Master Mercurius is part of his University of Leiden team in a debate with another University about the local witch trials in the 1600’s.
Mercurius is a reluctant participant, but his skills of investigation will be put to good use in a locked room murder.
Mercurius is dictating his memoirs to his assistant later in life and there are many amusing anecdotes brought to life.
The characters in this series are well fleshed out and really draw you in to that timeline.
A good addition l would recommend seeking out the other books in the series.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I have read and reviewed all the previous works in the series, and the last time I mentioned that, I might be running out of steam to continue following this. I picked this up solely because of the title.
Having been to the city of Maastricht for various reasons a couple of times in the last few years, I had to see if I saw anything in the book I might know from now.
The writing is the best part of the book (and series). The narrative style of our lead protagonist and the fact that we cannot really decide if he is an intelligent man or just a lucky one, or a combination of both (based on his scribe's interludes).
This book has an interesting premise. There is to be a debate about the witch trials in the country between the Catholic and Protestant teams. The universities have to choose the judges and the neutral battling ground. This takes up a bit of the first part of the book. A witch hunter is the victim (although that may not be an appropriate word to use given his own behaviour), and it is, for all intents and purposes a locked room mystery.
I think I would have rated this book even higher if I found the revelation to be closer in the realm of guessing. I know it is a tough line to work with, with the final reveal not being easy to guess while simultaneously not appearing out of nowhere.
I would recommend this series to fans of historical fiction who are curious about Europe in the 1600s.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Another winner from Graham Brack, Mercurius is back, and with a vengeance. This time he is charged to solve what is ultimately a locked room mystery at a symposium on witch trials.

The story is entertaining but does suffer from being a bit sluggardly in pace, going on and on but getting nowhere for chapter after chapter. The characterisation is perfect as always and all characters are fleshed out and well-developed. However, one does beg leave to doubt whether a female religieuse such as Abbess Mathilde would have been afforded so elevated a place on the panel of such a symposium in those days (indeed, if she would have had a place at all), but this is a subtle point.

A reluctant detective, Mercurius bumbles his way to a successful conclusion, but one might wish that he was not quite so self-effacing and that he might stand up for himself a bit more against the odious Senguerdius. Another bone of contention is the nebulous character van der Meer. Many seem to enjoy his appearances but I find them an unnecessary distraction, and somewhat too frequent to be a success.

When I requested this book I didn’t know it was part of a series but that really didn’t matter. The characters are reestablished in a way that feels natural and not unnecessary. I’m definitely interested now in going back to the beginning of this series and delving into Brack’s world.

The file I got didn’t seem to work for me but I feel so bad for being unable to read it that I’ll give it five stars. Can’t unfortunately rate it on goodreads because of this but I wish the author all the best and if possible maybe I’ll pick the book up some day in a store and rate it then and hopefully I’ll love it.

Set in 1686 in the city of Maastricht this is a classic locked room murder mystery .......... except its not just that but also one of debates between factions on the "sin of witchcraft"
Mercurius is to represent the side against witchcraft but the debate is thrown into chaos as the body of the "witch finder general" has been discovered inside a locked room and he is invited to investigate .
Filled with historical fact and fiction , murder and mystery , with moments of humour the Author manages to keep the reader entertained throughout

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Graham Br ack brings murder and mayhem into a scholarly debate between Dutch and French scholars. The debate involves old witch trials.

I start by thanking both NetGalley as well as the publisher for my honest review.
A wonderful cozy historical mystery. Full of intriguing deep thought as well as humor. This is the seventh in the series and one of my favourites.

A COMEDY OF TRAGEDIES?

Since i came into this in the fourth volume, I did not know this was an established character. The voice intrigued me from the first, and that voice carried me through. About the end of the fifth chapter, my immersion was ruined by the insertion of modern political movements which I find it hard to believe that a twice ordained person (minister and priest) would have had cross their mind, and such a man would never think that a _witch_ should use her powers to "put men in their place." This in the context of someone researching witch trials in 1686 on the way to a debate on the subject of witches.

In the beginning of the next chapter, it seems that the character's use of language is inconsistent with the verisimilitude created in the earlier chapters. Fortunately, the characterization pulled me through.

