This is the 10th Matthew Bartholomew medieval mystery. Matthew becomes the official Corpse Examiner for the University, specifically for Brother Michael, the senior proctor. More physicians have come to Cambridge, easing the pressure on Matthew, so he no longer needs to run here and there treating everyone and struggle to do his teaching at Michaelhouse college.

In Cambridge 1355, the townspeople and the students are as always at one another's throats. Although the students bring status and wealth to the city, the people of Cambridge still consider them louts and trouble makers. The tension has increased with the return to the city of two murderers pardoned by none other than the King himself, after he deemed that a Royal pardon was appropriate. The pair is showing no remorse whatsoever and are ready to confront the citizens who helped in their conviction in the first place.

In the middle of all this, Bartholomew is called to a local mill where two corpses have been found. Is there a connection between the bodies and the release of the murderers? Is anything that simple in 14th century Cambridge?

I am not sure whether it is Matthew Bartholomew himself, his relationship with the always-enigmatic Brother Michael, or the setting of Cambridge in the mid-fourteenth century but Gregory's books seem to carry an aura all of their own and I always look forward to settling in for another visit to this fascinating world. ( )