I started reading this book and found that it was not for me. It didn't seem fair for me to review a book that I didn't finish.

The Pardoner’s Crime centres on Sir Richard Lee, sergeant at arms, and his assistant, Hubert, as they take up a new post in Sandal Castle. Albin of Rouncivale is already there, selling pardons and relics to the citizens after witnessing the execution of the Earl of Lancaster for the murder of Piers Gaveston, while outlaw Robin Hood hides in the forest with his men. As Lee confronts the news of a girl’s rape and the murder of a man in the stocks, he finds himself tangled in a new and dangerous world...

I didn’t expect to like The Pardoner’s Crime as much as I did.

“No,” I said as I looked at its description. “It can’t be. You can’t write a novel that mashes up the Robin Hood legend with Canterbury Tales, add in a murder or two, and set in the reign of Edward II...”

Yet that is exactly what Keith Moray does. And far from feeling bloated and extremely ridiculous, it’s actually rather fun.

The mystery kept me guessing until the end. I had a moment of suspicion about what happened only for it to be blown out of the water. While I did find the final solution a bit overblown, I think it was clearly meant to be that type of crime novel. Given what this book is, I couldn’t expect a realistic and down-to-earth murder mystery.

As the Pardoner is one of my favourites of the Canterbury pilgrims, I was excited to see him take such a central part of the story and while his ending made me sad, I liked seeing more of him.

Neither the Pardoner’s secret* nor Edward II’s sexuality are given much page time in the novel but, refreshingly, these identities are treated with respect. Moray doesn’t take this as a time to let modern and medieval prejudice explode onto the page but lets them be accepted for who they are. While I might wish to have seen the Pardoner’s perspective on his secret – after all, he is a POV character, the only one besides our detective-hero, Sir Richard Lee, and his assistant – I understood why Moray kept it back to reveal it when he did, but it also meant that the Pardoner’s own perspective is missing.

(* Chaucer famously declares that he couldn’t tell if the Pardoner was “a gelding or a mare”, leading to the belief that there is something is something “secret” about the Pardoner. A lot of scholarly ink has been spilt on what this secret could be and while medical conditions have been suggested, the general consensus today tends to accept some type of queer identity. Moray opts for one of the older theories, <spoiler>that the Pardoner was “born an eunuch”, i.e. he was born without testicles or they never descended</spoiler>).

The world of 1322 England is invoked well. The one nitpick I have is that Moray occasionally uses the word “minutes”. Mechanical clocks were new innovations of the 14th century, the earliest known mechanical clock in England was constructed in 1321, only a year earlier than this book, so it’s unlikely that the average person had a concept of minutes. It’s more likely they would have instead measured small units of time by how long it took to say a prayer such as the Paternoster (Our Father). The only other historical issue I noted was in the author’s note where Moray stated Edward II was killed by a hot poker inserted into his anus – no serious historian believes there’s any truth to this story. Not only does the story date a fair amount of time after Edward’s death and have no credible sources, it’s hard to believe that an assassin wanting to secretly kill a king would use a murder method that resulted in the victim screaming loud enough that he could be heard for miles. It’s more likely that Edward II was killed by smothering (as contemporary accounts state) and the hot poker is nothing a salacious story.

All in all, I expected very little from this and had a lot of fun reading it.

3★
“On balance, executions were usually good for business. Lots of guilt, lots of sins to be pardoned in absentia. And fear of a similar fate at the end of the day made many a neighbour pay for a precautionary pardon.”

“Precautionary pardon” – just in case. In the Middle Ages, the Church sold pardons and indulgences to anyone frightened of being condemned for their sins. In today’s vernacular, we’d say the Church had a licence to print money. Even the poorest of the poor would find a penny to buy a scrap of something with Latin writing on it.

The Pardoner introduces this story of Sir Richard Lee and his assistant, Hubert, both about 30 years old, on their way to Sandal Castle. Sir Richard is a Sergeant-at-Law who has just been sent to take up a position as Circuit Judge of the King’s Northern Realm, which is going to put the current Deputy Steward’s nose out of joint. He has enjoyed holding sway over this small community, but Sir Richard is quick to let the public understand who’s who.

“‘Silence!’ Richard snapped, thumping the table with a gavel. ‘The court will behave with dignity and the authority of the court will be respected.’

Hubert suppressed a smile as he watched his master, all too aware that he was deliberately stamping his authority upon the court. He was also sure that he was doing so to impress the same thing upon Sir Thomas, the Deputy Steward.”

