The Bookseller's Tale

Oxford Medieval Mysteries, Book 1

By: Ann Swinfen

Narrated by: Philip Battley

Oxford, Spring 1353. When young bookseller Nicholas Elyot discovers the body of student William Farringdon floating in the river Cherwell, it looks like a drowning. Soon, however, Nicholas finds evidence of murder. Who could have wanted to kill this promising student? As Nicholas and his scholar friend Jordain try to unravel what lies behind William's death, they learn that he was innocently caught up in a criminal plot. When their investigations begin to involve town, university, and abbey, Nicholas takes a risky gamble - and puts his family in terrible danger.

©2016 Ann Swinfen (P)2017 Ann Swinfen

Immersive and entertaining!

I had a hard time stopping to go back to reality. The narrator acts it well, and in emotional parts I even found myself tearing up... he has a smooth, pleasant voice, perfect to convey the quaint atmosphere of medieval Oxford.

Loved the story. Can’t wait to read the next one

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It seems well researched. The medieval music was a nice touch. The story kept my interest the whole time.

Really fun story, but with uneven narration

Very enjoyable historical mystery set in 14th-century Oxford. Great characters and excellent descriptions, a good mystery, and fine pacing. The narration of the audiobook by Philip Battley was uneven, however, with many strange pauses and pacing. His accents were fine, though.

Solid writing

Great characters, solid story. A little odd to hear a first person narrator in the medieval genre, but it worked. Frequently jarring shifts in past and present tense tripped me up.

I liked this story and narrator.

Nothing like solving a murder and surviving the plague!! Love the characters and can’t wait for the next book. Will the artist nun escape the convent? Lol! Fun romp.