S. D. Sykes

After a tragedy in England Oswald de Lacy is haunted and has set off on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. However he has got no further than Venice as the city is besieged by the Hungarians and no ships are sailing. Lodging with an English merchant known to his mother, Oswald indulges in the hedonistic side of Venetian life and finds himself in debt. Then the grandson of his landlord is found murdered and Oswald is forced to investigate, partially for money, partially because his mother is crowing show more about his skills and partially because he cares for the wife of the house.

This is the third outing for Sykes' reluctant medieval sleuth and the setting has changed from Kent to Venice. This is a welcome diversion as it places characters in greater proximity to each other in the city setting. Sykes' research and ability to conjure up that elusive sense of time and place are excellent as ever. I particularly liked the psychological issues that de Lacy was undergoing and the fact that they were not explained until deep into the book. this is solid and entertaining series of books. show less

A historical mystery with the word plague in the title and a cover featuring a painting by Bruegel the Elder—who could resist? Plague Land is a great read on multiple levels: a solid mystery, a detailed depiction of life in rural England in the mid-1300s, and also a study of the role of Plague in reshaping the political and social order of the time.

For the first third or so of this novel, I thought I was reading something pretty good, but not necessarily great. Later in my reading, I show more realized that Plague Land was the first thing I reached for when I unexpectedly awoke at 6 a.m. On a Saturday. It takes a special novel to trump an extra few hours of sleep on the weekend.

The narrator and central character, Oswald de Lacy, a third son destined for life as a monk, is called home as lord of the manor after his father and two older brothers are struck down by Plague. Not long after his return home, a murder is uncovered. Oswald, an agnostic who nonetheless was comfortable with his life in the monastery, is already having enough trouble stepping into his unexpected new role. Then the local priest starts stirring up the community claiming the murder is the work of cynocephalae, demon-possessed, dog-headed men.

At first Oswald is something of a cypher. He tells his story, but shares little of his inner life, so while readers are engaged by events, they feel at arm’s distance from him. But slowly Oswald’s actions begin to speak for him, and as readers learn more about his world-view he becomes increasingly interesting.

Though the plot is less complex, this novel reminds me (in a good way) of Eco’s The Name of the Rose. A young postulant who remains innocent of the “ways of the world” is troubled by the new view of humanity he’s gaining. His mentor, in this case the apothecary at the monastery where Oswald’s been living, tries to interpret the world for him, simultaneously protecting and enlightening him.

I bought this book for the cover, and I have no regrets. Sykes’ blend of puzzle, history, and analysis makes for fascinating reading. show less

1350 and England is a country recovering slowly from the effects the Plague. In Kent Oswald de Lacy is recalled from his life of contemplation in a monastery to become Lord Somershill – his father and two elder brothers having been killed by the terrible disease. He returns to find trouble, there are few people to work his land and his sister is hostile, but then the body of young girl is found. She has been murdered and the local priest claims it is the work of the ‘Dogheads’, a group show more of demons who need to be purged from the land. Beset by enemies among his neighbours and even within his own household Oswald is compelled to investigate the escalating numbers of deaths.

The setting of this book just after the Black Death is quite unusual and the sense of misery and superstition is very well created. Oswald is a young, inexperienced and naïve protagonist which adds a further dimension to the tale as he makes untold number of ‘mistakes’. The gentry are shown to be little better than their villeins, just able to wield more power, and the motivations of the key characters are realistic. The twist in the tale, when it comes, is a good one and, although hinted and alluded, is quite surprising. All told, this is an entertaining read. show less

Sinister Eden Castle is the worst place to wait out the plague, and that choice of "safe haven" makes S.D. Sykes's The Bone Fire her best Somershill Manor mystery yet. Plague outside the walls, a killer on the loose within. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for locked room mysteries, and The Bone Fire delivers a multi-layered mystery that's fun to solve.

I've been a fan of this series from the first book, Plague Land, and it was interesting for me to witness how characters who had show more survived the first plague in 1348 behaved when it returned in 1361. Interesting facts about the era in which the book is set are seamlessly woven into the story. Oswald's friend Godfrey has prepared for a long siege, having his chosen guests bring in food and other necessities, while he carries out his own plans: the few servants in the castle are all female because females eat less, food storage is given top priority, and even entertainment is taken care of by hiring a fool.

The mystery is intricate, and you'll be surprised at just how much scuttling and hiding a few characters can do in a relatively small castle. Buttonholing each character and trying to find out his true agenda is quite a job, and as Oswald tries to do just this, he realizes his true task: "I was not a hero or a pariah. I was a nemesis." I would imagine I'm not the only person who immediately thinks of Miss Marple whenever I see the word nemesis, and Oswald definitely needs all of that woman's skills of deduction.

The setting is excellent, and so is the mystery, but the characters truly drive the story. Oswald has matured so much from the first book in the series. He's doing much less investigative stumbling around in The Bone Fire. His marriage is an interesting one, too. I still can't stand Oswald's mother, but the purpose of the supremely frustrating woman makes much more sense now. (Shame on me, but I'm still hoping that the next round of plague does her in.) The secondary cast of characters reads like something out of Chaucer: a lord and his lady, a knight, a religious extremist, a court jester, a drunk, a couple of traveling craftsmen-- and they all have an important place in this story.

If you enjoy historical mysteries, I urge you to read this series. Although best read in order, you can read The Bone Fire as a standalone. (But I hope you don't.) show less