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The Habit of Murder

The Twenty-Third Chronicle of Matthew Bartholomew

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The Habit of Murder

By: Susanna Gregory
Narrated by: David Thorpe
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About this listen

In 1360 a deputation from Cambridge ventures to the Suffolk town of Clare in the hope that the wealthy Elizabeth de Burgh has left a legacy to Michaelhouse. Yet when they arrive, they discover that the report of her death is false and that the college seems destined for bankruptcy.

Determined to see if some of its well-heeled citizens can be persuaded to sponsor Michaelhouse, Matthew Bartholomew, Brother Michael and Master Langelee become enmeshed in the town's politics. They quickly discover that a great many other people in Clare have recently met untimely deaths. These killings, combined with the arrogance Lady de Burgh has shown over the refurbishment of the church and the grotesque behaviour of some of her entourage, have created a dangerous restlessness in the town - an atmosphere intensified when yet more murders occur.

One of the victims is a fellow traveller of the Michaelhouse contingent, and Matthew Bartholomew and Brother Michael feel honour-bound to identify his killer. It is a hunt which takes them deep into Clare's murky foundations and which threatens their own survival as well as that of their beloved college.

©2017 Susanna Gregory (P)2017 Little Brown Book Group Crime Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Medieval Mystery Fiction Crime Middle Ages

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All stars
Most relevant  
another wonderful murder mystery with all my favourite people...well researched and a real page turner

brilliant

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I have read 22 of Suzanna Gregory's medieval books and have thoroughly enjoyed the storylines and getting to know the characters so when the chance came up to get an audible version of the latest story I jumped at the chance. Now I have voices to go with the characters and I am not disappointed. Matthew has come to life as the doctor, a little unsure of himself but determined to be heard and do his best. As for Brother Michael, he is very much like how I pictured him, a little effeminate but utterly confident in what he is about. I just love everything about these stories, so we'll written and research. Congratulations to Suzanna for an excellent another read/listen

Superb listening

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I've now listened to all 23 of the books in this series.....I'm not sure why? No that's not true, I like the period setting, I like the characters that run through the series (well most of them, the so-called main hero is a woss)

Some of the research is very good but a lot is in fact very bad. Most of the people involved living their lives in a way that would have been impossible for many reasons. The doctor's success rate for example would have made him a saint (or more likely a witch). the everyday population are far too well educated and widely travelled but then again,who wants to read about people who spent their every working hour struggling to stay alive. But the backgrounds are interesting and comfortable to listen to in "background while working" sort of way (which is how I listened to them)
On the downside the storylines are never very good and,(at least towards the end of the series) repeat over and over, I can't remember how many times we ended up in the attic of a church trying to stop some lunatic from setting it on fire or bringing it down on the congregation below.
Bottom line is I'm sad there are no more, so something must have been right. I'll miss the devious Michael, the obnoxious William , the dominant Langaley and the monk who pretends to talk and listen to animals but is, in fact, the best eyes and ears in Cambridge. As for the main man, Bartholomew his "Dr Watson" type character tries to become stronger as the series progresses but he never really makes it and is, for the most part, an annoying wimp

More of the same

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I love all the books in the series but this one felt slightly more cohesive and credible, despite the usual amount of deaths present in the Bartholomew’s stories. Great historical detail and an end of an era at StMichael’s.

Loved it

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With only two books to go this one is a hard act to follow. Set in Claire Suffolk 12 miles from my home the story and plot are sublime with many twists and turns within a very large cast. Read over Christmas 2023 a fitting end to the year

Susanna is the queen of historical mystery

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Yes, there are ‘murders a plenty’ in this novel, but the numerous characters have more helpful definition than in some previous of this series. The focus on the trio of Michaelhouse men is satisfying and marks a significant step to the end of the series. In ways it was touching. Only Matthew Bartholomew’s ‘phaffing’ grated a little. Whilst readers will have no trouble in anticipating the key locations that matter toward the end of the novel (it is so hard to mistake them and they are predictable) - and how things are likely to play-out in these, anticipating the key villains is just a little tougher. No more. I still enjoyed this 23rd novel of the series and dearly hope that the last two are crafted well so as not to disappoint those who have been loyal listeners and readers. I felt that David Thorpe regained his early voice characterisations and this was great to hear. A worthwhile listen/read.

Murders a Plenty

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I enjoyed this book more than some of the more recent chronicles. The writing wasn't quite so formulaic probably because this book isn't set in Cambridge - for once Matthew didn't have to use his birthing forceps in defence! There are a lot of characters, a lot of sub plots and it feels like the book has two endings but it's more of the usual enjoyable stuff. Sadly, it does feel like the series is coming to an end.

Better that some of the more recent chronicles

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Great book in the series although I do feel like it's the end of the line ( although I do hope I'm wrong)

Great book

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This was disappointing, both story and performance.

The story became just one tedious death after another, while tHe narration is over emphasised throughout and the ‘voices’ didn’t match the characters in my head.

Tedious and over emphasised

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I'm used to this series having lots of amusing characters, mainly Matt's poor patients. This book however was devoid of all humour with lots of angry soldiers/scholars and clergy.
I disliked this book so much I could not finish it - for the first time ever.
I was really disappointed with this book. Lots of anger and unpleasant people.

Nothing but bad tempered people.

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