I received a free copy of The Service of the Dead for my honest review.
About the Book:
Expertly recreating the social and political upheavals of late medieval Europe and the increasing power of the wealthy merchant class, acclaimed author Candace Robb introduces a new series starring Kate Clifford, a woman forged on the warring northern marches of fourteenth century England.
Political unrest permeates York at the cusp of the fifteenth century, as warring factions take sides on who should be the rightful king-Richard II or his estranged, powerful cousin in exile, Henry Bolingbroke. Independent minded twenty-year-old Kate Clifford is struggling to dig out from beneath the debt left by her late husband. Determined to find a way to be secure in her own wealth and establish her independence in a male dominated society, Kate turns one of her properties near the minster into a guest house and sets up a business. In a dance of power, she also quietly rents the discreet bedchambers to the wealthy, powerful merchants of York for nights with their mistresses. But the brutal murder of a mysterious guest and the disappearance of his companion for the evening threatens all that Kate has built. Before others in town hear word of a looming scandal, she must call upon all of her hard-won survival skills to save herself from ruin.
Candace Robb is the bestselling author of 13 crime novels set in 14th century England, Wales, and Scotland, including the acclaimed Owen Archer series and the Margaret Kerr trilogy. Writing as Emma Campion, Candace has published historical novels about two fascinating women she encountered while researching the Owen Archer mysteries: Alice Perrers (The King’s Mistress) and Joan of Kent (A Triple Knot). Candace lives in Seattle, Washington.
About the Author:
Candace Robb is the bestselling author of 13 crime novels set in 14th century England, Wales, and Scotland, including the acclaimed Owen Archer series and the Margaret Kerr trilogy. Writing as Emma Campion, Candace has published historical novels about two fascinating women she encountered while researching the Owen Archer mysteries: Alice Perrers (The King’s Mistress) and Joan of Kent (A Triple Knot). Candace lives in Seattle, Washington.
My Opinion:
I was introduced to Ms. Robb through her Owen Archer series of books and I must say that I really enjoyed them so when I was offered the chance to review the first book in her new historical mystery series I quickly accepted. She stays close to familiar areas - York - but moves ahead in time by 100 years or so. Flipping genders with protagonists the reader is presented with a bold and intelligent woman as the heroine of these books. Her name is Kate Clifford and she is loosely attached to the very powerful Neville family.
Kate is a widow who is respected in the town but she hides any number of secrets, number one being that her guesthouse is really nothing more than a convenient location for the rich men in town to meet their mistresses. But there is power in knowing what men don’t want known in a time when women don’t seem to hold any of their own. But therein lies one of my issues with the book - Kate is a very 21st century woman in a 15th century world. In fact, I often forgot I was reading a book set during the time of Richard II. There were passing references to attire or a cobblestone but for the most part there was no sense of time or place for that matter.
The plot was intriguing and I did enjoy the book. The characters were many and I admit it took a bit to keep them straight but I can see how Ms. Robb was setting up her players for the coming books in the series. There were several crumbs dropped for the immediate and for the distant future. I will enjoy following these characters as they traverse their history which I suspect will become more evident as they are forced to confront the events that are coming. I suspect the next book might be placed more firmly in time. I also suspect that Kate will continue to defy her time and be a very independent woman. She is a marvel.
Rating:
3.5
Other Books by Candace Robb:
If you will recall I had some fun reading the Owen Archer Series by Candace Robb as part of a book tour for TLC Book Tours. You can read my reviews:
You can read my review of The Apothecary Rose
You can read my review of The Lady Chapel
You can read my review of The Nun’s Tale
You can read my review of The King’s Bishop
You can read my review of The Riddle of St. Leonard’s
You can read my review of A Gift of Sanctuary
You can read my review of A Spy for the Redeemer
You can read my review of The Guilt of Innocents
You can read my review of A Vigil of Spies
