The Harper's Quine: A Medieval Murder Mystery

Gil Cunningham is a young man, back in Glasgow, Scotland in 1492, after a few years of university in Paris. He's destined for the priesthood, since his family backed the losing side in the last dynastic battle and their lands were confiscated, but he's uncertain about his calling. When he discovers the dead body of the Harper's mistress while on business for his Uncle, it falls to him to investigate the murder, and he finds it a welcome distraction. Another welcome distraction is the master mason's daughter, whose quick mind helps him during the investigation. The murder takes place after the May Day festivities, and we get a wonderful glimpse of the celebrations taking place in a Medieval city, with musicians and maids and lads out looking for a bit of fun and gentlemen and ladies up to no good. The characters are all very sympathetic and interesting. The mystery was a good one, with some twists and turns and several suspects. The author's style makes the people and the period and even tidbits of medieval law seem very accessible. This was a very enjoyable book to read. I hope there will be many more in this series.

A good historical mystery teaches you something about the place and time even if the front-matter action is about finding the murderer. This tale succeeds admirably. In this first book in a series (which I intend to continue reading), we're introduced to Gil Cunningham, a new lawyer who expects to become a priest (because, in 1492 Glasgow, he doesn't have another way to support himself). When a young woman is found dead in the church, he's given the job of finding the person or persons responsible... and to his surprise, he enjoys the task. As Gil tries to find the murderer, we readers are taken on a tour of workaday Glasgow, with its masons and musicians and people speaking various languages. It's done deftly, with believable characters (all of whom think they're doing the right thing) and a mystery that kept me guessing all the way to the end. There's also a great romance in the story. I'm a sucker for a love story. I really enjoyed this book. I think you will, too.

This was the first book in this series that I have read. It will not be the last. Great story line. Gives one the feel of being there.

This is an excellent start to a historical mystery series featuring Gil Cunningham, an aspiring lawyer in 1492 Glasgow, Scotland. While Columbus was discovering America, Gil is looking for suspects in the brutal stabbing of a woman who was a member of a traveling troupe of musicians. Since Bess Stewart was killed on church property and Gil finds her body, his uncle the Canon decrees that he should investigate her death. Bess also was the estranged wife of a powerful local landowner, and before Gil can cross the street, the number of people who would benefit from her death are crawling out of the woodwork and he has more possible murderers than he knows what to do with! While I did guess quite early on who the culprit in the mystery was, I very much enjoyed the author's ability to set you right in the midst of the historical place and time. Another strong suit is an excellent ability to provide well-fleshed and interesting characters. Gil, his uncle, their housekeeper Maggie, the Master Mason who assists Gil in his inquiries and the mason's daughter Alys all felt like real people. Even the transient characters--the murder victim and the suspects--were more developed than the main characters of some series I've tried to read! The author made you care about them all and what happened to them. I don't know why these books were not published in paperback here in the States, because if this one is any indication, it's an excellent series. I will be looking for more in the series very soon!

This is an accomplished mystery with a strong sense of history and character. The writing is quite polished, especially for a first novel. The setting is Glasgow in 1492. The intriguing adventures of the young lawyer, soon to be priest, allow the reader to view a wide section of Scotland - servants, nobles, impoverished gentry. The story touches on points of Scottish law and the intricacies of marital finances, the travels of young scholars, the mingling and separation of lowlander and highlander. There was a cast of interesting and likeable characters that I look forward to meeting again. The only disappointment is waiting for the second book.