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Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mystery #4
The Colour of Lies
It is late summer and London is all a-bustle for St Bartholomew’s Fayre, with merchants arriving from faraway lands. When an old friend returns with fabulous items for sale, it can only mean one thing: trouble. As thievery, revenge and murder stalk the fayre, Sebastian Foxley – artist and sometime-sleuth – has mysteries to solve. In uncovering the answers, he becomes enmeshed in a web of lies and falsehoods. His greatest dilemma means having to choose between upholding honour and justice or saving those dearest to him. How can a truly honest citizen of London practise deceit and yet live with his conscience?
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2019
106 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Toni Mount
31 books108 followersToni Mount is a writer, teacher and speaker, specialising in ordinary lives and fascinating characters from history. She has an MA by Research from the University of Kent. Diplomas in European Humanities, Literature and Creative Writing and a first class honours degree from the Open University.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 23, 2019
Like the previous installments in the Sebastian Foxley series, I advise waiting for adequate reading time to pick this up because once you've taken a peek you will be helpless to set it aside. Mount's expertise as a historian shines through on every page, vividly creating 15th century London, where Sebastian and Emily have returned with their infant son to find their home in chaos.
Ruffian brother, Jude, had been left in charge during the adventures in The Colour of Death, and the results are a closed shop, apprentices running wild, and new enemies. Sebastian has his work cut out for him cleaning up after Jude, but he loves him just the same. Jude is happy to leave the mess to Seb as he seeks adventure, but a new addition to the household has returned from the village of Foxely with Sebastian, and Adam is a welcome addition. He is jovial when Seb is melancholy and stern when Seb is a pushover. I look forward to seeing more of Adam in future books.
Sebastian has come a long way since his insecure, timid days of The Colour of Poison, yet he has retained the sweet thoughtfulness and unshakable faith that made readers fall in love with him. Emily, on the other hand, has become disenchanted with married life and her kinder-than-he-needs-to-be husband. She is bored. She is angry. She is a shrew.
Gabriel Widowson, who Seb once helped escape authorities, returns to London. Sebastian welcomes him as a friend, and, well, Emily welcomes him quite enthusiastically as well. Gabriel is at the center of the mystery when "unicorn" horns that he hopes to sell at the St Bartholomew's Fayre go missing the same night a fellow stallholder is murdered.
Twists and turns, love and betrayal, fine historic detail, and a brief glimpse of Richard of Gloucester all come together to make another captivating medieval mystery by Toni Mount. I'm already watching eagerly for The Colour of Shadows!
Ruffian brother, Jude, had been left in charge during the adventures in The Colour of Death, and the results are a closed shop, apprentices running wild, and new enemies. Sebastian has his work cut out for him cleaning up after Jude, but he loves him just the same. Jude is happy to leave the mess to Seb as he seeks adventure, but a new addition to the household has returned from the village of Foxely with Sebastian, and Adam is a welcome addition. He is jovial when Seb is melancholy and stern when Seb is a pushover. I look forward to seeing more of Adam in future books.
Sebastian has come a long way since his insecure, timid days of The Colour of Poison, yet he has retained the sweet thoughtfulness and unshakable faith that made readers fall in love with him. Emily, on the other hand, has become disenchanted with married life and her kinder-than-he-needs-to-be husband. She is bored. She is angry. She is a shrew.
Gabriel Widowson, who Seb once helped escape authorities, returns to London. Sebastian welcomes him as a friend, and, well, Emily welcomes him quite enthusiastically as well. Gabriel is at the center of the mystery when "unicorn" horns that he hopes to sell at the St Bartholomew's Fayre go missing the same night a fellow stallholder is murdered.
Twists and turns, love and betrayal, fine historic detail, and a brief glimpse of Richard of Gloucester all come together to make another captivating medieval mystery by Toni Mount. I'm already watching eagerly for The Colour of Shadows!
