A Vein of Deceit (Matthew Bartholomew Series #15)

by Susanna Gregory

Overview

The fifteenth chronicle in the Matthew Bartholomew series.

There is something very amiss in the finances of Michaelhouse. Despite a new influx of well-heeled students, there is an acute lack of funds for the upkeep of the buildings, even for decent provisions. It is only when the Brother in charge of the account books dies unexpectedly that some sort of explanation is revealed: he has been paying large amounts of money for goods the college itself has never received.

Although shocked by this evidence of fraud, Matthew is more concerned with the disappearance from his herbarium of a quantity of pennyroyal, a preparation known to cause a woman to miscarry, and a pregnant visitor to his sister's household has died from an overdose of pennyroyal. Had she meant to abort her child or had someone else wanted to ensure she was unable to provide an heir to her husband's wealthy estates? When Matthew learns that it was her husband who had received Michaelhouse's money for undelivered goods he begins to search for other connections and exposes a very treacherous vein of deceit.

'A first-rate treat for mystery lovers' (Historical Novels Review)

'Susanna Gregory has an extraordinary ability to conjure up a strong sense of time and place' (Choice)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780748124367
Publisher:	Little, Brown Book Group
Publication date:	12/02/2010
Series:	Matthew Bartholomew Series , #15
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	194,076
File size:	607 KB

About the Author

Susanna Gregory was a police officer in Leeds before taking up an academic career. She has served as an environmental consultant, worked eighteen field seasons in the polar regions, and has taught comparative anatomy and biological anthropology.

She is the creator of the Matthew Bartholomew series of mysteries set in medieval Cambridge and the Thomas Chaloner adventures in Restoration London. She now lives in Wales with her husband, who is also a writer.

Editorial Reviews

The many characters, murders and possible motivations tend to overwhelm Gregory's 15th Matthew Bartholomew chronicle (after 2008's The Devil's Disciples). Late one night in 1357, Bartholomew, a doctor associated with Cambridge's Michaelhouse College, receives a summons to attend an ailing pregnant woman, Joan Elyan. Despite his ministrations, Elyan dies, apparently from a dose of a medicine used to end pregnancy. To Bartholomew's horror, he finds that the drugs may have come from his own stores. The physician is further dismayed to learn of evidence of embezzlement from Michaelhouse by a trusted friend, who dies before he can be confronted. Several more deaths, the theft of some precious chalices and a brother-sister pair of villains who believe Michaelhouse has something that belongs to them complicate an already complicated plot. Still, Bartholomew remains a credible and sympathetic amateur sleuth. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

In his 15th outing (after The Devil's Disciples), Matthew Bartholomew, physician and professor of medicine, must solve the death of his sister's oldest friend, poisoned by an herb that may have been taken from his Cambridge laboratory. VERDICT Gregory weaves a tale of medicinal herbs and their uses with an unusual plot involving silver mining and witchcraft in 14th-century England. A perfect choice for historical fans who miss Ellis Peters.\

Library Journal

"A perfect choice for historical fans who miss Ellis Peters."  —Library Journal

"Bartholomew remains a credible and sympathetic amateur sleuth."  —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher