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  • A Deadly Brew

  • The Fourth Matthew Bartholomew Chronicle
  • By: Susanna Gregory
  • Narrated by: David Thorpe
  • Length: 16 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (218 ratings)
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A Deadly Brew cover art

A Deadly Brew

By: Susanna Gregory
Narrated by: David Thorpe
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Summary

The fourth chronicle of Matthew Bartholomew continues the adventures of the 14th-century Cambridge physician when he is called to attend to two deaths from some poisoned wine. The opening of a new and very well-endowed college has created petty infighting amongst the academics as new appointments are made. The winter and spring have been appallingly wet, there is a fever outbreak amongst the poorer townspeople and the country is not yet fully recovered from the aftermath of the plague. The increasing reputation and wealth of the Cambridge colleges are causing dangerous tensions between the town, church and university, and then the poisoned wine kills the first victim - a student. The second victim is Dittone, the deputy master of the new college, but there seems no connection between him and the student. Matthew must establish the facts before relations between town and gown spiral out of control.

©2008 Susanna Gregory (P)2017 Little Brown

What listeners say about A Deadly Brew

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Cloak and Dagger - Most enjoyable so Far

This is my fourth Matthew Bartholomew novel (and in the order that they were published). For me it is the best so far. First to say, however, that listening to/reading the previous 'A Bone of Contention' will help and enrich the experience of this investigation. 'A Deadly Brew' is immediate and despite the high death rate still manages good, appropriate humour. David Thorpe maintains his committed and convincing perfrmance of the book, and he does not tire. The author still shows her affection for 'glower/glowered/glowering' but less so. The plot and characterisations really hold the interest and attention, as does the way Sussana Gregory deals with female characters. I have the next listen/book already in waiting and I look forward to 'A Wicked Deed', but not for a while yet. I find mixing authors keeps things fresh, and so a William Boyd is next and then a weighty Anthony Trollope. 'A Deadly Brew' is recommended.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Deadly Brew

I really enjoy these Bartholomew stories especially the two protagonists. It is complex without being over complicated and kept my interest. Looking forward to reading more in this series
I also enjoy the style of the narrator

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

As ever entertaining and mystery with laughter.

loving the series, put in order on buying list and it will be easier to collecting each book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

A disappointing exercise

An interesting idea— smuggling in the medieval Fens— is wrapped up in a turgid tale, with poor attempts at characterisation, wholly unconvincing action scenes, a ridiculous villain, an unhappy mixture of period detail and modern language and behaviours, and too many digressions into side issues.
It’s hard to understand how or why this series extends into so many books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best one yet

Best installment of the series so far. Very enjoyable book, excellent narration as always.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent

This brings the drudgery and grime of the past to life with enough mystery to keep the interest.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Well worth a listen

Another wonderful instalment of the Bartholomew saga. A talented performance with many engaging characters. The voice of brother Michael is particularly memorable. Clever plots with a distinct English style.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not the best in the series

The usual characters still developing well in the series but the convoluted intertwined plots serve only to make the reader suspect that there will several twists at the very end that tend to make a lot of book pointless simply because ,if you have read any of the series before. you know that its all smoke to cover something you have no way of working out from the investigations carried out by the doctor and his fat friend.True the facts are there but the reasoning worked out by the good guys is ,always, wrong
The characterisations and the interesting setting and period keeps me coming back for more..........so far

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