Blood Runs Thicker: The must-read mediaeval mysteries series

Blood Runs Thicker is another enthralling medieval mystery from the pen of Sarah Hawkswood. The year is 1144 and the people of rural Worcestershire are busily collecting in the year's harvest, before the weather closes in. Irascible landowner Osbern de Lench takes his customary daily ride to the top of a hill, from which he can view his lands. When his horse returns to the manor riderless, his steward and workers begin to search for their master. It's not long before they come across his body, which has been stripped of its outer clothing and unceremoniously dumped in nearby forest. De Lench's eldest son and heir, Baldwin de Lench, who takes after his father in temperament, is quick to point the finger at his half-brother, younger son Hamo. Enter Undersheriff of Worcester, Hugh Bradecote, Sargeant Catchpoll (what a wonderfully appropriate name!) and sheriffing Apprentice Walkelin, who arrive in Lench just in time to prevent a summary execution. Potential suspects abound - neither of the deceased's sons seem to mourn their father's death, his wife has sought comfort from his regular beatings in the arms of another man and there are animosities with neighbouring landowners. This is a complex mystery for our trio of medieval detectives to solve, as it seems nobody is willing to tell them the truth. A second murder, of a much-respected villager, leads them closer to the terrible truth. Once again, Sarah Hawkswood creates a convincing medieval setting, with a varied cast of new and recurring characters. It's quite an accomplishment that she makes the concerns, motivations and behaviour of these 12th century people both familiar and stimulating to a modern crime-reading audience. As with her previous title, River of Sins, Hawkswood weaves a deliciously multi-layered plot, with plenty of villainous behaviour, complex motives and hidden relationships. The central trio of Bradecote, Catchpoll and Walkelin have a great dynamic of mutual support and respect with frequent injections of wry humour. I'd highly recommend Blood Runs Thicker to readers who enjoy well-researched historical fiction, complex police procedural crime novels or both. For those lovers of Ellis Peters' excellent Brother Cadfael series who are yet to discover Sarah Hawkswood's work, you're in for a treat! My thanks to author Sarah Hawkswood, publisher Allison & Busby and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.