Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our Sept/Oct 24 buddy read of Ordeal by Fire The second book in the Bradecote and Catchpoll Investigation series was first published in 2016.

An arsonist proves to be a tough adversary for Worcester's sleuths
September 1143. Serjeant Catchpoll hopes a fire at a Worcester silversmith's is just an accident, but when a charred corpse is discovered following a second fire, he has no choice but to call in the undersheriff.

Hugh Bradecote may be new to the job compared to his wily colleague, but his analytical eye is soon hard at work. With further fires and a hooded figure stalking the streets, the duo must piece together the arsonist's vengeful motive.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

I've finished this now and really enjoyed it. I did guess the killer before the end, but then it was really tense seeing how the detectives would catch him. Looking forward to reading more books in this series.

I agree with Judy, the pursuit of the killer was tense, and the fire raising scenes were really well done. I liked the introduction of Walkelin to the dynamics between Bradecote and Catchpoll too.

Walkelin is a delightful addition to the team! I am enjoying all the care and prep he puts into his undercover work…and I am glad to see Bradecote and Catchpoll working together so well - even though they often go their separate ways to question people, they strategize and rehash new information together, which is really moving the plot along nicely, and helps me stay on the same page, especially now that a second possible murder may or may not be part of the main investigation. I had an epiphany of my own, thought I knew who the arsonist could be, but I’m only about halfway through, and now I’m not sure…

Also, Huw and his big sister, and what she has to do to feed them both, DEFINITELY separates this from Cadfael, set at about the same historical time! Adds a gritty reality to the nasty underside of life- so far the sweet priest who works among the poor (Anselm? I’m awful with names, real and fictional!) is the only character one could confuse with Cadfael.

Oh, and I’m really liking that I get to see both leads at home - gives insight into their characters, as well. I’m very proud of Bradecote and his interactions with Simon the Jewish merchant- for his “first Jew” he’s being very decent.

I also like that these mysteries are more realistic than the Cadfael ones and that the characters are very well described.

Michaela wrote: "I also like that these mysteries are more realistic than the Cadfael ones and that the characters are very well described."

Yes!

I have sometimes felt that Cadfael books can be a bit “preachy” but nothing that would put me off. These are much more gritty.

Very true - I would say that tone in the Cadfael series is because it’s set in a religious enclosed community, but I’ve read other historical mystery series set in a similar community, and there wasn’t such an emphasis on the liturgical calendar/obligations.

The relationship between the main characters is developing nicely and a third team member will take the stress off Catchpoll's legs. I really liked the inside view of Catchpoll's home life and Bradecote's situation has good plot potential.

Hoping to see more of some of the secondary characters. Both the cook, who may now have a wife and adopted son, and the Jew would be welcome additions.

Sandy wrote: "The relationship between the main characters is developing nicely and a third team member will take the stress off Catchpoll's legs. I really liked the inside view of Catchpoll's home life and Brad..."

Yes, I was thinking the same, they are interesting characters with interesting lives, and both offer different perspectives- what’s happening at the castle, and among the trading/business community.

I really enjoyed this book. And all the characters are interesting, especially Catchpoll's wife with her temper and mollycoddled Walkelin.

I had a fairly good idea who the villain was from the beginning as he was the only unpleasant character, everyone else in the little town seemed pretty reasonable.