Crispin Guest Book #10
Medieval noir by Jeri Westerson
GENRE : #Medieval-mystery
My rating: ★★★★☆
As always, I loved Crispin and his friends, and I already miss them now that I've finished reading!, but I have to admit, this book was a little less engaging than the previous installments in the series.
That's why I'm giving it 3.8 stars, rounded up to 4. Crispin usually gets a full 5 from me!
What I most appreciated about this tenth book in the Crispin Guest series was Crispin's near-falling in love.
But let's start with THE SYNOPSIS:
1390, London. Crispin is _finally_ enjoying his new, more spacious, and comfortable home when a beautiful and mysterious woman shows up, demanding that he find none other than former sheriff (and frequent troublemaker for Crispin) Simon Wynchcombe. She accuses him of kidnapping and theft. Just then, a monk appears on Crispin's doorstep, stabbed to death with Simon's knife in the back, and in his hands he holds an important relic: a crystal containing the blood of Jesus. Something doesn't add up about the woman's story, and Crispin struggles to believe that, as arrogant and hateful as Wynchcombe is, he's also a murderer. The investigation begins with the help of the faithful Jack. The leads are ambiguous and confusing, and Crispin needs more eyes on the case. Also involved are our dear friend John/Eleanor Rykener, a young lawyer (who we met in the previous book and who is now Crispin and Jack's landlord), and another old acquaintance, the cunning and slimy crook, Lenny.
As you can see, the plot is intriguing, and I really enjoyed the cast of characters, both old and new. Each familiar character in the series evolves book after book, and it's wonderful to follow not only their personal development but also how their bonds evolve, how old friendships are strengthened and renewed, and how new friendships and loves are born.
______ MAIN CHARACTERS ______
* Crispin Guest, a former knight accused of treason who survived the death penalty thanks to the intervention of the 1st Duke of Lancaster. For years, he's earned his living as "the Tracker," tracking down missing persons, culprits, and criminals of all sorts.
The years pass, his life has finally taken a turn for the better, but certain mistakes are inexorably repeated: he can't resist the allure of a beautiful woman, and despite sensing danger, he always gives in to temptation, finding himself in ambiguous and tangled situations.
You can't help but sympathize with him because his heart is pure, and in order to ensure truth and justice triumph, he always sacrifices his own personal gain. Crispin once again proves himself not only bold and determined but also sensitive and capable of grasping the nuances of other people's souls.
I fell in love with him from the first book, and seeing him almost happily in love and reciprocated made me satisfied.
Unfortunately, the author puts obstacles in his personal path every time, and I'm under no illusions, but for once, at least, the ending of the love affair wasn't so bitter. I liked it!
* Jack Tucker, the young and faithful apprentice, is no longer a child. After getting engaged in the previous book, he's found new ways to scold his master when he sees him derailed by drinking too much or being seduced by the charms of some beautiful woman. But no one dares speak ill of Crispin;
Jack is faithful to the death, and now that he's 18 and taller than Simon Wynchcombe, he doesn't hesitate to put himself physically on the line to defend the one to whom he owes everything.
It was difficult for me to accept Jack's character as he grew up in the last two books. I was very fond of that little boy with disheveled red hair, a puppy with a difficult past, who, despite his fears, showed all his determination to help Crispin.
Jack has always been a wise child, who knew how to care for an adult who was sometimes out of control. Now as an adult he continues to do so, but since there is no longer only Crispin in his life, but also his future wife...well...everything becomes more complicated, and I make no secret of the fact that engaged Jack is not my favorite Jack.
_____ SIDE CHARACTERS ______
* John/Eleonor Rykener, my favorite of the series' recurring characters.
John is a real historical figure, known only through historical documents from a trial, who used to earn his living as an embroiderer by day and a prostitute by night, disguised as a woman.
The author invented his personal traits, giving him a cheerful, affectionate, sociable, and loyal personality towards those close to him.
We meet John/Eleonor both dressed as a man and as a woman, alternating between fisticuffs and fluttering eyelashes in a soothing voice. He is intelligent and intuitive but also has a heart of gold and is capable of great humility and empathy towards others.
Crispin's affectionate attitude toward him often makes me laugh. In fact, he respects his friend, accepts his nature, but at the same time is annoyed when J./E. overdoes his feminine behavior, ranging from playful advances to offended sulks. Their friendship endures because there is mutual respect, without presumptuous judgments on either side. It is thanks to their friendship that others also learn to appreciate Rykener's heart and personality.
* Nigellus Cobmartin is a very young but capable lawyer, first encountered in the previous book. He's rented Crispin a larger apartment, but above all, he acts like a good new friend. His intelligent intuitions and logical reasoning are a great help in the investigations, and combined with his kind nature and appropriate Latin quotations, he's a great character. From the very first moment, Nigellus shows no prejudice towards John/Eleonor, with whom he forms a good investigative partnership and friendship. I hope we'll see him positively involved in Crispin's cases in the future.
* Lenny, the earless thug with greasy hair and dirty, smelly clothes... a shady character, but useful to Crispin from time to time. His presence may seem unnecessary, but actually, he serves to counterbalance the positivity of the good characters and adds a little spice to discussions about the investigations.
* Among other minor but recurring characters, we find the new Abbot of Westminster and one of Crispin's old monk friends.
* Simon Wynchcombe remains true to himself: the usual ungrateful asshole, but at least this time it's our hero who holds the proverbial "handle"! Such a great satisfaction!
* Catherine...the mystery woman...I don't want to say anything about her, every word could be too much and would ruin the pleasure of the book.
----> There's no real one VILLAIN; this time, evil hides beneath the sentiments of lust and greed, which in turn strikes down the weak of character and those far from pure of heart.
______ THE HISTORICAL CONNECTION:The blood of Jesus.
These are two holy relics that actually existed, then were stolen and destroyed during the vicissitudes of history.
I had never heard of them, and I enjoyed discovering how they arrived in England and how they were then stolen and destroyed.
Mrs. Westerson discusses them in an interesting and comprehensive way in the historical notes, which I always find so precious and which you will find at the end of the book.
______ THE BOOK'S ONLY FLAW, which however partially detracted from my engagement and enjoyment of the book, is that this story, unlike all the previous ones, lacks action.
Tight fights, daring escapes, pathos, and desperate rescues, all at a fast pace, greatly contributed to my passion for the series, while this story remains on a smoother level and lacks that heart-pounding excitement that catapults the reader into the scene as if they were experiencing it firsthand.
Of course, it's a matter of personal taste. In fact, you'll find another review that starts with the sentence: "Crispin at his best," while for me, it was quite the opposite.
So, while I highly recommend this series, even though each book is perfectly readable as a standalone, please start with book 1 and never, ever start with this one.
It still remains my all-time favorite series of the last 3 years, and Crispin remains my medieval crush.
Thanks for reading my opinion!
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If you want to know more about PREVIOUS BOOKS, you can read my reviews here :
BOOK #1 "Veil of Lies" :
BOOK #2 "Serpent in the Thorns" :
BOOK #3 "The Demon's Parchment" :
BOOK #4 "Troubled Bones" :
BOOK #5 "Blood Lance" :
BOOK #6 "Shadow of the Alchemist"
BOOK #7 "Cup of Blood"
BOOK #8 "The Silence of Stones"
BOOK #9 "A Maiden Weeping"
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