Here we go!  Enjoy everyone!

I'm through chapter 5 and am enjoying this book. I like Jack a lot; however, I'm still a little ambivalent about Crispin Guest. There's not much that is overly likeable so far, IMO. I'm expecting that to change & I certainly enjoy this book enough to keep on reading. I think Jeri is doing a great job at laying the groundwork for the mystery and I am intrigued. I also like that it is more than just a single-plot whodunit story.

Kelly

I don't think Crispin likes himself much, Kelly.  

 I can see why the term Medieval Noir has been coined for these books,  they are so atmospheric.  Jeri has really made London and the weather characters in this.  London is an allie and the weather a foe.  As I said to Vicky,  "Don't you just want to give him clean warm clothes and a hot meal?"  

Jack is really my favorite, in the interview I did with her she said that he wasn't supposed to be such a big part of these books.  Well just goes to show you can't keep a good man down.

Keep going, keep going!  I ended up liking Crispin!

Don't you all just hate Simon Wynchecombe, the sheriff.  I mean why does he feel it necessary to beat the stuffing out of Crispin?  Poor Jack having to see that. 
 

Jerelyn, I DO hate Simon!  Someone needs to jerk a knot in his tail!  I thought your comment about Crispin not liking himself very much was interesting.  At this point, it seems to me that he is at such loose ends, having his station in life so altered.  He can't ignore status, and finds it so uncomfortable to be in a different (lower) status; his pride seems to get him into more conflict.

I love Jack!  He's perfect for bringing out Crispin's soft side, if you will.  

I can't help but think that it would take very little effort to convert this novel into a screenplay.  I can see the scenes very vividly.  This would make a great movie.

I will say that so many previous incidents are alluded to, I feel as though I've missed the first novel in the series!  I think a prequel is in order. 

ETA: Kelly, your comment was interesting too.  I think I always begin at the default of liking the main character, until they do something to cause me to either dislike or distrust them.  So...I like Crispin.  

Vicky,

Your comment about feeling like you've missed the first novel in the series is dead on target! I actually checked the book jacket to verify that I was reading the first in the series. Linda tells me to keep the faith - that eventually we will learn Crispin's back story.

RE: Crispin - my only comment about his misfortunes & the blow to his pride is that this all happened eight years ago !! And, maybe that's the problem ... maybe the story would have been better served if the time span was only two or three years ... Crispin still coming to grips with his downfall, the blow to his pride, all the life changing elements that go with becoming simple "Master" rather than "Sir" ... to be where he is eight years later seems to indicate little or no growth in himself as a person ... emotionally, physically, etc.

Jeri has absolutely written the very best villain with Sheriff Wynchecombe.

And I agree completely with the comment re: a screenplay. Who do we want to play Crispin? My initial vote is Hugh Jackman!

Kelly P

Poor Crispin, the disgraced knight!  I think he and the Sheriff have a history.  Were they close friends at one time?!

Anna,  Crispin being a knight had a higher status than the sheriff who is a commoner and a merchant.  

Kelly, I can imagine that he hasn't grown very much in those 8 years.  You can imagine that he was horribly tortured and abused while imprisoned, waiting to die, everyone involved in the plot was put to death after all.  I think that would emotionally stunt anyone.  It seems to me that he will never accept his lot in life.  I  also think he believes in his heart that Gaunt should be king.  He sees Richard as a weak  and unbalanced, who is bad for England.  Historically we know that to be true. 

But I agree with you and Vicky, I did feel that I had missed something in the first part of the book, but you do get more of the back story as you go on.