A fast read but this second book in Ann Swinfen's Oxford Medieval mystery series wasn't a mystery at all. Instead, it was a more of a romantic suspense story involving why Emma Thorgold (whom we met in the first book) was forced into the convent by her stepfather.

I enjoyed the historical fiction (especially the bit with the candle makers) but was disappointed with the direction the series seems to be taking. ( )

A good second member of this very good series about lives and times in Medieval Oxford. Bookmaking by hand was tedious and expensive with some turned into works of art by skilled scriveners and illustrators. Ordinary books were used and reused by the students at Oxford so their provision and maintenance was a large source of revenue for booksellers.
An heiress is disposed of by being sent to a convent providing Nicholas an opportunity to come to her rescue. That she is a talented scrivener adds a nice wrinkle to the plot. Not much mystery in this issue but a good bit of character and setting development should set the stage for future books. ( )

This was a good read, though I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the previous book. ( )

A fast read but this second book in Ann Swinfen's Oxford Medieval mystery series wasn't a mystery at all. Instead, it was a more of a romantic suspense story involving why Emma Thorgold (whom we met in the first book) was forced into the convent by her stepfather.

I enjoyed the historical fiction (especially the bit with the candle makers) but was disappointed with the direction the series seems to be taking. ( )