A Masterly Murder

The Sixth Chronicle of Matthew Bartholomew

By: Susanna Gregory

Narrated by: David Thorpe

Length: 18 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Michaelhouse is in uproar: Kenyngham, the saintly but ageing master, has announced his retirement, and with unseemly haste Runham arranges his own 'election' as his successor. Within days he has dismissed several members of staff, including the redoubtable laundress Agatha, and is making life so unpleasant for the scholars that even Matthew Bartholomew believes his future as physician and teacher at the college is untenable. But Matthew has many patients to divert his attention, and Brother Michael, proctor of the fledgling university, has some suspicious deaths to investigate, although they cannot help but notice that the new master has commissioned a flurry of building work. Then Runham himself is murdered, and, although he is mourned by none, Matthew and Michael know they have to solve the mystery before any more damage is done to their beloved Michaelhouse.

©2000 Susanna Gregory (P)2017 Little Brown Book Group

Another good one from Susanna Gregory

Another fun mystery with many twists and turns. I enjoy listening to Susanna Gregorys books I have listened to a few others in her series based in 14th century Cambridge University.I would like to commend David Thorpe, who narrates this and the other books in the series, he has a wide array of accents and voices for the various characters. I especially like the voice of the foppish monk Michael.

Relaxing Fun

I wish they would make these books into a television series. The characters are so good and often so funny. The mysteries are entertaining but without stressful cruelty or disturbing violence. They are more in the Agatha Christie vein. They also remind me of Lyndsey Davis’s Falco series. They keep me enthralled! I am going to listen to them all.

Sadly disappointing

On the whole I found this book quite interesting, I had a few chuckles at Michael's sarcastic wit. However, I felt it was far too drawn out, there were far too many corpses- I reckon we could have lost a couple without affecting the story, and then - the final reveal was just silly, out of the blue came the perpetrator of the crimes, no clues - nothing - so we had to have a detailed reason laid out as part of the dialogue. Very clunky!
As a detective story it was very odd as Matthew and Michael just blundered around having intuitive moments - which all turned out to be wrong - so they'd decide on some other helpless sap - only to discover they were wrong again!
Overall it was quite good fun and light to listen to, but a detective story - no!!

Not her best

Pretty obvious how it all fitted together - but the characters are great and very well narrated.

Brilliant

This book shows the intelligence of Brother Micheal, in case anyone was in doubt. While he was ill the investigations went no where. Once he was back things thanks to him then fell in place.

very good listen

I thoroughly enjoyed this well narratived book. The story line had lots of twists & turns and kept me guessing until the end

Matthew and Michael

These books have been me a real treat. No swearing, just honest dialogue. Some of the dialogue has made really laugh. Beautifully written, masterly read. Thank you I can't wait to get to the next book.

Outstanding Characterisation.

As ever, a brilliant performance of a somewhat intricate plot that should hold the attentions of (even ) casual listeners.

Great!

These books get better and better I can not believe I have only just started them (although I have known about them for ages)
I don't know why some do not like this one, I found it a great story and all relevant, maybe some of the people writing reviews have not read or listened to the others that came before
Father William is really growing on me, after Mathew & Michael he is the best.

I’m in for the Duration

This is the sixth chronicle of Mathew Bartholomew. Presumptuously this brief review is written expecting that, like me, listeners/readers are not new to the series. I am a committed follower and find that each chronicle is an engaging and a welcome change - both to world news and to the more literary novels in my listening and hard-copy libraries. The performance of David Thorpe is equal to the first five novels in the series. He has a ready facility with the voice characterisations of the regular characters which mean that their ‘banter’ and foibles are continuously enjoyable. I frequently listen-and-read and find the new edition of the chronicles give easy reading. I am now about to invest in the seventh chronicle. (I do agree with some others that tighter editorial judgement would have made the chronicles even better.)

Brilliant narration, but the story goes on a bit

David Thorpe really brings this story to life. without his narration I dont think I would have enjoyed this as much.

Interesting enough but same old pattern

I've stuck with this series as I like something easy to listen to while working, Trouble is , these can be very annoying at times. The characters are always well developed although one or two of these can be very annoying as well. The main guy is a complete wimp who never does what you want him to do, walks into obvious traps every other page and relies on the stronger and more interesting characters (the monk and the book bearer) to save him. The plot,as usual is complex and well thought out, The characters interestingly work out "whodunit" only for the real murderer to turn out to be someone totally obscure who suddenly appears out of know where to reveal themselves to the trusty good guys who,as usual, are gobsmacked at who they are (as am I).
Why do I persevere? no idea! I like the period its all set in and the background is interesting (even if the research is a bit patchy). some times the peasants come over very realistically for the age and at other times totally ridiculous (the entire village going to listen to a university debate on whether the earth turns...I dont think so! (book 5)) .Well I have more work to do so I guess Ill listen to another one !!