It is fascinating to me how the way a story is told increases or diminishes its impact. The generally accepted way to tell a story is in chronological order. Sometimes writers will add flashbacks to give more background or to enhance our understanding of the relationships involved. Sometimes a book will start at the end and then quickly switch back to the beginning to show us why it ended up the way it did. But Harvey makes a different choice altogether. She begins at the end and then move backwards chronologically until we reach the beginning. It took some getting use to but was, in the end, very effective.

Reve, the town priest, has been given the task of investigating the disappearance of Tom Newmanon Shrove Saturday, 1491. Newman, is the wealthiest resident in the town of Oakham, so to help in his investigation the bishop has sent another priest to supervise Reve. Caught between his knowledge of the town’s people and their secrets, as well as his own, Reve faces increasing pressure from the bishop’s man to resolve the matter quickly. Tom Newman’s jacket was discovered at the river’s edge but was Newman murdered, was it suicide, or was he merely swept away by accident? Who gains from Newman’s death? Through Reve’s eyes, the dark underbelly of the village and even bishopric are revealed- including competing interests of greed and jealousy, now that such vast wealth is in play. Can Reve find the answer? What happens if he doesn’t?

Harvey whose previous books have been nominated for the Man Booker prize, has brought this medieval village to life. She deftly portrays the villager’s daily struggles to survive against illness, poverty, weather and food shortages. She has created in Reve, a man who wants to serve his God and his Church, but he struggles when their goals conflict with the needs of the people in the village. Harvey has created interesting characters, and her knowledge of medieval village life is used to great advantage, without sinking into minutiae. I really enjoyed this book and will now be on the lookout for more by this author!

Brenda’ Rating: **** (4 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Sharon, Marian and Keith

Book Study Worthy? Yes

Read in e-library format.