May 17, 2022
The Colour of Lies
The Seventh Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery
By Toni Mount
Reviewed May 8, 2022
The Colour of Lies picks up shortly after book 6 (The Colour of Death) left off, with Seb, Em, and Baby Dickon returning to London, deeming it safe enough to resume their old life when it’s learned that Anthony Woodville will be accompanying King Edward’s oldest son to his new household at Ludlow Castle in Wales. Along with the Foxley’s is Adam Armitage, the adult son of a much older half-brother Seb never knew he had, who knows the family trade and will be joining them at their London business. The joy of returning quickly turns to dismay, however, and Seb finds he has his hands full trying to get things back into shape.
During the several months Seb and Em were in Norfolk, Jude has managed to get the shop closed and the family struck from the rolls of the stationers’ guild, tarnishing the Foxley name. And instead of trying to rectify the situation, Jude does nothing but frequent some of the most notorious brothels and taverns in Bankside. His intended marriage to Rose has never taken place, although Rose admits this doesn’t upset her all that much.
Apprentices Tom and Jack, both now in their mid-teens, are running wild. With Jude as a role model, does this surprise anyone? With the shop closed and no work assigned for them to do, the boys have been engaging in less than acceptable behavior.
While working to get things whipped back into shape, a friend from the past makes an appearance. Gabriel Widowson, who we last saw a couple books ago being smuggled out of the country after being convicted of heresy, returns with a new name (Gideon Waterman) and a new appearance (a patch over one eye, to hide their mis-matched color). Seems he’s now the captain of a merchant ship that plies her trade between England and the Low Countries. Seb is naturally pleased that his former journeyman has made a new life for himself, and Em, who has always had a passion for Gabe, all but throws herself at him. Is Seb the only one who doesn’t see this? Or is it that he chooses not to?
Adam does a good job of fitting in, and helps smooth things over when necessary, such as when things get tense between Jude and Seb, or when the apprentices require some reining in.
Although his presence causes more trouble than not, Seb is upset when Jude informs him that he’s leaving not just London but England. He says he needs to make a fresh start. Em and just about everyone else express varying degrees of good riddance while Seb is the only one who will miss Jude. Poor Seb. He just can’t seem to catch a break.
Things are just beginning to settle down when in the midst of all this there is murder. Two murders, actually, and Seb gets commandeered into the assisting under-coroner into helping as the man’s usual assistant, Jude, has left town. Though the victims and the perpetrators are not connected, there is a common theme running through both threads (which I will leave to the reader to discern).
The story takes place in August during the time of the St Bartholomew Fayre, London’s most important summer fayre. The first death is the bludgeoning of a German puppeteer who is working the fair, giving morality plays and humorous shows for the adults and children alike. The weapon appears to be a unicorn horn (actually a narwhal horn), one of three brought from Iceland in hopes of being sold for a good price at the fayre and that came to London by way of Gabriel’s ship.
The other hits closer to home. Lizzie Knollys, a fellow silk worker of Em’s, is found murdered following a disagreement between the two women. The initial suspect is a man named Rook, an Abyssinian sailor and shipmate of Gabe’s, solely because he is a foreigner and dark skinned. Later it is learned the Em and her friends had called upon Lizzie, and a heated exchange ended with Em knocking Lizzie to the ground, leaving her stunned but very much alive. Or did she succumb to her injuries after Em and company fled the scene?
Reading about the personal lives of the characters in this series, those we like and those we don’t like as much, is half the fun. Yes, the mysteries are well thought out, often with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing, but solving them wouldn’t be any fun if we didn’t find the characters compelling.
Em is never happy with anything. She is always wanting what she cannot have, and blaming others (usually her husband) when things don’t go her way. In The Colour of Lies what kinder feelings she may have once had for Seb have all but vanished, and she shows herself to be selfish, spiteful and vindictive, only showing consideration to Seb when it serves her purpose. Even when her husband is willing to sacrifice his happiness and maybe even his life to save hers, she brushes this off by insisting that he would never have gone through with his plans.
