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  • Ordeal by Fire

  • Bradecote and Catchpoll
  • By: Sarah Hawkswood
  • Narrated by: Matt Addis
  • Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (92 ratings)
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Ordeal by Fire cover art

Ordeal by Fire

By: Sarah Hawkswood
Narrated by: Matt Addis
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Summary

September 1143. Bradecote is a minor landowner and newly appointed under-sheriff. His sergeant, Catchpoll, is a weather-beaten, wily and experienced thief-taker who always looks to be one step ahead of any villain. Bradecote though quite new to the job brings an effectively analytical eye to the investigation. A series of fires around the city seem linked, and Bradecote and Catchpoll have to piece together the vengeful motive that links them in order to uncover the arsonist.

©2016 Sarah Hawkswood (P)2017 Isis Publishing Ltd

What listeners say about Ordeal by Fire

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

Not the first book in the series

I enjoyed the characters who were engaging and realistic and the performance by Matt Addis was excellent. The story was interesting enough but slow to start.

It took me a while to realise that this clearly isn't the first Bradecote and Catchpoll story (it's the second in the series) and (because I'm maybe a bit weird about reading things in the correct order) that irritated me because there are several references to the first book throughout.

I definitely want to hear more of these two however so hope that Audible will be getting the first and third books.

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5 people found this helpful

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

Entertaining Historical Novel

Really enjoyable listen, good pace, captivating reader, appropriately descriptive and certainly kept my attention. Recommended.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

True Voice Acting & Engaging Story

Ordeal By Fire is a fantastically engaging story, a well paced adventure in Mediaeval Worcester and you will be racing along with the characters while they try to catch the arsonist before more people die. Worcester is a character in itself, the streets and people brought to life in everyday situations against the stark background of a crime which puts all at risk. It is the detectives, such as they are in twelfth century England, their relationships and characters which are the real star of the show here.

Sarah Hawkswood has a flair for the characterisation and Matt Addis captures them exactly as I imagined them in the book, his grizzled Catchpoll landing perfectly between hardened soldier and instrument of true justice.

If you enjoy Cadfael or any mediaeval murder mystery, or even a fantasy adventure then you will enjoy this. Highly recommended and I look forward to more from both Addis and Hawkswood.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • eb
  • 11-11-17

Enjoyed this reading. Characters were made to live

I enjoyed the reading of this book Matt Addis made the characters live.

Look forward to hearing the next book.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Another great book

Another great book from Sarah Hawkswood, read brilliantly by Matt Addis. The narration is so good, I can actually see it like a film running through my head. The sounds and smells are almost real (though thankfully not real enough), I heartily recommend both author and narrator.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Great little book

as a fan of Ellis Peters i approached both these books with a little trepidation but was not disappointed. Enjoyed as much as the first and am hping for more.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Very engaging series

Wonderfully narrated medieval murder mystery with a little history thrown in for good measure. Never disappoints!

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

The second fantastic book by Sarah Hawkswood

Wonderful mediaeval mystery, with a brilliant plot and fascinating characters - a thoroughly enjoyable listen!

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

Cracking 2nd Installment

A good plot with several twists and turns, wonderfully vivid characters, all of whom are brought to life by the marvellous performance of Matt Addis. His voice is rich and soothing, yet he can carry off everything from a cranky old woman to a haughty dame, a gnarly old peasant to the High Sheriff.
In this, her second book in the series, Sarah Hawkswood has honed her craft. There was a great deal less head hopping, her plot was neatly stitched, and the historical details cleverly woven through the whole.
This isn’t great literature, but it is a well craft, entertaining and lively medieval whodunnit of the best sort. I’m off to start book 3.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great tale!

Loved it! Another great yarn by Sarah Hawkeswood. Can't wait to start on the next one.

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