Being Master of a leper hospital probably isn’t the most popular career choice, but that is what faces Ralph of Houndeslow as he comes to Crediton. Guardian of a group of seriously ill individuals who are shunned from society – indeed, who have very few legal rights – it’s not something that I could do.
Meanwhile, in the town itself, the merchant Godfrey of London is found murdered and his daughter Cecily has been attacked. People seem keen to point the finger at John of Irlaunde – a womaniser with a dubious reputation – but while Sir Baldwin Furnshill knows John is a reprobate, he doesn’t strike him as a murderer. Soon the townsfolk are looking for someone else to blame as well – and someone is whispering evil claims about those evil lepers…
The sixth book in the Furnshill-Puttock series, which so far has ranged from very good to excellent. Is this a continuation of that trend?
Better than that – it’s outstanding – the best so far. Which is what I said about the last one. And the one before that, and the one before that (and so on)…
With each book, Michael Jecks has picked on an aspect of medieval life and woven a story around it without making it seem like a history lesson. Here the subject is the treatment of lepers (obviously), shut away in an encampment, made to wear heavy clothes and gloves at all times, unable to even touch non-lepers. We see life through two characters, one resigned to his life and one newly afflicted. Needless to say, there isn’t going to be a happy ending for some of the characters in this tale.
And it’s a great tale as well. A cracking twisting, turning mystery, Jecks juggles a large cast without ever losing the pace of the story or causing the reader to have to check which character is which. The plot goes all over the place while still remaining tightly focussed and there are some genuine surprises, despite there being enough clues to spot the shape of what is happening – one thing in particular is flagged up in plain sight a few times and I missed the importance. Interestingly, so does Baldwin (the more sleuthy of our two heroes), and it falls to Simon to point out what, in hindsight, is bleedin’ obvious.
And our heroes get some more development, in particular with Baldwin’s courting of the Lady Jeanne, with some genuinely funny moments concerning her deeply unpleasant maid Emma. I found myself with a silly grin on my face when reading some of these sections, in particular with regard to the machinations of Baldwin’s servants to put her out of the way. And hooray for Chops! I’ll leave you to read the book to see what I mean by that.
And you really should read this book – it’s an absolutely top notch historical mystery in a top notch series and it is, of course, Highly Recommended. Expect more reviews from this series in the months to come as I may have “accidently” ordered the entire series to fill my shelves…
And here’s Michael…
In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel 
I have thought about trying this series by Jecks. Maybe I will do that. Lots of books in this series.
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… and they don’t have to be read in order – although the later ones might do,as they get more entangled with the politics of the time
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That is good to know. If I find one of the earlier ones at a book sale I will not wait until I have the first one to try the series.
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One of the local libraries has a bunch of historical mystery paperbacks for sale at a quarter each. I *think* I saw at least one by Jecks. Sounds like somebody I’d like to read. The idea of reading a book on lepers kinda gives me the heebie-jeebies, to be perfectly honest.
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Well, this book shouldn’t give you the heeby-jeebies. When it features the lepers (which is only part of the story) it does so in an honest and sympathetic way. Definitely well worth your time
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Thanks, I just ordered this one for only 99 cents, Kindle version.
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Hope you enjoy it.
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[…] The Leper’s Return by Michael Jecks […]
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I engaged with Jecks’ writings some time back well after the series began. I found myself searching for the early titles which at the time was not always an easy task. Today, reprints abound and also e-book versions. I am glad that Simon & Schuster UK picked him up from Headline as I think the former is better for this excellent author. I would also recommend titles outside of the series as well (he is not restricted to historical [well researched] murder mystery).
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Stunning timing – I was just writing my review of the next book in the series! I’m aware of Act of Vengeance – what else has Michael written?
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[…] caught me out, and it’s possible that I read too much into it. Oh, and after his starring role in the last book, there wasn’t nearly enough of Chops, Baldwin’s mastiff! Fingers crossed for a quick return to […]
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[…] you like historical mysteries, then I’d recommend any of this series, in particular this one, The Leper’s Return, The Abbot’s Gibbet or The Crediton […]
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[…] Recommended. While not the strongest of the books so far – I think that’s probably The Leper’s Return – it’s still a top quality medieval mystery from a series that hasn’t put a foot […]
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[…] and Sharon have both won it before, for The Crediton Killings, Squire Throwleigh’s Heir and The Leper’s Return, for Michael and Now You See Me for Sharon, so based on this alone, the Puzzly goes to Joan Hess […]
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[…] The Leper’s Return […]
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[…] Baldwin is talking about the dogs that he used to have and he didn’t mention Chops, the star of The Leper’s Return. […]
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[…] Michael’s mysteries – and if you haven’t tried them, go and read The Sticklepath Strangler or The Leper’s Return – then you could do a lot worse than to give this a try. Highly […]
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