttock, Bailiff to the Warden of the Stannaries. Baldwin, his wife, Lady Jeanne, and Simon arrive for the festivities only to find a hanging victim swinging by the gate and to hear news that Ralph Glover, the well-respected and benevolent craftsman commissioned to make the gloves for the ceremony, has been murdered and his apprentice accused of the crime. After the poisoning of a cathedral cleric, Baldwin and Simon investigate. Their inquiries reveal long-hidden secrets of some of Exeter's most prominent citizens and lead to an unlikely murderer. Vivid descriptions of the agonizing death by poison and the muck in the streets, combined with the more pleasing majesty of the cathedral and candle-studded hall decorated with holly and ivy, re-create Exeter as it was. Realistic characters from the disfigured beggar to the angst-ridden adolescents only add to this well-conceived, well-written story. (Apr. 1) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.