C.B. Hanley - Cast the First Stone: A Mediaeval Mystery (Book 6)

CAST THE
FIRST STONE

A MEDIAEVAL MYSTERY

A MEDIAEVAL MYSTERY

C.B. HANLEY

For Emily,
a historian (and editor) in training.

First published by The Mystery Press, 2020

The Mystery Press, an imprint of The History Press

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, gl50 3qb www.thehistorypress.co.uk

C.B. Hanley, 2020

The right of C.B. Hanley to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the Publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978 0 7509 9535 1

Typesetting and origination by The History Press Printed in Great Britain

eBook converted by Geethik Technologies

He that is without sin among you,
let him cast the first stone.

John, ch.8, v.7

The Bloody City is a great read, full of intrigue and murder.
Great for readers of Ellis Peters and Lindsey Davis. Hanley weaves a
convincing, rich tapestry of life and death in the early 13th century,
in all its grandeur and filth. I enjoyed this book immensely!

Ben Kane, bestselling novelist of the Forgotten Legion trilogy

Blatantly heroic and wonderfully readable.

The Bloody City received a STARRED review in Library Journal

The characters are real, the interactions and conversations natural,
the tension inbuilt, and it all builds to a genuinely satisfying
conclusion both fictionally and historically.

Review for The Bloody City in www.crimereview.co.uk

Whited Sepulchres struck me as a wonderfully vivid
recreation of the early thirteenth century The solid
historical basis lends authenticity to a lively, well-structured
story. I enjoyed the plight of amiable and peace-loving Edwin,
trapped by his creator in such a warlike time and place.

Andrew Taylor, winner of the 2009 CWA Diamond Dagger
and three-times winner of the CWA Historical Dagger

Its clever. Its well written. Its believable.

Its historically accurate. Its a first-class medieval mystery.

Review for Whited Sepulchres in www.crimereview.co.uk

Brothers Blood [is] a gift for medievalists everywhere
Hanley really knows her stuff. Her knowledge of life in a

Cistercian monastery is impeccable. More please.

Cassandra Clark, author of the Abbess of Meaux medieval mystery series

British author Hanleys enjoyable fourth medieval whodunnit
will appeal to Ellis Peters fans.

Review for Brothers Blood in Publishers Weekly Online

Conisbrough, November 1217

Rivulets of blood were trickling down Conisbroughs main street, and Edwin picked his way across them so that his new boots wouldnt get soiled. He was almost home, where a wife and a hot meal awaited him, and once again he had to remind himself that he wasnt just imagining his good fortune. He was

Master Edwin!

He turned, peering into the early dusk, to see that he was being hailed by the fast-approaching Hal. He stopped and waited for the panting boy to catch him up.

Theyre at it again. Father says youre to come.

So much for the hot meal and the quiet evening with Alys. Edwin followed Hal, though there was no need: he knew where they were going.

In a village of wooden buildings, the new stone house under construction stood out. Ivo, the recently appointed bailiff, had insisted upon it as a condition of his moving to Conisbrough, and Sir Geoffrey had received the earls permission to have the masons work on it in addition to their duties at the castle. A stone house took longer to build than a wooden one, and it was still not complete although Ivo had been here several months; in the meantime, he was temporarily lodged in guest quarters at the castle. However, he visited the site frequently so he could check on progress and argue with the masons, and Edwin heard the sound of raised voices as he approached.

Hal stayed just outside with his father as Edwin stepped through the open doorway and into what would be the main room. There was as yet no proper roof, but half of the wooden trusses had been placed and canvas laid over the top, so that one end of the space was sheltered; it was under this cover that four men were standing.

This time it wasnt the masons who were on the receiving end; the master and one of his men were off to one side, tools hanging unused in their hands, glad to be out of the way for once as Ivo engaged in a furious stand-up row with the reeve.

Im telling you, thats not the way we do it around here.

And Im telling you that thats the way youre going to do it from now on!

But you cant just

Oh yes I can, and

They both broke off as they saw Edwin. He had learned that the best thing to do was not to say anything, so he simply folded his arms and looked at them.

It was the reeve who broke first. Edwin. Cant you just He flapped his arm in a helpless gesture.

Ivo looked down the considerable length of his nose. I fail to see what its got to do with him. He turned to Edwin. But now youre here, perhaps you can talk some sense into him. Im the earls representative, so I can overrule any man here, and the sooner he realises it the sooner you all realise it the better for everyone.

He stalked out, and there was a long moment of silence.

Edwin addressed the masons first, switching to their native French. At least it wasnt you this time.

Philippe, the master, inclined his head. This time, no. But it will be again, no doubt, as he has no conception of how building work is done. I did not catch all of their argument, but it would appear that our friend here is having a similar experience. Monsieur Ivo is good at giving orders but has little idea of practical matters.

Ill talk to him. Perhaps youd better go for now.

Yes. It is getting too dark to work anyway. I will send two men down tomorrow if I can spare them from the castle. Come, Denis. He nodded at his man and they departed.

Once they were gone, young Hal opened his mouth to speak, but his father, who was still hovering by the door, shushed him. Quiet, boy. Its not your place. He bobbed his head at Edwin and the reeve. Well be off then.

Thank you for calling me, Alwin, it was the right thing to do. Hal, be a good lad and run to Alys for me. Tell her Ill be a little while more but I wont be too late. The boy nodded and turned. Oh, and you look hungry ask her if you might eat yours while youre waiting.

Hals grateful smile was visible in the gloom as he departed, and Edwin was left with the reeve. If this was going to be one of those conversations, he thought, he may as well sit down; he made his way past more roof beams stacked waiting to be used, and found a couple of blocks of stone packed in straw at the far end of the dry space. He sat and gestured for the reeve to do likewise.