This is the eighth book in a very popular series set in 12th century Worcestershire. I am a latecomer to the party, but I thoroughly enjoyed the previous book River of Sins, Now, Under-Sheriff Hugh Bradecote and his grizzled ally Serjeant Catchpoll - along with apprentice lad Walkelin - investigate the murder of an irascible and little-loved nobleman, Osbern de Lench.

The late man had a habit of sitting on his horse atop a small hill near his house and gazing at his land. It was said that doing so calmed him down when he was in one of his more wrathful moods. On the fateful day the horse comes back alone and a search party finds de Lench stabbed to death. His family was certainly not a happy one. Baldwin, his son by his first wife (who died in a mysterious riding accident) has the same choleric temper as his father. There is a second son - the result of de Lench marrying again, but Hamo is very different from his half brother. He is studious and solitary and probably has what we now call Asperger's Syndrome.

Incidentally, there are three real-life villages near Worcester which rejoice under the names Church Lench, Ab Lench and Rous Lench, but I believe Osbern de Lench exists only in Sarah Hawkwood's vivid and blessed imagination. Back to the novel, and Bradecote & Catchpoll learn that de Lench had 'history' with other local landowners, but was this enough to link any of them to his death? And was Fulk, the family Steward providing home comforts to Lady de Lench, a woman not unused to being roughly dealt with by her husband? The seemingly pointless murder of Mother Winflaed, a harmless woman who ministers to the villagers with her herbal knowledge - and also delivers its babies - only adds to the confusion.

The ingredients that make up the chemistry between the three investigators is cleverly worked. Young Walkelin is callow, but clever and inquisitive, while Catchpoll's world-wearness is an excellent counter balance to Bradecote's more lofty idealism.

By no means is this a preachy or political novel, but Sarah Hawkswood has some pertinent points to make - via Hugh Bradecote - about the treatment and role of women, and the very real perils of childbirth. As a man of advanced years I can find much to moan about in current society, but modern obstetrics (at least in the western world) is something for which we should all be eternally grateful.

I am very much an amateur book reviewer, and there are probably hundreds of us who love to read, and are grateful for publishers and publicists who trust us to deal fairly with the books they send us. One of the downsides is that there is always a To Be Read pile, with deadlines to meet, and little chance to sit back and read purely for pleasure. I am determined, however, to find time to catch up with the previous books in this series. If they are all as good as this one, then my time will not be wasted

 This novel is thoroughly immersive and the blend of classic whodunnit, gritty historical detail and a sense of a glorious landscape now all but vanished is utterly beguiling. Blood Runs Thicker is published by Allison & Busby, and is available now.

My thanks to the Author publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This is the eighth book in this series but i was not aware of this and the book read perfectly as a standalone story. Well written and with a real feel and atmosphere of the setting and time. Quality engaging characters an absorbing intriguing read from start to finish, but not the greatest mystery I have ever read with little in the way of shock surprising twists.
Recommended.

A Blood Runs Thicker is the first book I've read by Sarah Hawkswood.

I confess, I struggled a little with the 'ye olde wordy' language and speech but soon became accustomed to it, and could settle into the mystery.

The story quickly gathers pace, and I was drawn into the mystery. The characters are well-sketched, and the interactions between Bradecote, Catchpoll and Walkelin lighten the narrative.

And the resolution of the mystery is deliciously complex and thoroughly enjoyable. I'll certainly be reading more of this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

Yet another Bradecote & Catchpoll winner from Sarah Hawkswood. These just get better and better. High literature they ain't but what they are is a good, entertaining read. Catchpoll and Bradecote bounce off each other so very well, and Wakelin is a good counterpoint to both. His character is developing so well that this series could actually now be called Bradecote, Catchpoll & Wakelin. However, if I have one criticism to make, it is that while we see something of Bradecote's home life, a peek into Catchpoll and Wakelin's domestic situations would be most welcome, and would round off the books nicely. It is almost as though they are less important that Bradecote, but there is no reason why this should be so since they do quite as much of the detective work as does the Lord Bradecote.

This storyline was quite standard fayre for the period that these books are set in - feudal Lords riding rough-shod over their underlings and taking exactly what they want, with no recourse for their unfortunate victims. Terrible to think that this was life for the majority in those days, and for women worst of all, since not even being a noblewoman was proof against this tyranny. Nevertheless, our three lawmen treat all with an even hand - whether high or low-born - and ease the oppression, if only temporarily. The story was well-paced and even though I guessed the perpetrator relatively early on, this was not due to poor plotting but more to behavioural analysis and just pure instinct on my part. There was a nice bit of suspense at the end, but it was over quite quickly, and not drawn out to the point where one begins to think 'just get on with it, already!'

I avidly await the next book in this series, to see where the trio's exploits will take them next.

As much as I prowl around the corridors of Amazon searching for medieval mysteries I cannot figure out how I've missed this series by Sarah Hawkswood. This is a prime example of putting a story in a specific time period and getting it all correct. The writing never accidently (or on purpose) jumps from 1144 into the present with jarring missteps. The characters in this story are well written and the solution to the crime of who killed Osben de Lench is a good puzzle for readers to try to solve. After seven previous books the main characters are well formed and represent the type of person the author presents them to be in a realistic way. I have to say that I am much impressed.

The formula for this story reminds me very much of a police procedural in medieval times. Hugh Bradecote, Undersheriff of Worcestershire, his Serjeant Catchpoll and Walkelin the serjeanting apprentice arrive in Lench tasked with finding who killed the lord of the manor and left him stripped of all but his underclothes. How de Lench died is apparent, why is another matter.

This was a real test for my solving skills and I never was positive about the culprit until all was revealed. I have already put the first book in this series on my Paperwhite and can only hope the first will satisfy as much as this eighth one did. Thank you to NetGalley and Allison & Busby for an e-galley of this novel.

I really enjoyed this medieval mystery, even though I haven't read the previous books in the series. I love that it was set during the civil war between King Stephen and Empress Maude as I have read other books about this and it was nice to read little tidbits of the greater world related to the civil war in this more insular story. The camaraderie between the undersheriff and his sergeant was great and I really liked their characters. The mystery itself was complex enough to hold my interest since the deceased had many enemies so the list of suspects was long. I would definitely recommend this book to mystery and history fans.

My 8th outing with Bradcote and Catchpoll #BloodRunsThicker and what a mystery! I'm not positive I can go back and enumerate the list of suspects, which seriously ebbs and flows!

From the publisher:"Osbern de Lench is known far and wide as a hard master. With an heir who is cast in the same hot-tempered mould, sworn enemies for neighbours, undersheriff Hugh Bradecote, the wily Serjeant Catchpoll and apprentice Walkelin have suspects aplenty."

Always an exciting tale is in store, for this place in time ,with an author who is very well versed in Medieval history. The author's narratives are sensitive to women's very understated but real roles in this society, as well as their sometimes powerlessness. Bradcote, as well as his two henchman, work so well together and attempt to empower those without legal status in Society.

Hamo, the second son was an especially interesting character with his odd quirks, but he and others such as the Healer, her assistant and a beggar or two were well tolerated by the trio. The Welsh Marches at this time were in anarchy between two Normans and hierarchy was very fluid and lawlessness abounded.

This a welcome return to the Medieval world of this entertaining Author .

Obnoxious local lord, Osbern de Lench , has taken his regular trip around his estate ......... but only his
horse returns .... a search takes place and he is soon found , dead .
The Sherriff despatches his best team of investigators - Hugh Bradecote, the undersheriff, Catchpoll, the serjeant & young Walkelin, the serjeanting apprentice.
They soon find a troubled environment of sibling rivalry , adultery , violence against women and neighbours' feuds - it appears that no one regrets the death of Osbern .
Our trio are hard pressed to find the murderer/murderers with many threads to untangle if they are to succeed
and solve the case ..

This a plot full of twists and turns , set in an era whose mores are different to our own . The Author draws a masterful picture that draws the reader in .........

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

I've come to this series somewhat late if this is book 8 but do you know what? I'm hooked and I have a back catalogue of 7 to enjoy so win win for me!

I love immersing myself in historical fiction and this was 1147 when even the names of places, the language and everything was so very different to what we know now. The language was something that really fascinated me and the work of the sheriffs and his deputies etc.

The characters are winderfully drawn and I would love to see this brought to the small screen! Hugh Bradecote, the undersheriff, Catchpoll, the serjeant & young Walkelin, the serjeanting apprentice would just be brilliant coming to life. Ooh now what about casting?

The novel is just one episode in a series of adventures and medieval yarns and I forsooth do believe that I shall be partaking of a few more whilst drawing cider from my silver tankard. See the effect it has!

This is my second Bradcote and Catchpoll mystery.
A very interesting and intriguing case, the clues scattered were not too obvious and I am sure amateur sleuths with their nose in the book would not solve it too easily!
I particularly like the observations about the status of women and although the two protagonists are men, Bradcote's character is turning out to be quite sensitive.
I also liked the character of Hamo. It was interesting to see how a person who is psychologically different (most probably on the autism spectrum) may have fit into that society. Of course, Hamo is the second son of a land owner and has the advantages others do not have... but it was nice to see that included.
The respect afforded to the Healer was also notable. I did not double check whether the concoctions used were authentic, but it was believable.
A good read on many levels.

As a Historical Fiction fan I am always looking out for something unique...and found it here. The story takes place in 1144 England laden with shady characters, murder, life and hardships of the time. Really like the cover, too. This is the eighth in the series but only my second.

Awful villainous master Osbern de Lench rides to his hill which overlooks his vast lands and relishes in taking it all in, as is his daily habit. But one day his horse returns to the hall without its master attached which of course raises questions. Not long after the corpse is found. Most people aren't exactly full of grief but the death must be investigated. Three men undertook this task...Hugh Bradecote, Catchpoll and Walkelin. Along the way, we see a lot of ill treatment of others by de Lech's progeny. We also see how badly women were treated then without any recourse. The story was interesting through to the end, including the resolution.

Historical Fiction readers ought to seek out this book. The historical details and vernacular are so well done! I also enjoyed the vivid descriptions (could practically envision myself there) and twists.

My sincere thank you to Allison & Busby and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fascinating and enthralling early copy.

An historical murder mystery set in the year 1144, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Historical fiction has become my go to genre, so I was pleased to discover a new author (and series) in Sarah Hawkswood.

With a plot that is well paced and characters with plenty of character, this was as enjoyable as others in the same genre such as CJ Sansom. Whilst some historical fiction can be overwhelming with period detail or even underwhelming, the author achieved a good balance with this book and I will definitely be picking up more of her books. It’s always a pleasure to find new authors who have a back catalogue!

I would recommend this book to all lovers of historical fiction and also those who enjoy a good whodunnit.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

"Blood runs thicker" by Sarah Hawkswood is a stunning Medieval whodunit that takes place in Worcestershire & its surroundings in 1144.
It's harvest time and a rather obnoxious local lord, Osbern de Lench is found dead and an investigation team is despatched by the sheriff to the site of the murder in order to figure out who killed Osbern. They are Hugh Bradecote, the undersheriff, Catchpoll, the serjeant & young Walkelin, the serjeanting apprentice.
Unfortunately our trio will find themselves immersed right away in a very troubled environment where sibling rivalry, simmering hate, adultery, neighbor feuds and violence against women are rife and trying to untangle all the threads that might lead to the murderer or murderers will not be that easy.....

Tightly plotted, full of twists & menaces, with very well drawn characters, this accomplished murder mystery is also a magnificent firework of Medieval English language and delicious historical details. It's definitely a winner!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Allison&Busby for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel prior to its release date

An historical murder mystery set in the Worcestershire of 1144. Osbern de Lench, a most unpopular lord, is known to ride to the top of the nearest hill daily to survey his land. When his horse returns rider less one day and his body is found soon after, it is up to Hugh Brandecote, undersheriff and Sergeant Catchpoll to find the murderer.

My first novel by Sarah Hawkswood, this is the eighth book in the Brandecote and Catchpoll Investigation series. It is not necessary to have read the other novels to enjoy this one, and enjoy it I did.

The plot is nicely paced throughout, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader’s interest. I found all the characters to be well-rounded. The author includes enough historical detail to gently paint the scene of twelfth-century England, whilst avoiding the pitfalls that so many historical novels fall into of providing too much contextual information which invariably then overwhelms the characters and plot. Hawkswood’s dialogue is also believable – neither too modern nor to prosaic.

Sarah Hawkswood is a fine author and I would whole heartedly recommend this novel to all readers of historical fiction.

My thanks to NetGalley and Allison & Busby Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.