The Ravens of Blackwater (Domesday #2) by Edward Marston

The Ravens of Blackwater (Domesday #2) Reviews

• 
  Sarah B

  This one was a disappointment to me. I had really enjoyed the first book in this series, in part because of the suspense created by the unknown beast that was running about in the woods killing people, but this one lacked that. It was very dull and a struggle to get through. Not much really happens in it although there are a few slight twists and a few riddles too.
  
  And as for the killer, well, I had guessed early on the sex of the killer although not the exact person. I had thought it was very obvious.
  
  As for the story itself, it's about a power hungry family that is stealing land and animals from the middle class. And torturing the poor slaves. Then these men arrive in town to solve the murder and stop the thieving. By the end came near I was so bored I really didn't care what was going on!
  
  I would advise you skip this one.
• 
  Stephen

  the continuing series of the commissioners detailing the doomsday book and this time they are at the Essex town of Maldon and looking into tax and land deeds and again a murder happened as they seek out the killer and the other problem of the land claims. liked the character thinking he was still fighting the battle of Maldon between the Saxons and the Vikings.
• 
  Jen

  3.5🌟
• 
  LJ

  First Sentence: Blackwater Hall seemed to hover like a bird of prey over the river estuary whose name it held in its eager talons.
  
  Norman-born soldier Sir Ralph Delchaird and Briton/Saxon lawyer, Gervase Bret, along with two clerics, travel to the Esex town of Maldon to investigate possible land-transfer irregularities for King William and the Domesday Book. The eldest son of FitzCorbucion of Blackwood Hall, the family suspected of illegal dealings, has been murdered. His younger brother is certain of the murderer; Delchaird and a married priest in the town, are less convinced.
  
  The first thing I appreciated about this about this book, and the series, is that each incident is based an actual entry in the Domesday Book.
  
  The difference between the two men’s backgrounds, both in origin and experience, gives good contrast and makes them a great team. The book has delightful humor which offsets the occasional violence and darkness of the period.
  
  Marston conveys the period well; he certainly doesn’t pretty it up at all. In fact, to me, the sign of an author who has done his research and whose books are historically accurate is when you read books by other authors set in the same period and all their facts mesh.
  
  The story is well done and kept involved from the first page to the very last. I highly recommend it for any who loves history, mysteries, and/or both.
  
  THE RAVENS OF BLACKWATER (Hist. Mys-Ralph Delchard/Gervase Bret-England-1000s) - VG
  Marston, Edward – 2nd in series
  St. Martin’s Press, 1994, US Hardcover – ISBN: 0312113307
  
• 
  Kathleen

  Thanks to Lesley@allisonandbusby for Book 2 of the Domesday Series which I very much enjoyed. I am going to reread this whole series ( read 1-3 in the past).Book #2 had much more vibrant characterization than the first, often the case for series!
  
  Continuing to follow Gervase Bret,chancery legal expert and half Saxon,and Ralph Delchaird Norman soldier and their clerical assistants, as they continue to follow problems in the Domesday Book. The foursome and it's escorts are much more comfortable with each other than in the pilot book of the series.
  
  There continue to be tensions between Saxons, Normans, and occasionally Danes in the recently conquered land, and the mix of this group of "fixers" seem to work well. Post Norman Conquest 11th Century England is quite fascinating in it's customs laws and mores and I am on to the next volume.
• 
  Sara G

  This is another solid book in this series about 11th century commissioners in England investigating the Domesday Book records and anomalies. I love how the author includes a lot of interesting historical tidbits along with the fiction (the unique Saxon names are really funny) and the mystery is generally pretty solid. There are basically four main characters that all ran together, though, and that's the only reason I didn't rate it any higher. I do plan to read more in this series.
• 
  Christopher Taylor

  This series is pretty bleak and sad, with darkness and misery everywhere and a near-total lack of hope or beauty. I mean, times were tough in the medieval period, but there were bright spots too and people did live good and happy lives back then too, believe it or not.
  
  In this book, the group of King's Agents are sent to Maldon where they are to check into the excesses of a noble family who has been taking land, killing people, raping women, and pretty much every evil thing imaginable.
  
  I remember reading this series in the past, from the library and got tot he point I didn't care if I kept reading and I think I understand why; its just too soulless and miserable. The lead character knight is a horrible person who spares no moment to attack and mock Christianity and faith, and lust after every woman in the crudest terms. Every single open Christian in the book save one is a hypocrite or screwed up. Its just wearying to read
  
  But its well written, the mystery is well-crafted, and the Domesday Book concept is really interesting. I just wish it was better handled.
• 
  Zoe Radley

  It’s good and I am enjoying some of the characters and there is now a degree of comradeship that was a it lacking in the previous books. There is this odd way of talking that strikes me as off putting and can make it extremely trying to read but overall the flow of the story and how evocative the past is brought back to life it’s still enthralling and beguiling.
• 
  Nancy H

  This is a good 11th century mystery, set in England just after William the Conqueror's battle at Hastings where he won and took over the country. In addition to the murder mystery part of the story, there is a lot of interesting historical context that the reader doesn't usually get from reading just an overview of the time period.
• 
  K.L.

  When the unpleasant eldest son of an unpleasant landholder in Blackwater is murdered, Gervase and Ralph get involved to try and save a presumably innocent Saxon teenager. With a group of suspicious nuns, angry Saxons, and the duos' hosts, son behaving in a peculiar manner, the pair have a lot of investigating to do before they get to the truth
• 
  Sandra

  Excellent look at England after the conquest of 1066.
• 
  John McDonnell

  Excellent read and listen.
• 
  Ian

  Nice, easy, one sitting read.
• 
  Hayley R

  A nice story but didn’t captivate me hence the time it took to complete.
• 
  Miriam

  It was a pleasant and easy reading. Learned a couple of things.
• 
  Thomas Hewitt

  A very good back and a wonderful introduction to the characters and setting. It sets up such a wonderful cast and each of their individual characteristics and relationships!