A Brood of Vipers: Being the Fourth Journal of Sir Roger Shallot Concerning Certain Wicked Conspiracies and Horrible Murders Perpetrated in the Reign of King Henry VIII

Rating:
Summary: Engrossing detective story set in Tudor England
Review: I've read all of Clynes' Journals of Sir Roger Shallot. All of the books take place during the reign of Henry VIII and focus on the reluctant detective work of Roger and his master, the nephew of Cardinal Wosley. Roger tells the stories as flashbacks from his present position as a seclusive and retired lord of the realm. In the books Roger is a cowardly, lusty, and unrepentant vagabond who follows his master as they are assigned to investigate various heinous crimes by the cardinal and Henry. I love the books for the mixture of diabolical plots, historical backdrop, and the effort Clynes puts into developing the characters. Every one of the books feature involved plots, surprise villans, and a certain dark and wry humor. You'll find yourself rapidly finishing the books, engrossed in trying to solve the crimes yourself and simultaneously laughing aloud at the misfortunes that befall Roger.

Rating:
Summary: Engrossing detective story set in Tudor England
Review: I've read all of Clynes' Journals of Sir Roger Shallot. All of the books take place during the reign of Henry VIII and focus on the reluctant detective work of Roger and his master, the nephew of Cardinal Wosley. Roger tells the stories as flashbacks from his present position as a seclusive and retired lord of the realm. In the books Roger is a cowardly, lusty, and unrepentant vagabond who follows his master as they are assigned to investigate various heinous crimes by the cardinal and Henry. I love the books for the mixture of diabolical plots, historical backdrop, and the effort Clynes puts into developing the characters. Every one of the books feature involved plots, surprise villans, and a certain dark and wry humor. You'll find yourself rapidly finishing the books, engrossed in trying to solve the crimes yourself and simultaneously laughing aloud at the misfortunes that befall Roger.

Rating:
Summary: Gutter humor, sleazy comments about women, no wit or plot!
Review: Not to be nasty, but I feel would-be readers should be warned: this "hero" is strictly for those who enjoy locker-room bragging and a dialogue composed mostly of snide comments about women's body parts. There are "rascals" in fiction who are also talented, basically good-hearted or at least witty (i.e., Lindsey Davis' Didius Falco). The sleazy, stupid and utterly unappealing Roger Shallot is NOT one of them!

Rating:
Summary: A Very Good Read
Review: The spring of 1523 and Benjamin Daunbey, nephew of Cardinal Wolsey and his servant Roger Shallot are summoned from Ipswich to London.
Lord Francesco Abrizzi, a Florentine envoy has been murdered in Cheapside. He has been shot in the head by one of the new firearms. King Henry is determined to unmask the killer.

During their travel to London Benjamin and Roger are to collect the King's old physician, who has also been summoned by Henry. When they arrive at his house he is found dead in his bath with his wrists cut, apparently having committed suicide.

Benjamin and Roger are told by Wolsey they must go to Florence with the dead man's family to discover the identity of the killer.

It seem to be a routine case for them, but murder and mayhem await them in Italy. Will they ever see England again.

Once again Paul Doherty weaves a tangled web of murder and intrigue. He is certainly one of the best at this type of book.