Der Alchimist von Oxford

William Falconer #3

by Ian Morson

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Crime, Medieval, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Born in 1947 in the Midlands town of Derby into a working class family whose members either worked for Rolls-Royce or on the railways. Educated at the local grammar school with high academic standards. The school was one of the first to start teaching Russian. Won a scholarship to Oxford University in 1965, and studied Russian. At Oxford, developed a love of folk music, and regularly performed at clubs and pubs. Was president of the Heritage Society. Almost met Bill Clinton (same college, wrong year). Fell in love with Oxford.
Obtained a grant to research into Folk-life studies at Leeds University for a year in 1968/69. Wrote a thesis on Folk and Music-hall songs. Had to look for a real job at the end of it.
Started work in London as a library assistant in Harrow, and progressed to a senior post in public libraries over the next twenty years. Got married (twice) and now lives in Mevagissey, Cornwall. Became interested in conservation, and spends a lot of time doing voluntary work for the National Trust. Also directs and performs for St Austell Players - local am-dram group.
Started writing for real at the age of 42, after having dabbled in (unperformed) radio plays and (unpublished) poetry. First Falconer novel published at the age of 47.

Reviews

[Martina Sartor · Rating 4 out of 5]

È il terzo titolo della serie pubblicato in Italia, nei Gialli Mondadori. Se i primi due mi avevano lasciato ancora qualche dubbio, questo mi ha convinto di più. La parte storica sulla Oxford di fine '200 è interessante e accurata. La figura del maestro reggente Falconer si sta delineando sempre meglio e diventa intrigante e interessante da seguire, con tutto il suo contorno di personaggi comprimari. Della stori più strettamente gialla ho apprezzato soprattutto la parte finale, con la proto-autopsia, passatemi il termine, e la riunione finale, molto in stile "Agatha", di tutti i sospettati con svelamento del colpevole.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a perfect way to learn more about the Medieval England! This historical mystery set in Oxford in the 1200's gives the reader a crash course on Oxford University in its early days (NOT impressive!); the early Church (less than holy in many ways); and the rampant anti-Semitism prevalent at that time.

The roving theatrical troupe at the heart of the story is colorful and Ian Morson creates a very believable cast of characters to complement them. The mystery was a credible puzzle for those who read for the challenge of solving the crime, but the magic for me was imagining the complex theatricals presented by the rag-tag travelling group.

This book was a great escape into another world--brutal, challenging, and quite interesting.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the Amazon review: INTRODUCING THE GRIPPING MEDIEVAL MYSTERY SERIES FEATURING OXFORD SLEUTH MASTER WILLIAM FALCONER.

‘The author really shakes the dust out of Oxford’s historical past.’ New York Times

‘The Dark Ages at their darkest.’ Kirkus Review

The play’s the thing…


From the synopsis: Winchester 1268
Crowds have gathered to watch a play. In the final scene the lead actor raises his sword and plunges it into the throat of his stage companion. The audience’s cheers turn to screams as they are sprayed with blood . . . This staged murder is all too real.

Days later a mysterious troupe of jongleurs arrive in Oxford to perform a series of plays.

Amidst the Christmas festivities lurks a brutal killer.

When another actor is stabbed on stage, this time with a chisel, William Falconer is called upon to use his famed logic and track down the murderer. But first he must determine why actors are in the killer’s sights.

With Christmas fast approaching, and the players rehearsing for their finale, Falconer is in a race against time to unmask the killer before more actors die.

I'd never read any of these before, but it looks like I'm going to have go find more of them. There are some really interesting twists before we get to the final accounting and discover who killed who and Falconer's reasoning is really interesting as he uses Aristotelean logic to make deductions.

One thing I found really cool is most of the characters were real people. Will Falconer was a master regent at Oxford University; Henry III was king of England and Roger Mortimer *had* led a rebellion against him. Roger Bacon had been exiled to France for studying alchemy a number other characters are factual but more 'alive' than in most history books.

You also get a real 'feel' for the town of Oxford. You can pretty much 'see' the setting, but you also get a feel for the culture and the politics.

Definitely recommend for anyone who is at all interested in the history of England or who just likes a really good murder investigation.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

#3 in the William Falconer medieval mystery series. Falconer is in his 40's and the Regent Master of Aristotle's Hall at Oxford University. He has a fascination for the obscure with an interest in scientific experiments whose hobby is solving murders.. He is considered an eccentric who suffers from poor eyesight and used Aristotle's deductive reasoning methods to solve mysteries. Prior to becoming an academic, he was a mercenary who traveled a lot.

Christmas, 1267. A troupe of entertainers has arrived in Oxford to perform a Mystery Play. Earlier in Winchester, their lead actor is killed on stage. Days later, the remaining members of the troop arrive in Oxford and another actor is stabbed to death and it is up to Falconer to discover what happened.

[Bruce Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Face of God

A band of troubadours comes to Oxford to perform a great mystery play. They are a colorful group of players, who also have secrets and interesting pasts. The Face of God refers to a mask worn by the master of the troop. A man is murdered but who was the intended victim? An old Jew is also killed and forgotten. A Holy Relic is given to the Church. Is it real? Falconer must solve the crimes and discover the motives behind themes. Can he prove a man is innocent, when hundreds of people saw him run a man through with a sword? I enjoyed the story.

[Hana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A troupe of entertainers with an opportunistic boss whom everybody hates, two deaths, a mystery about the motives as well as murderer(s) and an inquisitive scholar... seems like a good mixture for great read. And while I liked it, I wasn't that enthusiastic and felt that some facts were missing. It's not bad to read about Master Falconer's adventures but it's quite difficult to devour them.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1266 A band of players have arrived in Oxford. But a death soon occurs among them. Master William Falconer investigates while on an errand for Roger Bacon. But can he and Constable Peter Bullock find the guilty party before another death occurs.
An enjoyable historical mystery with it cast of varied characters. Another good addition to this series.

[David Stimpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slipped a little. This story did not get Me involved like the others .But this is a good series set in My Home city. So I will carry on

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder during a play? The expected tropes are rolled out. That said, the historical bits really make this enjoyable.

[Kurry Swigert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the first three books in the series, I enjoyed this one the most.

[Meg Morden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book that I have read by Morson and I enjoyed this as much as the first! These novels are a great entry into the world of medieval England and the world of academia. The time it 2168 CE at Christmastime and the place is Oxford. Of course there is a murder and Falconer has to get involved. The action involves traveling players, thieving gangs, rival priests, holy relics, a visit by the King's court and much more. I particularly find interesting the interaction between town and gown and between the town and the Jewish population. I highly recommend this book!

[Linda Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set at Christmas time in Thirteenth Century Oxford where a troop of troubadours are putting on a series of Mystery Plays when a murderer strikes. Regent Master William Falconer,as always in this series,must solve the crime and prevent trouble between the locals and the small Jewish community. The descriptions of the stage and costumes of The Mystery Plays,and role of The Lord of
Misrule give added interest to this Historical Mystery.

[Schnuckiputzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Ian Morson's Falconer and the Face of God, a historical mystery set in 1267 in Oxford. It is a good story, filled with great details of alchemists, Francis Bacon, the King's Jews, and traveling jongleurs (actors/jugglers/acrobats).

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the realistic depiction of life at Oxford in the 1260's. But found the writing a bit pedestrian and the ending contrived.