Book Review: The Weaver's Inheritance

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Weaver's Inheritance     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Kate Sedley
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical
Series: Roger the chapman # 8
St. Martin’s, Sep 2001, $23.95, 256 pp.

In 1447 Bristol, widower Roger the Chapman leaves his two-year-old daughter behind with her grandmother to travel to Hereford. His mother-in-law wants Roger to bring home her cousin, widow Adela, and the woman’s son to live with them. Upon completing his trek, Roger learns that Clement Weaver, assumed dead for six years, has also returned home.

Clement’s father, ailing Alderman Alfred Weaver, accepts the man as his lost son. However, Alfred’s daughter Alison and her spouse Alderman William Burnett refuse to believe that Clement is alive. Their thinking might have to do with the fact she is no longer the beneficiary of her father’s vast estate when he dies. Adding to the confusion is the bewildering murder of a fortuneteller. Roger, who has solved some mysteries before, begins to look into whether this is the real Clement or an impostor and who killed the seer.

The eighth Roger the Chapman medieval mystery is a powerful historical who-done-it that keeps the star fresh while providing the audience a clever who-done-it. The story line contains insight into the late fifteenth century, but the plot belongs to the hero. Roger seems so authentic as he still feels guilt and relief with the death of his wife two years ago who died in child birth, but also has emotionally moved forward since THE BROTHERS OF GLASTONBURY. Kate Sedley has written another remarkable tale that her readers will cherish while newcomers will search for the past titles.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner