The Prodigal Son (Roger the Chapman Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Kate Sedley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006 | Series: Roger the Chapman Mysteries

The latest title in the acclaimed Roger the Chapman series When Roger the Chapman discovers he has a hitherto unknown half-brother, he has mixed feelings about the matter. But when John Wedmore is accused of being the young page who, six years earlier, robbed his mistress and murdered a fellow servant, and is thrown into prison, Roger feels obliged to investigate the charge.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the start of Sedley's solid medieval historical, the latest in her series to feature Roger the Chapman, the genial peddler discovers that he has a half-brother who has just been accused of a murder committed six years before. Roger's sense of justice and the nascent sibling bond drive him to leave his young family for Croxcombe Manor, the scene of the crime. There, he questions the widowed Dame Audrea Bellknapp, his brother's accuser. The sudden return of Audrea's long-banished son, Anthony, sets the already contentious household at odds. Anthony's shady dealings, womanizing and rudeness give nearly everyone at the manor cause to want him dead. The initially slow plot comes vividly into focus when someone finally does Anthony in. Sticklers may notice anachronisms in the book's treatment of 15th-century Britain, but the affection and color with which Sedley (The Burgundian's Tale) depicts Merrie Olde England, plus Roger's entertaining narration, will be enough to satisfy most readers. (May)
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From Booklist

Another winning entry in Sedley's atmospheric historical-mystery series set in fifteenth-century Britain. Intrepid investigator and itinerant peddler Roger the Chapman is shocked to learn he has a half brother and that the young man is imprisoned for robbing the wealthy Bellknap family and murdering one of their servants. Anxious to help his brother, Roger travels to the Bellknap family estate only to confront another drama: elder son Anthony Bellknap, who disappeared years earlier, has returned to claim his inheritance. Jealousy, rivalry, and hatred abound in this rollicking adventure with colorful descriptions of medieval life, gentle humor, and unexpected twists. Emily Melton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 252 pages
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers; 1st World Ed edition (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0727863371
• ISBN-13: 978-0727863379
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,974,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Well Thought Out Plot, February 10, 2006

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prodigal Son (Roger the Chapman Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Roger the Chapman is sitting in an inn in Bristol minding his own business, but intrigued by a young man who is moving around the patrons asking questions. The man looks familiar and Roger is soon to find out why. The young man is a half brother Roger never knew he had and the familiarity is because of the likeness to Roger's own father.

No sooner have the two met than Roger gets news that his long lost brother has been locked up in the town jail accused of the brutal and savage murder of a young woman the wife of the steward at Croxcombe Manor, near Wells. The murder had taken place several years earlier, but the lady of the manor had spotted Roger's half brother and accused him on the spot.

There is nothing or it but for Roger to set out to Croxcombe Manor, to try to unravel the mystery from the past and unless he can his new found brother will surely hang.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best historical mystery series, April 24, 2006

By 

Barbara B. (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Prodigal Son (Roger the Chapman Mysteries) (Hardcover)

I'm a huge fan of the Chapman mystery series -- I think they're the best historical mysteries written, with the possible exception of the Cadfael stories.

This may not be the absolutely best of the series (I rather liked Roger when he was a callow youth) but it still is far better than most in the genre. It has a real flavor for the times, and the main character is as charming as ever. He's grown through the books but never has lost his basic goodness. The story is complex without being overly complicated and the dialog and descriptions are carefully rendered.

The ending was a bit of a surprise, which is a good thing.

All in all, I don't think any fan of historic mysteries will be disappointed in this series. If possible, start at the beginning and follow through in order since you get to see Roger's character develop.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but with disappointing elements, January 8, 2009

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Prodigal Son (Roger the Chapman Mysteries) (Hardcover)

First Sentence: I first saw the strange young man whilst sipping a beaker of my favourite ale (the cheapest), sitting in a corner of the Green Lattis.

Roger the Chapman (peddler) encounters a young man, John Wedmore, learning he is a hitherto unknown half-brother. When John is accused of having been a woman's page, six years ago and murdering a fellow servant, he asks Roger's help in proving his innocence.

This is the first book I've read by Sedley and my reaction was mixed. There was some rather good plotting and the bit of information that caused Roger to realize the killer was very clever. Sedley does convey the period well, particularly though the cadence of style of her characters speech.

Each character's dialogue is well suited; in particular, a 15-year-old who has just the right level of petulance and arrogance. Sedley writes with a gentle, pleasant element of humor, which I enjoyed.

What disappointed me was the massive amount of coincidences which overwhelmed the story and became almost absurd. I hope this is an anomaly and do plan to read more books in the series