In 1471 Roger leaves his monastic life to become a chapman, or peddler of wares, and at once becomes involved in solving the disappearance of Clement Weaver, son of a wealthy tradesman. With a voice well suited for portraying the various classes of English society, Ric Jerram deftly defines each character through tone of voice, personality, and unique inflection. Slight differences in vocal tones and style of delivery allow Jerram to portray the role of male or female, aristocrat or worker. Jerram portrays Roger's youthful sense of adventure and joie de vivre, along with his na•vetŽ. This is an insightful portrayal of medieval England complete with a compelling mystery. P.A.J. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine--
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From Kirkus Reviews
A septuagenarian recalls his youth, when, in 1471, he quit the Benedictines (no calling), became a chapman (a wandering peddler), and discovered his affinity for detective work. A lusty romantic interlude leads him to a grieving alderman's house in Bristol, where Clement Weaver, the son, is missing--he accompanied his sister to London to shop and disappeared right down the lane from the Crossed Hands Inn. Six months later, Roger the Chapman is in Canterbury and hears of two other disappearances near the Crossed Hands Inn--that of Sir Richard Mallory and his servant. Are the incidents connected? Does royal politics have a hand in it? Roger hies to London and the pub across the way, the Baptist's Head, where he mentions his sleuthing to Thomas the innkeeper. Soon he's tailed and thwacked, rescuing a damsel locked away in the upper rooms of the Crossed Hands, and incurring royal indebtedness for it, but still in a dither as to the disappearances. It takes some drugged wine and an excursion to the cellar for Roger, the guard, and another inn patron to uncover the scheme and corral the perpetrators. Charming period piece: the scenery, occupations, and finery are medieval, but the foibles are of a contemporary nature. A strong debut. --
Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
