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The Butcher Bird

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The Butcher Bird

By: S D Sykes
Narrated by: Ewan Goddard
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About this listen

Oswald de Lacey is growing up fast in his new position as Lord of Somershill Manor.

The Black Death changed many things, and just as it took away his father and elder brothers, leaving Oswald to be recalled from the monastery where he expected to spend his life, it has taken many of his villagers and servants. However, there is still the same amount of work to be done in the farms and fields, and the few people left to do it think they should be paid more - something the King himself has forbidden.

Just as anger begins to spread, the story of the Butcher Bird takes flight. People claim to have witnessed a huge creature in the skies. A newborn baby is found impaled on a thorn bush. And then more children disappear.

Convinced the bird is just a superstitious rumour, Oswald must discover what is really happening. He can expect no help from his snobbish mother and his scheming sister, Clemence, who is determined to protect her own child but happy to neglect her stepdaughters.

From the plague-ruined villages of Kent to the thief-infested streets of London and the luxurious bedchamber of a bewitching lady, Oswald's journey is full of danger, dark intrigue and shocking revelations.

©2015 Portica Associates Ltd. (P)2015 Hodder & Stoughton Fiction Historical Fiction Village Middle Ages

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All stars
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Story improved in the last chapters but not what I was hoping for. Not a total waste of money but I’d think twice about buying another book by this author. Didn’t enjoy the narration at all.

Sounded like a medieval Adrian Mole but not as funny.

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Enjoyed Character development & felt entire book flowed well. Will try more from this author and also narrator

Enough twists & turns to keep me well entertained

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I'm enjoying this series. I struggled with the narrator for the first chapter but his youthfulness reflects the age of the main character and I've quickly grown to like his voice.

thoroughly enjoyable

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