I've enjoyed all of the books in the Brother Athelstan series, and read several of Harding's (aka P.C. Doherty and other names) other mystery series, generally finding them extremely well-researched and well-written if at times a bit dry and humorless. "House of Crows" was a delight, however, with a new camaraderie and shared humor between Athelstan and Sir John Cranston, the King's Coroner in London - a veritable medieval bromance! Not only did their relationship and interactions seem more natural and humorous, I felt that we were finally getting beneath the drunken, belching blowhard caricature that has been Sir John in the previous books and seeing the honorable, tough, honest, seasoned warrior underneath.I really enjoyed this outing, with our heroes ordered by the devious Regent John of Gaunt to solve several murders of members of parliament; Athelstan's parishioners are also convinced there is a demon loose at St. Erconwald's and Sir John is trying to discover why cats are disappearing from Cheapside. Plenty to engage readers while allowing us to visit with Benedicta, Pike, Watkin and the rest of Athelstan's entertaining parishioners, and a brief glimpse of the Lady Maude, Sir John's adored (and feared!) young wife and the poppets, his beloved twin baby boys. This series is getting better and better, and I can't wait to dive into the next book! Highly recommended.
