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The Witch Hunter
Crowner John Mysteries #8

by Bernard Knight
narrated by Paul Matthews

     

Sir John de Wolfe, the county coroner, is once again solving an unusual death. This one is blamed on a witch’s spell after a straw doll is found under the victim’s saddle. With a widow crying witchcraft and a priest determined to expose and execute local witches—whether guilty or not, John needs to solve the man’s death before more lives are taken.

When Nester is endangered, John and Gwen travel to John’s family home where he places Nester in his family’s care. His widowed mother, brother, and sister are happy to help. They prefer Nester over his wife, who has treated them so harshly.

John’s background as a solider seems to have prepared him for life with his wife (in name only) and her brother—the Sheriff.  Despite his wife’s religious prejudice, social snobbery, and lack of compassion, and her brother’s vindictive, vile ways, John continues to preserve his integrity. John’s anger and frustration at his wife is understandable; but his sympathy not so much when she takes her brother’s fall from grace as if he had actually died...  John warns her that the Sheriff has gone too far this time and is sure to be charged with treason. But will this evil character with the shell of an armadillo really be affected?

The mystery itself takes various directions with witchcraft at the forefront. Knight includes plenty of adventure and historical detail. I’m amazed at how easily his writing—this one read aloud, of course—is able to pull me deep into the era and the lives of his rich characters.  There is really only one frustration with this series on unabridged audio and this is finding enough time to enjoy it. Because once you’re drawn into Exeter and the lives of those who live there, it makes it difficult to turn the player off.

The Book

Clipper Audio, Recorded Books
October 2005
Audiobook 11 CDs / 13 HRs
978 1 84505 585 1 - Audio book
Historical mystery, 1195 Exeter, England
More at Amazon.com US || UK
Audio edition
NOTE: Amazon links are to paperback editions. The audio edition (also available as a CD) is through the publisher

The Reviewer

Brenda Weeaks
Reviewed 2009
NOTE:
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