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Those Who Go by Night
A gruesome murder in a sleepy 14th-century English village sets the stage for a taut drama laced with witchcraft, depravity, and long-buried secrets.
England, 1324—a land rife with superstition and gripped by fear of the Church’s holy wrath. When a beggar is murdered in the quiet village of Bottesford, his body draped across the altar of St. Mary’s church in a perverse pose of pagan sacrifice, the Pope’s Inquisitor General places the small hamlet in his sights.
Anxious to stave off the Inquisition, the Bishop of Lincoln dispatches Thomas Lester, son of a disgraced Templar Knight, to investigate—but the Archbishop’s fanatical emissary has already arrived to conduct his own inquiry. Thomas’s investigation uncovers a viper’s nest of perfidious players: the secretive wife of the local lord, a notorious Irishwoman accused of witchcraft, and a depraved chaplain who has left a trail of murder and blackmail in his wake. As this sordid drama unfolds, Thomas finds himself falling in love with a woman whose beauty is matched only by her defiance of the Church’s fearsome power.
Is the killer poised to strike again? Will the Inquisition bring its hammer down on the hapless hamlet? And could there be a real witch hiding in plain sight? The race is on to conjure the truth.
England, 1324—a land rife with superstition and gripped by fear of the Church’s holy wrath. When a beggar is murdered in the quiet village of Bottesford, his body draped across the altar of St. Mary’s church in a perverse pose of pagan sacrifice, the Pope’s Inquisitor General places the small hamlet in his sights.
Anxious to stave off the Inquisition, the Bishop of Lincoln dispatches Thomas Lester, son of a disgraced Templar Knight, to investigate—but the Archbishop’s fanatical emissary has already arrived to conduct his own inquiry. Thomas’s investigation uncovers a viper’s nest of perfidious players: the secretive wife of the local lord, a notorious Irishwoman accused of witchcraft, and a depraved chaplain who has left a trail of murder and blackmail in his wake. As this sordid drama unfolds, Thomas finds himself falling in love with a woman whose beauty is matched only by her defiance of the Church’s fearsome power.
Is the killer poised to strike again? Will the Inquisition bring its hammer down on the hapless hamlet? And could there be a real witch hiding in plain sight? The race is on to conjure the truth.
295 pages, Hardcover
First published November 13, 2018
44 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Gaddes
1 book25 followersI grew up in Grantham, a sleepy little market town in rural England perhaps best known for two of its most famous residents, Sir Isaac Newton and Margaret Thatcher. Grantham might be a quiet town, but like so many places in Britain the surrounding countryside is steeped in history and folklore, all of which fascinated me.
After studying at Oxford University, I worked in London and Brussels before following my wife back to her home state of Pennsylvania where I practiced law and we raised our two beautiful children.
I love all things history and like nothing more than to lose myself in a good historical fiction, mystery, or fantasy novel. And if there is some humor as well, so much the better!
My first novel, Those Who Go By Night, is coming out in November, 2018.
After studying at Oxford University, I worked in London and Brussels before following my wife back to her home state of Pennsylvania where I practiced law and we raised our two beautiful children.
I love all things history and like nothing more than to lose myself in a good historical fiction, mystery, or fantasy novel. And if there is some humor as well, so much the better!
My first novel, Those Who Go By Night, is coming out in November, 2018.
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November 23, 2023
Some have asserted that witchcraft is nothing in the world but an imagining of men who ascribed to spells those natural effects the causes of which are hidden… But such assertions are rejected by the true faith whereby we believe that angels fell from heaven, and that the demons exist, and that by reason of their subtle nature they are able to do many things which we cannot; and those who induce them to do such things are called wizards.The above epigraph of the novel Those Who Go By Night sets the stage nicely. Are we dealing with a story about dabblers in arcane, dark arts, or the Church’s considerable belief in such things? The question of magic lingers throughout the book. Are people actually practicing magic, or are there non-spectral explanations for the bloody events that take place?
--St. Thomas Aquinas
The Summa Theologica (thirteenth century)
It is 1324 and one Roger Lacy, erstwhile respected steward of a successful family property, has been down on his luck for quite some time. Having recently discovered and employed particularly valuable papers, Lacy has a new lease on life, and is in a celebratory and grateful mood. Unfortunately for Mister Lacy, his celebration will be as short-lived. Stopping in Saint Mary’s Church to offer up some thanks, he finds darkness rather than light. His body is found the next day, splayed across the altar in a blasphemous manner, and the game is afoot.
Arthur Gaddes - image from the Crooked Lane site
Every dark cloud has a silver lining. Lacy’s untimely demise has offered Friar Justus, an ambitious inquisitor, the opportunity to drum up some business, maybe add a few notches to his belt. No one expects the Spanish Inquisition, but maybe an English version? And wherever this proto Joe McCarthy travels accusations are sure to fly like turbo-charged witches, and confessions to whatever suits are sure to be produced handily with the usual toolkit of threats, torture, bribes, and manipulation. Any truths that emerge will be entirely incidental. All of which is terribly inconvenient for the guy whose land is about to be thus embroiled. Henry Burghersh, the Bishop of Lincoln, which includes Bottesford, has a good thing going, and would like to see this unfortunate death handled quickly and discretely. He sends his fixer, Thomas Lester, (Think Ray Donovan with an extra scruple or two) to clean up the mess. The local bigshot, de Bray, is eager for the help, fearing that his holdings may be at risk. But Lacey’s untimely death is not the last, and may not even have been the first.
Can Thomas save the day? Will Justus be denied? Thomas is a nice combo of intelligence and military experience. He has a personal quest that is noted in the story but not given a whole lot of ink. Mostly he is just trying to figure out who done it, how, and why, and restore the peace. Friar Justus is pretty much pure evil, straight from the Snidely Whipsnade closet in central casting, complete with arrogance, a fair bit of intelligence and knowledge, a talent for bullying and manipulation, and predictable personal weaknesses.
There are several notable females in the mix. Dame Alice Kyteler, (an actual historical character) lately driven out of Ireland, charged with witchcraft, and leaving behind a suspicious number of dead husbands, has taken up residence in a local hut in the woods. Is she merely hiding out from the law, or what might she be getting up to out there? She does have a considerable knowledge of things herbal and chemical. Does her knowledge extend to matters beyond science? Cecily DeBray is a powerful force, the daughter of the master of the house, she does not have much concrete power, but is a force to be reckoned with nonetheless, with a powerful, analytical mind, a knowledge of herbalism and considerable sex appeal. Hunydd is a servant in the deBray household, but there may be more than meets the eye to this appealing maid. Finally Lady deBray is a bit of a nutter. A stunner, she spends maybe too much time in front of a mirror she has been attached to since childhood. She talks to it. We don’t know if she asks if she is the fairest of them all, but it is not out of the realm of possibility.
It does seem that a knowledge of herbalism is rather rampant in Bottesford. Maybe the local YMCA had a class? Gaddes has some fun with trade in religious artifacts, a business made for fraudsters. He tosses in a bit of 14th century background color with mentions of rebellions, some of the personalities involved, and dark doings of diverse sorts by people in, or wanting to be in power. There is also info on what several of the Catholic religious orders think of each other. Deliciously catty. There are several priestly types meandering about, Father Elyas, another character with considerable knowledge of things herbal, is deBray’s chaplain. Part of the fun is trying to figure out who is telling the truth, or rather what lies each of the characters is putting forth, and why.
There are some lovely pieces to this puzzle. Chapter 17 contains the best scene in the book, Friar Justus and Thomas Lester having a go at questioning Lady Isabella DeBray, with all of them putting on theatrical performances. Just loved that. Also, there are multiple discourses on the legal position of women at the time. As you might imagine, it was not enviable era in which to be of the female persuasion. We do get some details of the awfulness though, and that is definitely educational. You could certainly see how women with any intelligence might be drawn to a practice that would give them some agency.
I did enjoy Those Who Go By Night, but had a few issues. It felt to me that the whodunit reveal was a bit too sudden. Of course that may be my dull instrument not picking up the proper cues and figuring them out within a decent time frame, but it did feel a bit out of the blue. There were times when one is offered a sinister smile, or studied look, but the followup explanation was not immediate enough to connect. Finally there is the book title. I’m sorry, but Those Who Go By Night summons all the wrong sort of responses from me. Things like…Don’t we all, at some point? Or, as a person of a certain age, I see a book about someone who wakes frequently to urinate, maybe leading to a Rear Bathroom Window scenario, where a 3am pee-er becomes witness to something unspeakable. Or hordes of vampires with poor bladder control. Maybe a school for bed-wetters, (The Whizzer Academy?) I would have gone with something else. Sorry, but this was too obvious for me to let go. But please do not let my compulsive subservience to jejune impulses detract from the rest of this review. I really did enjoy the book, and I expect you will too, particularly if you enjoy medieval mysteries like The Name of the Rose and Cadfael.
So, does Thomas clear up what is going on before the entire town is wiped out? Does Friar Justus get to burn anyone? He really, really wants to. Do the obvious sparks between Thomas and Cecily ignite? Who is the mysterious beauty seen dashing about in the wee hours? What is Hunydd up to? Is there any witchcraft involved in the Bottesford killings? Is Alice a witch or just one tough broad? And when is the next herbalism class?
Review first posted – November 30, 2018
Publication date – November 13, 2018
I confess that I received a free copy of the book (an Advanced Uncorrected Proof) from Crooked Lane in return for telling the truth as I know it about my reactions. Now please put that bright orange poker away, pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaasse!
=============================EXTRA STUFF
Links to the author’s GR and FB pages
A nice, brief bio of the author on the Crooked Lane site.
This is Gaddes’s first book
A bit of info on the historical Dame Alice Kyteler
February 10, 2019
An interesting historical fiction and a very promising debut by Andrew Gaddes who tells us a story set in the 14th century in a small village of Bottersford where several murders are committed and where witchcraft seems to be all around. This novel was not a page-turner for me, however, the story is engaging and its historcal background well-researched. Reading a non-fiction on this period at present, I must admit that the Author did a very good job with regard to the descriptions of the place in the society women in those days held, whether single, married or widowed. Also, a lot of factual information was craftly incorporated into this work of fiction which is an entertaining read for the fans of murder mysteries and the Middle Ages.
*A big thank-you to Andrew Gaddes, Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for providing me with ARC in exchange for my honest review.*
*A big thank-you to Andrew Gaddes, Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for providing me with ARC in exchange for my honest review.*
October 10, 2018
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Andrew Gaddes, and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
I was keen to give the work of Andrew Gaddes a try, as it explores not only a mystery, but includes a dose English history, which can be highly entertaining. When a beggar is found murdered and placed in a compromising position on a church altar in Bottesford, panic ensues in the small English town. It is the mid-14th century and Rome has a firm grasp over its congregations. Worried that something will come to pass, the Bishop of Lincoln agrees to send an emissary, Thomas Lester, to investigate and report back. However, it would seem the Archbishop of Canterbury has his own man in the region, looking to explore whether the pagan rituals rumoured to be rife in the area might need a more powerful fist to quell them. Lester comes upon a community with many colourful characters, all of whom offer plausible reasons for being the killer. As Lester works, he must worry that the killer could strike again, all the while trying to protect this corner of England from being painted in a poor light. There is little time and Lester possesses an explosive secret that he cannot let the general public discover, as it could undermine his abilities to bring order to the region. Lester’s personal and professional lives clash in this piece, pinning criminal law against that of the Church, as well as personal morals that seem to conflict with ecclesiastical tenets. Gaddes does well to offer up a decent tale that will keep the reader wondering until the very end!
