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Roger the Chapman #21
The Tintern Treasure
An important discovery puts Roger the Chapman’s life in danger . . . - In the autumn of 1483, Roger goes on an errand of mercy to Hereford, where he is caught up in the Duke of Buckingham’s rebellion against the new king, Richard III. Roger takes refuge in Tintern Abbey, but on his return to Bristol, a murder and a series of house robberies lead him to the eventual discovery of the treasure stolen from the abbey on the night he was there. It also means great danger, not only for himself, but a member of his family . . .
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2012
11 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 5, 2016
Hard to believe we're already at the twenty-first book in this delightful historical mystery series. This book is set in 1483, and Duke Richard of Gloucester has just been enthroned as King of England. Roger Chapman, who has done quiet work for the King and his spymaster, Timothy Plummer, is making an unplanned visit to Gloucester at the behest of his wife Adela, and discovers that the feeling in the countryside is not all going in the King's favor--rebellion is fomenting. In a horrible bout of bad weather, Roger and some fellow travelers from Bristol take refuge at Tintern Abbey and while stranded there admist a flood, murder ensues and the tale of a treasure that may have been hidden there 150 years previously.
There is a certain predictability to all these books, but very often there is a plot twist or two that throws a delightful surprise into the mix, as is the case here. These characters have become like old friends, and I shall miss them when the series ends. It's possible that there's only one left--the next one was published 3 years ago now, and the author is quite elderly.
There is a certain predictability to all these books, but very often there is a plot twist or two that throws a delightful surprise into the mix, as is the case here. These characters have become like old friends, and I shall miss them when the series ends. It's possible that there's only one left--the next one was published 3 years ago now, and the author is quite elderly.
February 23, 2026
I've read many of the Roger the Chapman series out of order (my library doesn't have many), they really are a fun read if you enjoy historical fiction. When reading them out of order it is difficult to keep track of what's happening with the monarchy. However, they do all work as stand alone novels. This one is no exception, and for those following chronologically this has some developments for Roger's family life. I recommend this book.
November 23, 2025
#21 in the 15th Century English Roger the Chapman mystery series. It is 1522 and 70 year old Roger is recounting his life starting with leaving the life of a monk at Glastonbury at age 19 in 1471, to set off into the world as a wandering peddler or chapman and finds his true calling in solving mysteries.
October/November is back home in Bristol 1483 when his wife insists he go to her former hometown to help a widow who had been kind to her when her first husband died. The errand turns out to be a waste of time as the Widow is doing fine. However, he is caught up in rainy weather, localized flooding and rebellion against the new king who has been a patron of Roger's. He seeks shelter in Tintern Abby where he meets three wealthy men from his home town. As thy overnight, the monastery's vault which has been sealed for over one hundred fifty years is broken into and they nearly catch the thief who is found drowned in a nearby river the next morning. No one knows whether anything of value was taken. The mystery continues on his return home and he finds himself under threat.
October/November is back home in Bristol 1483 when his wife insists he go to her former hometown to help a widow who had been kind to her when her first husband died. The errand turns out to be a waste of time as the Widow is doing fine. However, he is caught up in rainy weather, localized flooding and rebellion against the new king who has been a patron of Roger's. He seeks shelter in Tintern Abby where he meets three wealthy men from his home town. As thy overnight, the monastery's vault which has been sealed for over one hundred fifty years is broken into and they nearly catch the thief who is found drowned in a nearby river the next morning. No one knows whether anything of value was taken. The mystery continues on his return home and he finds himself under threat.
November 26, 2017
Kate Sedley captivates us with her Roger the Chapman mysteries. Interesting characters placed in England during the late middle ages enhances the read. In this mystery, Roger, a traveling trader, stays at a monastery with three wealthy men from his home town. The monastery's vault remained sealed for over one hundred fifty years when the mystery begins with the vault violated and nobody knows what is missing. The action in flows easily, but the plot was too obvious. Regardless I enjoyed the quick read.
October 21, 2018
Nearly the final book in the series. It's been great following Roger and his adventures near and far. He's gone from a fresh peddler on the road, living the bachelor life, now to the mighty old age of 31 with four kids, a wife, a dog and a house. Poor guy! This mystery stayed closer to home but is definitely influenced by larger events happening in the world. If you've come this far with Roger, then you should definitely finish the series like me.
October 24, 2020
This book kept my attention after I had set aside several others. It is in a series about Roger the Chapman, a medieval pedlar. I enjoyed the research behind the story and the skill of the writing which uses every technique to bring the past alive. This book has a light touch and the last few pages were packed with tension.
May 13, 2018
A man has a reputation from previous adventures, just happens to become involved in a murder investigation that puts himself and his family at risk. Set in Medieval England at the time of Richard III. The story was entertaining, and I enjoyed the light refreshing read.
December 14, 2018
I know that the author takes liberty with historical events in this book, however, it seems as though the last chapter was written in haste. I am determined to finish the series but am not very impressed with this one.
March 4, 2020
Much better than the previous book in the series. Well plotted and well written although there were occasional missing words.
September 18, 2022
One of the great ones....until the end.
September 9, 2025
very boring unless British history is a passion for the reader. The main character was a clutz
December 28, 2025
always a good read I love this series of books
December 30, 2012
Roger Chapman is a peddler who has, quite by accident, become an agent of King Richard III. His reputation as the king’s man has made Roger a minor celebrity in his home town of Bristol, but Roger feels his relationship with the controversial king is often more of a burden than a boon. In this, the twentieth installment of Roger’s story, he must uncover a plot against the king before there is open rebellion in England and before the mutinous agents of Henry Tudor follow through on their threats against Roger’s family.
