The Canterbury Murders

A Stanton and Barling Mystery, Book 3

By: E.M. Powell

Narrated by: James Langton

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

A fire-ravaged cathedral. An ungodly murder.

Easter, 1177. Canterbury Cathedral, home to the tomb of martyr Saint Thomas Becket, bears the wounds of a terrible fire. Benedict, prior of the great church, leads its rebuilding. But horror interrupts the work. One of the stonemasons is found viciously murdered, the dead man’s face disfigured by a shocking wound.

When the king’s clerk Aelred Barling and his assistant Hugo Stanton arrive on pilgrimage to the tomb, the prior orders them to investigate the unholy crime.

But the killer soon claims another victim - and another. As turmoil embroils the congregation, the pair of sleuths face urgent pressure to find a connection between the killings.

With panic on the rise, can Barling and Stanton catch the culprit before evil prevails again - and stop it before it comes for them?

The Canterbury Murders is the third book in E.M. Powell’s Stanton and Barling medieval murder mystery series. Combining intricate plots, shocking twists, and a winning - if unlikely - pair of investigators, this series is perfect for fans of Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael or C.J. Sansom’s Shardlake.

©2020 E.M. Powell (P)2020 E.M. Powell

Another great story!

I love these books. And while turning them out quicker would probably lessen the quality of the story. I sure would love to know that I’ve got three or four in the wings ready to go dash to keep me engaged in entertained all winter long.

The Canterbury Murders

I did not read books 1 or 2.I found this book boring.James Langton was a really good narrator.He was the reason I kept listening.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 

Murder Mystery set in 12th Century

I should start out that I have not read the first two books. This was a good mystery and had a lot of potential, but I do feel it is geared more specifically for an adult male audience and I personally had a hard time connecting to the characters. I think given the right audience this would be a great book. It has a very Orthodox Catholic perspective with the main character needing to save his sole, work through his penance, mentioning homosexual sin - which felt very unnecessary to the mystery and story. The overall plot for the mystery was great and plodded along at a good pace. The narrator does great job with the voices, acting and was engaging. I did turn the pace up to 1.5x speed but that may just be my preference.

—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A thrilling Medieval murder mystery

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.*

The Canterbury Murders is a Medieval murder mystery/thriller in which Barling and Stanton investigate a series or murders that seem to have no connection.

These two main characters need to solve a mystery that keeps the reader hanging until the last couple of chapters. The writing style made it easy to go through, although I'd have loved a bit more intrigue; especially, regarding the Church.

I feel most characters were quite well developed and would find it surprising if a future reader was not able to relate to any of them. With different personalities, each of them has some likeable and other unlikeable features, which makes them real.

The narrator made the listening experience quite enjoyable and gave each character a distinct voice and personality.

I feel I should have read the first two volumes in order to understand the main characters fully.

For fans of Ken Follet (The Pillars of the Earth) and The Name of the Rose by Umberto Ecco.

Entertaining tale during Henry II’s time

This is a wonderful series about a Royal clerk and his assistant who solve murders. They sort of fall into this activity with their first case and quickly gain a reputation for their abilities, making them more in demand than they would like to be.

This tale has Barling & Stanton investigating a murder in Canterbury when they have gone there as pilgrims to the Cathedral and Thomas Becket’s shrine. The Prior of the local Monastery there calls on them immediately to solve the grisly murder quickly (since they’re reportedly so good at it). Problem is, more bodies keep showing up.

I enjoy the byplay between our heroes, although something is strained in their relationship just now, and a resolution is worked out by the end of the tale. If you haven’t read any of this series, you might want to begin with The King’s Justice, the first book, to acquaint yourself with the characters, the times (12th century England), and their relationship.

Highly recommended!