Like any detective, Crispin Guest is always looking for his next case. When Father Bulthius comes to him with the incredible story of phantoms carrying off bodies from the graveyard he can’t pass it up. Soon he and his apprentice are witness to this strange sighting as well. As he begins his investigation, he is asked to take on another investigation. It involves the seven-year-old son of a prosperous merchant who is being accused of murdering a neighbor and stealing a priceless relic. The case is difficult and made more so by the fact his former lover is the mother of the young boy. Time is running out for the boy and for Crispin. For as long as he is involved with the boy, the emotion he has banked deep within his heart is threatening to go into full flame.

I’ve never read any of Westerson’s Crispin Guest mysteries. I like historical mysteries but don’t usually go back as far as the 1300s. The historical detail feels well researched and the characters realistic. The plotting of the story is nicely paced and the surprise twist at the conclusion was very gratifying. Those who enjoy their mysteries without all the bells and whistles of the modern detection field will find this a satisfying read.

Ellis Peters set the standard for medieval mysteries with the Cadfael series, but Jeri Westerson’s Crispin Guest more than matches up with the intrepid monk. Westerson has delivered a tightly plotted mystery with just enough human drama and a didn’t-see-it-coming plot twist at the end that had me sitting up and taking notice that this is an author to watch. The protagonist, Crispin Guest, a disgraced knight now turned “Tracker” (the medieval version of a PI), is a flawed but dignified, smart, and decent man who uses his deductive powers to solve crimes for money. His relationships are complicated to be sure, but Westerson writes Guest as the Good Guy who will always put the greater good above his own needs and desires. I look forward to more of Crispin Guest. Highly recommended.

I have loved Crispin Guest and Jack since book one of this series, and I continue to be in love more and more as the series progresses. This author has once against spun a prodigious tale that takes Crispin to places I never dreamed he would go - and I can't say what I'm referring to because I don't want to leave any spoilers - suffice it to say, you will be amazed, too, if you've been following along with Crispin in this series. Once again, Crispin solves the mysteries presented to him, and the book ends on a marvelous note. Be sure to read this book. You will not be disappointed.

This is a well written mystery in a meticulously researched medieval setting. The central mystery is intriguing, and the characters well written. I had thought that this was the beginning of a series, but found that this book was actually the eleventh (my own fault). Coming in this late info a series did present some difficulties. I plan to pick the series up at the beginning, as I greatly enjoyed what I read.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Severn House for making this book available in exchange for my honest review. Crispin Guest was a knight who lost his title and lands when he was accused of treason. He now makes his living as an investigator known as the Tracker of London. When he is approached by Father Bulthius of St. Modwen’s Church with a strange tale of the dead rising at night and carrying their coffins from the grave, he agrees to observe the phenomenom himself and find an explanation for these events. While Guest does not believe in rising corpses, he and his servant Jack spend a night in the cemetery where they observe disappearing lights and an opened grave.

As Guest attempts to solve one mystery, he is approached by someone from his past to solve another. Philippe Walcote was the love of his life at one time and she now asks him to help save her son. Christopher Walcote is seven years old and accused of murdering their neighbor and stealing a religious relic. It is only a matter of time before he will be arrested by the sheriff and face the hangman. Guest has close ties to Philippe and her son. Despite Christopher’s reluctance to help in his defense, Guest believes in his innocence. In one of the many twists introduced by Jeri Westerson, the relic also has a connection to St. Modwen’s Church.

Guest’s current quest takes place in 1392 London and Westerson provides a strong sense of place and time. The importance of the church and religious relics is an important element as Guest enlists the assistance of an abbot in his investigation.

As time is running out to save Christopher’s life and additional murders occur, Westerson adds a number of excellent twists to her story. If you are new to the series this is a good introduction to Crispin Guest and his investigations. This is a series that will capture the attention of any lover of historical mysteries.

I've read every single Crispin Guest book and, which I still think Blood Lance is my favorite, this one probably comes in second. I have enjoyed seeing both Crispin and Jackk grow as people and learn about themselves and what they truly value. This mystery was just as fun as the rest of the series. It was a fast paced read and I am always so excited to see a new installment in the series. I preordered a hardcopy of this for my own collection.

I've followed the Crispin Guest series since the beginning, and I believe this is the best one yet. Over the course of the series, Crispin has dealt with his bitterness at the loss of his lands and title, overcome extreme poverty (although he is, by his former standards, quite poor), and now, in what he considers middle age, finds himself with a "family," i.e. his apprentice Jack and Jack's pregnant wife. He is unsettled to receive a summons from his former lover, who begs him to save her young son, accused of murder. Meanwhile, Crispin and Jack also are investigating the report of revenants in a local churchyard! A very quick read, and I was sorry to see it end. Much gratitude Severn House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the digital ARC.

This is my first time reading any thing by Jeri Westerson and I was not disappointed. 'The Deepest Grave' is part of series of books but this is the first one I have read . Crispin Guest is the title character and in this book he is hired to solve mysterious, and eerie goings in a local graveyard are the dead really rising at night and stucking the blood of the living and are they real re-burying themselves in the light of day. But this only part of the story I highly recommend you buy the book to find out way this intriguing story line will take the reader next.

The Deepest Grave by Jeri Westerson continues the adventures of the Tracker Crispin Guest, a degraded knight whose loyalty to John of Gaunt cost him everything.

From the book description: "London, 1392. Strange mischief is afoot at St Modwen's Church. Are corpses stalking the graveyard at night, disturbing graves, and dragging coffins?"

I've enjoyed this series and watching Crispin's character become less surly and resentful as he has adapted to the changes in his life. Of course, with the above teaser about walking corpses, I wasn't about to miss this one.

When Crispin is asked to investigate the revenants, he is a bit torn between skepticism and fear, but skepticism and curiosity win. Jack, on the other hand, wants no part of the graveyard at night.

Philippa Walcote (! from Crispin's past) also requires the Tracker's help, and a reluctant Crispin discovers a secret he never expected. How can the two cases be related?

Despite Crispin's cynical attitude toward holy relics, relics continue to return to him. :)

Read in April; blog review scheduled for July 24.

NetGalley/Severn House

Historical Mystery. August 1, 2018. Print length: 224 pages.

5 stars

I read the Kindle edition.

It’s London in 1392 at the beginning of summer. Crispin Guest, a former knight, is hurrying toward home when he is stopped by a priest. Clearly frightened, the priest tells Crispin a strange story of walking corpses during the night. He claims that several people have seen them dragging their coffins behind them. He fears that some of them have become what he calls bloodsuckers. The priest’s name is Father Bulthius Barydon of St. Modwen’s Church and it is his graveyard in which these strange occurrences are taking place.

Crispin’s apprentice Jack Tucker is horrified by the case. He clearly does not want to go to the graveyard, but Crispin chivvies him out of it and Jack reluctantly goes along. Jack’s wife Isabel is pregnant with their first child.

Philippa Walcote sends a missive to Crispin for his aid. He hasn’t seen her for nine years and after his refusal to marry her, she quickly wed another. He and Jack leave at once for her home. When they arrive at the house, Philippa and her husband Clarence tell Crispin and Jack the story of how their nearly eight-year old son is being accused of murder. It seems their neighbor John Horne was murdered and his wife claims that it was their son who committed the crime during an attempt to steal a family relic (a saint’s bone). The child’s name is Christopher. The reader can imagine Crispin’s shock when he goes to speak to the child and sees him for the first time.

This is an exciting and a little mysterious tale of murder and eerie doing in a graveyard. It is delightfully well written and plotted, as are all of Jeri Westerson’s novels. The suspense began immediately with the discovery of the walking dead in the graveyard by the church and continues throughout the story. It has surprises aplenty. This is only my second Crispin Guest novel, but I immediately went to Amazon to look for the other books in this series. I thoroughly enjoyed every word. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries and historical novels.

I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely great book for me to read and enjoy.