I’ve not read the earlier Roger Chapman novels, but given their reputation I’d like to. I like Roger as a character and Sedley does a really good job setting up a scene. However, sometimes the insertion of historical background was contrived, making dialogue seem unrealistic. Another fault, that may be my own misunderstanding, relates to the novel’s genre. I’d read that Sedley was a mystery writer and that her Chapman novels were whodunits. However, The Tintern Treasure offered very little in the way of mystery. Sedley gives up every murderer well before Roger figures it out for himself. Had I expected this to be a straight-forward historical novel I might not have been looking for a mystery element. The Tintern Treasure is informative and enjoyable, but not quite a mystery novel.
I’ve not read the earlier Roger Chapman novels, but given their reputation I’d like to. I like Roger as a character and Sedley does a really good job setting up a scene. However, sometimes the insertion of historical background was contrived, making dialogue seem unrealistic. Another fault, that may be my own misunderstanding, relates to the novel’s genre. I’d read that Sedley was a mystery writer and that her Chapman novels were whodunits. However, The Tintern Treasure offered very little in the way of mystery. Sedley gives up every murderer well before Roger figures it out for himself. Had I expected this to be a straight-forward historical novel I might not have been looking for a mystery element. The Tintern Treasure is informative and enjoyable, but not quite a mystery novel.
November 3, 2012
This new book in the Roger the Chapman series which I have been reading for years turned up on the "hold shelf" for me just as I started re-reading "The Daughter of Time" for a book discussion. They are set in exactly the same time and concern themselves with the accession to the throne of Richard III and the rumor of the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower.
This series of historical mysteries has a much kindlier view of Richard than does Shakespeare -- perhaps influenced by Tey's work -- and though he is a minor character in the stories, he is the one who often sets the action happening.
This series of historical mysteries has a much kindlier view of Richard than does Shakespeare -- perhaps influenced by Tey's work -- and though he is a minor character in the stories, he is the one who often sets the action happening.
August 20, 2020
A really enjoyable novel by Kate Sedley. Roger Chapman is on great form again, solving another mystery in and around his native town of Bristol.
The Chapman series is a really good choice if you are looking for an easy to read, enjoyable, historical detective story. The author always gives a full historical background in the books (which have now progressed to the beginning of the reign of Richard III) and she peppers the stories with little bits of folklore, beliefs of the time, and a few Norman and Saxon words of era.
Well done, I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
The Chapman series is a really good choice if you are looking for an easy to read, enjoyable, historical detective story. The author always gives a full historical background in the books (which have now progressed to the beginning of the reign of Richard III) and she peppers the stories with little bits of folklore, beliefs of the time, and a few Norman and Saxon words of era.
Well done, I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
August 10, 2012
Roger Chapman has been teetering on the edge of some major events in history over the past few books, and finally his patron is King Richard, with all the upheaval of the Little Princes in the Tower coming on. An interesting mystery although a little contrived, connecting current (to Roger) events with the distant English past. Can't wait to see how Sedley gets Roger and his newly larger family through to the Tudor era!
November 12, 2012
I have read all of the Roger Chapman books, so when I begin a new one it takes me awhile to get beyond the part that brings new readers up to speed on the characters. I always feel a bit bored until the plot gets under way, and then I get hooked and (once again) enjoy the novel. Sedley does a nice job of weaving the history of the monarchy into the lives of her book's characters. They are always interesting reads on several levels.
September 29, 2013
Once again, Kate Sedley provides us with an excellent mystery featuring Roger the Chapman. This time he attempts to discern what has been stolen from Tintern Abbey, as well as who murdered his traveling companion and has committed the attempted break-ins of all those who happened to be at Tintern Abbey at the time of the robbery. What was stolen and why? Does the robbery have anything to do with the Tudor Conspiracy?
January 22, 2015
3.5 stars for me
moving right along to the following book in the series The Christmas Wassail.
These two latest books in Roger the Chapman series have familiar ring to me, but when I read earlier books in the series I was not tracking my books on goodreads so have no idea which of the books I read. I don't love the books enough to retrace.
moving right along to the following book in the series The Christmas Wassail.
These two latest books in Roger the Chapman series have familiar ring to me, but when I read earlier books in the series I was not tracking my books on goodreads so have no idea which of the books I read. I don't love the books enough to retrace.
February 25, 2020
This was my second reading of The Tintern Treasure, and it maintained its strength. Fortunately, I remembered little of the plot since the first time so it was as though I was reading it for the first time. Roger the Chapman is such a sympathetic protagonist that the reader is really interested in what he’s up to.
June 29, 2012
Not a bad little mystery, if they gave half stars 3 1/2 - not great, but an entertaining read. This is set against the background of the events of Richard III's first year, including the rebellion of the Duke of Buckingham and the rumors about the Princes in the Tower
May 31, 2012
I love all the Roger the Chapman books, and this one is no different. The descriptions of life, especially for the lower classes, under the Lancastrian and Yorkist Kings are so vivid.
July 17, 2012
A typical Roger the Chapman mystery. Sedley as always provides an entertaining read with a satisfactory conclusion.
June 3, 2013
The books "Roger the Chapman" series are always very enjoyable to read.
September 14, 2013
A good Edition to the series.
September 19, 2013
I enjoy Kate Sedley's midieval mysteries. This was not my favorite.
December 13, 2013
This is another good offering in a great series. Good light reading, strong characterisation, and a little bit of humour. Delightful.
February 27, 2013
Not only a good mystery read but a history lesson too
August 13, 2013
This series is always fun.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews