The Bookseller's Tale Audiobook By Ann Swinfen cover art

The Bookseller's Tale

Oxford Medieval Mysteries, Book 1

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The Bookseller's Tale

By: Ann Swinfen
Narrated by: Philip Battley
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Oxford, Spring 1353. When young bookseller Nicholas Elyot discovers the body of student William Farringdon floating in the river Cherwell, it looks like a drowning. Soon, however, Nicholas finds evidence of murder. Who could have wanted to kill this promising student? As Nicholas and his scholar friend Jordain try to unravel what lies behind William's death, they learn that he was innocently caught up in a criminal plot. When their investigations begin to involve town, university, and abbey, Nicholas takes a risky gamble - and puts his family in terrible danger.

©2016 Ann Swinfen (P)2017 Ann Swinfen Historical Mystery Crime Student Fiction
Rich Historical Details • Engaging Characters • Medieval Bookmaking Insights • Authentic Period Atmosphere • Superb Pacing
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What must be appreciated in this volume is the obvious proof of the author's time and energy in researching the era. Also combining suspense and comedy is most enjoyable, making her characters very believable. It is easy to imagine the scenes at home as she so vividly describes them. This is, perhaps, one of my favorites. I am an avid Sherlock Holmes fan, therefore the deductions and reasonings were a special delght. Bravo! I'm looking forward to many more volumes.

The Booksellers Tale

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I had a hard time stopping to go back to reality. The narrator acts it well, and in emotional parts I even found myself tearing up... he has a smooth, pleasant voice, perfect to convey the quaint atmosphere of medieval Oxford.

Immersive and entertaining!

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I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It seems well researched. The medieval music was a nice touch. The story kept my interest the whole time.

Loved the story. Can’t wait to read the next one

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Very enjoyable historical mystery set in 14th-century Oxford. Great characters and excellent descriptions, a good mystery, and fine pacing. The narration of the audiobook by Philip Battley was uneven, however, with many strange pauses and pacing. His accents were fine, though.

Really fun story, but with uneven narration

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Great characters, solid story. A little odd to hear a first person narrator in the medieval genre, but it worked. Frequently jarring shifts in past and present tense tripped me up.

Solid writing

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Nothing like solving a murder and surviving the plague!! Love the characters and can’t wait for the next book. Will the artist nun escape the convent? Lol! Fun romp.

I liked this story and narrator.

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This is my kind of book. The story depended on a well-drawn world of a medieval bookseller and his relationship with Oxford instructors and students. I liked the family members, too. The murder mystery unfolded at a reasonable pace and wasn't predictable. The narrator did a great job. I hope audible releases the second book in this series, The Novice's Tale, with the same narrator. I downloaded the first book from audible of Swinfen's Christopher Alvarez series, but I haven't listened to it yet - now I'll definitely give that series a listen.

Held my interest, excellent historical background

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Would you try another book from Ann Swinfen and/or Philip Battley?

Yes

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Knew it long before the end

Could you see The Bookseller's Tale being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes, it might make a better movie than a book

Any additional comments?

The atmosphere of the period was good but the mystery was a little weak - the perpetrator obvious early on. A more compelling story in the same setting would welcome. After all the other rave reviews, I found myself rather disappointed by the book itself.

Not much of a mystery

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Tightly written with a great reader. Fits the main character perfectly. Interesting to learn a little about medieval Oxford.

A good tale

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Beautifully, simply but cleverly written. Loved reading & listening to this murder mystery Oxford tale. Even our children enjoyed listening to their grandmother's tale while on several journeys. 😊💞👍

Loved this Oxford Medieval Mystery

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