September 1, 2002
Roger the Chapman looks into the stabbing death of Jasper Fairbrother, a Bristol baker, as Lammastide ("Loaf-mass") approaches in Kate Sedley's 11th medieval mystery, The Lammas Feast, after The Saint John's Fern (Forecasts, July 15). As usual, Sedley offers an absorbing view of 15th-century English society and politics, along with an intricate plot to keep readers guessing who really did in Fairbrother.
October 15, 2002
Sedley's eleventh installment in her series featuring Roger the Chapman is exceptionally well written and wonderfully entertaining. Set in the late fifteenth century, the book presents an engaging combination of good humor, eye-opening descriptions of the living conditions, and a cast of characters who are as appealing as they are authentic. Roger the Chapman makes his living as a peddler but has an unusual talent for finding trouble. He's already been involved in several "cases" and has incurred the wrath of the local sheriff by sticking his nose in where it's not wanted. But when local baker Jasper Fairbrother is murdered, Roger has to know who killed the man. Then three other murders take place in quick succession, and Roger is convinced they are connected. He's determined to solve the case before anyone else dies. Fortunately, his nose for trouble sniffs out the unexpected and quite shocking solution to the case, and even the reluctant sheriff has to admit that Roger's deductive powers have saved the day. A fine addition for all mystery collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)