I enjoy historical mysteries, as they are usually able to mix curiosity with education in equal measure. Gaddes bit off quite a bit here and presented the reader with a decent narrative, though it missed the mark for me. Thomas Lester’s character has some interesting aspects, including his ties to the Church and ability to retrieve information from most anyone he meets. He may be a Church emissary, but he is human and his personal longings cannot be completely neutralised, even with a religious background. Gaddes portrays Lester as a gritty man who seeks the truth while trying to deflect his own personal opinion on occasion, which is a struggle throughout the piece. His Templar background is sure to offer some additional flavour to an already complex character, as the reader will see throughout. Many of the other characters serve to offer interesting perspectives to fill the narrative with different angles, sure to offer up a discussion amongst those who enjoy book bantering. Witchcraft, Church resistance, and wariness of outsiders prove to be themes embedded in the many characters Gaddes offers to the curious reader. While the story seems sound and the narrative progresses nicely, I could not find myself connecting with it throughout. I am no perfect reader, but something had me skimming rather than basking in a story that could have been so enjoyable. Perhaps it was the lure of the dust jacket blurb, but I expected so much more for my personal reading pleasure. It fell short for me, though I cannot expect that others will feel the same. Try it and offer your own opinions, for Gaddes certainly has the tools for a successful novel. Perhaps I am just not seeing the diamond embedded herein!
Kudos, Mr. Gaddes, for what certainly could be a stellar piece. I can only hope that others see something I did not. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and wait to see what you serve up next to the curious reader!
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I was keen to give the work of Andrew Gaddes a try, as it explores not only a mystery, but includes a dose English history, which can be highly entertaining. When a beggar is found murdered and placed in a compromising position on a church altar in Bottesford, panic ensues in the small English town. It is the mid-14th century and Rome has a firm grasp over its congregations. Worried that something will come to pass, the Bishop of Lincoln agrees to send an emissary, Thomas Lester, to investigate and report back. However, it would seem the Archbishop of Canterbury has his own man in the region, looking to explore whether the pagan rituals rumoured to be rife in the area might need a more powerful fist to quell them. Lester comes upon a community with many colourful characters, all of whom offer plausible reasons for being the killer. As Lester works, he must worry that the killer could strike again, all the while trying to protect this corner of England from being painted in a poor light. There is little time and Lester possesses an explosive secret that he cannot let the general public discover, as it could undermine his abilities to bring order to the region. Lester’s personal and professional lives clash in this piece, pinning criminal law against that of the Church, as well as personal morals that seem to conflict with ecclesiastical tenets. Gaddes does well to offer up a decent tale that will keep the reader wondering until the very end!
I enjoy historical mysteries, as they are usually able to mix curiosity with education in equal measure. Gaddes bit off quite a bit here and presented the reader with a decent narrative, though it missed the mark for me. Thomas Lester’s character has some interesting aspects, including his ties to the Church and ability to retrieve information from most anyone he meets. He may be a Church emissary, but he is human and his personal longings cannot be completely neutralised, even with a religious background. Gaddes portrays Lester as a gritty man who seeks the truth while trying to deflect his own personal opinion on occasion, which is a struggle throughout the piece. His Templar background is sure to offer some additional flavour to an already complex character, as the reader will see throughout. Many of the other characters serve to offer interesting perspectives to fill the narrative with different angles, sure to offer up a discussion amongst those who enjoy book bantering. Witchcraft, Church resistance, and wariness of outsiders prove to be themes embedded in the many characters Gaddes offers to the curious reader. While the story seems sound and the narrative progresses nicely, I could not find myself connecting with it throughout. I am no perfect reader, but something had me skimming rather than basking in a story that could have been so enjoyable. Perhaps it was the lure of the dust jacket blurb, but I expected so much more for my personal reading pleasure. It fell short for me, though I cannot expect that others will feel the same. Try it and offer your own opinions, for Gaddes certainly has the tools for a successful novel. Perhaps I am just not seeing the diamond embedded herein!
Kudos, Mr. Gaddes, for what certainly could be a stellar piece. I can only hope that others see something I did not. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and wait to see what you serve up next to the curious reader!
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
November 21, 2018
Very impressive debut for a new writer. Suspenseful historical mystery set in 14th century England, complete with engaging and fully-drawn characters, rich historical context, good pacing, and a nice dose of humor (and a little romance). A page-turner with a social conscience. Highly recommended. Hope there are sequels coming!
November 22, 2018
Secrets breed unrest!
Set in the times of Edward II, a village comes under the scrutiny of an Inquisitor, Dominican Friar Justus.
An unholy murder has been committed and witchcraft is being touted as the cause.
Hoping to keep the Inquisition away from his flock the Bishop of Lincoln sends Thomas Lester, son of a Templar Knight who had been tortured by the Inquisition during the iniquitous purge of that organization, to investigate . Thomas finds himself threading a precarious path through a maze of goings on, including more untimely deaths.
His musings on the situation shows the complexities,
"Far from having reached any useful conclusions, things only seemed to be getting more and more complicated: a brutal murderer on the loose; a mad Dominican friar set on finding and expunging heresy, whether it was there or not; a convicted witch hiding out in the woods ... Secrets were strung all over the manor and village like the gossamer strands of some great spider’s web."
A host of fascinating and dark characters keep the tension going right to the end with some questions still swirling around in my head. I must admit I was left wondering what more is in store for Thomas. A man very much hiding who he is. As the plot thickens more of his burdens are revealed.
I was going to give this story four stars but as I reflected on the plot and the interesting characters encountered along the way, I felt that this Medieval Mystery is indeed a five star read.
A NetGalley ARC
Set in the times of Edward II, a village comes under the scrutiny of an Inquisitor, Dominican Friar Justus.
An unholy murder has been committed and witchcraft is being touted as the cause.
Hoping to keep the Inquisition away from his flock the Bishop of Lincoln sends Thomas Lester, son of a Templar Knight who had been tortured by the Inquisition during the iniquitous purge of that organization, to investigate . Thomas finds himself threading a precarious path through a maze of goings on, including more untimely deaths.
His musings on the situation shows the complexities,
"Far from having reached any useful conclusions, things only seemed to be getting more and more complicated: a brutal murderer on the loose; a mad Dominican friar set on finding and expunging heresy, whether it was there or not; a convicted witch hiding out in the woods ... Secrets were strung all over the manor and village like the gossamer strands of some great spider’s web."
A host of fascinating and dark characters keep the tension going right to the end with some questions still swirling around in my head. I must admit I was left wondering what more is in store for Thomas. A man very much hiding who he is. As the plot thickens more of his burdens are revealed.
I was going to give this story four stars but as I reflected on the plot and the interesting characters encountered along the way, I felt that this Medieval Mystery is indeed a five star read.
A NetGalley ARC
August 5, 2018
If 14th century England intrigues you then Those Who Go By Night by Andrew Gaddes, is a tale you will love. Gaddes is obviously a medieval history buff, his descriptions of everyday life, the feudal system, clothing and even his characters' vocabulary are authentic and genuine. Geddes does not pull any punches when it comes to the influence of the Catholic church over the lives of the populace. Torture, blackmail and murder all feature in the actions of the priests in this novel. Witchcraft, paganism, and violence abound in this story. This reviewer found the characters, their jargon and the settings more intriguing than the actual story line yet Geddes has managed to leave me eager to read the sequel to his novel.
I received a free copy of this ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2018
A very good and enjoyable historical mystery. I love mysteries set in the Middle Age and this one was perferct.
The style of writing is great, the characters well written and the plot is fascinating and entertaining.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for this ARC
The style of writing is great, the characters well written and the plot is fascinating and entertaining.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for this ARC
November 15, 2018
Wow. This is more than a murder mystery set in 14th century England- it's very well done historical fiction which gives the reader a full sense of place and time. Thomas Lester has been sent to the village of Bottesford to investigate a murder but he discovers so much more is going on. The pervasive influence of the Catholic Church, along with corruption, is fully explored. Oh, and there's a witch! There is, admittedly, a fairly large cast of clerical characters to keep track of but no matter. Thomas finds a love interest in Cecily, who has to put it mildly, a challenging family. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Gaddes packs a lot into this engaging book perfect for fans of medieval tales.
October 23, 2018
enjoyable read ,
This book was good overall with some great characters and a good storyline.
I would recommend it to fans of this genre .
This book was good overall with some great characters and a good storyline.
I would recommend it to fans of this genre .
April 10, 2020
Men suck. The church is evil and corrupt. Witches rule. Amazing.
December 8, 2022
This was a really good read, and I enjoyed it quite a lot.
I was in the mood for something different from my usual genres, and don't even recall where I came across this title, but my library had it and it sounded intriguing, so I gave it a try and I'm so glad I did.
I am not terribly familiar with 1300s England, but a good murder mystery is a good murder mystery, and this book has several murders, a crazed Dominican wanna-be Inquisitor, alleged witches, and literally every character in this book has secrets - so many secrets! There's a lot going on, but this was so well-written and well-paced that it was easy to follow along and very engaging as well as intriguing and suspenseful. I read this in just two days because I enjoyed it so much I hated to put it down.
I especially liked that this author wrote all of the female characters as intelligent, capable and independent women, despite their living in a time when women were permitted to be none of those things at peril of their lives - literally. While I don't want to disparage a male author writing female characters, it isn't every male author who can write female characters so effectively and I appreciated that greatly in this book.
The Catholic church and its clergy do not come off well here, but then, that's pretty accurate of the members at this time, so good on the author, plus the character of Justus is truly a character the reader can fully love to hate. Honestly, I found all the characters in this book so interesting. Some were very likable and some were definitely not, but all of them drew my attention and made me want to learn more about them as the story played out.
As I said, an unexpected, but very entertaining read, which I definitely recommend if this era and a good twisty murder mystery is your kind of book!
I was in the mood for something different from my usual genres, and don't even recall where I came across this title, but my library had it and it sounded intriguing, so I gave it a try and I'm so glad I did.
I am not terribly familiar with 1300s England, but a good murder mystery is a good murder mystery, and this book has several murders, a crazed Dominican wanna-be Inquisitor, alleged witches, and literally every character in this book has secrets - so many secrets! There's a lot going on, but this was so well-written and well-paced that it was easy to follow along and very engaging as well as intriguing and suspenseful. I read this in just two days because I enjoyed it so much I hated to put it down.
I especially liked that this author wrote all of the female characters as intelligent, capable and independent women, despite their living in a time when women were permitted to be none of those things at peril of their lives - literally. While I don't want to disparage a male author writing female characters, it isn't every male author who can write female characters so effectively and I appreciated that greatly in this book.
The Catholic church and its clergy do not come off well here, but then, that's pretty accurate of the members at this time, so good on the author, plus the character of Justus is truly a character the reader can fully love to hate. Honestly, I found all the characters in this book so interesting. Some were very likable and some were definitely not, but all of them drew my attention and made me want to learn more about them as the story played out.
As I said, an unexpected, but very entertaining read, which I definitely recommend if this era and a good twisty murder mystery is your kind of book!
January 20, 2023
I had a difficult time rating this book. Thomas Lester, a quasi-ecclesiastical detective, is send by the Bishop of Lincoln to a sleepy village to investigate a brutal murder. The victim is stretched on the alter of the local church. This is the 1300's, a time of the inquisition, supposed witchcraft, and strange events are about to occur.
The author takes time to develop the history of many of the characters and their respective environments. For those who love this period and location, it would certainly be informative and enjoyable. For my taste, it was, at times, more minutia that I care for. The reader, however, will be enlightened and grateful for this style as the author begins to pull all the threads together. I will warn that there are some gruesome parts, but they are necessary.
I loved the various female characters and the ending is worth waiting for. As I struggled through the story, I wondered if I should finish it. My rating would probably be a 4-1/2 if I wasn't so impatient.
The author takes time to develop the history of many of the characters and their respective environments. For those who love this period and location, it would certainly be informative and enjoyable. For my taste, it was, at times, more minutia that I care for. The reader, however, will be enlightened and grateful for this style as the author begins to pull all the threads together. I will warn that there are some gruesome parts, but they are necessary.
I loved the various female characters and the ending is worth waiting for. As I struggled through the story, I wondered if I should finish it. My rating would probably be a 4-1/2 if I wasn't so impatient.
