Unfortunately this didn’t do much for me. I found the language confusing and difficult to follow. The reaches in logic they made to solve these mysteries were a bit too convenient and made it less appealing. The many characters were also difficult to keep up with but tbh that’s partially because this was my first book in the series and so I wasn’t familiar with all the characters like most would be. (less)

This book is the ninth in the Bradecote and Catchpoll medieval mysteries and it flows nicely with the previous books. When the body of an unpopular forest keeper is discovered, its face savagely torn away and it is suspected that the killer is a wolf or werewolf. The mystery was fun, very evocative and intriguing. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Oooh this was a good book! Remember to lock your doors and make sure the wolf you fear is the right one!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC which I received in return for an honest review.

This is the ninth in Sarah Hawkswood's Bradecote and Catchpoll medieval mysteries and she keeps up the pace, the intigue and the character development impressively.

The body of an unpopular forest keeper is discovered, its face savagely torn away. Was the killer a wolf, or, worse, a werewolf? Hugh Bradecote, Serjeant Catchpoll and their young assistant Walkelin must track down the murderer in spite of superstition, local feuds and a number of false clues. The end is a clever surprise (though there's a clue, if you can spot it) and the whole story is fast-moving and enjoyable.

Undersherrif Bradecote and Serjeant Catchpoll are back to solve another baffling mystery in England, 1144, along with Catchpoll’s assistant, Walkelin. The mystery opens with the policing team being asked to view a scene in a local cottage where it appears the owner has suffered ‘death by wolf’, a gruesome scene even for the experienced investigative team. Although facially unrecognizable the body is that of the extremely unpopular Durand Wuduweard, Feckenham’s keeper of the forest and Catchpoll immediately suspects something isn’t quite right. The discoverer of the body was coincidentally Wuduweard’s son, a known liar and cheat, who Catchpoll suspects is in it up to his neck. As tales of wolves spread fear throughout the village, it’s clear that, as unlikely as it seems, a wolf is the killer. But where is this wolf? Who owns it? How did it suddenly appear in Feckenham forest?
Hawkswood’s successful mediaeval series continues with this, book nine, which is riveting from the start, a very fast-paced, vivid read. Despite the gruesome subject, Hawkswood injects a wry humour into the verbal exchanges between the characters and Walkelin, who has been successfully ‘under-serjeanting’ for some time, might even be officially promoted. A highly recommended read.

Another charming and engrossing medieval murder mystery set in rural Worcestershire, involving thick anger, hatreds, and wicked activities that may or may not involve scary wolves. This new addition to this amazing series, which is cleverly structured and gifted with a cast of compelling characters. Although I have heard of but never read another book of the series, I intend to do so now.

This mystery was intriguing.  Is it a wolf or a werewolf? The cops are trying to figure things out.

The 9th story of Bradecote and Catchpool the Sheriff’s men in 12th century England are called to Feckenham where a body is found and a wolfs cry have been heard in the night. They must hunt the wolf as suspicion is leaving the villagers terrified and this terror moves quickly to other areas . More deaths leaves our men no option but to go hunting in the Kings forest. A spotlight on 12th century England keeps you page turning for more. Where most people stay close to home and follow in their fathers footsteps. A twisted tale that will need unraveling in this absorbing series.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this mystery. A dead man is discovered by his son, but even if he is disfigured everybody supposed is the father. The police is trying to find out the truth, is it a wolf or a werewolf?
The book is well written and the characters are enjoyable.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

Murder mysteries set in ancient times might be something I need to investigate further,as I thoroughly enjoyed this.
It took me a while to slip into the way of speaking,but once that was done,I flew through the book.
The first of the series,and already I'm keen for book 2.

*Many thanks to Sarah Hawkswood, Allison & Busby, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
I have beel following the series for quite some time for I find the plot, the characters, writing and language all beautifully crafted and constructed. This offering gives a little more voice to Walkelin, an apprentice in solving crime under watchful Bradecote and Catchpoll. A man is allegedly killed by a wolf but wolves are rare. How is that possible? Other killings follow and the mystery deepens. The explanation was a big surprise to me, which I appreciated a lot.
Ms Hawkswood focuses on detailed and well-researched descriptions of the times, the 12th century, and for me this is the main reason behind my enjoyment of the series. The people, the places and the language give you the feel of those times.

Another delightful and rollicking medieval murder mystery set in rural Worcestershire during the truculent and troublesome reign of King Stephan where my three favorite lawmen Bradcotte (undersheriff), Catchpoll (serjeant) and Walkelin (serjeant apprentice) are called upon to untangle some rather unsavory murderous shenanigans
involving deep seated hatred, grudges, jealousies and some malevolent acts that may or may not involve some terrifying wolves. Cleverly plotted and blessed with a cast of unforgettable characters this new addition to this incredible series should definitely be enjoyed during a full moon.....
Ms Hawkswood is a very talented wordsmith and she knows how to keep you on tenterhooks from start to finish.
An very entertaining medieval murder mystery that deserves to be enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever even if you will probably end up feeling like going outside by the end and start serenading the moon...🐺👍👍

Many thanks to Netgalley and Allison&Busby for this terrific ARC

Wolf at the Door is the ninth book in a medieval mystery series and although I have not read any of the previous books in this series I was able to enjoy this story very much! With mystery stories setting is just as important as the main characters and I am blown away by the vividness created by this author. I felt like I was back in the year 1144 and working to solve this mystery along with the MCs Sheriff William de Beauchamp's men, Bradecote and Catchpoll. The author was very authentic in her creation of this story and stayed true to the times with mannerisms, dialect, superstitions, and general way of living — I found myself researching things as I was reading the story to learn more about several historical items.

The mystery to be solved during this story is all about the big bad wolf, or was it a werewolf, and the mystical what haves of All Hallows’ Eve. Having the plot tied into the paranormal and superstitious nature of the villagers added another enjoyable aspect to the story. As for solving the central question of who the villain is — that’s something you have to experience as you read the story. I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone but I will say I wasn’t overly shocked when the villain was revealed, but the journey to the reveal is well worth reading.

I can’t wait until the next book and will be going back and reading the first eight books in the series.

4 Stars

This was the first book in a Bradecote and Catchpoll Investigation series I have ever read. While browsing NetGalley shelves I was intrigued by book's synopsis and decided to request it. And I can say that it was truly intriguing read. Although I needed a little bit of time to memorise names, I got used to them after a while. In addition, at the beginning I had so strong "The Hound of the Baskervilles" vibes, even in spite of the fact that the "Wolf at the Door" takes place in 12th century. This moment intrigued me even more!

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the arc copy in exchange for honest review.

A new instalment in Sarah Hawkswood's brilliant Bradecote and Catchpoll historical mystery series - Yippee! I was a latecomer to the series, but now it's one of my favourites.
It's All Hallows' Eve (now more widely known by the Scottish name Hallowe'en) 1144, and winter is closing in on rural Worcestershire. Father Hildebert, the parish priest of the village of Feckenham, is disturbed by a frantic pounding on his door. It's William, son of Durand Wuduweard, the local forest warden, reporting that his father lies dead, violently attacked inside his modest cottage not far from the village. Hurried investigations by the village hierarchy reveal a macabre scene - Durand's body has apparently been ravaged by a wolf!
Serjeant Catchpoll, accompanied by his apprentice-come-under-serjeant Walkelin, are dispatched to investigate by William de Beauchamp, lord Sheriff of Worcester. They're later joined, somewhat reluctantly, by under-Sheriff Hugh Bradecote, whose cherished lady wife, Christina, is shortly due to give birth to their first child together. Meanwhile, the irascible de Beauchamp gathers a hunting party to track down the wolf that's been heard howling in the area of the King's hunting lodge at Feckenham.
It doesn't take long for the investigative team to determine that things aren't as simple as they might first appear - while Durand's remains show signs of a canine attack, it makes no sense that a wild animal would enter his abode. Another brutal attack and a series of raids carried out by a band of brigands lead Bradecote, Catchpoll and Walkelin to suspect a criminal conspiracy surrounding Durand's death.
Wolf at the Door builds upon the excellent characterisation of the central trio from previous books in the series, with young Walkelin increasingly showing his maturity and detecting skills. Supporting characters are also well-conceived and believable, many of their preoccupations and conflicts underlining how little has really changed beneath the surface of human experience in the past millennium. The plotting around the mystery itself is complex and intriguing, well suited to Hawkswood's setting of the spooky forest, isolated dwellings and lonely pathways. I had the impression that Hawkswood has stepped up a gear in terms of historical content and language in this ninth instalment in the series, which lent even greater authenticity to the whole.
I believe Wolf at the Door would be a stimulating and enjoyable read, either as a standalone or in series order, for all readers who enjoy high quality mysteries and/or authentic mediaeval-era historical fiction. I'm curious as to whether the rights to the series have been sold for adaptation, as the books would make the basis of a fabulous television series.
My thanks to the author, Sarah Hawkswood, publisher Allison & Busby and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this title.

For the purposes of our novel, justice has been delegated to the Undersheriff of Worcestershire, Hugh Bradecote, his gruff and worldly assistant Serjeant Catchpoll, and Catchpoll’s protege, Walkelin. Our trio are sent out to investigate the death of the local woodward, however, this presents no easy task as there is talk of wolves, or more specifically, werewolves. For our investigators, reality is cloaked in superstition, and to solve this crime, they must strip away the unreal and present the actual to a community living in terror of the unknown.

All of the above aspects are woven together in a highly engaging tale; with the characters holding their own across the narrative. The reader gets a real feel for the period and its peoples, as they struggle not only with their daily lives but in reconciling what their beliefs and the opposing reality presents.

A series worthy of investing in.

Never having read anything by Sarah Hawkswood before, I was a bit apprehensive of requesting this part of an already well-progressed series. I shouldn't have worried! It is a great stand-alone read without the so often included, and extremely tedious, flashbacks to earlier books in other series. Also, I had no problem getting the characters straight. Catchpoll, Bradecote, Walkelin (especially Walkelin) and sheriff William de Beauchamp were beautifully developed; to my pleasure this was done through show rather than tell, so that their personalities kept evolving throughout the book. The plot is simply wicked, both in its conception and its execution! Although presented with a strong suspect right at the beginning of the mystery, the reader is as puzzled as the 'law' by subsequent offences that become increasingly daring and cruel. How does it all fit together? Why is so much senseless destruction happening and what is the benefit to the suspect? Is there an ultimate motive or goal? The suspense was making it really difficult to stop reading (or else to cheat - but never!!). The cherry on top for me was the setting. I love novels that play in the Middle Ages, and this was one of the best I've read so far. This means, of course, that I will have a lot of catch-up to do, to read the previous nine books in this series. I will do this in the coming winter, because it seems to me a wonderful way to spend cosy evenings curled up next to the fireplace.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this suspenseful eARC!

This is a welcome return to the 12th century and the world of Under-sheriff Lord Bradecote and Sergeant Catchpoll along with Catchpoll's new apprentice , Walkelin.
The mauled body of the Keeper of the King's Forest of Feckenham has been discovered - who or what has committed this brutal killing of a man despised by many ?
Whilst fear and speculation are rife it is down to our trio to solve the case - surely a wolf would not enter a house never mind a village .
The case takes Bradecote and Catchpoll along with Walkelin from one end of the Forest to the other in their search - unearthing a long held plot of retribution and revenge .

The Author brings to light the politics and the social and legal aspects of society in these tumultuous times .
This an entertaining book full of twists and turns that takes us to and ending that reflects the cruelty of the times

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

I love this historical mystery series (set during the anarchy of the 12th century in Worcestershire) and its characters, Undersheriff Lord Bradecote and Searjant Catchpoll, here also accompanied by young Walkelin, Catchpoll´s apprentice.
The 9th book in the series is rather dark, but written after a real crime. In the book a gruesome murder is commited on Durand Wuruweard, the keeper of the King´s forests. Judging from the title a wolf might be involved - or not? Or was it a werewolf? Rumours and fear circulate, and several other events confuse the clearing of the mystery..
Though the cruelty in this story is (as I found out in the end) not unusual in the mediaeval settings, it wasn´t so much to my taste, and the different figures and events sometimes confused me. On the whole I enjoyed the book though and the underlying humour especially in the main three "detectives". Looking ahead to the next installment in the series!
Thanks to Alison & Busby and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fast, Brilliant & Mysterious.....................................
Wolf at the Door by Sarah Hawkswood is a brilliant story with a perfect plot. A medieval story with lots of plot twists and surprises. The story will take you on a journey to medieval England. The cover is also a catchy one. I would highly recommend this book if you are a mystery fan. The book is a real Page- Turner and its a crime to miss such an amazing book. The climax was totally unexpected and mind blowing. I would give 5 stars for the book.

Dark deeds in medieval times!

It’s All Hallows’ Eve 1144. The mauled body of the Keeper of the King’s Forest of Feckenham, near Worcester, is discovered. Unfortunately it turns out a man disliked by all. The villagers are whispering wolves or even a Werewulf!
Undersheriff Lord Hugh Bradecote and Serjeant Catchpoll are called into investigate. Puzzling! After all, “What wolf would enter a village?” and into a home? What they found was murder and a deeply lain plot of revenge and retribution that led from one end of the King’s forest to the other. Too many coincidences need to be turned into cold, hard proof.
I loved the way Walkelin, Catchpoll’s serjeanting assistant, begins to come into his own. He’s a quick study and begins to even sound a little like his mentor.
Beyond that Hawkswood gives us a fascinating look into the various stratus of society and the way all interacted; the social, political and legal aspects.
So enjoyable!

An Allison & Busby ARC via NetGalley