Season of the Raven

A Servant of the Crown Mystery, Book 1

By: Denise Domning

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

A miller found under his wheel.

It's 1194, and Sir Faucon de Ramis, the shire's newly appointed keeper of the pleas, must do his duty and make an official declaration of the cause of a miller's death. Saddled with a clerk who names Faucon his "penance", the shire's first crowner must thread the tangled relationships between the sheriff, the village of Priors Holston, and the priory that once ruled it.

As a simple task takes a turn to the political, what seems obvious isn't, and what appears safe turns out to be more dangerous than he could imagine.

©2014 Denise Domning (P)2019 Tantor

I enjoyed it; good start to the series.

Good story, good characters. I'd really only give it 3.5 stars, but my standards are higher than many people. This book is average; I think the other books in the series are better.

Disagree with other review

Another review mentioned a “pedophile ending”. After completing the series, I don’t want to spoil anything… but there is no pedophile. But there is certainly an evil character for the hero to defeat. I find it odd that someone would give one star “bad guy” in a mystery novel is evil. They’re supposed to be evil and creepy. I think someone who cannot handle that sort of thing might want to read/listen to a different genre.

Fun history

I read this because I love the narrator from other books. This is a fun and interesting historical story! (Would it be wrong to hope that Edmund was .. aaa “dispatched” in a future story?)

Fabulous voice actor, good story

I think that this might be one of those books that NEEDS to be read, especially by a voice actor that can do it justice. It started a bit slow for me, but it didn't take long before I was caught up in this early Medieval mystery. Loved the accents, the intricacy of the plot, and the characters.

Entertaining medieval mystery

If you like Brother Cadfael, you will likely enjoy this book. I enjoyed characters and how the story developed. I think I really appreciated the length of the book most of all. Short, engrossing and to the point. Looking forward to the second in the series.

Good Historical Fiction

The book has well defined, interesting characters. It brings the historical perspective to life. Excellent narrator, able to give each character a different voice and personality. The accents fitted the characters but were easily understood. I have listened to all of Brother Cadfael and Sister Fedelma books. This rates right up with them. I have over 1400 books in my Audible library so am a pretty good judge.

unusual story wonderful performance

Just what I said. i liked the unusual story. The performance was uniquely better than average

Dead in the Water

A monk’s penance and a second son’s good fortune, bring together the tale of Brother Edmund and Sir Faucon de Ramis set in England in 1194. As different as night and day, the two set out to the mill in Priors Holston to settle the issue of the miller’s death . . . supposedly an accidental drowning, since the man was a known drunkard. Faucon and Brother Edmund encounter opposition from the man’s only son and the sheriff, who surprisingly had beat them to the scene. The matter of “the law” and collecting the “plea” (funds for the local parish) brought the son, the sheriff, Faucon and Brother Edmund into a heated discussion. Finally the miller freed from under a paddle of the water wheel, aided by Alf, a servant who worked at the mill and Brother Colin, a monk in the crowd. Brother Colin, an herbalist was able to shine more light on the cause of death. And so began the mystery of Faucon and Brother Edmund’s first case, searching for a murderer. These two made me laugh, each discovering the talents of the other, and learning that together, surprisingly they make a very good team. More mysteries surface with the murder of young girls, which has definitely made me ready for the next in the series. Great resolution to the death of the miller. Excellent historical mystery series.

I wish we could rate readers

good book, but I have trouble with this reader. it would be helpful if Audible would help me track a reader, both positive and negative.

Great historical series

This is a really good Medieval English history with Norman French characters and Saxon English characters involved. The main protagonist is very likeable and faces many challenges with his new position in a new city. His assistant is both annoying and loveable at times. I’ve listened to all 4 novels in the series and I keep looking for #5....