It isn't until halfway through the book that the titular even takes place, and by that point, the persnickety albeit able character becomes a priestly/reverendly(?) Mr. Magoo. I wasn't sure if the novel was intended to be a serious work—and, quite frankly I'm still not—or a comedy. The protagonist has a series of unfortunate events, and though he is ostensibly a respected professor and has had experience solving crimes, fumbles his way to a conclusion. It also felt like the conclusion was contrived when it was time for an ending. I didn't see any clue, until the sudden introduction of a character almost 4/5 of the way through makes an appearance and accusation that other characters—who were supposedly trying to help the protagonist—should've revealed to him earlier.

The University of Leiden is invited to a debate competition against the University of Leuven and Mercurius is called up to represent the side speaking against witchcraft. His Rector is confident of a victory, even though the debate is taking place in front of a mainly Catholic jury. However after the first day a witness is found murdered and the debate is sidelined as Mercurius is invited to investigate.
I really enjoy Brack's stories set in the 17th century Dutch Republic as they give a great insight in the time and the place but also offer a great depricating sense of humour. Here there is little mention of the Stadhouder, William of Orange, but the story looks into the witch trials mania of the late 16th and early 17th century. Altogether a very satisfying read.

The year is 1686, and Master Mercurius has been invited/ volunteered to represent his University of Leiden in a debate about Witchcraft. The question centres upon trials held in Roermond in 1613, were they based upon superstition and a fear of wise women using their skills of midwifery and knowledge of herbal remedies, or are Witches real and in league with Satan? Mercurius believes these women were unjustly accused and should be considered as innocent beings.
The opposing University of Leuven has stolen a march on Leiden by inviting an actual Witchfinder to attend the debate and give all the benefit of his experience, but before the debate is underway, the Witchfinder is found dead, in the library with the door locked from the inside.
A lovely 17th century locked door murder mystery, involving many philosophical discussions, which are interesting and thought provoking. The fact there is a mixture of University lecturers and religious persons present mean that the investigation is complicated, so many of the religious brethren are not so worldly wise, and many scholars are simply full of bluster and a sense of self importance! The presence of a female on the scene is also hilarious. The Abbess Mathilde is an unknown quality to the males, she is well educated and has an opinion that she freely gives, and the men are not sure how to treat her, being both a Woman and a well respected member of a religious order, this makes them nervous.
My absolute favourite has to be the scribe, Van de Meer, who we have met several times now, taking notes from Mercurius, as he reflects upon his life and composing his memoirs. There are witty asides that are real gems, but this time he is not quite so prominent with his remarks, we need more, more and more!
This is the seventh novel in this series, and the stories continue to delight and amuse in equal measures, they always hold this readers interest.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Sapere books for my advance digital read, freely given in return for my honest and unbiased review.
A five star read. I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Amazon UK.

Master Mercurius, an academic in theology at the University of Leiden is back in another murder mystery. It's 1686 and a few years since William of Orange, the Stathouder has required his services. However, his Rector requires him to take part in a debate on the sin of witchcraft with the University of Leuven in Maastricht so he once again has to leave his comfortable lodgings and travel.

Mercurius and the rector are to be arguing the negative side, that charges of witchcraft have never been proven, while the opposition propose to show that witchcraft does exist and have brought along a witchfinder to help prove their case. When the witchfinder is found murdered in a locked library, with no visible weapon or means of escape, Mercurius has a locked room mystery he must solve before everyone returns home in three days.

Written with a good vein of humour as Mercurius recalls what happened for his memoirs written by his disrespectful clerk Van der Meer, this is another entertaining historical cosy mystery in this series. Along the way he muses on the nature of women, especially the handsome Abbess Mathilde who he meets and shares many of the same literary interests as him as well as the poor women who were convicted of witchcraft without any concrete evidence during the witch trials seventy years earlier. Lacking the historical and political perspective of the earlier books when Mercurius was sent o carry out deeds for William, this had a lighter feel about it, so it would be good to see him once again thrust into political intrigue in the future.

