The Sanctuary Murders

The Twenty-Fourth Chronicle of Matthew Bartholomew

By: Susanna Gregory

Narrated by: David Thorpe

Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

In 1360 Edward III issues a call to arms, as sporadic attacks by the French threaten to turn into a full-blown invasion. 

In Cambridge, fear of the enemy is magnified by the belief that foreign agents are lurking in the area. Tension runs ever higher as rumours and ignorance fan the flames of suspicion amid preparations for war.  

And then the first murder occurs - of a French scholar living in the town. At Michaelhouse, Brother Michael is now Master, but his reach of power in the University is under threat by the election of a new Chancellor and his cohort of dubious advisors. Soon, the Colleges begin to squabble amongst themselves, as well as with the town that never wanted a university in the first place.  

Amidst this atmosphere of swelling distrust, physician Matthew Bartholomew is called upon to investigate mysterious deaths in a nearby hospital. He quickly realises that there is something odd about the inmates and their keepers - something dark and deadly, which seems to be connected to the growing number of murders in the town. 

Pressure mounts as the university and the town clamour for answers, leading Bartholomew and Michael in a frantic quest for a solution before the powder keg of animosity in Cambridge is ignited.

©2019 Susanna Gregory (P)2019 Hachette Audio UK

The best yet

I have read all of the Matthew Bartholomew books, truly brought to life by the characterisation of the narrator David Thorpe, and have enjoyed them all. This book however has been the best and sadly from the feel of the ending may well be the last :(
If you enjoy mediaeval mysteries with a light-hearted touch and a wealth of likeable characters as well as murderers and villains then read these books. The historical perspective at the end of each one is also interesting.
Thank you Susanna Gregory and David Thorpe for making many long flights much less tedious and boring!!!

Enjoyable enough

I'm a long time fan of the Matthew Bartholomew audiobooks - not because of the quality of the literature but because they are easy listens and offer unchallenging enjoyable escapism. I fell asleep listening this this book, woke up 8 hours later, carried on listening later on in the day without twigging that I had missed most of the book! Listening to it again I didn't miss all that much. Susanna Gregory has killed off so many of the fun characters in previous books that there's almost no one left to add texture and continuity to the stories other than Matthew, Michael and Cynric. Sadly it feels like the series is coming to the end of its life.

Didn't let us down.

This series of books was the first series I listened to on Audbile and it soon became a family thing that we listened to the the antics of Michael and Bartholomew together. Finishing the series nearly 2 years ago we were excited to see a new book had been added to the series. We weren't disappointed it was like listening to old friends and the antics they got up. Looking forward to the next one.

Brilliant

Brilliant read, love all the books in the series and this had not disappointed either and can’t wait for an another to come out! Narration by David Thorpe is fantastic , he is brilliant in changing his voice for different characters and makes the book stand out like no other- wish he narrated all audio books- he brings it to life!

Good but lacking something

I’ve listened to all the Bartholomew books, this was good but not one of the best. We’ve been waiting many books for him to marry Matilda and yet again, she’s missing from the books, along with many of the other much loved characters like Agnes, Langerly. Feels like a last in the series book, but hopefully not and we might get a proper happy ending after 20 something books 😀

Another Brilliant Matthew Bartholomew Book

Sheer brilliance as usual. My only complaint is that I got very little sleep for a few days as I simply could not bear to switch it off! I really hope there will be yet more Matthew Bartholomew books to come. Historical Fiction at its very best.

Awful

When looking for a CJ Samson alternative, I thought I'd give this a try.....I think I managed 45 minutes (over 3 trys) before I had to turn it off. The story might be ok, once you get into it, but the narrator is awful. The pace of the speech is so incredibly slow that your heartbeat subconciously starts to race as you try and urge him on and his character voices are unbelieveably bad....I've no idea why the general reviews seem to be so good ?..this really is the worst audio book I have ever listended to....PS: if anyone can recommend a good CJ Sansom (Shardlake style) alternative, I've love to hear from you...many thanks

Mathew & Michael

A fantastic combination, full of great quips and friendship. Thank you for these wonderful humours books. Please write some more.

one of her best

I love this series and have read most of them and I think this is one of the best.

Great listen

loved it, keeps you hooked from beginning to end. a very good twist. Enjoyed it