Veil of Lies

This is the first in a series about Crispin Guest, a disgraced knight, who is now working as a finder, the Tracker he is called; someone who discovers culprits or things people have lost. Living in rather abject poverty, he remains scrupulously honest, insisting that his self-appointed servant, Jack, return purses he has picked. Crispin had unfortunately allied himself with the Lancastrians when Richard II became king and his conduct being considered treasonous lost everything except his life, thanks to the intervention of his Duke.

Guest is hired by a local merchant to follow his wife and discover whether she has been unfaithful. Guest does so and witnesses her adultery. Before he can make his report, his employer is murdered in a show more locked and sealed room. Not having had a chance to collect his fee, Crispin is then approached by the man's widow who wants to engage him to find a relic, a cloth with the image of Jesus. When in its presence, people cannot lie.

The plot inevitably thickens and soon involves threats to control England's economic future, a battle for control of the cloth the intersection of assorted other sub-plots.

I'll read more in the series, but I knocked off a couple of the infamous stars, as I felt the plot lines remained indistinct as did the rather confusing battle scene on the bridge at the end of the novel. Nevertheless, I liked the gritty realism of 1384 and the book is certainly as good as many other historical mysteries out there. show less

This was Jeri Westerson's first book featuring Crispin Guest. As a HUGE Brother Cadfael fan, the inner fly got me thinking: Well, why *aren't* more medieval detectives non-religious? (I mean that as not dominated by religious orders.). Westerson weaves an interesting tale involving relics, medieval nobility, murder, identity theft and property law in a way that is almost unexpectedly interesting and refreshing. Guest does a turn as an outside-the-margins former noble with a knack for solving crimes. He also doesn't use much in the way of modern reasoning or detection methods, as far as I can tell.

The one drawback of the book, for me, is that Westerson imagined Crispin so vividly, I always felt like I had missed an earlier book. In fact, show more I suspect strongly that she wrote an earlier novel (never published) just to establish the characters in this one. She's since written three more in this series, and I can't wait to get my hands on them! I'm often not a fan of noir, but the setting and the quality of the writing override all other considerations for me in this excellent story. show less

A well told tale of Crispin Guest, an ex-knight in 14th century London who is known as the tracker. Crispin is a medieval private investigator who, supported by his young would-be squire Jack, starts out on an investigation of the extra-marital activities of a wealthy merchant's young wife but are soon caught up in a murder, a search for a holy relic and a plot to undermine the King.
An enjoyable read that gained my interest from the start and held it throughout. I'm looking forward to the next installment of Crispin Guest's adventures.

A very entertaining mystery introducing 14th century sleuth Crispin Guest. Disgraced and stripped of his title and knighthood, Crispin must use his wits and knightly skills to eek out a meager living on London's mean streets. While the mystery itself is fairly straightforward, Westerson's true strength lies in the vivid, gritty world she creates for Crispin, whose bitterness and noble hubris sabotages his attempts to accept and thrive in the lower class he now belongs to.

I'm always a little wary when I pick up a first novel, but Jeri Westerson has restored my faith. Kudos to Jeri for persevering through fourteen years of trying to get published and to Minotaur Books for giving her a chance. Veil of Lies is by far the best first novel I've read this year. In fact, it doesn't feel like a first novel at all.

Veil of Lies "a medieval noir" set in 1384 London that combines Westerson's love of medieval history and hard-boiled detective fiction. The history behind the mystery is obviously well-researched. Westerson convincingly portrays this time period. Yet there is also a timelessness to the story, which I think reflects mid-20th century detective fiction. The main character is Crispin Guest, a disgraced show more knight, that uses his wits and training to solve crimes. His sidekick, Jack, is a lovable character, reminiscent of Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. There is, of course, a damsel in distress too. Westerson's character development is excellent and her plot is well-crafted. From cover to cover, Veil of Lies held my attention. This is a winner for any fan of historical fiction and/or mystery.

I'm thrilled that Westerson already has another Crispin Guest novel in the works and will eagerly await its publication. Veil of Lies is scheduled for release on October 28, 2008, and I urge you to buy it the second it hits the shelves. show less

Crispin Guest is a one-time knight, erstwhile traitor against Richard II, and is now known as The Tracker, making his living by finding things for people. A wealthy cloth merchant seeks his services to discover if his wife is being unfaithful and although Crispin doesn't like that kind of sordid work, he takes the job for want of money. And then the merchant gets himself murdered and things go all hooey.

I generally don't care for noir mysteries, but a medieval noir sounded just interesting enough to tempt me. I love Guest's character and the writing's pretty good, but I still don't like noir, and those elements of the story were what kept me from loving it. There's a fun twist toward the end that I didn't see coming, but overall the show more mystery wasn't all that seat-edgy, either. So, it was okay but not fabulous. show less

March 17, 2011
So I've just reread Veil of Lies (thank you local library) by Jeri Westerson as a prelude to reading her latest novel, The Demon's Parchment. This has been burning a hole in my Kindle pocket since I bought it before Christmas - as are a couple of titles. Now to reread Serpent in the Thorns and then start on my Westerson's latest title! Yay!
Meanwhile, back at Jeri Westerson and Crispin Guest....The Tracker. I do love Crispin's soliloquies as he back and forths between now being one of the common people and in his heart of hearts holding to the fact that he is a Knight. Albeit a knight stripped of title, lands, and betrothed due to treason. He ill advisedly joined a movement to place his mentor and Lord, John o Gaunt, the show more Duke of Lancaster on the throne rather than the boy king Richard, in 14th Century England.
Now he frequents thieves dens and pot houses in the underbelly of a truly dank and dreadful London, with his trusty but unwanted servant boy Jack who sticks to Crispin like a burr. Here he barely makes a living, pitting his wit and knife (no sword now) in such endeavors that may earn a very minimal living as ‘The Tracker’-- investigator for hire.
Westerson likens Crispin Guest and her Medieval Noir to the Sam Spade of medieval London at ' a period rife with intrigue, codes of honor, mysterious doings and dim, shadowy light.' (Veil of Lies- Afterwards)
... and Crispin does have that hard boiled honorable edge, coating the occasional softness inside. In this chapter of his life he is hired to track the wherefores of a young wife (Philippa Walcote), has to solve two murders, gets caught up in courtly and international intrigue, physically beaten by the Sheriff at almost every encounter, pursued by foreign thugs (of the Mafia disposition) with a Saracen thrown in for good measure, and falls in love, all the while tracking an obscure, mystical and dangerous religious artifact. The Mandyllon, the face cloth of Christ that in Westerson's fiction forces those in it's presence to only ever tell the truth, to reveal their 'true image' their 'true self.'
A fascinating and fulfilling contribution to the Medieval Mystery genre. I am looking forward to my reread of Serpent in the Thorns. show less