The Hand of Justice (Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles) [Paperback]

Susanna Gregory (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2005 | Series: Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles (Book 10)

In Cambridge in 1355, the colleges of the fledgling university are as much at odds with each other as they are with the ordinary townsfolk. This tension has recently been heightened by the return of two well-born murderers after receiving the King's pardon, showing no remorse but ready to confront those who helped convict them. And in the midst of this, Bartholomew the physician is called to the local mill to examine two corpses. It is almost a relief to be able to turn his back on the fractious town, but as always in Cambridge, everything is connected.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Religious relics, simpletons, millers, unmitigated cold, unclean clerics and arrogant townsfolk pepper the Gregory novels, and you can smell medieval Cambridge, tasting the filth as you read. HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

From the Publisher

Cambridge, 1355. The colleges of the fledgling university are as much at odds with each other as they are with the ordinary townsfolk. This ongoing tension has recently been heightened by the return of two well–born murderers after receiving the King’s pardon, showing no remorse but ready to confront those who helped convict them. In the midst of this, physician Matthew Bartholomew is called to the local mill to examine two corpses. It is almost a relief to be able to turn his back on the fractious town, but as always in Cambridge, nothing is ever unconnected. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 536 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0751533424
• ISBN-13: 978-0751533422
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #534,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another fine effort, July 8, 2004

By 

ilmk "ilmk" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hand of Justice (Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles) (Hardcover)

Pseudonymal Susanna Gregory's tenth Matthew Bartholomew mystery is as brilliant as the previous nine. The mark of a good mystery author is the ability to confound the audience every time. The majority of authors, like any good crossword setter tends to evidence similar sleuthing patterns so familiarity leads to quick diagnosis from the reader. Not from Gregory whose mind manages to twist the reader deviously through the maze that is fourteenth century Cambridge with a verve that is truly remarkable.
The latest also introduces a new link as the prologue to the last effort which found Josse dead in a snow drift actually proves a key link to the mystery contained within this novel. Very neat. There is also continuity of mystery in the re-appearance of Rob Thorpe and Edward Mortimer, two ruffians who were the culprits in an even earlier novel and the influence of the Hand, that non-relic that Michael and Matt revealed as previously attached to the simpleton, Peterkin Starre in another novel. So, not just continuity of time and character, but also of mysteries. However, it does not mean you have to have read the previous novels but does add another touch of delight to those who have.
So...more murders...more mystery and lots of canonical and secular intrigue. The story opens with the drunken Thomas Mortimer (owner of the Mortimer Mill) killing Lenne and maiming Isnard. Swiftly followed by the deaths in the King's Mill of the Gonville scholar, Bottisham, and the wealthy grocer (and King's Mill patron) Deschalers who are located by Matt and Michael with nails driven through their palate and crushed in the water mill.
More characters come to Cambridge. The introduction of Gonville Hall allows a new physician, Rougham, its Master, Pulham, and several others. The return of Rob and Edward (who have received a King's Pardon for their crimes) to do mischief is tied into the feud between the Mortimer Mill which has turned its hand to fulling, and the King's Mill. The intercession of a King's Commission to rule on the two mills raises the Cambridge temperature considerably. On one side we have the Mortimer clan, legally represented by Gonville, on the other a merchant conglomerate comprising Mayor Morice, Cheney the spice merchant, Bernarde the Miller, Lavenham the apothecary (and his voluptuous wife, Isobel) and the dead Deschalers. Meanwhile, in Michaelhouse, three of Matt's students take more of a starring role, Redmeadow, Quenhyth and Denyman and the key cast list is rounded off with Master Warde of Valence Marie, the new physician Paxtone, Wynewyk, Tulyet and Tynkell (whose physiology proves a mystery in itself).
Three deaths are swiftly followed by the murder of Bosel the Beggar and the arrival of the addled Bess whom Matilde takes under her Frail Sisters wing. By the time Lavenham's workplace goes up in flames Gregory's death count hits twelve (via henbane most of the time as we eventually discover) as Warde, Bess, Lavenham, Isobel, Bernarde, Rob Thorpe, Edward Mortimer, Thomas Mortimer, Mistress Lenne (natural causes in a startling turn) all wind up dead.
During the book , Matt allows himself to get diverted by a brewing personal feud with Rougham, who is clearly imcompetent, who thinks Matt has a secretum secretorum - a panacea - and we get steered down the wrong path through Michael and Matt several times until one very bedraggled fake rat acts as Matt's epiphany. By the end we have our single culprit, discover the motives were all different and there was no conspiracy and Matt has a wealth of new books to keep him company whilst Michael continues to eat his way through Cambridge.
Gregory has added another fine achievement to her Chronicles and it is all the more remarkable as the majority of key players are based on historical reality. Her grasp of medieval Cambridge is excellent, the narrative is gripping, the plots endless but controlled and there is a vibrancy throughout that makes this series an absolute must read for any fan of the genre.
More needs to come from the pen of this fine author.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just a Delight for the Reader, August 2, 2006

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hand of Justice (Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles) (Paperback)

I know that historical fiction is not usually at the top of the best seller lists and I guess that it is not really a subject that appeals to the mainstream book reading public, but if ever an author deserved best sellers Susanna Gregory is certainly one of them.

She is not as prolific a writer as many of the authors who write this style of book and the anticipation of waiting for a new title can be quite frustrating for the reader. However the wait is always worthwhile.

I am not sure whether it is Matthew Bartholomew himself, or the setting of Cambridge in the mid-fourteenth century but Miss Gregory's books seem to carry an aura all of their own. Certainly for me and hopefully for other readers as well.

Cambridge 1355, the townspeople and the students of Cambridge are as always at one another's throats. Although the students bring status and wealth to the City the people of Cambridge still consider them louts and trouble makers.

The tension has increased with the return to the City of two well-born murderers. They have been released by none other than the King himself, after he deemed that a Royal pardon was appropriate. The pair are showing no remorse whatsoever and are more than ready to confront the citizens who helped in their conviction in the first place.

In the middle of all this Bartholomew is called to a local mill where two corpses have been found. Is there a connection between the bodies and the release of the murderers. Is anything that simple in 14th century Cambridge.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another strong entry in this seires!, May 22, 2006

By 

S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hand of Justice (Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles) (Paperback)

I am a huge fan of the Matthew Bartholomew series set in Cambridge, England in the mid 1300's. Ms. Gregory is an historian and she builds her books around true historical happenings and she includes real people in them. And there is always lots of suspense for the reader that seeks this in a medieval mystery. Ms. Gregory always uses particularly ruthless villains, and great numbers of people die before Matt and his wonderful friend Broither Michael can solve the mystery. These books are so authentic, and so much fun to read! This particular one illustrates the volatile nature of relations between "town" and "gown" in Cambridge. Another riot is never far away! I highly recommend this seires.