A Taste for Killing

By: Sarah Hawkswood

Narrated by: Matt Addis

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Whose was the hand that poisoned Godfrey Bowyer? Bradecote and Catchpoll are on the trail of the killer.

January, 1145. Godfrey Bowyer, the best but least likeable bow maker in Worcester, dies an agonising death by poisoning. Although similarly struck down after the same meal, his wife, Blanche, survives. The number of people who could have administered the poison should mean a very short investigation for the sheriff’s men, Hugh Bradecote, Serjeant Catchpoll and Underserjeant Walkelin, but perhaps someone was pulling the strings, and that widens the net considerably. Could it be the cast-out younger brother or perhaps Orderic the Bailiff, whose wife may have had to endure Godfrey's attentions? Could it even be the wife herself?

With Bradecote eager to return to his manor and worried about his wife’s impending confinement, and Walkelin trying to get his mother to accept his choice of bride, there are distractions aplenty, though Serjeant Catchpoll will not let them get in the way of solving this case.

©2022 Sarah Hawkswood (P)2022 Allison & Busby Ltd

Critic reviews

"Hawkswood’s ability to mix humour with the complexities of everyday life and her crisp and descriptive writing provide an effective lure into the depths of this medieval whodunnit. Read it as a stand-alone or, as I did, become fascinated and follow the series." (Crime Review)

"Hawkswood’s Worcester is a place we can see, hear, feel, breathe—and smell—as the mystery unfolds…an excellent detective story which also gives us an intriguing glimpse into a long-lost world." (Fully Booked)

"Hawkswood skilfully evokes a sense of the medieval world, one which is both far-off and familiar." (Historical Novels Review)

Tiny taste

Too short I enjoy Catchpole and don't want to let him go.
or wakelyn either.

Another solid hit

Sarah Hawkswood has served up another great story populated by the usual fine characters as well as a new one; but I will not need a spoiler alert. The story is like being a ball in a pin ball machine. First you are certain you have figured it out and then you are ricocheted into another direction with the latest clue. Catchpoll continues to delight and makes one wish there were more blunt, plain spoken men like him in our time. Walkelin continues to grow personally and professionally.
The only issue I had was that some of the minor characters sounded (to my old American ears) like Catchpoll and it was confusing until I finally realized which character it was who was speaking. The voice actor had his work cut out for him. Off hand, I count 7 or so female characters and 12 or so male characters. He did a very credible job. Overall, an excellent addition to an outstanding series.