There is a fair bit of ‘smile suppressing’ mentioned throughout, which perhaps shows the devil-may-care attitude of these young men. Sir Richard is determined to bring law to the region. He is not here to teach anyone a lesson . . . except the current Deputy Steward, who insists on referring to Sir Richard as his “adviser”. He is known for enjoying his punitive powers.

“It was clear to all that Sir Thomas would have every scolding wife clamped in a scold’s bridle, every thief parted with some part or other of their hands, and in the main seemed to favour public humiliation, beating and occasionally termination of life.”

The story includes murders, lusty buxom wenches and a mysterious, skilful archer, suspected to be the Hood. Robert. We know him as Robin Hood of course, and it’s very unsettling seeing him portrayed as the evil marksman being hunted for rape and several gruesome murders.

‘‘I am Tuck, a friar, once of Fountains Abbey, yet now the leader of this goodly band of — contrariants.’

‘I thought that the man they called Robert Hood was their leader.’

‘He was until he turned raping dog and murderer!’ said another voice.
. . .
‘Do you know who it was?’ Richard asked Friar Tuck. The corpulent friar nodded. ‘It was almost certainly the Hood.’

‘He’s gone mad,’ said Much, with an emphatic nod of his head.”

Feasts, flirtations, fights. They’re always entertaining. Throughout the book, however, are ‘info dumps’ which should have been worked more seamlessly into the story. Some scenes and descriptions (like “supressed smiles”) became a bit repetitious, so I found myself skimming. I put an example of my information quibble under a spoiler in my Goodreads review.

This book was up against some stiff competitions because I just finished reading one of C.J. Sansom's excellent Matthew Shardlake historical mysteries that take place a little later, during Henry VIII’s reign.

I think the Robin Hood connection in this will probably appeal to many readers who may well appreciate the blocks of historical background more than I did. The author knows the place well. In his author’s note, he writes:

‘‘I have lived within arrowshot of the ruins of this ancient motte and bailey castle for over thirty years and I am the current chairman of the Friends of Sandal Castle. It has been a large part of my life and some years ago, on one of my morning runs around it I thought it would make a fine base for a mystery story.”

It does make a fine base, and if you’re interested in Sandal Castle and its history, you can see what’s left of it here. http://www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk/yorkshire/sandal_castle_wakefield_1460.html

Thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted.

#ThePardonersCrime #NetGalley

Sir Richard Lee, Sergeant at Law and his companion/servant Hubert of Loxley have been sent by Edward II to administer justice as the circuit judge in Wakefield. Their journey to Wakefield is interrupted by Robert Hood who is living with his outlaws on the outskirts of the town. Once ensconced at Sandal Castle Richard's detective skills are called upon when firstly a rape and then a number of murders take place, with Robin Hood being the main suspect. The storyline is good, and the reader is kept guessing as to who the culprit is to the end of the book. There's a little bit of romance thrown in (not too much) and overall this is a good read. It undoubtedly helped, from my point of view, that I lived in Wakefield for many years - not too far from Sandal Castle, so knew about the places and historical figures that came into the story (though thought the Wapentake of Agbrigg might have got a mention).

The Pardoner's Crime is a medieval noir mystery by Keith Moray from the time of Richard the Second. There is a plot to murder the king and other crimes. Sir Richard is tasked to find the guilty from the castle and village folk. Read and see if you can follow all the red herrings. Good luck.

This book has everything you need. It is set in medieval times, has a likable character, and Robin Hood!!! Sir Richard Lee, Sergeant-at-Law has been sent by King Richard II to Sandal Castle to be a judge. On his way there he goes through the woods and is stopped by Robin Hood. After making Sir Richard pay a toll to go through the woods Robin Hood tells him about a brutal rape. Robin then tells him he will be watching to see if Sir Richard investigates or not. This all leads to way more than Sir Richard was prepared for.

Our story follows King Edward II after his execution of the Earl of Lancaster.
Sir Richard Lee is the new Circuit Judge with his assistant Hubert of Loxley travelling North on behalf of the King.
Alvin of Rouncivale is also travelling to Wakefield as a Pardoner of sins. Sir Thomas Deyville is already acting as Castle Steward and does not appreciate the new law.
Events move quickly and we have our first murder of a man in the stocks. Sir Richard has his hands full when Alvin of Rouncivale is murdered. There seem to be many secrets in Wakefield. A fast paced murder mystery delving you in the sights and sounds of medieval England. Will the rule of law prevail in these turbulent times.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Sapere Books and the author, Keith Moray, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of The Pardoner's Crime in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I thought this book provided a good read. Certainly a very interesting take on the tale of Robin Hood.
The characters are well drawn and intriguing. The scenery was rich in its description. I can't wait for more from this author.
Worth a read.

Medieval Mystery!

Chaucer's Canterbury Tale hints, and a medieval mystery--two favs! How could I resist reading this. If you know The Pardoner's Tale, then of course the rift off that title will catch your eye--as it did mine. Add to this Robin, err that is, Robert Hood and what more can I say.
Moray throws us right in at the deep end. It's 1332 Yorkshire, England. The traitor Lancaster has been executed, Edward II is King. Sir Richard Lee, Sergeant-at-Law, has been appointed the Circuit Judge of the King’s Northern Realm. He and his assistant Hubert of Loxley, are heading for Sandal Castle and the court of the Manor of Wakefield, where the King wants him to begin exercising his office.
Richard and Hubert's relationship is one of trust, reliance and friendship, strengthened by the bond the two men have tested in warfare.
As they pass through the forest of Outwood they run into Robert Hood and his men. Many are contrariants, who fought on Lancaster's side and now are outlaws, common wolf's heads. An interesting beginning, and their way will become even more twisted and complicated.
In the meantime a Pardoner is traveling along a similar route. His journey will take a different turn.
Richard no sooner arrives in Wakefield when he has two cases to look at, except one becomes a murder. A murder involving an arrow that pierces the victim's eye. The fletching is known and fingers are pointed.
The deputy steward of the castle, Sir Thomas Deyville, is a bully of a man, whose punishments have fallen far short of justice. As Hood had said to Richard, 'The bailiff is a lackey, the constables are a bunch of dullards and drunks and the new steward is a buffoon. There have been two hangings, a spate of floggings and too many people put in the public stocks for the merest of trifles.' Add to this the rape of a young woman left to flag and Richard has enough reasons for consternation if all is true.
Throw into mix a visit to the annual Mystery Play by the king, and you have an interesting set of circumstances.
There's a fascinating cast of characters in this first in the series, including the apothecary and his wife, the tavern owner, and Sir Thomas' daughter. I'll be intrigued to see how things pan out in the future.
At times Richard reminds me of Candace Robb's Owen Archer or Michael Jeck's Sir Baldwin de Furnshill. Good and true men, interested in justice, and creative thinkers.
I did enjoy this new medieval mystery with it's character twists.

A Sapere Books ARC via NetGalley

In 1322 Yorkshire, Sir Richard is sent to be the law of the land. There are two murders, a rape, and a local lord that believes himself to be the law of the land. Robert Hood is the easy out for the murders and rape, but did he do it? It is up to Sir Richard to get to the bottom of it.

This book is an interesting twist in the tale of Robin Hood. It is well paced and an enjoyable read. Thank you #NetGalley for the chance to review #ThePardoner'sCrime

The Pardoner’s Crime by Keith Moray
Sandal Castle Medieval Thrillers #1

Based loosely on the Robin Hood myth this book introduces Sir Richard Lee, Sergeant-at-Law. He has been sent by the king to dispense justice in the northern realm of England and that is just what he plans to do. He is well versed in what is and is not legal as well as what justice requires when laws have been broken. At his side travels Hubert of Loxley, his assistant.

As the two make their way to where they will be posted they encounter a variety of people, rumors of laws broken, information about the place they are going and the man who has been in charge of maintaining order – with a heavy hand – until Richard arrives.

In the year 1322 religion was a big part of the lives of people and there were scrupulous and unscrupulous people working on behalf of God. One such position held by some was to be a pardoner – a man you could tell your wrongs to instead of the priest, buy a dispensation/pardon from or perhaps purchase a relic with which to keep yourself safe. One such man, Albin of Rouncivale, was such a man.

This story weaves in the characters we all know from animated, written and screen stories of Robin Hood. They may not have the same names that we know them by but they are definitely in the story. Life is not easy in the 1300’s. People work hard, laws are strict, punishments are brutal and life is often short.

