A Maze of Murders

by Celia L. Grace

Book Overview

Medieval physician Kathryn Swinbrooke is summoned to investigate the disappearance of a sacred relic, the Lacrima Christi, from a well-guarded chapel in Canterbury. Shortly after the relic vanishes, its owner, wealthy lord Sir Walter Maltravers - a former soldier with a troubled past- is found savagely murdered in the maze of hedges in his own garden. As a killer, clearly bent on revenge, continues to strike and more bodies turn up, Kathryn is drawn...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312290160
• ISBN13: 9780312290160
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Satisfying fifth in series!

I think of the five books I have read in this fun series, "A Maze of Murders:A Medieval Featuring Kathryn Swinbrooke," is my favourite so far! Keep them coming...can't stop now! I'm hooked!!!

Medieval Murder

Physician, Kathryn Swinbrooke with fiance Colum Murtagh, King's Commissioner, must unravel the theft of a priceless ruby, a murder of a wealthy lord, and various other murders. Using logic Swinbrooke delves into murderous vendettas. The mystery is interwoven with the everyday life of 14th century England. Just like the maze where the murder of Sir Maltravers takes place, the plot weaves and crosses itself to a satisfying conclusion. If you like Candace Robb's Owen Archer series, Kathryn Swinbrooke will be an enjoyable read.

A good, sound medieval mystery

This is the fifth in the series of historical mysteries featuring medieval doctor Kathryn Swinbrooke and, while Kathryn herself is fictional, the concept of women doctors in medieval England is entirely true. Kathryn and her Irish warrior fiance Colum Murtagh are asked to investigate the disappearance of the fabulous ruby "Lacrima Christi" from a locked ans secure area in the Greyfriars Church in Canterbury. It had been lent tot the church by Sir Walter Maltravers who is beheaded in the heart of his private maze.A deeply-religious ex-warrior, Sir Walter believed that vengeful Turkish "Athenatoi" had been tracking him but Kathryn looks at his household and sees that the evil came from much closer to home. His beautiful young wife, his secretary, his priest, the madwoman and her daughter that he had helped all bear him ill will. The list of suspects is long and the connection between the disappearance of the ruby and the death of Sir Walter is as complex as the maze itself.The writer has a deft hand with character and plot and his depiction of medieval life is detailed and accurate. He brings this period to life as few writers have been able to do (and let's face it, he's had lots of practice, writing also under the name of P. C. Doherty).This is a good addition to the Swinbrooke series; not only are the characters well developed but the social interactions - the gulf between rich and poor, educated and superstitious - work well in this setting.

Compelling historical detail

Sir Walter Maltravers is haunted by the memory of his failure during the fall of Constantinople, and by his failure at the Battle of Towton. Despite his wealth, his beautiful wife, and the holy Lacrima Christi--a ruby said to have been formed from the blood of Jesus--he lives in agony and in guilt. When he is found dead and his jewel is stolen, Kathryn Swinbrooke is called in to administer the King's justice. Danger, more murder, and more locked room mysteries confront Kathryn as she investigates. Maltravers was killed in the middle of a maze to which only he knew the secret. The jewel was kept in a locked room in a guarded monastery. A thief vanishs from a locked church. It seems that perhaps the avenging angels truly have stepped in. Certainly all of the suspects have alibies that cannot be shaken. Yet Kathryn diagnoses murder, not God's justice. She's determined to unravel the maze of death and murder and find the killer hiding in its depths. Author C. L. Grace makes the middle ages come alive. Set during the English War of the Roses, A MAZE OF MURDERS convincingly describes English justice of the time, the (mixed) role of women, contemporary medicine, and the ambiguous nature of justice in a time when patriotism and treason are distinguishable only after a battle is fought and lost. Kathryn's dogged determination to solve a host of locked room mysteries is admirable and sympathetic. I would have preferred to see better motivation for the final murder--which seems to exist only to give Kathryn the final clues she needs to the solution. Also, I suspect that Kathryn's mild flirtation with her fiance, Colum Murtagh, is intended to humanize Kathryn. Instead, it seemed cloying, distracting from the murder without adding anything to the story. Notwithstanding these flaws, A MAZE OF MURDER makes enjoyable reading.