Take it away Sophia Rose!
Enjoy!
Season of the Fox by Denise Domning, Narrated by Gildart
Jackson
#2 Servant of the Crown mystery
Historical Mystery
Publisher: Tantor
Audio
Published: 3.26.19
ASIN: B07PFQNV49
Rating: 5
Narrator Rating: 5
Format: MP3
Source: Tantor Audio
Add to: Goodreads
Blurb:
RAISE THE HUE AND CRY!
A wealthy merchant has been murdered in his own home, and the suspect has fled to sanctuary in a local church. Enter Sir Faucon de Ramis, the king's new Servant of the Crown in the shire, to solve the murder, assisted by his prickly secretary, Brother Edmund. As Faucon begins his hunt, the shire's the new Crowner finds himself in the upside down world of a woman's trade. Not only does the merchant's wife own the business-Unheard of! -the suspect is the daughter's betrothed, or so the town believes. But what about the bloody shoe prints and missing tally sticks at the scene, and what does the sheriff have to gain?
A wealthy merchant has been murdered in his own home, and the suspect has fled to sanctuary in a local church. Enter Sir Faucon de Ramis, the king's new Servant of the Crown in the shire, to solve the murder, assisted by his prickly secretary, Brother Edmund. As Faucon begins his hunt, the shire's the new Crowner finds himself in the upside down world of a woman's trade. Not only does the merchant's wife own the business-Unheard of! -the suspect is the daughter's betrothed, or so the town believes. But what about the bloody shoe prints and missing tally sticks at the scene, and what does the sheriff have to gain?
Sophia Rose's Review:
Season of the Raven introduced me to the wonderful 12th
century medieval world that Denise Domning created in Warwickshire where a
young knight is chosen for the newly created position of Keeper of the
Pleas. Sir Faucon is given little
direction about his new post that his powerful bishop uncle gives him beyond
his primary task of making sure the King receives the accurate sum from the
fines generated by Warwickshire crimes.
The shady sheriff used to have the job of this, but he was pocketing a
great deal and accepting bribes to look the other way or worse. The sheriff is still around and Faucon butts
heads with him on his first murder case and has the pressure of proving to
everyone that his uncle was right to choose him for this new position. If that weren't enough, his uncle saddles him
with an arrogant, sharp monk as his secretary.
Faucon suspects he'll be collecting fines for his own unlawful killing
of Edmund before much time has passed.
I listened to that first story, riveted, as medieval
village, estate, and priory was vividly brought to life, engaging Faucon and
Edmund along with Brother Colin work to solve the murky mystery, and of course,
the clever mystery, itself. Season of
the Fox picks up where ...Raven left off.
Faucon is faced with a new murder to determine who is responsible so he
can levy the right fines to the correct person.
And, his heart of justice has him acting to aid the young man accused of
the crime.
I loved that this new murder is in a big market town and I
learned of city life and the world of the emerging wealthy working class who
live better than even some nobles if their craft is fine enough. Faucon is startled when the household that he
investigates is that of those who work with fine cloth and produce the garments
and trimmings for the wealthiest in the land... and it is run by the women who
look him in the eye and see themselves as equal to the men. It gives him new thoughts to ponder as he
tracks a cunning killer through the 'spore' his prey leaves behind.
Gildart Jackson reprised his role as narrator and I can only
offer high praise for his work voicing Faucon, Edmund, Colin, and the
surrounding cast of women, classes, and even accents. He adds fabulous nuances and I enjoy the pace
and tone he takes throughout especially that exciting alley fight scene.
With this second book, I am convinced that I've found a
series that I will eagerly snatch up each new audio release. Yes, historical mystery fans, we have a
winner here!
Author Bio:
What can I say? I’m single and over sixty, I write and I
farm on eight acres of slowly improving red earth (it originally looked like
Mars had exploded!) on Oak Creek in northern Arizona. I started with chickens,
then there were turkeys and Jersey milk cows. But with livestock came the
predators: coyotes, bald eagles, black hawks, mountain lions, and, worst of all,
raccoons. Dang those nasty creatures! They kill just because they can; think
dogs with opposable thumbs. (Five chickens in one night–they reached in through
the chain link and killed the birds with no expectation of being able to eat
them.) They are the reason I have my two amazing dogs, Moosie (an Akita/Sharpei
mix) and Bear (a Hungarian Kuvasz). Moosie just loves to take on (and kill) the
raccoons. As for the cats, I have 7 and they’re supposed to eat the gophers
but, being cats, they prefer cat food, thank you very much.
In 2016, I turned yet a new page on the farm. Earlier in the year I sold the last of my Jersey cows in favor of Dorper Sheep, a South African breed that doesn’t need to be sheared and gains all their weight on grass alone, after an acquaintance informed me that they are “stupid simple” to raise. Stupid simple I can do! I have since learned that although these sheep are capable of gaining all their weight on grass, they far prefer pig food. Rascals!
I've also become a committed (committable?) pastured pig farmer. I presently have 6 little gilts (female pigs) who are gaining most of their weight on my pastures and cleaning my gardens for me. Dogs with snouts! And they love Peanut, my orphan and hand-raised lamb, who loves them back.
If you're interested in keeping up with the farm antics, you can visit my blog at denisedomning.com or thefarmonoakcreek.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ddomning
In 2016, I turned yet a new page on the farm. Earlier in the year I sold the last of my Jersey cows in favor of Dorper Sheep, a South African breed that doesn’t need to be sheared and gains all their weight on grass alone, after an acquaintance informed me that they are “stupid simple” to raise. Stupid simple I can do! I have since learned that although these sheep are capable of gaining all their weight on grass, they far prefer pig food. Rascals!
I've also become a committed (committable?) pastured pig farmer. I presently have 6 little gilts (female pigs) who are gaining most of their weight on my pastures and cleaning my gardens for me. Dogs with snouts! And they love Peanut, my orphan and hand-raised lamb, who loves them back.
If you're interested in keeping up with the farm antics, you can visit my blog at denisedomning.com or thefarmonoakcreek.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ddomning
Sophia’s Bio:
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.
Sophia’s Social Media Links:
Sophia Rose thanks so much for bringing this novel and this series to my attention. I'm not much on historical romance but historical mystery yes please. Thanks this is going on my list. Should they be read in order?
ReplyDeleteYes! Definitely read them in order. The mystery is always a new one, but there is a series long mystery and an ongoing story of Faucon and the other main players. Plus I've noticed a few times when characters or situations from earlier books crop up again.
DeleteYhey are in the KU program if you get that
Glad to hear you've found a series that you seem to like.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! I do love this one. I'll have to go back and read some of her romances, too.
DeleteI haven't read or listened to many medieval world stories, but this sounds delightful!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely hit the spot and it didn't feel medieval light either. I learned a lot.
DeleteThat is def a different murder mystery! I like it
ReplyDeleteIt sure is. I know how you love historical mysteries. :)
DeleteI haven't read any historical mysteries in quite some time, but this sounds so fascinating and unique, and I love your review! I would just have to read this, because you know I get sleepy listening to audio reads.(lol) Hugs...to both you beautiful ladies and Happy Sunday! RO
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad it sounds like something you'd like, Ro. Definitely snag it in whatever format is comfy. Have a great Sunday, Radiant Ro!
DeleteThis sounds like a really fun story that I would like. I'm not familiar with this author or narrator. Glad you really enjoyed this one. Wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Oh yes! New fan in me for both series and narrator. I think he does a series that Carole enjoys, too. I need to look up more of his work.
Delete