| In 1316, the new baliff of Lydford Castle Simon Puttock is called to investigate a burned-out cottage where a body was found. Sir Bladwin Furnshill, a knight recently returned from abroad, persuades Simon that it was no accident. The victim was killed before the fire started. As Simon and the quiet but intelligent Sir Baldwin look for more evidence, word comes of another murder - a clergyman who was undoubtably burned alive. The baliff and the knight start to look for a connection to the two killings since they are rare in this quiet and remote part of Devon.
Michael Jecks paints a portrait of rural fourteenth-century Devon. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) How difficult to spot villain? - Difficult, but some clues given Time/era of story: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 80% Kind of investigator Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book descript. of violence and chases - 20 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 30 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Main Character Gender - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - none Setting Europe Yes European country: - England/UK Small town? Yes Small town people: - dumb rednecks, like Gomer Pyle Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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