A captivating and wonderfully evocative historical crime novel based in 1351, this is the second in the series, set after ‘Plague Land’. While it’s best to start at the beginning, ‘The Butcher Bird’ can actually be read as a standalone novel, as the background to the family structure is explained.
At Somershill Manor, Oswald de Lacy attempts to solve the mysterious death of a baby, however he finds the situation running away from him. The historical notes at the end confirm this was a frightening time, with change coming hard on the heels of the Black Death. S. D. Sykes ensures that menace stalks through the pages, yet a weary and determined defiance makes itself felt.
I believed the perilous nature of the times and flinched from the raw stink and the healing concoctions as I attempted to unravel this knotty, yet compelling mystery.
Oswald de Lacy is growing up fast in his new position as Lord of Somershill Manor. The Black Death changed many things, and just as it took away his father and elder brothers, leaving Oswald to be recalled from the monastery where he expected to spend his life, so it has taken many of his villagers and servants. However, there is still the same amount of work to be done in the farms and fields, and the few people left to do it think they should be paid more - something the King himself has forbidden.
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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Oswald de Lacy is growing up fast in his new position as Lord of Somershill Manor. The Black Death changed many things, and just as it took away his father and elder brothers, leaving Oswald to be recalled from the monastery where he expected to spend his life, so it has taken many of his villagers and servants.
The Butcher Bird features in the following genres: Historical Fiction, Crime and Mystery, Books with reviews by our Reader Review Panel, Thriller and Suspense, eBooks of the Month, Fiction, Recommendations
Hardback, Paperback. £9.89, down from the £10.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Butcher Bird was written by S. D. Sykes and published by Hodder Paperback an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton General Division
The Butcher Bird has 342 pages
Yes it is part of The Oswald De Lacy Medieval Murders series
£9.89, reduced from £10.99. In Stock.