I wasn’t very happy with Gabriel, either. For a man who proclaims himself to be a Known Man, a man of God, he very conveniently talked himself into believing that sleeping with the wife of the man who once saved his life, a man he calls his friend, is somehow doing God’s will. This from the man who only a couple years ago was willing to undergo torture and death at the stake rather than recant his heretical beliefs.
As for Seb? His constant love for a woman who regularly belittles and demeans him sometimes borders on a martyr complex. Then again, I’m reminded of another fictional character I love so much – Erik in Susan Kay’s novel, Phantom. Just as Erik cannot help loving Christine, Seb cannot help loving Em. As Erik says, “None of us can choose where we shall love...” and I think that pretty well sums up Seb’s feelings for his unloving spouse.
In spite of this, they make for an intriguing family dynamic, and that’s why I keep coming back for more. I mean, look at me. I’m writing about them as if they were real people! Perhaps because when I’m immersed in their stories, they are real in my mind. So congrats, Toni Mount, for making people I can feel for and relate to.
Now it’s on to book #8 – The Colour of Shadows – as my self-proclaimed Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery Month continues.
PS ~ I’m glad Gawain recovered from his wounds. I’d hate to have lost yet another canine member of the family.
The Seventh Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery
By Toni Mount
Reviewed May 8, 2022
The Colour of Lies picks up shortly after book 6 (The Colour of Death) left off, with Seb, Em, and Baby Dickon returning to London, deeming it safe enough to resume their old life when it’s learned that Anthony Woodville will be accompanying King Edward’s oldest son to his new household at Ludlow Castle in Wales. Along with the Foxley’s is Adam Armitage, the adult son of a much older half-brother Seb never knew he had, who knows the family trade and will be joining them at their London business. The joy of returning quickly turns to dismay, however, and Seb finds he has his hands full trying to get things back into shape.
During the several months Seb and Em were in Norfolk, Jude has managed to get the shop closed and the family struck from the rolls of the stationers’ guild, tarnishing the Foxley name. And instead of trying to rectify the situation, Jude does nothing but frequent some of the most notorious brothels and taverns in Bankside. His intended marriage to Rose has never taken place, although Rose admits this doesn’t upset her all that much.
Apprentices Tom and Jack, both now in their mid-teens, are running wild. With Jude as a role model, does this surprise anyone? With the shop closed and no work assigned for them to do, the boys have been engaging in less than acceptable behavior.
While working to get things whipped back into shape, a friend from the past makes an appearance. Gabriel Widowson, who we last saw a couple books ago being smuggled out of the country after being convicted of heresy, returns with a new name (Gideon Waterman) and a new appearance (a patch over one eye, to hide their mis-matched color). Seems he’s now the captain of a merchant ship that plies her trade between England and the Low Countries. Seb is naturally pleased that his former journeyman has made a new life for himself, and Em, who has always had a passion for Gabe, all but throws herself at him. Is Seb the only one who doesn’t see this? Or is it that he chooses not to?
Adam does a good job of fitting in, and helps smooth things over when necessary, such as when things get tense between Jude and Seb, or when the apprentices require some reining in.
Although his presence causes more trouble than not, Seb is upset when Jude informs him that he’s leaving not just London but England. He says he needs to make a fresh start. Em and just about everyone else express varying degrees of good riddance while Seb is the only one who will miss Jude. Poor Seb. He just can’t seem to catch a break.
Things are just beginning to settle down when in the midst of all this there is murder. Two murders, actually, and Seb gets commandeered into the assisting under-coroner into helping as the man’s usual assistant, Jude, has left town. Though the victims and the perpetrators are not connected, there is a common theme running through both threads (which I will leave to the reader to discern).
The story takes place in August during the time of the St Bartholomew Fayre, London’s most important summer fayre. The first death is the bludgeoning of a German puppeteer who is working the fair, giving morality plays and humorous shows for the adults and children alike. The weapon appears to be a unicorn horn (actually a narwhal horn), one of three brought from Iceland in hopes of being sold for a good price at the fayre and that came to London by way of Gabriel’s ship.
The other hits closer to home. Lizzie Knollys, a fellow silk worker of Em’s, is found murdered following a disagreement between the two women. The initial suspect is a man named Rook, an Abyssinian sailor and shipmate of Gabe’s, solely because he is a foreigner and dark skinned. Later it is learned the Em and her friends had called upon Lizzie, and a heated exchange ended with Em knocking Lizzie to the ground, leaving her stunned but very much alive. Or did she succumb to her injuries after Em and company fled the scene?
Reading about the personal lives of the characters in this series, those we like and those we don’t like as much, is half the fun. Yes, the mysteries are well thought out, often with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing, but solving them wouldn’t be any fun if we didn’t find the characters compelling.
Em is never happy with anything. She is always wanting what she cannot have, and blaming others (usually her husband) when things don’t go her way. In The Colour of Lies what kinder feelings she may have once had for Seb have all but vanished, and she shows herself to be selfish, spiteful and vindictive, only showing consideration to Seb when it serves her purpose. Even when her husband is willing to sacrifice his happiness and maybe even his life to save hers, she brushes this off by insisting that he would never have gone through with his plans.
I wasn’t very happy with Gabriel, either. For a man who proclaims himself to be a Known Man, a man of God, he very conveniently talked himself into believing that sleeping with the wife of the man who once saved his life, a man he calls his friend, is somehow doing God’s will. This from the man who only a couple years ago was willing to undergo torture and death at the stake rather than recant his heretical beliefs.
As for Seb? His constant love for a woman who regularly belittles and demeans him sometimes borders on a martyr complex. Then again, I’m reminded of another fictional character I love so much – Erik in Susan Kay’s novel, Phantom. Just as Erik cannot help loving Christine, Seb cannot help loving Em. As Erik says, “None of us can choose where we shall love...” and I think that pretty well sums up Seb’s feelings for his unloving spouse.
In spite of this, they make for an intriguing family dynamic, and that’s why I keep coming back for more. I mean, look at me. I’m writing about them as if they were real people! Perhaps because when I’m immersed in their stories, they are real in my mind. So congrats, Toni Mount, for making people I can feel for and relate to.
Now it’s on to book #8 – The Colour of Shadows – as my self-proclaimed Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery Month continues.
PS ~ I’m glad Gawain recovered from his wounds. I’d hate to have lost yet another canine member of the family.
May 3, 2019
The best one yet, for me. As always, you find yourself immersed in medieval London, everything described so vividly you can even smell the terrible stench, it is obvious thatr Toni Mount knows and researches her subject very well. I found the plot even more captivating than in the other instalments of the series, there being two different murders one of which involving Seb's family very very closely, and there are quite a few moments where the reader must hold his or her breath fearing the outcome of a situation. The Foxley household has undergone and is undergoing a few changes, old members leaving and new members coming, others simply growing. As a great dog lover and having dogs myself, of course I have a soft spot for the heroic Gawain, but I also like Adam very much. (I hope this is not to be considered a spoiler, but I really MUST say one thing: what has become of the sweet Emily from The Colour of Poison? Nowadays she is a hard-hearted woman not deserving of Seb's love and complete devotion, and maybe one night in Newsgate would have served her well)
Now I will just have to be patient and wait for the next Sebastian Foxley adventure, the preview at the end of The Colour of Lies promises another fascinating story.
Now I will just have to be patient and wait for the next Sebastian Foxley adventure, the preview at the end of The Colour of Lies promises another fascinating story.
March 30, 2020
Seb Foxley and his wife Em have returned to London with their newborn son Dickon, and Seb's nephew Adam. They discover upon their arrival that Seb's brother Jude has become a hopeless drunk and caused them to be struck off the roles of the stationers' guild for brawling with the son of the warden of the guild. Seb attempts to get the business up and running again with the help of Adam who is a journeyman in the trade, replacing Jude who decides to leave London.
The action takes places during the St. Bartholomew's Fayre where merchants from far and wide come to sell their wares. One of them is Gabriel, the Foxley's former journeyman, who returns as master of a ship with exotic wares to sell, including unicorn horns. In an earlier book Seb saved Gabriel who had been condemned for his heretical beliefs. Seb welcomes him back as a friend, while Em gives him a more passionate welcome.
Seb, as an unwilling coroner's assistant, is pressed to solve two murders, Em being a prime suspect in one.
The mystery plots are well done, and the workings of the guild system are highlighted as Seb tries to be reinstated to the stationers' guild.
The writing is okay, but the author sometimes overuses words such as "mountebank." I also found the use of some modern phrases jarring (e.g., one person was described as being "not the sharpest blade in the cutler's workshop.)
As I stated in the review of The Colour of Murder, Seb does seem a bit too good to be true, but he is an endearing mixture of self-doubt, gentleness and intelligence. Meanwhile, Seb's wife Em who was rather placid in the country reverts to form as an incessant nag, who scorns Seb's love and devotion. I cheered when Adam told her she is no better than a harlot with a heart of stone. I liked Adam and hope he plays a bigger part in upcoming stories. As for Jack, I can't say I think he is wonderful as the author does, but at least in this book he is not constantly asking what some word means. Overall, I have to admit I have become hooked by the characters of Seb and Co., and looking forward to the next installment.
The action takes places during the St. Bartholomew's Fayre where merchants from far and wide come to sell their wares. One of them is Gabriel, the Foxley's former journeyman, who returns as master of a ship with exotic wares to sell, including unicorn horns. In an earlier book Seb saved Gabriel who had been condemned for his heretical beliefs. Seb welcomes him back as a friend, while Em gives him a more passionate welcome.
Seb, as an unwilling coroner's assistant, is pressed to solve two murders, Em being a prime suspect in one.
The mystery plots are well done, and the workings of the guild system are highlighted as Seb tries to be reinstated to the stationers' guild.
The writing is okay, but the author sometimes overuses words such as "mountebank." I also found the use of some modern phrases jarring (e.g., one person was described as being "not the sharpest blade in the cutler's workshop.)
As I stated in the review of The Colour of Murder, Seb does seem a bit too good to be true, but he is an endearing mixture of self-doubt, gentleness and intelligence. Meanwhile, Seb's wife Em who was rather placid in the country reverts to form as an incessant nag, who scorns Seb's love and devotion. I cheered when Adam told her she is no better than a harlot with a heart of stone. I liked Adam and hope he plays a bigger part in upcoming stories. As for Jack, I can't say I think he is wonderful as the author does, but at least in this book he is not constantly asking what some word means. Overall, I have to admit I have become hooked by the characters of Seb and Co., and looking forward to the next installment.
May 26, 2019
Hard to put down!
Another excellent addition to the Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mysteries series!
Toni Mount's attention to historical detail is impressive as she employs it so deftly in this plot of murder and deception. I add the deception being perpetrated against Sebastian personally as his waspish wife Em proves her to be unworthy of this gentle, loving, intelligent man. It's a shame he doesn't see the reality of the situation in his own household as he is thrust into another role as assistant to the sheriff.
Mount's ability to bring numerous characters to life in 15th Century London is brilliant and such great reading. I cannot wait until the next installment in this fantastic series. This is a book, and series, I highly recommend to readers of historical fiction and detective series.
Another excellent addition to the Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mysteries series!
Toni Mount's attention to historical detail is impressive as she employs it so deftly in this plot of murder and deception. I add the deception being perpetrated against Sebastian personally as his waspish wife Em proves her to be unworthy of this gentle, loving, intelligent man. It's a shame he doesn't see the reality of the situation in his own household as he is thrust into another role as assistant to the sheriff.
Mount's ability to bring numerous characters to life in 15th Century London is brilliant and such great reading. I cannot wait until the next installment in this fantastic series. This is a book, and series, I highly recommend to readers of historical fiction and detective series.
July 18, 2022
I really enjoy the Sebastian Foxley series. The main character is engaging and sympathetic. There is also a strong cast of supporting characters that make up the Foxley household including Seb’s apprentices and servants. My sole complaint has to do with the author’s depiction of Seb’s wife, Emily. In the first few books, she describes a loving if sometimes difficult relationship and we invest in them as a couple. Over time though the relationship deteriorates to such an extent that it seems no longer salvageable. Emily becomes so angry and shrewish that she is devoid of any redeeming qualities. The author has backed the character into such a tough corner that the only way out seems to be her death. I really want to continue reading the series but don’t want to spend any more time with this character.
April 26, 2019
The Colour of Lies by Toni Mount is the 7th instalment of the Sebastian Foxley series of books and another exciting mystery novel. Although it is part of a series the books can be read as stand alone as Toni vividly sets the scene in each one including the characters but once read I am sure you will want to collect all of them in the series.
This book is set in the streets of medieval London and features the talented yet humble artist, Seb Foxley. As always with Toni’s books the scenes are so descriptive you feel you are right there with the characters and the plot has twists and turns and will keep you guessing all the way to the end.
I highly recommend this book.
This book is set in the streets of medieval London and features the talented yet humble artist, Seb Foxley. As always with Toni’s books the scenes are so descriptive you feel you are right there with the characters and the plot has twists and turns and will keep you guessing all the way to the end.
I highly recommend this book.
April 12, 2019
1478 and Sebastian Foxley and his family return to London but what damage has his brother Jude done to their business. Matters are made more complicated when their previous journeyman Gabriel Widowson returns with items to sell at the Bartholomew’s Fayre. Unfortunately death comes to the Fayre and Sebastian becomes the reluctant coroner's assistant.
A slow paced well-written mystery, certainly character based but an enjoyable read. Certainly another good read in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A slow paced well-written mystery, certainly character based but an enjoyable read. Certainly another good read in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 11, 2019
Medieval time travel
To read this wonderful series of books is to be transported into a very real Medieval world.
Seb and his family are so well characterised and seem almost to be real historical personages with all the flaws that make them relatable to a modern mindset.
Ms Mount writes in a style that is free flowing and easy to read,so much so that it is a shock to be in the twenty first century when you have finished these books.
I have read them all and now I’m having a hard time missing Seb and co.
Can’t wait for the next book.
To read this wonderful series of books is to be transported into a very real Medieval world.
Seb and his family are so well characterised and seem almost to be real historical personages with all the flaws that make them relatable to a modern mindset.
Ms Mount writes in a style that is free flowing and easy to read,so much so that it is a shock to be in the twenty first century when you have finished these books.
I have read them all and now I’m having a hard time missing Seb and co.
Can’t wait for the next book.
April 30, 2019
Every bit as good
I know I can trust Toni Mount to provide a wonderful historical mystery, and she has. Populated with fleshed out characters that I get to know a little bit better with every book.
I know I can trust Toni Mount to provide a wonderful historical mystery, and she has. Populated with fleshed out characters that I get to know a little bit better with every book.
May 2, 2019
I could not put this down again Toni takes you back in time to 1478. The sights sounds and smells London and wonderfully intriguing story with great characters draws you in from the beginning. Once again the next Seb Foxley mystery can't come soon enough.
May 22, 2024
fast and intriguing
Great read . So informative of the time. Good plots. Love the fact there a series. Don’t know what I’ll do after ?
Great read . So informative of the time. Good plots. Love the fact there a series. Don’t know what I’ll do after ?
December 3, 2019
Just finished the colour of lies and as always it was brilliant
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews