Gil Cunningham is eagerly awaiting a shipment of books. But when the barrel that was supposed to contain literature turns out to have a human head floating in brine instead, he and his companions become enmeshed in yet another mystery.Another great addition to the series!There’s a bit more supernatural stuff (a ghost this time), but it’s still manageable in quantity.I like that Gil’s station changes between the books. Each book is an isolated mystery, of course, but the character development is continuous throughout the series. I’ve really enjoyed watching Gil’s relationship with Alys grow and change – which it does in a delightfully realistic and sensible way – as well as their accumulation of companions – first a baby, then a dog. I look forward to reading the next books in the series!
Gil's friend Augie has ordered some books for them both from the Low Countries but when the barrel arrives it contains a severed head and the King's treasure instead. And then Augie is taken into custody for the murder due to the old superstition that a murderer is reluctant to touch a dead body as the corpse can identify its killer. Once again Gil is drawn into the solving of the crime along with his fiancee Alys, sister Kate and father in law Pierre. Good fun, not too taxing and exciting enough to hold my interest to the end.
Was neat to meet one of Gil's sisters. Was confused by some of the twists and turns with characters and subplots--for example, who actually saved Gil in the rafters of the church? Was it the ghost of the beheidt man? And what's Gil referring to about Alys' father having two goals for being in Scotland? Is he a spy? It's my hope that more will be explained in the next installment--as we get closer to Gil and Alys' wedding.
—Ronda
Intriguing, but undeveloped. I could not keep all of the characters straight, and still am not clear on all of the political machinations. I'm hoping that the hints given in this one are followed up in later entries in the series. I also hope that the main characters are going to develop beyond what we have been given so far. Much, too much telling us how they feel about each other with not nearly enough demonstration. They are both too perfect, as well. One or two flaws would make them more interesting. As it is, Mason (the father) is the most interesting character in the book.
—Suzanne
