I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed reading it the plot was interesting and the characters made me want to know more about them. I highly recommend.

This is the 3rd book in this series but does stand alone well. I had not read any of this authors books and am sorry I didn't read the first two in this series, an issue I will be rectifying! I really enjoyed meeting the characters in The Franklin's Felony. Sir Richard is a judge and this period is brought vividly to life by the author. He is highly knowledgeable of the period. This is a great read for anyone who likes historical fiction and mysteries. My grateful thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for an advance copy of this book.

Keith Moray writes a moderately interesting historical mystery from fourteenth century The Franklin's Felony. The story involves witchcraft, folly, and murder. The priests and the lawmen are bad people. Mixed justice prevails at the end.

The Franklin’s Felony by Keith Moray
Sandal Castle Medieval Thriller #3

I am SO glad I live now and not in the first quarter of the 14th century! This book reminded me of all the advances that have been made in so many aspects of life that included medicine, diet, health, law, justice, social order, education, and so much more. It was a treat to read and a reminder to be grateful.

What I liked:
* That the story felt of and in keeping with the era
* That I could understand the thought processes, behavior, and reasoning though I didn’t agree with much of it.
* Getting a glimpse of the past without having to be there in person.
* Sir Richard Lee: a good man who believes in the law and takes his decisions seriously and personally. He is, I believe, a good husband, father, and friend as well as aa just man…within the parameters of the laws of his time.
* Hubert: assistant to Sir Richard and a good man.
* Wilhelmina: Sir Richard’s wife, soon to be mother, grounds Sir Richard, didn’t see much of her but perhaps there will be more in future books.
* Trying to wrap my mind around the “healing arts” of the physician as well as the laywoman healer
* That some of those that were sick did get better.
* The way Richard used the clues to determine the truth
* How well the twisted tale was told
* Looking up words used commonly in the past, and in this book, that are not common now
* That all the threads were tied up at the end of the story
* Looking forward to another book in the series

What I didn’t like:
* Knowing how true to real life this story probably is.
* The way people seemed to enjoy seeing others suffer
* All that I was meant to dislike

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

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

5 Stars

Welcome to the dark and menacing world of Keith Moray in this action-packed & truculent new installment in the Sandal Castle Medieval Thrillers Series, a rollicking journey through the colorful but fiendish landscape of late 1320s Yorkshire as we follow Sir Richard Lee, the winsome Judge of the Northern Realm, as he patiently tries to untangle the threads that take the reader into a menacing cesspool of witchcraft, deranged priests, poisons & murders.Teeming with many malevolent & sinister characters and blessed with delicious dialogues, this twisty murder mystery kept me guessing on a knife-edge for 4 delightful hours. Highly entertaining and utterly captivating, this latest addition is a great & fabulous fictional journey into the violent world of medieval England. A splendid romp to be enjoyed without any moderation!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Sapere Books for this terrific ARC

‘So much bloodshed this poor country has had these last few years.’

1324, Kilkenny, Ireland. On 3 November 1324, Petronella of Meath is burned at the stake as a witch. Her former mistress Alice Kyteler and her companion, Robin Artisson, have disappeared. As she dies, Petronella sees a face.

‘May you be the hand that will avenge me, was one of her final thoughts.’

1327, Yorkshire, England.
Edward II has been deposed. His young son, Edward III is now king, guided by his mother Queen Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer. The country is divided about this.

Sir Richard Lee, Circuit Judge of the King’s Northern Realm, has a lot on his mind. His wife, Wilhelmina is pregnant, his mother-in-law, the Lady Alicia, has recently died and his father-in-law, Sir Thomas is unwell. Sir Richard is troubled about a recent court case: was he too harsh in sentencing a man to hang? Was there more to the case? Sir Richard calls an Irish physician, Dr Brandon Flynn to treat his father-in-law.

Then, amidst rumours of witchcraft, a series of sudden deaths occur. Sir Richard is convinced that there is more to each case, and he and his assistant Hubert of Loxley investigate. They’ll need to uncover more than a few secrets before they discover the truth.

This is the third book in Mr Moray’s excellent Sandal Castle Medieval Thriller series and is just as absorbing as the others. The descriptions of medieval medical treatments, the places and the people bring the story to life. Sir Richard is starting to feel like an old friend. A very old friend. If you enjoy medieval mystery, then I recommend this series.

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

If you enjoy historical mysteries and have a particular interest in England's Edward II/Edward III period, The Franklin's Felony will provide you with several hours' diversion. If historical mysteries of that particular time period don't appeal to you, you'll probably find The Franklin's Felony underwhelming. The mystery here is reasonably complex—as are the characters—but not remarkable. This isn't a title I would recommend as an introduction to the genre.

1327, Yorkshire, England. King Edward II has recently been deposed in favour of his young son, leaving England deeply divided. Amid the turmoil, the Church is convinced that a scourge of witchcraft has returned to the land. Friars are now being sent all over the country to root out suspected witches and have them executed. When a series of sudden, horrific deaths occur in Wakefield, the town’s inhabitants are ready to blame dark magic. However, Sir Richard Lee, Circuit Judge of the Northern Realm believes that there is more to each case than meets the eye.
This is the third book in the series & once again I was drawn in from start to finish. A very well written engrossing read. The characters are well portrayed & I really like Sir Richard who has his work cut out to solve the deaths. I once again had to goggle some medieval terms but not as many as before. I hope there are more books to come. Plenty of twists and turns kept me guessing until the end
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read