An excellent addition to the Master Mercurius Mystery series. A great blend of mystery, humour and history which is easy to read and full of character.

Master Mercurius is in Maastricht to participate in a debate about the existence of witches, when one of the expert witnesses for the other side (a witch hunter) is murdered. The book started slowly for me, with the murder occurring well into the story and long theological discussions leading to it. But great characters, humor, and Mercurius' trademark leaps of instinct and imagination to find the murderer make this another good entry in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for the ARC.

Laugh-out-loud humor, intriguing plot, fascinating history
In 1686, University of Leiden philosophy professor Master Mercurius and his colleague Rector Senguerdius have been chosen to represent their university in a debate with a University of Leuven team on the subject of whether witchcraft is an example of the sin of idolatry. The debate between the two universities becomes more complex given that Leiden is a Reformed institution whereas Leuven is Roman Catholic. This has special significance for Mercurius, because he is secretly a Catholic priest, despite also being a Reformed minister, as required by his university position.
If this intro does not sound like material for a stimulating read, rest assured. Fans of Master Mercurius will not be disappointed in his latest adventure. Partway through the debate a witch hunter is found murdered after testifying for Leuven, and Mercurius is asked to investigate and find the murderer. Since the body is found in a locked room with the key inside, the puzzle is especially difficult.
The locked room murder theme is done well, but the feature that has made this one of my favorite series is the humor. Mercurius narrates the story as part of a memoir he is writing almost 60 years later, and his acerbic wit gave me a laugh or at least a smile on practically every page. For example, after Mercurius has a frustrating day trying to solve the murder, “I went outside … and knelt down, saying a prayer before raising my head. A passing pigeon spattered me. That seemed a fitting summary of my day.”
The unique setting also makes this an excellent choice if you enjoy learning something while you are being entertained. Europe in the 1600s is not a period heavily covered in history class, especially in the US, and it is fun to read about such an interesting era. Brack weaves real historical figures into the book, although you may have to look some of the names up to realize that, such as philosopher Aadrian Heerevoord. It is also interesting for modern people who generally live in a heavily secular age to see how those in a much more religious era think, such as the widespread acceptance of witchcraft as a genuine , albeit strongly sinful, phenomenon.
You. can enjoy this book without reading the earlier ones, and I am confident that after you do you will want to read the previous six.
I received an advance review copy of the book from NetGalley and the publisher.

Murder in Maastricht by Graham Brack, the seventh installment in the Master Mercurius Mystery series, enchants readers with a seamless blend of history, wit, and suspense. Set in 1686 Netherlands, the aging yet sprightly Doctor Mercurius is drawn into a scholarly debate on witchcraft between rival universities.

When a witch-finder is brutally murdered in a locked library, Mercurius's investigative skills come to the fore, revealing a tapestry of secrets in a landscape of religious tensions. Brack's narrative artistry shines as Mercurius's character, historical context, and a riveting locked-room mystery interweave, resulting in a captivating tale that entertains, educates, and intrigues.

Murder in Maastricht is perfect for fans of historical mysteries with a large touch of humor. It takes place in 1686 Holland. It’s the 7th in the Master Mercurius series but can easily be read as a stand-alone. This time, Mercurius is not caught up in the Stradhoulder’s business. Instead, he is off to be part of a debate on whether witches exist. He is arguing against their existence. The Catholic side calls a witch finder as a witness. The next day, the witch finder is found dead in a locked room. Given the lack of a weapon left behind and no way for the murderer to escape, many are of the belief that a demon is responsible. And Mercurius is asked to investigate the crime. “Armand had not been much of a witness when alive, but dead he spoke potently about the power of witchcraft.”
As with the prior books in the series, this one is smart and fun. A lot of recent books have covered the subject of witchcraft, but this one does it in a much lighter fashion while still managing to make the point that it was mostly men going after helpless women.
The ending was well thought out and kept me guessing until the reveal.
My thanks to Netgalley and Sapere Books for an advance copy of this book.

As someone who studies this historical time period, I felt that gave a good backdrop to the events of this mystery. That said, I feel it's readable enough for anyone to give it a go and enjoy a good mystery.

