The Book of Fires

Book of Fires, aka The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan #14, was very entertaining and enjoyable. Volume #13 had a bit too much murder, did the author read me review, for this one was a lot different. The priest solves a series of interconnected mysteries, both connected with Church and society.

Having only read a few of the 14 books, I particularly this time enjoyed the homey peeks at Athelstan's household. His friends also were quite well fleshed out and endeared all of them to me. I plan to get some more to read now.

The John of Gaunt era, and his problems with the common man  or "Upright Men", apparently permeated and infiltrated the entire land and very strata of society. Brother Athelstan, as pastor of a cohesive flock, has a warm and fatherly ( or perhaps brotherly) concern for his parishioners. He is highly esteemed by many, the Coroner most of all!

Read this mystery and learn about Greek Fire and how it came to be utilized in medieval England, and why. Also "Who is the terrifying Fire Bringer – and what does he want? Was Isolda really guilty of murder?" 

You will love this one!  Thanks Netgalley, 4 1/2 stars!

This is an interestingly written book that touches on history and brings a fresh feel to the era. Not all books can be written about a priest and still maintain an interesting feel and flow, yet this one does just that. The characters feel thought out, researched into who they may have been and developed nicely. The plot has a unique feel to it and a good flow making this both interesting and enjoyable to read.

All reviews appear on Amazon, Goodreads, LibraryThing plus LT Facebook and Twitter, eyes.2c review blog

Amazon    http://www.amazon.com/Book-Fires-Medieval-featuring-Athelstan-ebook/dp/B00P6NG7Q2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1420216350&sr=1-1&keywords=book+of+fires     (Jan. 2, 2015) 

LibaryThing and LibraryThing Facebook and Twitter   http://www.librarything.com/work/15328753/summary/115041111     (Jan. 2, 2015)

Goodreads   https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1147004532   (Jan. 2, 2015) 

eyes.2c reviews blog  http://eyes2creviews.blogspot.ca/2015/01/medieval-mystery-at-its-bestmedieval.html   (Jan. 2, 2015) 

Medieval mystery at its best!

A young woman, Lady Isolda Beaumont is condemned for the murder of her powerful merchant husband and burned alive at the stake. Walter 'Black' Beaumont, an expert in canons, was known to hold the secret to creating explosive fires, and was rumoured to have Mark the Greek's 'Book of Fires' stolen from the Greek emperor in Constantinople. The Book contained the secret of Greek Fire, a highly volatile substance that will ignite even when thrown on water.
Isolda's  judges are being attacked, doused by a mysterious liquid, set alight and burnt alive by a mysterious harbinger of destruction . Are those with old and malignant grudges and discord seeking retribution?
Brother Athelston with his old friend and sleuth Sir a John Cranston are caught up in the mystery behind the murder of the merchant and the attacks on the judges.
Brother Athelston is also stunned by a sudden miracle in his church. A man crippled and burnt down one side is suddenly healed!
At the same time many of his parishioners are caught up in the movement of the Upright Men against John of Gaunt, against the deprivation that they are being forced to endure.
The mystery deepens, plots intertwine and Athelston's patience and understanding are stretched to the limit by the momentous happenings that are brought into play.
Doherty's writing is tight, his descriptive prose has the conditions of the times leaping off the page. One can feel the squalor and turgid surroundings of the streets through which Athelston trudges. Athelston's humble abode is a tranquil pool of stillness amongst the tensions of the surrounding countryside. 

A NetGalley ARC