A Killer in Winter

The Ninth Matthew Bartholomew Chronicle

By: Susanna Gregory

Narrated by: David Thorpe

Length: 19 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Cambridge, 1354.

Christmas approaches, and the town is gripped by the worst blizzards in living memory. As the physician Matthew Bartholomew struggles to help the poorer citizens cope with freezing temperatures, his colleagues prepare for the festivities.

The weather has trapped many travellers in the town, including Matthew's erstwhile love, Philippa. She and her wealthy husband are invited to Michaelhouse for the main feast, and Matthew is horrified that he does not immediately recognise the overweight, sulky woman who once stole his heart. In some ways he is relieved to accept Brother Michael's orders to identify a man found dead, apparently from exposure, in a nearby church, but the success of his mission brings him closer to Philippa's circle, for the man was her husband's servant.

And then the husband himself is dead, victim of an accident on the treacherous ice of the fens - or was it a more sinister death, somehow linked to the death of one of his business rivals months earlier in London?

Susanna Gregory again brings medieval Cambridge to rich and vibrant life in a beautifully crafted mystery.

©2017 Susanna Gregory (P)2017 Little Brown Book Group

Fun and informative too

I love this series. The two main characters are consistent - I always believe in their motivations and actions - amusingly different from each other and there is a real affection between them. The historical detail is fascinating and the stories are satisfyingly complete. The narrator is excellent and the many characters are always distinguishable from each other. Also, the books are long, so great value for money!

Another Great Medieval Mystery

I love David Thorpe's performance. He brings these much-loved characters to life with all of their distinctive flair!

Murder and bad behavior is rewarded

Found this book to be the least enjoyable book in the series thus far. There are no light moments, just nasty people engaging in activities to increase wealth or power. I hope the author returns to writing books that lighten my day and does not focus on the darker nature of people.

Mixing It Up

Thankful that the author did not continue in her rut of making the most pleasant character the villain. The performer has a great voice and I always enjoy listening to a British accent. Again the historical notes add a lot of interest.

Wonderful

Fabulous as always, great writing, outstanding narration. Everyone should experience Matthew and Michael's adventures. You might learn something about English history too.

not my favourite

i like this series of books but this one has the weakest plot so far. Hasn't put me off though.

Throughly enjoyable.

Great story although lots of lies making the cornections difficult.
Lots of accurate info plus humour, especially one that made me laugh out loud "Like a malott to the groiin'
This is a very complicated story that goes nowhere for most of this book, just around in circles. However this book contains lots of individuals with their own interesting and unexpected reasons for their actions.
Great Narrator as usual. . xxx

Read if you want to smile

I just love these books.
The narrator David Thorpe is brilliant, as he is in all he narrates.

Return to Cambridge

‘A Killer in Winter’ is the ninth Matthew Bartholomew chronicle and my ninth Matthew Bartholomew read. For the most part this is an involving story, though it suffers from its length and so many twists and turns. That did not stop me being ‘glued’ to it, however; and I have seven further chronicles waiting in my library. Followers of the chronicles will again applaud the effective portrayal of the main characters in a snow-bound Cambridge. Those who follow the chronicles will be intrigued by the return of one character, the near absence of another - and Matthew’s clarity of resolution. If this is to play-out in the next chronicle it will be a delight. The chronicle has its fair share of humour to season the story, and the criminal death toll is less than in previous novels. For me, I just wish for a little more editing down. 19 hours listening is some commitment. The narration was reliable as ever, but still it is hard to believe that this Michael sings baritone.

hard to get on with

I found the narrator difficult. The voices are over exaggerated. Also the denouement is soooo complicated! not the best in this series.

love stories

listened to all Matthew Bartholomew stories and find them entertaining and informative. well worth credits,

poor story, poor historical detailing,

I had great hopes for this - needing to find a new (to me) author with a book series to occupy me. I like mysteries and I like history - but this history was unbelievable. Using a lot of modern phraseology in the characters mouths (I was not expecting Chaucer but neither was I expecting twentieth century speaking patterns). The story was sloppy and so comvolited that it took at least 20 mins f the characters painfully explaining it to each other at the end as well as numerous recaps all the way through. Also keeps breaking into schooI teacher like explanations of what things are that totaly breaks the flow I stuck with it to the bitter end - almost . . I just could not take the final 10 minutes of explaining what 'life was like in Cambridge at the time' - because it was done so badly.