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Vale of Tears

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Vale of Tears

By: Sarah Hawkswood
Narrated by: Matt Addis
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About this listen

April, 1144. A body is found floating in Fladbury Mill leat, a man in green who has been stabbed but not robbed. The lord sheriff’s trio discover him to be an Evesham horse dealer, who has a beautiful young wife who ‘strays’. Did the wife or one of her lovers get rid of him? What is the connection with the lord of Harvington, who wed the man’s sister, and how did that lady meet her death? The trio have to work seamlessly together to unravel the thread that links seemingly disparate deaths before even more people die, and in the process keep Walkelin from the noose.

©2019 Sarah Hawkswood (P)2020 Isis Publishing Ltd Historical Mystery Fiction Marriage

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All stars
Most relevant
This was a moving story with all the emotions and the historical content you could look for. The narrator has the characters down to a T and the relationship between the 3 law men brings an extra bonus as it continues to grow.

Best one yet!

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I love this series.
The author has got the pool of main characters spot on, and refreshes the supporting cast with each addition to the series.

I have a major crush on Catchpoll, but Wakelin comes into his own in this instalment too. Bradecote has matured, and I like this sojourn out of their stomping ground of Worcester.

If the plot has a formula, it is no bad thing, and the storyline has enough to keep the reader’s interest even if it does. As do the historical elements which are not belaboured like so many historical novels.

The narrator is perfect. Well cast, lively of speech, and consistent.

Another cracker!

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This story has been the best of the series so far. Cleverly thought out and good characters. My issue, which has been present in the series, is the author’s repetitive use of certain words and phrases: approbation, orisons, “pulled a face,” “death’s head grin,” to list a few. It seems that she latches on to a particular one and, thus, having learned its meaning, uses it ad nauseam. So, the writing is formulaic and often annoying. An increased vocabulary would make for less trite writing. Continually using “orisons” when “prayers,” “supplications,” or even “pleas,” are just as descriptive.
Matt Addis does a very good job at performing the stories and his voice characterisations are good and appropriate.

On the whole, the series is engaging and the author’s development of the age-old pairing of gruff older detective and inexperienced superior is well executed. The historical portions are welcomed and lend the right atmosphere to the story.

My favourite so far in the series

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Too much explaining and not enough action meant four instead of five stars. The characters continue to develop and have become clear images of good friends by now, and as always the narration can only be described as superb. Not my fav in this serious but still very enjoyable.

A bit too much exposition

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Good. fiction and and interesting plot. w
with good twists and turns in the plot

Very enjoyable

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