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Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mysteries #14
The Faithless Fool
Gareth & Gwen find themselves once again at the center of a conspiracy … with the throne of England on the line.
May 1149. Unexplained death follows Gareth and Gwen wherever they go, as does their reputation for solving murders. So when a man turns up dead at Carlisle Castle, where the pair have traveled as representatives of Gwynedd, King David of Scotland naturally turns to them for answers.
But as the investigation unravels, fractures begin to appear within Gwynedd’s proposed alliance. Once again, Gareth and Gwen find themselves at the center of a conspiracy with the throne of England on the line. The Faithless Fool is the fourteenth Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mystery.
May 1149. Unexplained death follows Gareth and Gwen wherever they go, as does their reputation for solving murders. So when a man turns up dead at Carlisle Castle, where the pair have traveled as representatives of Gwynedd, King David of Scotland naturally turns to them for answers.
But as the investigation unravels, fractures begin to appear within Gwynedd’s proposed alliance. Once again, Gareth and Gwen find themselves at the center of a conspiracy with the throne of England on the line. The Faithless Fool is the fourteenth Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mystery.
314 pages, ebook
Published July 25, 2021
37 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Woodbury
168 books758 followersWith over a million books sold to date, Sarah Woodbury is the author of more than forty novels, all set in medieval Wales. Although an anthropologist by training, and then a full-time homeschooling mom for twenty years, she began writing fiction when the stories in her head overflowed and demanded that she let them out. While her ancestry is Welsh, she only visited Wales for the first time at university. She has been in love with the country, language, and people ever since. She even convinced her husband to give all four of their children Welsh names.
Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).
She makes her home in Oregon.
Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).
She makes her home in Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 28, 2021
This one seems a little, well, hollow...???
I love MS. Woodbury!'s book series' generally speaking. I think I have read and enjoyed them all...I have, truly. This book, however well crafted, has left me feeling sort of sad. Her greatest aheivement, in all her books,in my opinion, has been her character development and the relationships her characters have with one another. In this book she gives us a well developed plot , a complex storyline and lots of characters involved in the tale. What I felt was missing is the warmth and caring and palpable love the main characters have for on another. She evokes a true understanding between them, usually that gives her stories a ' you are there' kind of feeling most of the time. The feeling of just how important they are to one another. The last two in this series have been more about the complicated politics of the time then these relationships. I appreciate that understanding the time period is really important and...I guess I just want more. More about the younger children...the two 'T's' ! They are simply mentioned once and....nothing else...how sad. How old are they now? What are their interests? How are their lives and interests included in the family dynamic? She does not develop the characters of Godfrid and Catto my satisfaction either. I may be nitpicking but I am so disappointed. Who's minding the children??! A little lengthier novel could have covered these bases band made the story more vital and present. I want more. Dai and Leilo are more fully realized here but I would have loved more about them as well as more about the evolution of the Relationship between their parents! Just sayin'. She is a fine writer and I love her stories. Have come to love the history of Wales and it's people as well through her myriad books. I guess I just want more of the personal stories, the Relationship stories, the Family stories, usually more integral to her books. And what About When's dad and her brother??? More, more ,more. She uses contemporary language which I have gotten used to. Would love a bit more period flavor there, as well. And this is because I have read so many books of this gene and period over the past couple of years and really like the idea that though people stay pretty much the same, the Flavor of the time is somehow missing when the phrases are those w use today. Again, just sayin'. Keep writing MS. Woodbury, please.. I know no one can please everyone all the time...I do. Just want more! Oh, and Thank you for all you have written...despite all the criticism I love the work and will continue to wait with bated breath for the next book in any of y our many series.
I love MS. Woodbury!'s book series' generally speaking. I think I have read and enjoyed them all...I have, truly. This book, however well crafted, has left me feeling sort of sad. Her greatest aheivement, in all her books,in my opinion, has been her character development and the relationships her characters have with one another. In this book she gives us a well developed plot , a complex storyline and lots of characters involved in the tale. What I felt was missing is the warmth and caring and palpable love the main characters have for on another. She evokes a true understanding between them, usually that gives her stories a ' you are there' kind of feeling most of the time. The feeling of just how important they are to one another. The last two in this series have been more about the complicated politics of the time then these relationships. I appreciate that understanding the time period is really important and...I guess I just want more. More about the younger children...the two 'T's' ! They are simply mentioned once and....nothing else...how sad. How old are they now? What are their interests? How are their lives and interests included in the family dynamic? She does not develop the characters of Godfrid and Catto my satisfaction either. I may be nitpicking but I am so disappointed. Who's minding the children??! A little lengthier novel could have covered these bases band made the story more vital and present. I want more. Dai and Leilo are more fully realized here but I would have loved more about them as well as more about the evolution of the Relationship between their parents! Just sayin'. She is a fine writer and I love her stories. Have come to love the history of Wales and it's people as well through her myriad books. I guess I just want more of the personal stories, the Relationship stories, the Family stories, usually more integral to her books. And what About When's dad and her brother??? More, more ,more. She uses contemporary language which I have gotten used to. Would love a bit more period flavor there, as well. And this is because I have read so many books of this gene and period over the past couple of years and really like the idea that though people stay pretty much the same, the Flavor of the time is somehow missing when the phrases are those w use today. Again, just sayin'. Keep writing MS. Woodbury, please.. I know no one can please everyone all the time...I do. Just want more! Oh, and Thank you for all you have written...despite all the criticism I love the work and will continue to wait with bated breath for the next book in any of y our many series.
September 6, 2021
I am a sucker for Sarah Woodbury books. I pre-order every new novel that comes out. So, the latest installment in the Gareth and Gwen mysteries was not likely to be a disappointment.
The story takes place in late May of 1149 in Carlisle. It is extremely helpful to have read the previous books, though I believe it would be an enjoyable mystery to those interested in medieval Britain even without knowing the ins and outs of all the characters and relationships. Woodbury does offer tidbits of review, which are helpful even to fans like me.
Like all of the Gareth and Gwen mysteries, the political context is important to understand and I often find myself looking up minor characters or reviewing what really happened politically since political intrigue is intertwined with the murder investigations.
However, the murder mystery itself is pure fiction, and as usual, Woodbury has a delightful cast of characters, unexpected twists and turns, and fascinating insights into human nature. We all see what we want to believe in those we love, and ultimately most crimes are about self interest. No one is all good or all bad, except our beloved regulars. Gareth and Gwen fans will enjoy it as I did.
The story takes place in late May of 1149 in Carlisle. It is extremely helpful to have read the previous books, though I believe it would be an enjoyable mystery to those interested in medieval Britain even without knowing the ins and outs of all the characters and relationships. Woodbury does offer tidbits of review, which are helpful even to fans like me.
Like all of the Gareth and Gwen mysteries, the political context is important to understand and I often find myself looking up minor characters or reviewing what really happened politically since political intrigue is intertwined with the murder investigations.
However, the murder mystery itself is pure fiction, and as usual, Woodbury has a delightful cast of characters, unexpected twists and turns, and fascinating insights into human nature. We all see what we want to believe in those we love, and ultimately most crimes are about self interest. No one is all good or all bad, except our beloved regulars. Gareth and Gwen fans will enjoy it as I did.
September 16, 2021
I do love this series. This time Gareth, as Prince Hywel's Steward, is sent on King Owain's behalf to a meeting with King David of Scotland, Ranulf of Chester, and the young Prince Henry at Carlisle, so well out of their home environment..
He and Gwen travel with Conal, Godfrid and Cait - but give the impression that this is purely practical and they are no more than acquaintances. This makes for some rather clandestine meetings as Gareth finds himself practically presented with a mysterious body within hours of his arrival, and his friends are involved in the case.
Gwen finds herself restricted to investigating the women involved, but they are the keys to the mystery, and we see both her occasional frustration at this and also those little gestures that tell of a couple who know each other well and love each other deeply.
We also see more of Llelo and Dai; both are involved with the investigation and play important roles.
The mystery of the unearthed body involves a cast of interesting characters and a lot of twists and turns and really held my interest, as did all the political machinations going on at the same time.
(I did wonder if Gwen might be pregnant again...)
He and Gwen travel with Conal, Godfrid and Cait - but give the impression that this is purely practical and they are no more than acquaintances. This makes for some rather clandestine meetings as Gareth finds himself practically presented with a mysterious body within hours of his arrival, and his friends are involved in the case.
Gwen finds herself restricted to investigating the women involved, but they are the keys to the mystery, and we see both her occasional frustration at this and also those little gestures that tell of a couple who know each other well and love each other deeply.
We also see more of Llelo and Dai; both are involved with the investigation and play important roles.
The mystery of the unearthed body involves a cast of interesting characters and a lot of twists and turns and really held my interest, as did all the political machinations going on at the same time.
(I did wonder if Gwen might be pregnant again...)
August 1, 2021
It's hard to believe that we are already in the 14th book in this series! How time flies. I was first drawn to it because of the Welsh history and the fact that I have been to quite a few of the places mentioned. This one suddenly feels as though it's on alien territory as I've never been to Carlisle and so I couldn't form a picture in my mind of the countryside. Gareth and Gwen have been sent on a diplomatic mission for King Owain, accompanied by their older adopted sons, and their friends Godfrid of Dublin and Connall of Leinster. However, they barely have time to walk into King David's hall before a body is discovered, and diplomacy has to be out aside when the king asks Gareth to investigate. The 'body' has been leading quite a complicated life however before meeting its end and a number of suspects had possible reasons to wish him out of their lives. Llelo and Dai both get a chance to shine in this episode now they are growing up, while Gwen rather takes a back seat.
April 9, 2025
Gareth, Gwen, Conall, Godfrid, Catriona, Llelo, Dai and accompanying children and retainers have come to Scotland to solidify an agreement between King Owain, King David of Scotland, Prince Henry and Earl Ranulf of Chester to fight against King Stephen. As happens to Gareth, he his greeted with a dead body; this one recently disinterred and three months dead! In the course of the investigation, Llelo and Hamelin (Prince Henry’s half brother) are knighted, it’s discovered the deceased had three fiancés and there seems to be undercurrents going on.
May 30, 2024
Four and a half stars. This was an intriguing mystery, and it's great to see Llelo and Dai coming into their own. There was a big jolt for me when a character (in 1149 England/Scotland) said someone was a "grifter" which is an Americanism from the early 20th century. The author needs to be more careful with the words she uses, especially coming out of the mouths of characters. That was the cause of the loss of half a star.
September 29, 2024
I have mixed feelings here. I read the prior book years ago. Frankly, I did not remember details. There were so many references in this book—little asides—that I didn’t understand because I didn’t remember previous books. I also was disconcerted by modern idioms used at times. I do plan to read the next two books because I already bought them. Otherwise, I am not sure I would proceed with the series.
July 31, 2021
Enjoy the characters
I still enjoy the characters Gareth and Gwen, their family and friends. I do find myself wanting a little more depth when it comes to the mysteries. I also wish there were more interaction/family time between Gwen, Gareth and their children. The little things matter. Overall, I still enjoy the series and look forward to the next one.
I still enjoy the characters Gareth and Gwen, their family and friends. I do find myself wanting a little more depth when it comes to the mysteries. I also wish there were more interaction/family time between Gwen, Gareth and their children. The little things matter. Overall, I still enjoy the series and look forward to the next one.
July 28, 2021
The Faithless Fool
I read this book on a long cross-country trip. It made a very long day much more enjoyable. I enjoy reading this author she is careful to follow the history.
I read this book on a long cross-country trip. It made a very long day much more enjoyable. I enjoy reading this author she is careful to follow the history.
July 29, 2021
Didn’t see that coming!
If it’s by Sarah Woodbury - it’ll be good!! Great job on a different kind of outcome than I expected!
If it’s by Sarah Woodbury - it’ll be good!! Great job on a different kind of outcome than I expected!
August 3, 2021
Every new Woodbury start is better than its predecessor!
August 4, 2021
I always enjoy taking another look at Gareth & Gwen's medieval world.
January 25, 2022
I really enjoy these two.
February 27, 2022
A little contrived... not as good as some of the others
November 18, 2025
Another intrigue…
The stories continue to develop the characters and laid against each other are historically rich and make life of the times relatable.
The stories continue to develop the characters and laid against each other are historically rich and make life of the times relatable.
December 22, 2025
Love the twist at the end. So many new things going on as well.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews