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

When a novice nun is found murdered in bizarre circumstances, Brother Rodric Chandler is called upon by his friend Sir Arnold Archer, a city coroner, to help him investigate. Chandler is an expert on poisons and is a frequent visitor to the Tower to question prisoners.

With its setting in the years of conflict between Richard II and Henry Bolingbroke, and a guest appearance by Geoffrey Chaucer, I was all set to love this book. But I couldn't relate to, like, or believe in Chandler, and some of the other characters - Mattie the maid and Archer - weren't believable, either. For a mystery it's slow, though there's plenty of plot. But it takes more than plot to make me invest in a book.

I have attempted to read this book but due to the fact that there was a pandemic, my attention span and focus was quite diminished which ended up a bad state to attempt to read the book in. I cannot give my full opinion on the book because I did not finish it, but it was not you, book, it was me.

Brother Chandler, A Delight....
A Brother Chandler mystery. The first in a new medieval mystery series which introduces Brother Rodric Chandler, friar and reluctant spy and sleuth. Well researched and rich throughout in historical detail, the mystery runs through it nicely although plot, perhaps, a little confusing in places due, in part, to complexity. Brother Chandler himself, a delight. Engaging reading.

Brother Chandler was definitely an interesting character. He isn’t a stand out hero and doesn’t always have pure motives, but he was an enjoyable character. I liked the different points of views as well, the author did a good job transitioning between them. I will read the 2nd.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.

The Hour of the Fox is the debut novel in a new medieval mystery series by Cassandra Clark. Released 2nd June 2020 by Severn House, it's 314 pages (ebook) and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a cleverly plotted and well written but densely historical novel set during the very late years of the 14th century. Titular protagonist Brother Chandler is a clever spy/cleric reluctantly in the employ of Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV), one of the major players in the jockeying for the English crown. He and his friend, Sir Arnold Archer, a city coroner, investigate the murder of a novice who belonged to a neighboring religious order and try not to get arrested or murdered themselves.

This is definitely a promising start to a series for lovers of medieval mysteries. The historical background is meticulously presented and lovers of the history and intrigue of the English crown will find much to enjoy here. For readers less engaged in the background story and larger picture, I fear much of the story will be lost in the minutiae of who was doing what to whom and who was allied with who (and they're nearly all related: fathers and sons, brothers and uncles, all trying to kill or discredit one another). I enjoyed it immensely and found myself drawn along with the mystery and intrigue. This is one which will be gobbled up by fans of Candace Robb's Owen Archer series (set 30some years earlier), and it rang the same bell for me as many of the Brother Cadfael books or even Graves' prodigious epic I, Claudius (completely different time periods of course, but the rigorous background history is the same). Fans of the author's other series will also likely enjoy this one very much.

Well written and plotted, and the dialogue rang true for me. There's a weird/intriguing cameo from Chaucer (yes, that Chaucer) and his household with foreshadowing for future installments. I'm definitely interested in following this one up. It's a cerebral and complex mystery set against a backdrop of complex political upheaval. It's not particularly easy or fluffy reading.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The first book in a new historical mystery series and what a good debut, the mystery was intriguing and I can't wait to know more about the characters

London 1399 and the city is full of rumours that the exiled Henry Bolingbroke is returning to England to claim his birth-right whilst his cousin the King is in Ireland. Rodric Chandler, friar of the Order of St Serapion, manages to fulfil his holy calling whilst acting as a spy. He is alerted when the body of a young nun is found in the river and attempts to investigate her death are blocked. His neighbour, the poet Chaucer, has taken in a young Flemish girl whose original master has fled. When news of Bolingbroke reaches London it is even more shocking, he has deposed the King and Richard is now his prisoner.
Clark is a superb writer of medieval tales focused on a central character of the cloth, here Chandler is set to become an anti-hero, the Friar who is not so devout. The attention to the detail of medieval life is drawn finely and the plot sits neatly into a turbulent period of history. I actually liked the fact that the death of the nun was so incidental to the main movements of the plot, making this less of a historical murder mystery and more of historical thriller.

Cassandra Clark immerses the reader in the intrigue at the Hour of the Fox when Brother Chandler seeks the murderer of a novice and tries to follow his duties as a follower of Lancaster during the downfall of King Richard II. Amoral and immoral times. Intricate plotting and interesting interplay of court and London streets. Hopefully there will be more in the series.

Brother Chandler is a spy for Henry Bolingbroke cousin to King Richard in 1399. Investigating the death of a young nun with his friend the coroner Chandler will come to question his loyalty and becomes obsessed with this mysterious death. There is much hysteria in London at this time of the War of the Roses this story catches the atmosphere of spies upon spies everywhere you doubt that your even on the right side. This is very much a politics driven plot that gives you a glimpse into the changes of the time.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“The Hour of the Fox” by Cassandra Clark is set in England in the summer of 1399. Rodric Chandler is not a very nice person – a priestly interrogator sorting out plots and traitors against one of the claimants to the throne of England. The author also writes the Abbess of Meaux series, so she knows her medieval timelines. Unfortunately, unless a reader wants to take a crash course in English history, you might find this book very heavy going.

And the mystery in this book, which ends up getting rather short shrift, is that of a murdered young woman, a novice from one of the local convents. Brother Chandler goes about finding justice for her, but by the time you get to the finish – if you get that far – you might not much care.

Chapters go from third person to first person in the voice of Mattie, a maid who ends up in the service of Geoffrey Chaucer (the famous writer just kind of gets thrown in there). She’s here only to stir up emotions for our Chandler fellow and make comments on what’s going on. Just seemed like a waste of time and serious padding to me, slowing everything down further. As did the scenes with Arnold Archer, the coroner, who’s interested in alchemy. Chandler investigates this, too, further slowing down the narrative.

There’s lots of scenes of intrigue and more intrigue and fighting and talking about fighting for the crown. Can’t fault the author for doing her research, illustrating the fear and hysteria and foreboding that was no doubt going on at the time. That’s pretty much what this book is all about. But, it took too long to get through all this, and ultimately, I found the characters, including Chandler, unpleasant, and the plot muddled and convoluted.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for this review.

I have read and enjoyed the Abbess of Meaux series by this Author so was looking forward to this new main character set in Medieval England , during the War of the Roses in 1399.
The Author is very good at bringing the times . sights and smells of the era to light , enriching the whole reading experience .

A young woman is found dead , a novice nun from the nearby Convent .
Friar , Brother Rodric Chandler a regular visitor to the Tower to question prisoners , is tasked by his friend Sir Arnold Archer , a city Coroner , to help him with his investigations .
Who can be trusted , why was the young novice killed , can Brother Rodric solve the mystery ?
The plotting and politics of the times are central to the story , even our main character is not immune … he does not always agree with his patron's views often disagreeing over differing points of view .
Relationships are tested , truths come to light but still ambiguity remains .

As always the Author has produced yet another complex , character driven book of a high standard

I was given an arc of this book by NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Medieval mystery intrigues!

Politics and power in 1399 medieval England as seen through the eyes of a a reluctant spy / investigator, friar Brother Rodric Chandler These are the times of Richard II, Henry Bolingbroke and the Duke of Lancaster. Chandler is in the employ of Bolingbroke, although he does appear conflicted about his role, not that this stops him.
He's a regular visitor to the Tower to question prisonersChandler is astute, an expert in herbs' has a "practical knowledge of poisons", and is well versed in languages.
A turning point for Chandler is when a dead novice is found naked and seemingly drowned. Chandler has been called by his friend Sir Arnold Archer to help him with his investigations. Eventually Chandler finds he cannot let the mysterious death go, even though he has instructions to the contrary. The novice's death is a small flashpoint marking the turning of the political future.
Chaucer plays a part, although I'm still unsure about what his game is.
Chandler's household is a strange one. I found his servant Beata troubling. Their relationship has unresolved sexual undertones.
His friend Archer, one of the City coroners, is a seeker of the mysteries of alchemy along with a group of "fellow Lollard alchemists." Chandler worries for his friend being in the company of Wycliffe's followers. Lollards were aligned with Richard, increasingly a dangerous relationship.
In Matilda Nijmegen a maid of a household whom Chaucer helped, who has become part of Chaucer's household, we see the making of a spy. Chaucer encourages her in this. Fascinating! As is the relationship developing between Mattie and Chandler.
Chandler is gradually opening up before our eyes. I am sure there are further depths and secrets to explore. Something I look forward to.
I'd forgotten that the nursery rhyme "The Grand Old Duke of York" was a satirical comment of this time. It was a clever and whimsical touch by Clark to make that segue, adding color to this already colorful mystery.
The last we see of Chandler, he leaves Windsor in Thomas Swynford’s entourage heading North. Who rides in as Chandler rides out it is cloaked by Swynford's departure--another question!
This period is a fascinating vehicle for the novel. Ripe with death, greed, and the pursuit of power, including questions of freedom of worship and the divine right of kings. An intriguing read!

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley

Even if it's well written I couldn't related to the MC and the story fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opiniions are mine.

This book was tough for me to get through. I found it confusing. I'm still not sure who murdered the poor victim or why. I'm sure it's just my thought processing that has made things unclear to me.

July 1399 To the background of the turmoil times between Richard II and his cousin Henry Bolingbrook, a body of a female novice from Barking Abbey is discovered, naked, murdered, at Dowgate. Sir Arnold Archer, London Coroner, and Brother Rodric Chandler, (spy for Bolingbrook) investigate.
An enjoyable well-written historical (fictional) mystery, the writer easily makes the characters come alive in your mind as you read the story. A good solid start to a new series.

I was disappointed with this book. The protagonist was very difficult to relate to, and the mystery was rather convoluted for me. I enjoyed the period of history, but it was obscured by obnoxious characters and a mystery I didn't care for.

I read a LOT of historical mysteries, and Cassandra Clark's The Hour of the Fox stands out from the usual fare. To give a brief overview: This novel is set during the War of the Roses at the time of Henry Bolingbroke's triumph over Richard II. Everyone is plotting on behalf of one side or the other—sometimes both. A young nun has been found murdered and Brother Chandler and his friend Arnold Archer, the London Coroner, attempt to solve the puzzle of her death, which, it becomes increasingly clear, has been ordered by someone high up among the nobility.

The central mystery works well, but it's other aspects of the novel that really make it stand out.
• Chandler isn't a heroic figure—he's in the midst of the plotting like everyone else.
• Chandler and Arthur's relationship has genuine points of strain; their disagreements are significant and not just plot devices.
• Some chapters, the only ones written in first person, are in the voice of a maid working in a household near Chandler. Seeing him through her eyes makes his character even more complicated and interesting.
• Chaucer lives across the street!
• With no heavy-handedness, Clark very aptly depicts the danger Henry's rise to power presented for the Lollards.

Given all this, I am very much hoping this book will be the start of a series. I've read volumes in some of Clark's other series and have found them enjoyable, but The Hour of the Fox takes things up several notches in terms of characterization and effective ambiguity.

I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Severn House via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

Our tale picks up the pace in the last third or so, and the pieces are moved around the chessboard and Chandler slowly begins to put things together. All in all, this was a decent historical novel, with the promise of much more to follow.

However, there were some things that I found myself questioning, and this was mainly the character of the servant girl Mattie. Her role is never really clearly defined except to introduce us to Chaucer and as a possible "man on the street" type observer. I failed to really see what either character contributed to the story. Are we to see more of both Chaucer and Mattie in further novels - if not, then why were they included in the first place - they are both surplus to requirement. I also could not understand why the Mattie narrative was in the first person and Chandler's was in the third person. The use of separate chapters (as was done) to direct the storyline would have worked just as effective. In fact, the character that I was most interested in was the crafty Knollys - now there is a character with a story to tell!

I do look forward more in this proposed new series.

fuller review here @ Melisende's Library - https://melisendeslibrary.blogspot.com/2020/04/review-hour-of-fox-by-cassandra-clark.html

This is the first book I have read by Cassandra Clark. Although I know she has a successful series, with the Abbess Hildegard books, this is the start of a new series and so I thought I would give it a try.

It is set in the hot summer of 1399, during the end of the trouble reign of King Richard II. Amongst the turmoil surrounding the throne, we meet Brother Chandler, who is called to investigate the death of a young novice. There is also the story of a wine merchant, taken to the Tower, and of how the family deal with his arrest. Much of this story is told through the eyes of a young servant, which does give another view of events.

Although this was an interesting setting and I enjoyed the character of Chandler and his conversations with his neighbour, Chaucer, who has a nice cameo role, this was slightly disconcerting in places. Although a first novel in a series, it seemed to jump directly into the plot, without introducing the reader to the roles of those involved. Sometimes this works, but it was handled a little clumsily, I felt. Possibly, the author, used to a long running series, wish to avoid the laboured feel of an opening novel, but I am not sure she quite pulled it off.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review. Rated 3.5.