The Foxes of Warwick (Domesday Books, Vol. 9) [Hardcover]

Edward Marston (Author)

Book Description

Series: Domesday Books (St. Martins) | Publication Date: February 21, 2002

Henry Beaumont keeps a renowned pack of foxhounds: quick, brave and ruthless at the kill. Yet one December hunt, the dogs uncover more than a fox in the woodlands-brushing aside dead leaves, Beaumont finds the crushed body of Martin Reynard, a former member of his own household. Enraged, Henry swears to find the killer, though he is not trained in investigation. Before long his hot head and rudimentary skills lead him to arrest a man of questionable guilt.

Luckily, Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret are in the area to settle a land dispute and are available to lend their expertise. Upon close consideration of the circumstances leading up to the grisly murder, the two Domesday Commissioners begin a full-scale investigation designed to bring the true murderer to justice, whoever he may be. Full of the impeccable historical detail for which Edward Marston is known, The Foxes of Warwick is a gripping mystery sure to fascinate both longtime fans and readers new to the Domesday series.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"View halloo!" In this lively, fast-moving tale of medieval England (after 2001's The Wildcats of Exeter), Henry Beaumont's hounds have caught the scent and cornered the fox. But when Beaumont's guests canter up for the kill, they find a "fox" of another stripe, for lying on his back, crushed to death, is Martin Reynard, Beaumont's former reeve, who's recently joined the household of Thorkell of Warwick. Summoned to Warwick to settle a land dispute, king's commissioners Gervase Bret and Ralph Delchard find themselves caught up in the murder investigation. The blacksmith, Boio, a gentle, slow-witted giant in the service of Thorkell, has been accused of the murder and imprisoned, though he protests his innocence. Gervase and Ralph believe him and determine to prove it. The plot is furthered by a dancing bear and his dwarf keeper, by an itinerant thaumaturgist and by the touching story of a deformed woman who loves the blacksmith. Marston's familiarity with the folk and landscape of 11th-century England gives his tale the verisimilitude of history and make Ralph and Gervase, two of William the Conqueror's "Domesday" (tax record) surveyors, thoroughly credible. Marston (nom de plume of Keith Miles) has written plays, radio dramas and television series (as well as more than 40 books), and the crisp dialogue is a result. Dispensing with "he said, she said," his characters converse like real people, and, like real people, engage our interest and sympathy.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

At Warwick Castle on the king's business in postconquest England, Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret (The Wildcats of Exeter) discover that a former member of the household has been found crushed to death and a simple-minded blacksmith accused of the murder. Nice characterization, an interestingly complex plot, and a surprise twist at the end recommend this for most collections.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books (February 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312280882
• ISBN-13: 978-0312280888
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #678,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb eleventh century mystery, January 24, 2002

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Foxes of Warwick (Domesday Books, Vol. 9) (Hardcover)

While on a hunt with his hounds, local constable Henry Beaumont finds the crushed corpse of Martin Reynard. Outraged that the homicide occurred on his lands and to a former employee of his, Henry investigates the crime. Having no experience on murder cases, Henry ignores motive and opportunity to decide that only the blacksmith had the means i.e., the strength to perform this odious act. Henry places the big man in the dungeon.

William the Conqueror's Domesday commissioners Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret head an entourage handling a local land dispute. When the King's team learn of Henry's rush to judgment, they feel the constable did not do an adequate investigation. They begin their own inquiries into what really happened to Martin.

THE FOXES OF WARWICK is a superb eleventh century mystery that brings the era to life as rarely seen in a novel though the period graces myriad of books. The story line is insightful, vividly descriptive, and contains a fabulous who-done-it with a rational twist of an ending. The characters are warm and feel real, making the age seem even more colorful for the audience. The Domesday series is one of the best medieval mystery collections on the market and author Edward Marston has written a tale worthy of award consideration.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Medieval Mystery at its Best!, November 13, 2004

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Foxes of Warwick (Domesday Books, Vol. 9) (Hardcover)

A body is found by a pack of fox hounds belonging to the constable of Warwick Castle. The body is that of a former member of the constable's household and Sir Henry the constable swears to find the killer.
By chance the Domesday Commissioners Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret, have been sent to the Warwick area to adjudicate on some land disputes. They believe that a man arrested by Sir Henry seem to be an unlikely suspect. They believe that Sir Henry has jumped to the wrong conclusion, but they have little time to save the life of the suspect.
Edward Marston has a complete mastery of his craft and his plots are well thought out and all the more believable for that. His books on medieval England are up there with the best.