Book: Troubled Bones by Jeri Westerson
Reviewed by: MysteryPeople Crime Fiction Coordinator Scott M.
In most of my reviews about crime fiction, I’ve praised the book’s social awareness or look at the human condition. Of course, we also read genre fiction for fun and few have been demonstrating that fun better lately than Jeri Westerson with her series featuring fourteenth century London “tracker” Cripsin Guest. The disgraced former knight and his young apprentice, Jack Tucker, see enough mean streets danger and swashbuckling heroism to satisfy both hard boiled and historical mystery fans. Their latest outing, Troubled Bones, proves no exception.
The story starts with a skillful and funny exposition as Crispin and Jack ride to Canterbury. Crispin has been hired by the arch bishop to protect the bones of Thomas Beckett from a possible traitor in the monastery. On arrival, Crispin meets up with an old friend, court poet Geoffery Chaucer. Soon the bones are stolen and a murder occurs, Chaucer being accused of both.
The mystery provides both a great deal of intrigue and humor. Many of the suspects are pilgrims who mirror characters in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. When Jack has to pose as a monk in the monastery it provides some funny and suspenseful chapters.Westerson delivers pathos in discussions of honor, friendship, and loyalty. Of course with a Chaucer connection expect a good amount of bawdiness.
As usual it’s Westerson’s awareness of how her time period can mix with the hard boiled genre that make it a wonderful read. The smart guy quips aren’t so different from Shakespearean wit and the powerful always have something to hide, no matter what time period. In Troubled Bones, she opens up Crispin Guest’s world, giving more insight to this complex, engaging, tarnished, and honorable character. It also made me want to read Canterbury Tales. After I read that, I’ll have another excuse to read Troubled Bones again.
~Jeri Westerson will be here at BookPeople this evening, Sunday Oct 30 7p, to speak and sign Troubled Bones. She’ll showcase her cache of medieval weaponry as a most righteous way to celebrate MysteryPeople‘s first anniversary. There will be cake! All are welcome to join us!
BookPeople 