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Roger the Chapman #17
The Green Man
Summer,1482. An English army invades Scotland in order to put King James the Third's renegade younger brother, the Duke of Albany, on the Scottish throne. Albany insists his old acquaintance, Roger the Chapman, be a member of his personal bodyguard. But during the march northwards, a series of sinister events, centered around the cult figure of the mythical Green Man, makes Roger question Albany's true motive for requesting his presence...
251 pages, Hardcover
First published June 19, 2008
10 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Kate Sedley
37 books105 followersBrenda Margaret Lilian Clarke, known by her pen name Kate Sedley, was an English historical novelist best known for her Roger the Chapman mystery series. Born in Bristol in 1926, she also published as Brenda Honeyman and Brenda Clarke.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 1, 2021
In 1482, Richard of Gloucester commands an English army that invades Scotland with the ostensible purpose of putting King James III's renegade brother, the Duke of Albany on the throne. In an earlier novel Albany has had dealings with Roger Chapman and requests that the latter be made a member of the expedition as his personal bodyguard.
While I thoroughly enjoy this series, this is a weak effort. Roger is even more obtuse than usual. He must know that the pretext for including him in Albany’s retinue is false, but does he go to Gloucester for help? Of course not. He then allows himself to be taken by Albany’s group on a journey which he should know will not end well for him. Finally, he accepts drinks from these people who wish to do him harm.
While I thoroughly enjoy this series, this is a weak effort. Roger is even more obtuse than usual. He must know that the pretext for including him in Albany’s retinue is false, but does he go to Gloucester for help? Of course not. He then allows himself to be taken by Albany’s group on a journey which he should know will not end well for him. Finally, he accepts drinks from these people who wish to do him harm.
June 19, 2017
How lovely to revisit Kate Sedley after so many years. I thought the beginning was slow and wondered if this was to be a replication of the earlier books. But Roger the Chapman began his new adventure, and I was as engrossed as ever in Sedley's Middle Ages mystery. I have enjoyed her protagonist over the years -- hauled off to help the royalty either solve problems, or to be their lackey in an adventure. Known for his faith and his ingenuity, he is always involved in some adventure with great danger, a modicum of hilarity, and always coasting to a satisfactory ending.
January 14, 2020
Sometimes, it is fun to read a light book whose author and characters are familiar. It was nice to ince again soend time with Roger the Chapman. My library no longer has this author so finding a few titles that I had not yet read at an out of town library sale was quite a treat. A fun, interesting, Medieval mystery... and it is going right back to a library sale so hopefully someone else will be as pleased to find it as I was last week.
January 31, 2025
not my favorite book in the series
I’ve enjoyed all of the books, but this one was boring for the most part. All of the issues between the Scots and the English and the traveling. Just didn’t keep my interest. And then some of the plot twists have been used in prior books. So overall, it was OK But not as good as some of the others. I had to force myself to finish it because I know I want to read the next book.
I’ve enjoyed all of the books, but this one was boring for the most part. All of the issues between the Scots and the English and the traveling. Just didn’t keep my interest. And then some of the plot twists have been used in prior books. So overall, it was OK But not as good as some of the others. I had to force myself to finish it because I know I want to read the next book.
December 3, 2017
The book got better for me in the latter part, the ending was a bit of a downer but then you have to remember this is set in the 15th century Scotland! But glad Roger could get back to Adela and his kids.
October 22, 2017
An enjoyable book, and being very familiar with Rosslyn gave it an edge in my mind.
October 2, 2018
Worst book in the series. Roger is made out to be stupid. No redeeming qualities or endearing actions. One stupid move after another. The author may have dried up her plot ability.
October 6, 2019
I really like this series but this one was a little disappointing. Several typos and Roger seemed a bit too slow figuring things out.
March 14, 2021
Review to come!
July 25, 2022
I do enjoy this series of books
Read
August 2, 2024more shocking than most, but memorable. Probably one of the best of the series
November 15, 2008
I am a big fan of historical mysteries, so when our library got the new Roger the Chapman book I had to take a break from YA Fantasy and put The Green Man at the top of my to-read pile.
Roger is a chapman, a traveling peddlar who sells sewing notions and ladies' finery--things that can fit confortably into a backpack. In earlier books in the series, he has also acted as a spy for Richard of Gloucester (who will before long become King Richard III.) In this book, he has been requested to act as a bodyguard for Alexander, Duke of Albany, the younger brother of Scotland's King James III. James is an unpopular king among the nobles and populace alike, and the English believe that if they can lead an army to Scotland and provoke James into battle they would have the chance to put Alexander on the throne. Alexander is afraid that someone among the English will try to kill him, or possibly one of his own retinue. He knows Roger from an earlier encounter and insists that Roger is the only one he can trust to protect him.
Ever since reading Josephine Tey's excellent book The Daughter of Time, I have been a firm believer that Richard III has been wronged by history (and particularly by Shakespeare.) One of the things that I like about this series is the portrayal of Richard as a amiable man--a shrewd tactician and able warrior, but a man with a sense of humor and a keen judge of people. So I experienced an unexpected chill when Roger overhears a conversation where Richard asks what Albany intends to do with his nephews when he attains the throne--foreshadowing the fate of the little princes in the tower.
Kate Sedley obviously knows her time period well, and includes enough social and political background to set the story firmly in its historical setting. It is the characters that keep me reading, not the mystery. We could actually have a book with no deaths at all and I would be perfectly content. I want to continue to see how Roger is affected (or indeed if he is affected) when Richard attains the throne, and again when Henry VII becomes king.
Roger is a chapman, a traveling peddlar who sells sewing notions and ladies' finery--things that can fit confortably into a backpack. In earlier books in the series, he has also acted as a spy for Richard of Gloucester (who will before long become King Richard III.) In this book, he has been requested to act as a bodyguard for Alexander, Duke of Albany, the younger brother of Scotland's King James III. James is an unpopular king among the nobles and populace alike, and the English believe that if they can lead an army to Scotland and provoke James into battle they would have the chance to put Alexander on the throne. Alexander is afraid that someone among the English will try to kill him, or possibly one of his own retinue. He knows Roger from an earlier encounter and insists that Roger is the only one he can trust to protect him.
Ever since reading Josephine Tey's excellent book The Daughter of Time, I have been a firm believer that Richard III has been wronged by history (and particularly by Shakespeare.) One of the things that I like about this series is the portrayal of Richard as a amiable man--a shrewd tactician and able warrior, but a man with a sense of humor and a keen judge of people. So I experienced an unexpected chill when Roger overhears a conversation where Richard asks what Albany intends to do with his nephews when he attains the throne--foreshadowing the fate of the little princes in the tower.
Kate Sedley obviously knows her time period well, and includes enough social and political background to set the story firmly in its historical setting. It is the characters that keep me reading, not the mystery. We could actually have a book with no deaths at all and I would be perfectly content. I want to continue to see how Roger is affected (or indeed if he is affected) when Richard attains the throne, and again when Henry VII becomes king.
October 18, 2011
Another good, if predictable read in this historical series, another filled with political and religious intrigue in 1480's England and Scotland. Roger, at the command of Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, is headed to Scotland with the army to be personal bodyguard of the Duke of Albany, whom the English hope to seat on the Scottish throne in place of his brother King James, who has recently lost favor among his people. Albany fears for his life and believes one of his entourage is in the employ of the Scottish king and wants someone like Roger--who has helped him out of a scrape before--to guard his person.
Roger, a lowly pedlar who wants nothing more than to be home with his family, chafes at the assignment but with a royal command, feels he has no choice but to obey. Eventually of course he does uncover a plot, although it's a different problem than he had initially thought.
Easy enough reading with good historical detail, however, I find some of this series--this book included--are becoming a bit repetitive with the political wrangling and continued reminders of the difference between Roger's lowly status and that of the nobles and royals. I much prefer the books where Roger stays mostly among the peasants.
Roger, a lowly pedlar who wants nothing more than to be home with his family, chafes at the assignment but with a royal command, feels he has no choice but to obey. Eventually of course he does uncover a plot, although it's a different problem than he had initially thought.
Easy enough reading with good historical detail, however, I find some of this series--this book included--are becoming a bit repetitive with the political wrangling and continued reminders of the difference between Roger's lowly status and that of the nobles and royals. I much prefer the books where Roger stays mostly among the peasants.
August 21, 2020
18th April 2011
This was not so much a "who dun it?" as "When on earth will someone do it?" I normally really like Kate Sedley books but this one was a disappointment. I enjoy history books but the meandering along and padding out of the story got tiresome. I don't think I will be giving anything away by saying that the murder does not happen until past halfway through the book. I did persist to the end in the hopes of a spectacular twist in the end but - no. Fell asleep twice over it and am already having trouble trying to remember the convoluted plot. A book can not be described as a success when you are pleased that you have finished it!
This was not so much a "who dun it?" as "When on earth will someone do it?" I normally really like Kate Sedley books but this one was a disappointment. I enjoy history books but the meandering along and padding out of the story got tiresome. I don't think I will be giving anything away by saying that the murder does not happen until past halfway through the book. I did persist to the end in the hopes of a spectacular twist in the end but - no. Fell asleep twice over it and am already having trouble trying to remember the convoluted plot. A book can not be described as a success when you are pleased that you have finished it!
December 9, 2014
I found this book at a library sale, I hadn't read any other book in the series. I love historical fiction and mysteries so it appealed to me.
I was impressed by the characters, and how much research the author had obviously done. Usually historical mysteries lack authenticity, but I think that Sedley did a good job making the setting accurate and yet still relatable.
I did feel that most of the book is about waiting for something to happen, and then just as it's getting interesting the story abruptly stops.
I will definitely read more in the series before I make my mind up about the author.
I was impressed by the characters, and how much research the author had obviously done. Usually historical mysteries lack authenticity, but I think that Sedley did a good job making the setting accurate and yet still relatable.
I did feel that most of the book is about waiting for something to happen, and then just as it's getting interesting the story abruptly stops.
I will definitely read more in the series before I make my mind up about the author.
July 16, 2009
17th in the series of Roger the Chapman. A fine mystery, neither the best nor worst of the series. I like 'em better when they stay in England; this one travels to Scotland. Includes a "nicer" portrayal of the future Richard III...no hunchback, though he does ask a putative king (about to overthrow his brother) what he intends to do about the brother's surviving sons. Hmmmm, throw them in the Tower, perhaps?
December 19, 2008
It's not like Kate Sedley is a bad author. The first book or two of this series was great. This one was ridiculous. Seriously (and here's the spoiler alert), the bad guy in the story turns out to be leading an alternative religious cult. He's a Scottish Prince, for crying out loud, and he's going to sacrifice Roger Chapman to force the pagan gods to make him King? I'm sorry, that's too far-fetched for me. Maybe it's time Sedley move on to another series...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2010
Roger is very unhappy about being torn from his family and hauled off to Scotland as bodyguard to Alexander, Duke of Albany, England's candidate to replace his brother King James III. An unhappy Roger isn't particularly good company. The story picks up pace near the end, when Roger is set to defend Albany's old friend, caught in red-handed murder.
September 2, 2012
It was ok but I didn't think much of the ending ()
June 9, 2014
I do enjoy reading historical fiction. Medieval England is one of my favorite periods. This is #17 in the sereis. But seems to make no difference. I read #2 years ago. Now this one and I'm not lost at all, each book seems to be its own entity. I like that.
June 15, 2013
Have enjoyed all books in this series. The plots are fun. The historical settings are very accurate, socially and politically. I am anxious to see how next books in series handle the rise to kingship and demise of Roger the Chapman's friend the Duke of Gloucester
May 11, 2009
Sedley doesn't disappoint. I think this is one of THE best historical mystery series going today.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews