A Psalm for Falconer (William Falconer Medieval Mystery) [Hardcover]

Ian Morson (Author)

Book Description

Series: William Falconer Medieval Mystery | Publication Date: October 1997

In 13th century Oxford, Regent Master William Falconer witnesses the recovery of a body from a sandbank--a body that is soon identified as that of a monk who disappeared over fifteen years ago.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

At Oxford University, in the mid-13th century, Regent Master William Falconer (Falconer and the Face of God, 1997, etc.) has undertaken a journey to Conishead Priory on remote Lancaster Bay- -the intent being to study the scientific tomes in the collection of Bishop Grossteste, now belonging to library of the Priory. He leaves just before the unheralded arrival of his friend Ann Segrim and the discovery, at nearby Godstow Abbey, of a murdered young nun. Falconer, guided on foot across the tidal bay by the young son of Ellen Shokburn, longtime worker at the Priory, finds a mare's nest of secrets behind the monastic life of dawn-to-dusk prayers. The immediate puzzle is the whereabouts of books missing from the collection, and librarian Brother Ralph Westerdale provides little help. Prior Henry Ussher, meanwhile, is absorbed in his ambition for higher office and seemingly stunned when the 15-year-old skeleton of Brother John de Landetoft, his onetime rival for the Priorship, emerges from the sands of the bay. Back in Oxford, Ann Segrim has determined to solve the mystery at Godstow Abbey, with the help of Falconer's old friend Constable Peter Bullock--and, despite the autocratic opposition of Abbess Lady Gwladys, she manages to do just that. At the Priory another murder has taken place, and Falconer's physical stamina is sorely tested in the treacherous shoals before he finds answers to murders old and new. More than enough church ritual, shadowy figures, spooky noises, and tidal lore, all couched in stiff and stately prose. Fine fare for lovers of the ecclesiastical; for others, a rather dull slog. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1ST edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312168330
• ISBN-13: 978-0312168339
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,372,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Psalm For Falconer, August 16, 2000

By 

tregatt (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Psalm for Falconer (William Falconer Medieval Mystery) (Hardcover)

This is one of the best in the series! Access to some rare texts of Aristotle tempts Master William Falconer away from the petty intrigues of Oxford to Furness Abbey, near the shifting sands of Lancaster Bay. As usual, Falconer stumbles onto a twenty year old mystery that, to his dismay takes up his time that he feels could be more usefully spent reading Aristotle.

I enjoy mysteries that allow the reader to appreciate the history and culture of the times; and this mystery is rich in both. The mystery is intriguing and the description of the treacherous shifting sands and the remote abbey adds to the fearful atmosphere. A truly enjoyable read.