The Wildcats of Exeter: Volume VIII of the Domesday Books (Domesday Books (St. Martins)) [Hardcover]

Edward Marston (Author)

Book Description

Series: Domesday Books (St. Martins) | Publication Date: January 18, 2001

In the gathering dusk of the Devonshire countryside, Nicholas Picard is riding home when a snarling wildcat attacks him. Neighbors find his lacerated body in the woods, but when they discover the slit in his throat, it soon becomes clear that human hands are responsible for his demise.

Picard's death complicates an already difficult land dispute that Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret have been sent to settle in nearby Exeter. The murdered man had a stake in the outcome, and now his widow, Catherine, believes she should be the rightful owner of the land in question. However, Picard's mistress and the mother of a previous deed holder see things very differently. So determined is each woman to prove her claim that Ralph and Gervase begin to wonder whether one of them is capable of murder.

Inspired by actual entries in the Domesday Book, The Wildcats of Exeter is a thrilling addition to Edward Marston's acclaimed historical series.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The eighth of Marston's Domesday books (The Hawks of Delamere, etc.) fails to meet the high standards established by his Edgar-nominated Elizabethan series. In the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, England is still struggling with difficult Norman-Saxon relations. Nobleman Ralph Delchard and legal expert Gervase Bret, along with other members of the Royal Commissioners appointed by King William, are once again sent out to hear and settle land and tax disputes, this time to Exeter in Devon. Upon their arrival they learn that Nicolas Picard, whose property dispute they had been scheduled to hear, has been killed by a wildcat, but with a telling wound that could have been inflicted only by a human. Meanwhile, the list of claimants to the property in question has grown to five. Could one of them be a murderer? Limited description and dialogue fail to create an authentic atmosphere. When Delchard's wife, Golde, openly discusses her feelings about the snub she received from the sheriff's wife, Delchard tells Golde she was the "target for her anger," an analysis more of this century than the 11th. The presentation of the claims, the revelation of the facts, the deliberations and the commission's decision generate interest, but as a period mystery this is a disappointment. (Feb. 5)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret, agents for William the Conqueror, investigate the murder of a Norman involved in several land disputes. Obvious suspects include two women who would gain from the man's death. The latest in an excellent historical series; for fans of medieval mysteries.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books (January 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312253559
• ISBN-13: 978-0312253554
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #763,317 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 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great mystery in a truly important time period, April 2, 2001

By 

booksforabuck "BooksForABuck" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Wildcats of Exeter: Volume VIII of the Domesday Books (Domesday Books (St. Martins)) (Hardcover)

King William (the conqueror)'s royal commission visits Exeter to resolve property ownership disputes but their arrival is marred by the death by murder of one of the claimants. Baron Nicholas Picard had cut a swath through the women of Exeter and few mourn his death, including his wife. Still, could one of them have overcome such a powerful knight?

Despite resistance from the local Sheriff, Lord Ralph Delchard and his associates investigate both the murder and the property dispute. Each of the five claimants is convinced of the justice of their case. Each had good reason to wish Picard dead (including his unloved wife). Still, three women, an ancient Saxon, and a priest seem unlikely murderers.

Edward Marston does a fine job describing a fascinating time period when Norman rule was still new and still rode like a boot on the Saxon throat. His use of Brother Simon to provide comic relief works effectively to balance the narative and give moments of respite between the investigation. I would have liked to see a more fully developed character in Golde, Lord Ralph Delchard's wife, but otherwise find little to criticize in this fine historical mystery.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars reat medieval mystery, December 16, 2000

By 

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

This review is from: The Wildcats of Exeter: Volume VIII of the Domesday Books (Domesday Books (St. Martins)) (Hardcover)

Twenty years have passed since William conquered England. The Conqueror is sending forth secular people and churchmen to adjudicate land disputes and collect taxes. Norman and Saxon alike detest these individuals, but with William's backing, they accomplish their tasks. On numerous occasions, the adjudicators must solve murders to determine who owns disputed property. While William's dispute resolution administrators ride to Exeter, someone murders Nicholas Picard, a claimant in a large land quarrel.

The local sheriff insists robbers killed Nicholas, but Ralph Delchard and Gervaise Bret believe the homicide is tied to the land dispute. Each claimant to it, including the non-grieving widow, the mistress, the former landowner, and even the local church abbott had plenty to gain with the removal of Nicholas. Matters turn ugly when one of the administrators, Hervey de Maurighy disappears. William's men want to insure justice occurs even if it means risking their lives to insure it happens.

Volume eight of the Doomsday Books is a finely executed, well-drawn medieval mystery because of the myriad of viable suspects with obvious motives, means, and opportunities. Thus, readers will never guess the identity of the killer with any certainty. Edward Marston paints a tapestry that vividly brings the late eleventh century into full perspective as the monarch's administrator enforce regal policy even to the detriment of a powerful noble. Fans of historical mysteries will take pleasure in THE WILDCATS OF EXETER and search for the previous Doomsday tales.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, January 31, 2001

By 

Sean T. Carnathan (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wildcats of Exeter: Volume VIII of the Domesday Books (Domesday Books (St. Martins)) (Hardcover)

Terrific whodunit set in 13th Century England. It took me a few chapters to settle into the rhythm of the novel, but once you're tuned in its great stuff. When a rich lord is killed on the way home from a trip to the city of Exeter to visit his mistress, a flock of claimants step forward to claim his lands. Ralph Dechard and his colorful colleagues represent the King to adjudicate the claims. Sex, violence and greed are the order of the day. As the tale unfolds, the "clues" point to several different possible villains in turn, but finally come together to reveal the true killer. This is the first of the series that I have read, but I will undoubtedly circle back to read the rest.