The Inquisitor

Turns out I'd read this before - in 2012 - though it took a few chapters to remember, and I persevered because it was a good tale.
Catherine Jinks is an excellent writer, and she recounts this story in first person. The view is that of an Inquisitor in the South of France. It is a subtle, intricate and compelling story. The novel covers dark subjects, suffering and fanacticism - but it is also often witty. This is historical fiction of a very high standard.

I've had this one sitting on my bookshelves for some time now, and finally decided to pick it up and read.

Mystery set in 14th century France at the time of the Inquisition - so right up my alley. The narrative is set out as a recounting (or an accounting) of events that took place shortly after the arrival of a new superior, Fra Augustin Duese, in the first person, by the main character Brother Bernard Peyre of Prouille.

Without giving too much away, this debut work focuses on a small area in Southern France, known for it proliferation of heretics commonly referred to as Cathars. Whilst overburdened with his work for the Holy Office of the Inquisition, Bro. Bernard is now called upon to solve a mystery involved the murder of one of the show more Inquisitorial officers. It is a time rife with religious controversy, heresy, suspicion and deception as small villages close ranks against the Inquisition.

The novel is well researched, giving the reader an ample glimpse of the times, the culture, the social structures as well as providing a good "murder mystery" that needs to be solved. The characters were suitably structured (and combative) for the time period, although there were times when Bro. Bernard grated on me and I wanted to give him a good old fashioned slap.

However .... as we the reader get ever closer to the denouement and solution, things take a turn (or twist) and this is where the ending felt rushed and rather unsatisfactory for my liking.

I am sure this will appeal to many - it did to me afterall. show less

Similar to The Name of the Rose

Cinco años después de trabajar al servicio del famoso inquisidor del siglo XIV, Bernard de Gui, Helié Bernier se ha convertido en un respetable fabricante de pergaminos y está intentando olvidarse de su vida de engaño. Pero todo cambia cuando recibe un encargo de la Inquisición que lo obliga a retomar su antigua actividad: infiltrarse en un grupo herético y averiguar el paradero de un inquisidor que había intentado desenmascararlo. En sus pesquisas, Bernier se ve envuelto en una peligrosa conspiración, pero deberá llevar a cabo la misión que se le ha encomendado sin perder de vista su obligación moral de revelar la Verdad.