3.5★
“I apologise, of course, to any relatives of his who might be reading this. It must be painful to discover that you are descended from such a repulsive character.”

The book opens with middle-aged Mercurius regarding the bloody body of a man who was so disliked that limiting the search for the perpetrator to his enemies was almost no limit at all.

Doctor (formerly Master) Mercurius is 83, dictating stories from his history to his clerk, Van der Meer, who annoys Mercurius with snorts and barely disguised chuckles as he writes. This prompts many asides, interrupting the story.

“I’ve half a mind to add a bit to my will instructing that my gold is to be fed to a bull, then Van der Meer can have the fun of following it around with a bucket and spade collecting his legacy as it reappears.”

But I digress. This story takes place in 1686 in the Netherlands. Through the previous six episodes, Mercurius has grown from a shy young Dutch cleric to a more experienced Leiden University professor, nearing fifty, whose love of learning and libraries is what makes him happiest. It’s the ignorant, bored undergraduate students he complains about, often.

So when he is invited to take part in a debate at the far end of the country, almost in Belgium, he likes the idea of a break. The topic is witchcraft and witches – real or not. Fortunately, he and his Rector can argue not.

Along the way, they stop in Roermond.

“I was assailed by a tinker who offered me a candle shaped like a witch tied to a stake which, he assured me, would effectively mimic the burning of a witch when lit. When I pointed out that witches are usually burned from the feet upwards rather than from the head down, he hurriedly put the wretched object away and attempted to interest me in a lucky rabbit’s foot, to which I replied that since the rabbit had presumably had four of these but did not appear to have profited from them, I doubted their efficacy, at which the tinker used a filthy epithet and stalked away muttering about the clergy.”

On to Maastricht and the Catholic university where the debate will be held. Mercurius teaches at a Protestant university, but he has been secretly ordained as both a Protestant minister and a Catholic priest. Don’t ask – it’s all explained, but he has to watch his step here.

Fortunately we are not subjected to the EIGHT HOURS that each debater is allocated to speak! Finally, at the halfway point in the book, after learning more about identifying and killing witches, we get to the murder.

Mercurius has unwittingly made a name for himself as an investigator. When the murder is discovered, the Prior suggests keeping the situation inhouse.

“The Prior seemed uneasy. ‘Since this is church property, Your Grace, and it seems likely that the perpetrator is here among us, I should prefer Dr Mercurius to make such an inquiry. Relationships with the civic authorities are not always harmonious and if we open the gates to allow outsiders to enter we risk the escape of the man responsible.’”

I mentioned before that the victim was deeply unpopular. But at least they know the killer is in their midst. And that is all they know.

I enjoyed the investigation and the result. There were rather a lot of religious references, which I admit wear a bit thin with me (he is doubly ordained, so I should expect those), but the history is interesting and the witch stories are terrifically awful.

Fans will enjoy the humour and the language, which is written in a style that manages to sound old while mixing modern terms (“in the bag”) with the professor’s Latin.

I didn’t have quite the same sense of his being a part of history here, compared to his previous dealings with the artist Vermeer and working for the Dutch royalty who became English royalty, William of Orange and his clever wife, Mary, whom Mercurius greatly admires. But I guess it’s unrealistic to hope Mercurius will enjoy such exalted company very often.

I will stand by for his next adventure! I recommend reading these in order.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for the copy for review.

Another entertaining and funny addition to the Master Mercurius series, here we find him roped into travelling to Maastricht by his superior at Leiden University to debate whether the existence of witches are real!

Oh yeah these books are set in the 17th century so the said witch debate is about the witch trials and burning of women accused of being witches at the time.

When one of the parties is found murdered, it is again up to Mercurius to use his deduction skills to try and find the killer amongst them.

I’ve read all of the series and enjoyed most if not all of them. This one is a really solid addition it’s a relatively short book, even for this series and to be honest it’s the better for it.
It’s a fairly straight forward story and quite serene compared to previous books but it’s splattered with the usual humour throughout and well it’s just a really fun book to read.

If you haven’t read any of this series I’d highly recommend doing so. It’s flown somewhat under the radar and it’s a witty and smart collection that deserves more audience.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.