I enjoy this series more with each book - I'm reading them in order and although I enjoy the mysteries presented, I come back for the characters. The deepening friendship between Sir John Cranston, King's Coroner to the City of London, and his secretarius Brother Athelstan is a joy, along with Athelstan's motley crew of parishioners and the colorful vagabonds, whores, thieves and con artists parading through raucous, grimy London.
Another recurring character ratcheting up the tension with each appearance is John of Gaunt, the secretive, conniving Regent ruling England and commanding Cranston and Athelstan to ferret out traitors, murderers and threats to the King. Gaunt has spies everywhere and is feared and despised by his subjects, who yearn to break free of the grinding taxation and poverty that is their lot. The increasing possibility of a revolt and the never-ending war on the French has driven the action in the last few books in the series. Athelstan and Cranston sympathize with the starving, overtaxed peasants, but realize the coming revolt will spare neither man nor those they care about; this is brought home in a subplot in which the Community of the Realm, the rebels plotting the revolt, threaten two of Athelstan's parishioners into hiding weapons in his church cemetery. Sir Jack and Athelstan are also saddled with a love struck young knight in their investigations, and ordered by Gaunt to help him further his suit with a very wealthy and sheltered young lady whose wealthy and ruthless father may be trying to blacken his name. They also have to figure out who is poisoning French prisoners of war held for ransom...
If it sounds like a lot going on it is, but that to me is the fun in this series! I always learn more about a fascinating time in history, the characters are interesting and well-drawn, there is humorous dialogue, camaraderie, and a feeling of community in Athelstan's poor but well-meaning parish. The more I learn about Athelstan and Cranston and their rich and adventurous lives, the more I enjoy them and their friendship. Recommended for historical mystery fans.
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