Deadly Inheritance

Sir Geoffrey Mappestone #6

by Simon Beaufort

Murder, intrigue and marriage in the Welsh Marches of old . . . - When Sir Geoffrey’s unpopular brother, Henry, is murdered, he unwillingly inherits Goodrich Castle in the Welsh Marches. Immediately, his sister pushes him towards a marriage that will provide an heir and stability for the family. But when Geoffrey survives attempts on his own life, he wonders whether they are linked to Henry’s death, to his potential brides, or even to the rumoured murder of the Duchess of Normandy, as a Welsh revolt against the English looms.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Medieval, Fiction, Historical Mystery

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

AKA Susanna Gregory with Beau Riffenburgh (her husband).
Simon Beaufort is the pseudonym of Elizabeth Cruwys, a Cambridge academic who was previously a coroner's officer. She writes detective fiction.

Reviews

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5/4 stars ⭐️

[Jacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook, read by Matt Addis. A medieval murder mystery. Though this is Book 6 it stands alone and there's no sense of missing information from previous books. Set in the early 1100s, Sir Geoffrey's unpopular brother, Henry, is murdered and Geoffrey inherits Goodrich Castle in the Welsh Marches. His sister, the castle's ruler in all but name, immediately pushes him to find a bride and produce an heir, but all the available ladies of suitable rank are problematical in one way or another. Geoffrey is lately come from the Crusades and even his own people assume him to be violent and bloodthirsty, like (or even worse than) his dead brother. In trying to work out who killed henry, Geoffrey steps into a veritable hornet's nest of more murders, revenge, arson and (Welsh) uprisings, with one woman seeking to destroy every Mappestone in revenge for Henry killing her husband. There were quite a few plotholes and things that happened for the sake of the convoluted plot. For an experienced investigator (presumably in the previous five books) Geoffrey accepts some explanations that are truly flawed, but he sorts it all out in the end, though a couple of the culprits (literally) get away with murder, even though we do learn the truth. This is very ably read by Matt Addis and I enjoyed listening to it, though on reflection the plotholes were a little unbelievable.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the recent books by Simon Beaufort/Susanna Gregory have suffered from an over abundance of foolish supporting characters. That is not the case here, and the book is better for it. I'm not entirely sure the plot makes sense, but I enjoyed reading the book anyway.

[Macky · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.5⭐️

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

21 I am rather enjoying this series. Simon Beaufort is the pseudonym of Susanna Gregory and Beau Riffenburgh and I wonder if some of the plot issues stem from this. I don’t know the mechanics of 2 people working on the same book though. This introduces a really good sidekick, Bale, who has a love of knives. He brings a much needed lightness to the book. I am not entirely sure that there are not some leaps of faith required as far as the plotting goes. But nevertheless I enjoyed the read. ’I had but a sip and that was only because I was thirsty.

[Lorraine Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not enjoy this book either.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is a bit convoluted but it certainly has an exciting ending. I had a little trouble keeping the cast of characters straight but it all came together at the end.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy history and found that the storyline was stunning, authentic and excellent. I enjoy whodunits, and found this fun.

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first “Sir Geoffrey Mappestone” mystery I have read, it was very good. This one takes place at Sir Geoffrey’s own castle on the English / Welsh border in 1102. Sir Geoffrey, as a younger son in the 12th century, had previously been primarily interested in fighting in the Crusades – that’s what younger sons were for! However, he has just inherited the castle and estates that used to belong to his brother, who has recently been murdered. (Or maybe it was suicide?). Now, as the lord of the manor, he must marry and produce an heir, to which end his sister enumerates all the eligible ladies of the area for him. Not only does he have no interest in any of them, it seems his brother may have insulted or assaulted some of them (motives, anyone?). He is much more interested in finding out how and why his brother, who seems to have been very unpleasant, met his end, though he is discouraged from this pursuit at every turn. Geoffrey, in contrast to his brother, seems to be a reasonably likeable, a man of action with a detective bent.
As Geoffrey sets off on his detective / marriage quest, various other murders now occur, including a large fire at a rival castle, and a revolt of the nearby Welsh tribes starts, threatening to end Geoffrey’s lordship before it has really begun. The revolt is partly over real grievances and partly over a personal vendetta against Geoffrey’s family. Geoffrey now has to organize a defence of the castle, aided by one of his old crusading friends, against overwhelming odds.
As the story progressed, several characters appear who have been present in previous books, but that wasn’t especially distracting. One of these characters is the King, whom Geoffrey is intent on avoiding, with little success. The book seems to have been well researched (as far as I can tell!), and made you feel you were in the 12th century, with the concerns of that time, though Geoffrey seemed to be unconcerned at the same-sex liaisons of both his ex-secretary and others in the book. The book goes into the politics of the King of England versus the Duke of Normandy (very close relatives, obviously), and the death of the Duke’s wife, another mystery for Geoffrey to look into. This part seems to have been loosely based on fact. The other factual pieces involve the arguments between the King and the Church over ordination of Bishops, arguments that seem pretty obscure from a 21st century viewpoint, but which again seem to be factually correct. This argument is woven into the story also.
In the end, all the murders are solved, but almost as a sideshow. The main events are the castle battles and such like. Real detecting seems to be scarce. (He does find an intended spouse, though, perhaps because many of the alternatives were dead or fleeing!) But it works out well, and the book is enjoyable.

[Huda Sarkowi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first venture into the historical mystery genre, and I'm glad I choose the right book. I enjoy reading it and I could have finished it in one sitting but I have some errands to do this week and plus I need to work. Sir Geoffrey Mappestone is a combination of brain and brawn. When he started his questioning and investigation he took every details including motives and alibis in his consideration and at the same time he was indifferent towards all his suspects. In the end I was glad he finally married Hilde, not because all the other prospects had either died or fled away. He was quite open minded too, he didn't frown at Eleanor for being a lesbian. He was a modern man for someone who lives in 12th century. Amidst all the crimes, family drama and political issues here's a man who stood at the center and become the center of it all.

I'm not a history buff especially one that involved England in 12th century or in my case any country's history in any area of time (LOL) but I found the setting of this book not bothering me at all. Since the beginning of this book there was so many suspects in Henry's murder which made me hooked and determined to read it till the end. My only regret is that I didn't discover this book earlier. Looking forward for the next installment.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent book. I was thrilled when I found out there was a new book in the series, and it by no means disappoints. If you like mysteries that you can't put down, historically accurate plotlines, and a lifetime's worth of intrigue, definitely consider picking this up. Simon Beaufort does a wonderful job of intertwining a number of elaborate storylines, all of which tie together beautifully and should make for an interesting next book. I myself finished it in two nights (so maybe consider waiting to read it until you don't have a ton of work to do; there was some procrastination involved). In any case, I can't wait to pick up the next installment.

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this particular book of this series. A mystery set in early 12th century England during the reign of Henry I. The main character inherits a demesne from his murdered brother. He gets involved with many characters in his efforts to find his brogher's killer and ends up not only finding the murderer but a plot to kill an archbishop and a plot to capture his castle by an enemy of his family and also finds himself a wife.

[Diana Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very well written but not my type. While I usually like historical mysteries, I guess I'm not interested in this particular era.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more of this series.

[Annmarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 slow start...didn't really like the beginning. By the middle is picked up speed. Surprised at the ending.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good plot, interesting characters and setting. But the language was stiff

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Sorry to see there are only two books left in the series.