The Deepest Grave by Jeri Westerson

First Sentence:  A hand tapped Crispin's shoulder from behind as he was finishing his business against an alley walk? 

      

Do the dead indeed walk?  Father Bulthius of St. Modwen's Church asks for "Tracker" Chrispin Guest's help as he claims he has seen the dead rise from their graves, dragging their coffins, and finds the bodies in the morning, back in their graves with blood on their mouths.  In the meantime, Philippa Walcote, the woman Crispin truly loved but lost, needs his help proving the innocence of her son against a charge of murder and the theft of a family relic. Time is short, as the boy is about to be arrested; a boy who may mean more to Crispin than simply Philippa's son.

      

It is the sign of a good series when the author develops the characters, allowing them to grow and change with each book.  That is certainly true here, particularly with Jack Turner.  However, Westerson is very careful to ensure that those who have not read previous books don't feel lost or confused, or as though they've missed something. 

      

With a story set in the 1300s, having a glossary at the beginning of the book is an excellent touch and very helpful.  The author doesn't try to make one feel as though she's using the language of the time, which would be unintelligible to almost all of us.  Instead, she uses particular words from the period and a cadence to the speech which gives a feel for the time.    

      

Westerson captures the importance of rank and how each person fits into that hierarchy.  It is interesting seeing Crispin's discomfort at his current living situation due to his loss of rank, yet the pleasure he has come to take from it—"His insistence had made of them a strange family: servants and master, all together, as it had been with Jack alone.  Sometimes the arrangement caused a twinge of discomfort, but sometimes—as it did now—he welcomed the feeling that seemed to fill that empty place in his soul that had stood by itself for so long."

      

In addition to the primary characters of Crispin and Jack, Westerson creates fully-developed and very interesting secondary characters.  Abbott William is the cleric all clerics should be.  He doesn't consider himself above anyone else and has an enviable logic—"But our history is what makes us, wouldn't you agree, Crispin? For instance, if you had not had the temerity to commit treason, then perhaps you wouldn't be quite as interesting or noble a personal as you turned out to be."

      

Henry Vaunere and John Shadworth, sheriffs of London, are a wonderful contrast to another.  Shadworth is fascinated by Crispin, while Vaunere is much more skeptical and pragmatic—"Shadworth raised his face.  He wore a beatific expression. 'You don't mean to say that I gave you an idea, Master Guest?' 'John, for God's sake!' chaffed Vaunere, 'Quit fawning over the man.'

      

There are small truths; little gems presented to us by the author—"Justice was justice.  It wasn't a pretty thing.  It was often messy and unpleasant.  But it had to be so.'

      
"The Deepest Grave" has very well-done solutions to the mysteries and a wonderfully, heart-warming ending to the story.  Do take the time to read the afterword.

THE DEEPEST GRAVE (Hist Mys-Chrispin/Jack Taylor-England-1392) – VG+

      Westerson, Jeri – 10^th in series

      Severn House – August 2018