Roger the Chapman #15

The Prodigal Son

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The latest title in the acclaimed Roger the Chapman series When Roger the Chapman discovers he has a hitherto unknown half-brother, he has mixed feelings about the matter. But when John Wedmore is accused of being the young page who, six years earlier, robbed his mistress and murdered a fellow servant, and is thrown into prison, Roger feels obliged to investigate the charge.

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,2006

This edition

Format
252 pages, Paperback
Published
February 1, 2007 by Severn House
ISBN
9780727891624
ASIN
0727891626
Language
English

About the author

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Kate Sedley, the pen-name of Brenda Margaret Lilian Honeyman Clarke (born 1926) is an English historical novelist. She was born in Bristol and educated at The Red Maid's School, Westbury-on-Trym. She is married and has a son and a daughter, and one granddaughter.
Her medieval historical whodunnits feature Roger the Chapman, who has given up a monk's cell for the freedom of peddling his wares on the road.

Community Reviews

Rating(3.6 / 5.0, 14 votes)
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14 reviews All reviews
April 26,2025
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#15 Roger the Chapman medieval mystery set in the UK. Roger is in the Green Lattis pub savoring an ale when a stranger approaches several people including the chapman, asking after news of his brother's ship that sailed from Bristol several weeks previously. There has been no news, but Roger thinks he's met the young man somewhere before, but can't quite place John Wedmore.

Until a day later when the sheriff comes calling, stating he's got young Mr. Wedmore in his jail, accused of being a thief and murderer, implicated by a countrywoman who named him her page six years ago. And he's asked to speak to Roger--who subsequently learns that John Wedmore is his previously unknown half-brother and he realizes he 'recognized' his father's facial features in the young man.

Roger ends up journeying out to Wells, where he was born and grew up, to the country manor of his brother's accuser to see what he can learn about this six-year-old murder in hopes of exonerating him. Meanwhile, a long lost son returns to that manor at the same time as Roger and begins stirring up a hornet's nest.

Enjoyable visit as always to 14th century England. The mysteries are not terribly difficult to figure out, but the writing style, the characters and historical ambiance make all the difference.
April 26,2025
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Ne'er do well Anthony Bellknapp, thought or hoped by his family to be dead, has returned to claim the inheritance long expected by his brother Simon. Anthony seems to love stirring up hatred against himself. After a few days every man on the estate and some women have reason to kill him.

Roger the Chapman is already investigating a death at Anthony's old home, on behalf of his own half-brother. Does the prodigal son of the title refer to Anthony or to John Wedmore? Like THE GREEN MAN of a couple of years later in Sedley's series, THE PRODIGAL SON picks up its pace dramatically near the end of the book. I especially enjoy Roger's woodsy travels.
April 26,2025
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More murder & mayhem for our intrepid chapman, Roger to solve. This time roger has to save a member of his family from the gallows.
April 26,2025
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While it was easy to see where the plot was going, I still enjoyed this book. I really like Sedley's characters. Her writing reveals the good in humanity, flaws and all, even when actions and characters are evil.
April 26,2025
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I figured out most of the murderers and guilty parties long before Roger does but liked his empathy and the development of the other characters. This was a good read of country life in rural areas of Briton.
April 26,2025
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Not as satisfied with the way things ended in this one
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