From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Marked to Die (A Bradecote and Catchpoll Investigation, #3)

Sarah Hawkswood

Start date: January 15, 2025

Finish date: February 8, 2025

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: Next in this historical mystery series.
[close] Next in this historical mystery series.

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What Members Thought

Jan 03, 2025 Susan in NC rated it really liked it

Shelves: detbuddy25, audiobook

Definitely enjoying this new-to-me historical mystery series, thanks to the Reading the Detectives group buddy reads. I wasn’t sure I liked the first, it was almost a DNF because although it takes place at the same time as my beloved Brother Cadfael series (the Stephen/Maud Civil War, also known as the Anarchy), it seemed a pale imitation. I’m glad I carried on with the series.

This is book #3, and someone is attacking the shipments of salt (a precious commodity for food, but also the livelihood Definitely enjoying this new-to-me historical mystery series, thanks to the Reading the Detectives group buddy reads. I wasn’t sure I liked the first, it was almost a DNF because although it takes place at the same time as my beloved Brother Cadfael series (the Stephen/Maud Civil War, also known as the Anarchy), it seemed a pale imitation. I’m glad I carried on with the series.

This is book #3, and someone is attacking the shipments of salt (a precious commodity for food, but also the livelihood of some towns), killing the packmen and stealing the wagons. Single arrows kill the men, and in the dramatic opening scene, a nobleman who happens to be riding nearby and comes to their aid is also killed.

Undersheriff Bradecote, wily Sgt. Catchpoll and protege and general dogsbody Wakelin are told to investigate, but they haven’t much to go on; it’s been a week and the trail is cold. They visit the widow of the dead nobleman and find an embittered, vengeful woman. As she left to recover her husband’s body she fell, causing her to lose her baby; she had been married previously to a notoriously sadistic lord who had used her abominably, and despite not loving her second husband, he was kind and she wants to avenge him.

Catchpoll finds her ferocious but feels protective; his wife recently died and left him with an infant son, so he can relate to the guilt. He also finds her attractive, and though extremely wary, she reciprocates. The budding relationship is handled skillfully, and in no way takes away from the mystery.

The recent widow even helps track down the fletcher who may have prepared the arrows of the killer. Part of the mystery is told from the pov of The Archer, who has assumed almost supernatural status among the terrified villagers. He is a very intriguing character, and I found his actions awful but understandable. There are some truly evil lords in this one, but I was satisfied they would get their comeuppance-a satisfying and entertaining entry in the series, I look forward to reading on. ...more

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Mar 16, 2025 Sarah G rated it really liked it

Very much rooting for the archer *and* the detectives in this one. I really liked having the viewpoint of the archer. Good plot overall.

That said, I found the ‘historical romance’ element a bit much - not what I’m looking for in my reading, and having that become a key element of an otherwise good book was aggravating.

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