November 18, 2018
Very entertaining read, page turner with in depth character development. Well researched to include good historical content. Nice twists and thoughtful moral questions that apply to today. Congratulations to first time author Andrew Gaddes. I am now looking forward to the sequels to come out
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2018
This historical mystery takes place in Bottesford in 1324. England is ruled by Edward II who has given much of his power to corrupt favorites. Superstition is common and the Inquisition would like a foothold in England. When a man is found dead on the altar of the local church, the Bishop of Lincolnshire sends in Thomas Lester to try to find out who killed him and find a way to keep the out of his area.
Thomas arrives after Friar Justus, a Dominican who is looking for heresy and who is more than willing to use torture to force "confessions" so that he can bring in the Inquisition. The local lord definitely wants to keep the crime local and nonsecular so that he doesn't draw any attention to his lands. He managed to remain neutral in the building conflict and would like to keep it that way. However, he is not a well man and doesn't have much choice but to cave under Justus's pressure.
Friar Justus finds "crimes" wherever he looks. He is suspicious of the recent death of the parish priest who was known to have a bad heart. When the local miller is found hanging, he is sure that is more of the devil's work. Thomas is more convinced that there are rational explanations for the deaths though he isn't able to identify the killer or the motive.
The strongest part of this mystery concerned the women characters. The lord of the manor's daughter Cecily becomes Thomas's love interest as he ponders the advantages of marrying her. The lord of the manor's strange second wife Isabelle is definitely a suspicious character. Lady Cecily's maid Hunydd has her own secrets. There is also the convicted witch Dame Alice who has fled from Ireland and is hiding in a cottage in the woods.
All of the women have secrets that play into the mystery. We know that one of them is a practicing witch but it is quite late in the story before we find out which one it is. Meanwhile, a couple of the others are herbalists quite familiar with poisons.
This was an entertaining mystery which makes me extremely happy to live in the century I do. The roles of women at the time are well described and rather appalling.
Thomas arrives after Friar Justus, a Dominican who is looking for heresy and who is more than willing to use torture to force "confessions" so that he can bring in the Inquisition. The local lord definitely wants to keep the crime local and nonsecular so that he doesn't draw any attention to his lands. He managed to remain neutral in the building conflict and would like to keep it that way. However, he is not a well man and doesn't have much choice but to cave under Justus's pressure.
Friar Justus finds "crimes" wherever he looks. He is suspicious of the recent death of the parish priest who was known to have a bad heart. When the local miller is found hanging, he is sure that is more of the devil's work. Thomas is more convinced that there are rational explanations for the deaths though he isn't able to identify the killer or the motive.
The strongest part of this mystery concerned the women characters. The lord of the manor's daughter Cecily becomes Thomas's love interest as he ponders the advantages of marrying her. The lord of the manor's strange second wife Isabelle is definitely a suspicious character. Lady Cecily's maid Hunydd has her own secrets. There is also the convicted witch Dame Alice who has fled from Ireland and is hiding in a cottage in the woods.
All of the women have secrets that play into the mystery. We know that one of them is a practicing witch but it is quite late in the story before we find out which one it is. Meanwhile, a couple of the others are herbalists quite familiar with poisons.
This was an entertaining mystery which makes me extremely happy to live in the century I do. The roles of women at the time are well described and rather appalling.
December 19, 2018
Set in the 14th century in England, a vicar is found dead in a small village of Bottesford and there are rumours surrounding his death. Some say he died of natural causes, others think he was poisoned. Following the vicar's death, a beggar is found murdered in St. Mary’s Church and his body draped across the altar. Worried that this incident might lead to a conflict with the Dominican Order, Bishop of Lincoln sends his emissary, Thomas Lester to investigate the murders.
At Bottesford, Thomas meets the Lord of Bottesford Manor, Sir Mortimer de Bray, and his daughter Cecily who is too outspoken for her own good.
Dame Alice, one of the wealthiest women in Ireland and Cecily’s aunt has fled her home in Ireland where she has been accused by the Church of being a witch and is hiding in a little cottage in the village.
Friar Justus from the Dominican Order and the emissary of the Archbishop of Canterbury has been sent to investigate the recent murders in Bottesford. The Friar suspects both murders are connected and there may be sorcery and witchcraft involved in their deaths. Or are there?
I like the author’s style in writing this book. I thought it complemented the story well. The story moved steadily and the twists and turns were well done. The characters are believable and interesting, although some might find the actions of some of the characters outrageous. Yet these quirky characters lend some credibility to the story considering the era in which it was set, where people were superstitious and engaged in pagan practices and all manner of debauchery.
Those Who Go By Night is an interesting blend of mystery and medieval history, debauchery, blackmail, and somewhat tempered by smidgens of romance. The outcome was satisfying and unexpected, and some parts made me chuckle. I’ll be looking forward to the next book if there will be a sequel.
Overall it was an enjoyable story for me, and with the authors strong writing style, I found myself finishing this one sitting. If you like historical fiction set in the Medieval period and steeped in mystery and superstition, you will love this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
At Bottesford, Thomas meets the Lord of Bottesford Manor, Sir Mortimer de Bray, and his daughter Cecily who is too outspoken for her own good.
Dame Alice, one of the wealthiest women in Ireland and Cecily’s aunt has fled her home in Ireland where she has been accused by the Church of being a witch and is hiding in a little cottage in the village.
Friar Justus from the Dominican Order and the emissary of the Archbishop of Canterbury has been sent to investigate the recent murders in Bottesford. The Friar suspects both murders are connected and there may be sorcery and witchcraft involved in their deaths. Or are there?
I like the author’s style in writing this book. I thought it complemented the story well. The story moved steadily and the twists and turns were well done. The characters are believable and interesting, although some might find the actions of some of the characters outrageous. Yet these quirky characters lend some credibility to the story considering the era in which it was set, where people were superstitious and engaged in pagan practices and all manner of debauchery.
Those Who Go By Night is an interesting blend of mystery and medieval history, debauchery, blackmail, and somewhat tempered by smidgens of romance. The outcome was satisfying and unexpected, and some parts made me chuckle. I’ll be looking forward to the next book if there will be a sequel.
Overall it was an enjoyable story for me, and with the authors strong writing style, I found myself finishing this one sitting. If you like historical fiction set in the Medieval period and steeped in mystery and superstition, you will love this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2018
1324. When news of a man found murdered in a church reaches the Bishop of Lincoln’s ears, he sends his emissary, Thomas Lester, to investigate with the hopes of warding off an inquisition. But with the body positioned across the church altar in a sacrilegious manner, the archbishop also sends someone, a Dominican friar named Justus. Justus means to smoke out heretics no matter the cost, including by methods of torture and blackmail, in his quest for “the truth.” Thomas’s father is a disgraced Templar Knight who suffered under men like Justus, and Thomas struggles to keep the pain of his past at bay. As the murders continue, Justus’s harsh inquiries and manipulations of the townsfolk rapidly increase. If the friar has his way and Thomas isn’t able to unmask the culprit in time, a fierce inquisition will soon arrive on England’s shores.
The setting is immersive in all aspects. The sights and sounds are so vividly portrayed that it felt like stepping into a 14th-century English village. The characters are multilayered with unique personalities, making it easier to keep straight the various church fathers, monks, and friars. I enjoyed the dialogue, except for a few times when the message about a woman’s role in society became a bit preachy (being stated by various female characters in similar ways but with a slightly modern outlook). However, this is but a minor gripe. The pacing of the mystery is great, and the ending packs a couple of surprises. There are many secrets to uncover, and Gaddes does a nice job slowly revealing just enough to keep readers turning the pages. The door’s left open for more, thus I look forward to seeing what’s coming for Thomas Lester and his companions. A well-crafted historical mystery.
Review originally posted at the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
The setting is immersive in all aspects. The sights and sounds are so vividly portrayed that it felt like stepping into a 14th-century English village. The characters are multilayered with unique personalities, making it easier to keep straight the various church fathers, monks, and friars. I enjoyed the dialogue, except for a few times when the message about a woman’s role in society became a bit preachy (being stated by various female characters in similar ways but with a slightly modern outlook). However, this is but a minor gripe. The pacing of the mystery is great, and the ending packs a couple of surprises. There are many secrets to uncover, and Gaddes does a nice job slowly revealing just enough to keep readers turning the pages. The door’s left open for more, thus I look forward to seeing what’s coming for Thomas Lester and his companions. A well-crafted historical mystery.
Review originally posted at the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
February 7, 2019
At Page 159, I had to throw in the towel on this horrific attempt at a serious historical fiction mystery. I am a longtime avid reader of historical fiction and historical mysteries, but have to say I would never consider this new author a serious author of this genre. Nor, will I pick up any of his books in the future if he plans to make this book the first in a series. He did not do his research! For someone with his level of education and degree, I find the amount of anachronistic items in this book unacceptable. If this author wants to seriously be a historical fiction writer he needs to get it right. For example, 1) the word WONKY was not used until hundreds of years later in time. 2) The phrase "if that don't beat all" was not around until the 1800s, 3) the word QUACK, to describe an incompetent doctor did not come around until the 1600s, and 4) Sulphor Matches were not invented until 1805. These were only a few examples up until the point of page 159 when I decided to toss it aside. I see that one other reviewer caught what I caught and agreed with me so I feel better than I am not alone. I have over 350 reviews online and very seldom do I give less that a 4 star review, but this one...I just can't see it. Not only did I find the items out of time not acceptable, but the main character was a bit of a milk-toast. A character without character in my opinion. I found nothing interesting or unique about him and found him pretty boring. On to the next book......
November 5, 2018
A gruesome murder in a sleepy 14th-century English village sets the stage for a taut drama laced with witchcraft, depravity, and long-buried secrets.
This historical fiction had a few real life events in it and some speculation.
Set in England, where the residents are still in fear of the Church. No one wants an Inquisition. When a man is viciously murdered and left on the church altar in a small village, the Bishop of Lincoln sends his trusted fixer to find out if indeed this is witchcraft or something even more sinister.
Unfortunately the Archbishop has already sent his man to oversee the investigation. And what a horrible man this guy was! But, is he a killer?
Thomas is a decent character and I quite like learning a bit of history along with my fiction. However I found it rather wordy and would have liked more background on the characters.
November 29th 2018 by Crooked Lane Books /Netgalley Reads
This historical fiction had a few real life events in it and some speculation.
Set in England, where the residents are still in fear of the Church. No one wants an Inquisition. When a man is viciously murdered and left on the church altar in a small village, the Bishop of Lincoln sends his trusted fixer to find out if indeed this is witchcraft or something even more sinister.
Unfortunately the Archbishop has already sent his man to oversee the investigation. And what a horrible man this guy was! But, is he a killer?
Thomas is a decent character and I quite like learning a bit of history along with my fiction. However I found it rather wordy and would have liked more background on the characters.
November 29th 2018 by Crooked Lane Books /Netgalley Reads
September 25, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone who loves medieval historical fiction, a little bit of romance, and a murder mystery.
The author weaves in the history of the times so well that all the descriptions seamlessly fit the story. He isn’t trying too hard to stick in every detail he can about 14th century England, just because he can; his writing style just lends to second-nature historical story telling.
The characters are fun and unique. It did take me a few chapters to keep everyone straight, especially all the bishops, friars, and monks. But once I caught on, I was hooked until the very end.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and the publishers for a honest review.
The author weaves in the history of the times so well that all the descriptions seamlessly fit the story. He isn’t trying too hard to stick in every detail he can about 14th century England, just because he can; his writing style just lends to second-nature historical story telling.
The characters are fun and unique. It did take me a few chapters to keep everyone straight, especially all the bishops, friars, and monks. But once I caught on, I was hooked until the very end.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and the publishers for a honest review.
August 12, 2018
Mysteries aren't normally my favorite books, by I really enjoyed this novel. The writing really made you feel like you were there, and the twist caught me completely by surprise! If you're looking for a clever and engaging read, I'd definitely recommend this book.
