Silence of Stones, The

"London, 1388. When the mythical Stone of Destiny is stolen from the throne of England in Westminster Abbey, Crispin Guest, the Tracker, witnesses the dramatic disappearance for himself"

My first Crispin Guest and here it is book #8. Everyone else already knows Crispin and Jack but in I jump with plenty of help from the author's fine afterword.

Crispin had a lot to deal with, people were crawling out of the woodwork,literally wanting to help him (for a price of course) or for him to help them. He had an astonishing amount of acquaintances and friends!

Guess who one of them was? Katherine Swynford..what a treat! She is a favorite of mine and conducted herself with her usual elegance (if a bit sneaky to King Richard)

Speaking of King Richard, Crispin's apprentice Jack ends up having a bit more than a nodding acquaintanceship with his queen. She calls him..well you need to read about it yourself..

You can start with Book #1 and preorder this one now. Enjoy!

The Silence of Stones: A Crispin Guest Medieval Noir by Jeri Westerson is set in 1388 during the reign of King Richard II. So, naturally, there is going to be some peripheral association with John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Richard's uncle. Gaunt is going to be a part of any English history during the late 1300's, but it is Katherine Swynford (Gaunt's mistress, and eventually, his wife) who plays an important role in Westerson's novel.

I read the first Crispin Guest novel in 2011 and enjoyed it, but I did think it a bit dark, so I found it interesting that the series is now considered medieval noir. I read the first novel, and The Silence of Stones is the 8th in the series--so much for keeping up.

Brief plot outline: The Stone of Destiny is stolen, King Richard enlists Guest's services to find and recover it. The King, who justifiably, hates Guest has imprisoned Jack Tucker. If Guest does not recover the Stone in 3 days, Jack Tucker will be executed.

I like medieval mysteries, and I enjoy seeing the way different authors view the powerful characters of the times, their views of events and political maneuvering. The 1300's are particularly popular among medieval mystery authors, and each one gives his or her own imaginative take on kings, archbishops, regents, wives, mistresses.

My view of Katherine Swynford was formed years ago by Anya Seton's Katherine, so having Westerson give Katherine an important role in the novel appealed to me.

NetGalley/Severn House

Medieval Mystery. Feb. 1, 2016. Print length: 240 pages.

Jeri Westerson continues Crispin Guest medieval mysteries in The Silence of Stones. Crispin Guest must retrieve in three days the stolen Stone of Scone, which sits under the royal English throne at Westminster Abbey, or his servant will die by order of King Richard II. Multiple Scottish plots confuse solution of the crime; his apprentice Jack gets involved in court intrigue. Will all be resolved? Will Jack hang? What is honor. Read and enjoy;

All reviews appear on Amazon, Goodreads plus Gr Facebook, LibraryThing plus LT Twitter, eyes.2c review blog

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AADQRSA?keywords=Silence%20of%20Stones&qid=1454256034&ref_=sr_1_1&s=digital-text&sr=1-1 (Feb 1, 2016)

LibaryThing plus LibraryThing Twitter http://www.librarything.com/work/17181768/summary/126323390 (Feb 1, 2016)

Goodreads plus Gr FB https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1530926568 (Feb 1 , 2016)

eyes.2c reviews blog http://eyes2creviews.blogspot.ca/2016/01/another-impeccable-and-engrossing.html (Feb 1, 2016)

Another engrossing mystery featuring my favourite 'medieval noir' investigator and former knight!

Tracker Crispin Guest's dilemma in this new and dangerous situation paces alongside the coming-of-age of Jack Tucker, Crispin's apprentice. We have seen Jack's development as the novels have progressed. Now it is even more to the fore. A fact I like.
It's 1338, the Stone of Scone has been stolen, an explosion has occurred in the Cathedral right as King Richard and Queen Anne are there to attend the Feast of the Holy Virgin's Nativity.
Crispin is there (amongst the 'rabble') at Jack's bidding (pleading rather), 'his apprentice, a rangy boy and now [Crispin's] match In height, though the lad was only fifteen.'
When the explosion occurs, of course they both rush towards the action, only to come under the King's gaze and then be subjected to his ire. Years previously Crispin had been stripped of his knighthood for treasonous actions against the King.
Jack is hauled off to the dungeons and Crispin is given three days to find the stone or else Jack's life is forfeit.
Crispin is submerged in Scottish plots and counterplots, enough to make even the Tracker's head ring with the complexity--and often inanity. Meanwhile Jack is befriended by Crispin's friends in high places and does his own investigating.
Both are pursuing the problem from different ends, both are coming to similar conclusions. When Jack helps a young wife who is in distress things become even more interesting.
I love that Jack keeps minding his behaviour and finds himself concerned for his honour, so delightfully telling in little reflective conversations he has with himself. He wants to do his master proud--and he does!
Crispin's search is made even more interesting by the addition of 'John Rykener ... who sometimes goes by the name "Eleanor" to, er ... ply his trade.' John is a cross dressing male prostitute, whose proclivities certainly help Crispin to winkle out information from folks in the know. In many ways John becomes a little like Crispin's conscience as he points out things that Crispin should be paying attention to with regard to Jack now that he's older.
I am sure that there is a note of wistfulness and love in John's voice as he and Crispin part.
We have no woman chasing after Crispin in this novel. We do have an artifact of religious significance, the Stone of Scone. In many ways the absence of some lady that is interested in Crispin or vice versa, getting in the way of Crispins task, is a relief.
We do have high born and important ladies adding to the tension of the story. Their stories are important to the plot, but they are not Crispin's downfall. Jack plays a major, absolutely delightful, though harrowing, part with this regard. He is a wonderful source of tension and richness for the plot. I felt that as Jack comes-of-age, so Crispin find a renewed emotional place to some degree. Brilliant!
As always Westerson's research and working knowledge of the era is impeccable. I must say I really liked the cover, the brooding Cathedral sets the tone.

A NetGalley ARC