Serpent in the Thorns

The Crispin Guest Medieval Mysteries, Book 2

By: Jeri Westerson

Narrated by: Noah James Butler

The disgraced knight turned inquiry agent searches for a missing relic in this Macavity Award-finalist mystery set in fourteenth century London.

Former knight Crispin Guest is now known in the streets of medieval London as the Tracker—an investigator who can find anything and anyone. What begins as a straightforward case of murder turns complicated when Crispin realizes that the victim was an important courier in possession of a holy artifact—an object so valuable that its absence could start a war between France and England.

Surrounded by possible suspects, Guest will have to use his wiles to navigate both the exclusive halls of King Richard's court and the hardscrabble streets of fourteenth-century London. In a world full of old friends, mysterious strangers, and dangerous enemies—including the treasonous mastermind who caused Crispin's fall from grace—Crispin will have to uncover a deadly conspiracy to protect his country, save himself, and perhaps even restore his good name.

©2009 Jeri Westerson (P)2022 Tantor

The most intriguing Crispin Guest story ever

The first time Crispin insults the King is a real treat! This story is full of surprises.

Always left holding the bag

Random thought: Having just watched Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, I see a lot of similarities between Crispin and Dunk, and in the series premise of what makes a true knight.

This installment used a new mystery, and new assassination plot, to showcase the original events that cost Crispin his knighthood. Old grievances and unfinished business provided excellent twists and turns. I called the whodunnit early, yet still had a blast following along to be proven right.

The two things that I’m loving most about this series are (a) Crispin’s noble but flawed (and especially foolishly prideful) character and (b) Mr. Butler’s stellar narration.