December 10, 2018
Bottesford is a small English village where nothing much happens outside of the millworker getting drunk and stumbling home on a regular basis. So when a local beggar is murdered in the village church, it catches the eye of the Bishop of Lincoln. It also attracts the attention of the Pope’s Inquisitor General, who shows up to do his own investigation.
Thomas Lester, a former soldier who is now a church representative, is sent by the bishop to investigate. By the time he arrives at Bottesford, the investigation is already underway by Friar Justus of the Dominican Order and an emissary of the Inquisition, who believes there is something sinister going on in the village that must be brought out into the light.
Thomas’ investigation takes a much different turn than that of the Friar’s, and what he discovers will challenge the church and its beliefs --- and maybe even a few of his own beliefs as well. He also doesn’t feel the sinister vibe that the Friar does, or at least not one connected to the figurative devil. What Thomas uncovers can be directly attributed to a human, and it’s not a far stretch of the imagination to say that a devil, of sorts, is in the village.
Historical fiction set in the 14th century hits a sweet spot for me. Add some witches and a mystery to that mixture, and you have a book that checks all my "like" boxes. THOSE WHO GO BY NIGHT is full of interesting characters and makes you want to know what happens to them even after the last page has been turned. I was fully engrossed in the story, wanting to know what would transpire in this small village and wondering if the Inquisition would be dragging people out of their homes and accusing them of witchcraft.
While the villagers may escape the grip of the church’s full inquisitorial power, you’ll be left wondering if everything that happened was as clean and simple as everyone thought. That’s one reason why I adore mysteries with a supernatural element to them. This one hit the right balance, letting the supernatural feel very real, but also served as a reminder that some things in life can’t be explained or are outside of the human imagination.
If you are looking for a new read, love mysteries, and like a bit of the supernatural mixed in, THOSE WHO GO BY NIGHT is a good pick. It’s a fast read that will fully absorb you in the story.
Reviewed by Amy Gwiazdowski
Thomas Lester, a former soldier who is now a church representative, is sent by the bishop to investigate. By the time he arrives at Bottesford, the investigation is already underway by Friar Justus of the Dominican Order and an emissary of the Inquisition, who believes there is something sinister going on in the village that must be brought out into the light.
Thomas’ investigation takes a much different turn than that of the Friar’s, and what he discovers will challenge the church and its beliefs --- and maybe even a few of his own beliefs as well. He also doesn’t feel the sinister vibe that the Friar does, or at least not one connected to the figurative devil. What Thomas uncovers can be directly attributed to a human, and it’s not a far stretch of the imagination to say that a devil, of sorts, is in the village.
Historical fiction set in the 14th century hits a sweet spot for me. Add some witches and a mystery to that mixture, and you have a book that checks all my "like" boxes. THOSE WHO GO BY NIGHT is full of interesting characters and makes you want to know what happens to them even after the last page has been turned. I was fully engrossed in the story, wanting to know what would transpire in this small village and wondering if the Inquisition would be dragging people out of their homes and accusing them of witchcraft.
While the villagers may escape the grip of the church’s full inquisitorial power, you’ll be left wondering if everything that happened was as clean and simple as everyone thought. That’s one reason why I adore mysteries with a supernatural element to them. This one hit the right balance, letting the supernatural feel very real, but also served as a reminder that some things in life can’t be explained or are outside of the human imagination.
If you are looking for a new read, love mysteries, and like a bit of the supernatural mixed in, THOSE WHO GO BY NIGHT is a good pick. It’s a fast read that will fully absorb you in the story.
Reviewed by Amy Gwiazdowski
December 10, 2018
Bottesford is a small English village where nothing much happens outside of the millworker getting drunk and stumbling home on a regular basis. So when a local beggar is murdered in the village church, it catches the eye of the Bishop of Lincoln. It also attracts the attention of the Pope’s Inquisitor General, who shows up to do his own investigation.
Thomas Lester, a former soldier who is now a church representative, is sent by the bishop to investigate. By the time he arrives at Bottesford, the investigation is already underway by Friar Justus of the Dominican Order and an emissary of the Inquisition, who believes there is something sinister going on in the village that must be brought out into the light.
Thomas’ investigation takes a much different turn than that of the Friar’s, and what he discovers will challenge the church and its beliefs --- and maybe even a few of his own beliefs as well. He also doesn’t feel the sinister vibe that the Friar does, or at least not one connected to the figurative devil. What Thomas uncovers can be directly attributed to a human, and it’s not a far stretch of the imagination to say that a devil, of sorts, is in the village.
Historical fiction set in the 14th century hits a sweet spot for me. Add some witches and a mystery to that mixture, and you have a book that checks all my "like" boxes. THOSE WHO GO BY NIGHT is full of interesting characters and makes you want to know what happens to them even after the last page has been turned. I was fully engrossed in the story, wanting to know what would transpire in this small village and wondering if the Inquisition would be dragging people out of their homes and accusing them of witchcraft.
While the villagers may escape the grip of the church’s full inquisitorial power, you’ll be left wondering if everything that happened was as clean and simple as everyone thought. That’s one reason why I adore mysteries with a supernatural element to them. This one hit the right balance, letting the supernatural feel very real, but also served as a reminder that some things in life can’t be explained or are outside of the human imagination.
If you are looking for a new read, love mysteries, and like a bit of the supernatural mixed in, THOSE WHO GO BY NIGHT is a good pick. It’s a fast read that will fully absorb you in the story.
Reviewed by Amy Gwiazdowski
Thomas Lester, a former soldier who is now a church representative, is sent by the bishop to investigate. By the time he arrives at Bottesford, the investigation is already underway by Friar Justus of the Dominican Order and an emissary of the Inquisition, who believes there is something sinister going on in the village that must be brought out into the light.