The beginning of this series does a good job of introducing the main characters. The court scenes play out dramatically as Richard seeks the truth of matters that are illegal. The flavor of the times is experienced through all of the senses and the twists and turns in the story were intriguing. I have to say it took me awhile to begin to see who was behind the deaths that were occurring. And, along with the evil, the courtroom scenes and introduction to this series set long ago there is a hint at future romance for more than one character in the book.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author/in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Sapere Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

1322, West Yorkshire. Sir Richard Lee, Sergeant-at-Law and Circuit Judge, with his assistant Hubert of Loxley have been sent to Sandal Castle by the King, Edward II, to preside over the court of the Manor of Wakefield. His first cases involve a rape, and a murder, is Robert Hood really the main suspect. Richard needs to stamp his authority on the area, while he and Hubert investigate. But soon there is another murder and threats to their lives.
An enjoyable mystery, a well-written story with its very likeable main characters. A very good solid start to the series.

‘His mind saw profit ahead.’

1322, West Yorkshire. Albin of Rouncivale, a Pardoner was at Pontefract Castle in March when the Earl of Lancaster is executed. The Earl, and others, have been declared traitors by King Edward II.
A couple of months later, Sir Richard Lee, Sergeant-at-Law and Circuit Judge, together with his assistant Hubert of Loxley, are on their way to Sandal Castle. Sir Richard has been newly appointed as Circuit Judge of the King’s Northern Realm and is on his way to Sandal Castle near Wakefield when he encounters outlaws.

The paths of Sir Richard and Albin of Rouncivale will cross, in some unexpected ways.

‘I am Albin of Rouncivale and I bring pardons to those in need.’

But first, Sir Richard needs to establish his authority in Wakefield. Before he arrives at Sandal Castle, he learns of a rape, which he intends to investigate. Sir Thomas Deyville, Deputy Steward of the Manor of Wakefield (resident at Sandal Castle) sees himself as dispensing the King’s Law and is not inclined to welcome Sir Richard.

But all is not as it seems. Sir Richard’s first cases point to a local outlaw, one Robert Hood, as being the main suspect. And then the Pardoner confesses to a crime.

What is happening in Wakefield?

I read this novel quickly, trying to work out who was guilty of what (and why). I enjoyed the way in which Mr Moray described the setting and provided the historical background to the period. And I really enjoyed the way in which Sir Richard worked it out.

While I’d managed to work out a couple of pieces of the puzzle, I hadn’t fitted all the pieces together before the end. I am now looking forward to the second novel in this series. I’ve enjoyed Mr Moray’s Inspector Torquil McKinnon series, and I’ll be adding this series to my reading list as well.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Thank you to NetGalley and Sapere Books for an e-galley of this novel.

One of the reasons this novel worked so well was because the author is so intimately familiar with the main location, Sandal Castle in Yorkshire. Keith Moray says in his Note to the Reader that he has lived within close proximity to the ruins of Sandal Castle for over thirty years and his first-hand knowledge of the landscape and distances gives this story a realistic feel. This first book in a new series introduces the characters who will be prominent players in this and following stories, mainly Sir Richard Lee, Sergeant-at-Law and Circuit Judge of the King's Northern Realm as well as his assistant Hubert of Loxley. The story also gives us enticing glimpses of Robert Hood of Wakefield, now an outlaw and contrarian, with his band of comrades illegally collecting tolls on the road leading into Wakefield. There are many names in the Hood's band which will be familiar.

There are multiple murders and a rape investigated by Sir Richard as well as courtroom scenes which give an insight into how law courts of medieval times were conducted. In some instances the presentations of evidence in these scenes are where the book let me down somewhat. There is even one case which I don't believe was ever solved; waving plot threads left dangling in the air and in that instance an example of Sir Richard treating a witness in a shameful manner without ever explaining why. Perhaps that situation will be cleaned up before the book is published? I have high hopes of a second book in this series being even more well constructed because I am a fan of historical mystery novels set in the medieval period and I have a vested interest in this series now.

Sir Richard Lee, Sergeant-at-Law, has been sent to Sandal Castle by King Edward II to preside over the court of the Manor of Wakefield. On the way, he is threatened with his life when he comes across the outlaw Robin Hood. The Hood lets Sir Richard pass, but before long a man is found murdered – with an arrow through his eye, Sir Richard must make his mark and solve the mysteries.
This is the first in a new series & I found it to be an engrossing read, I've read the author's Inspector Torquil McKinnon books, which I really enjoyed, I was intrigued by the blurb & the book didn’t disappoint. It was a well written, well paced story with interesting characters & I especially liked Sir Richard & his assistant Hubert of Loxley. An enthralling mystery which kept me guessing & I look forward to reading more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I loved this engrossing and entertaining historical mystery.
The historical background is vivid and well written, the cast of characters interesting and the mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.