Dragons of Archenfield

The commissioners come to Hereford to look into Domesday Book irregularities along the Welsh border as tensions from cross-border raiding mount.

At first I thought this book was a bit of rehash of the earlier books as far as the obvious bad guy went (he didn't have a moustache to twirl but I'm sure he would have if he'd thought of it) but then it started going off in some interestingly different directions. And I'm glad to see Brother Simon is coming out of his shell a bit - he's got a wicked sense of humour.

I am upset with myself that it has taken me so long to discover Edward Marston. The Domesday series is a winner! This is the third in the series, and it is totally wonderful! The Domesday Book has taken Ralph and Gervaise to the Welsh/English border, and they encounter a real hornet's nest there. They are dealing with two very dangerous March lords who are trying to establish their hold on the lands that they feel they are entitled to. The problem is that the Welsh also feel that they have a claim, and before the book is done a squaring off is done that has the potential to take a lot of lives. These books are totally wonderful! They are rich with period detail and best of all they are set in a little known period of England's history ( show more During the time of William the Conqueror). The characters are strong, the story is strong, and the mystery is tight. Altogether a real treat show less