Thomas’ investigation takes a much different turn than that of the Friar’s, and what he discovers will challenge the church and its beliefs --- and maybe even a few of his own beliefs as well. He also doesn’t feel the sinister vibe that the Friar does, or at least not one connected to the figurative devil. What Thomas uncovers can be directly attributed to a human, and it’s not a far stretch of the imagination to say that a devil, of sorts, is in the village.
Historical fiction set in the 14th century hits a sweet spot for me. Add some witches and a mystery to that mixture, and you have a book that checks all my "like" boxes. THOSE WHO GO BY NIGHT is full of interesting characters and makes you want to know what happens to them even after the last page has been turned. I was fully engrossed in the story, wanting to know what would transpire in this small village and wondering if the Inquisition would be dragging people out of their homes and accusing them of witchcraft.
While the villagers may escape the grip of the church’s full inquisitorial power, you’ll be left wondering if everything that happened was as clean and simple as everyone thought. That’s one reason why I adore mysteries with a supernatural element to them. This one hit the right balance, letting the supernatural feel very real, but also served as a reminder that some things in life can’t be explained or are outside of the human imagination.
If you are looking for a new read, love mysteries, and like a bit of the supernatural mixed in, THOSE WHO GO BY NIGHT is a good pick. It’s a fast read that will fully absorb you in the story.
Reviewed by Amy Gwiazdowski
May 6, 2020
It is the 14th Century in Great Britain and the Inquisition is going strong. When a beggar is found murdered in a most gruesome way and placed on a church altar like a sacrifice the Pope sends in one of his trusted Inquisitors and the local lord calls for Thomas Lester to come and investigate. While the inquisitor coerces people in to saying things that are not true Thomas is out to find the truth. The Benedictine Inquistor does not make it easy though. Thomas, however, uncovers many secrets that the villagers and people in power hide closely and slowly unravels the mysteries of the small village before the inquisitor finds someone to torture.
An interesting story that gives you the willies when you read what is done to people to get them to tell the "truth" of what they know. I liked Thomas Lester and Cecily, the lord's daughter but it will be a while before I can read about the Inquisition again.
An interesting story that gives you the willies when you read what is done to people to get them to tell the "truth" of what they know. I liked Thomas Lester and Cecily, the lord's daughter but it will be a while before I can read about the Inquisition again.
December 2, 2018
Those Who Go by Night has lots of interesting historical references and tricky plot twists that kept me reading until the very end. The characters do not come alive, however, perhaps because their dialogue was monochromatic. I wanted more detailed characterization of the hero of the story, as well as of the women he encounters. Why was Thomas considered so handsome? Where is the romance mentined in the cover liner? More details, please! Another frustrating feature was the precipitous tying-up of plot details toward the end of the book.
This novel had so many great ideas, but falls under the classification of "first novel by a gifted, amateur storyteller". The ending of the book begs for a sequel, which I would gladly read, assuming that Gaddes will continue to hone his fine plot ideas and excellent knowledge of history.
This novel had so many great ideas, but falls under the classification of "first novel by a gifted, amateur storyteller". The ending of the book begs for a sequel, which I would gladly read, assuming that Gaddes will continue to hone his fine plot ideas and excellent knowledge of history.
December 7, 2018
An outstanding tale of evil and intrigue in medieval England. Gaddes has either done a fantastic amount of research to get the details correct or he's been reincarnated. His characters are superbly developed and give us surprises throughout. They are evil, humorous, gallant, mysterious and believable. The story line is captivating and kept me turning pages until the wee hours...I had to finish it! I particularly liked the climax. He didn't resort to the convenient "deus ex machina" ending where authors take 30 pages to tie together all their loose ends because they weren't done well through the first 30 chapters. Warning: his use of period terms is not the least overbearing, but you will need your speedy digital dictionary handy. Thoroughly enjoyable.
February 19, 2019
So, I did enjoy reading this, but I finished it 2 weeks ago and have nearly forgotten it - not a great sign. I remember thinking that was 3 - 3.5 stars. I was interested and did finish it, the story moved along nicely. It's a historical mystery, not my favorite, I prefer historical fiction, but it was quite good as mysteries go. There were a few anomalies, for instance the main character is wakened early and demands, "What time is it?" Like they'd even think in those terms in the middle ages. They told time by dawn, midday, dusk, dark, or by the church bells which rang out the times of the major daily prayers, not by a 12 or 24 hour clock. But there were only a few such errors, and there was definitely a medieval feel to most of the story.
December 6, 2022
This could have gone down a lot darker path than it did, which is both good and bad. Good, because another witch hunt we don't need. Bad because the plot didn't feel solid enough. One thing that was quite annoying with the characters...every single woman in this story was a stunning or bewitching beauty and it was commented on frequently. The Inquisitor Friar seemed a laughable caricature of arrogance, religious zeal, and misogyny. Although that may have been because we currently have so many fine examples of that breed in politics. The author did a fairly good job of weaving history into the story and it was entertaining aside from the annoyances.
January 2, 2019
Fantastic debut by Andrew Gaddes. The historical and the fiction are compelling in equal parts. It's always great when an author is so obviously well researched that he is able to conjure up a different time and place in immersive detail, but the potion is especially potent when mixed with a varied cast of well drawn characters and several stirring plots set to boil.
Can't wait to read more from this talented new author!
Can't wait to read more from this talented new author!
February 20, 2019
I really liked this book until the last four chapters, which seemed like they were written by someone other than the author of the rest of the book. The last four chapters had a different tone, the main characters changed and the solution to the mystery was thrown in sort of as an afterthought. I gave this book three stars because I liked most of the book. I would give the last four chapters one star. It was a disappointing ending to an otherwise good book.
June 15, 2024
Interesting mystery with a touch of romance and possibly some witchcraft thrown in The characters are interesting but I didn’t feel like I really got to know them very well. That could be, I suppose, because the book wasn’t long enough to go into any depth about any of them.
I will say the mystery kept me guessing until the very end and I admit to fearing Justin was going to get the inquisition he wanted.
Definitely worth reading once but that’s enough for me
I will say the mystery kept me guessing until the very end and I admit to fearing Justin was going to get the inquisition he wanted.
Definitely worth reading once but that’s enough for me
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