Bartholomew Books

I am a huge fan of the Matthew Bartholomew series set in Cambridge, England in the mid 1300's. Ms. Gregory is an historian and she builds her books around true historical happenings and she includes real people in them. And there is always lots of suspense for the reader that seeks this in a medieval mystery. Ms. Gregory always uses particularly ruthless villains, and great numbers of people die before Matt and his wonderful friend Broither Michael can solve the mystery. These books are so authentic, and so much fun to read! This particular one illustrates the volatile nature of relations between "town" and "gown" in Cambridge. Another riot is never far away! I highly recommend this seires.

I have always enjoyed the Matthew Bartholomew series and this one does not disappoint.

Pseudonymal Susanna Gregory's tenth Matthew Bartholomew mystery is as brilliant as the previous nine. The mark of a good mystery author is the ability to confound the audience every time. The majority of authors, like any good crossword setter tends to evidence similar sleuthing patterns so familiarity leads to quick diagnosis from the reader. Not from Gregory whose mind manages to twist the reader deviously through the maze that is fourteenth century Cambridge with a verve that is truly remarkable.
The latest also introduces a new link as the prologue to the last effort which found Josse dead in a snow drift actually proves a key link to the mystery contained within this novel. Very neat. There is also continuity of mystery in the re-appearance of Rob Thorpe and Edward Mortimer, two ruffians who were the culprits in an even earlier novel and the influence of the Hand, that non-relic that Michael and Matt revealed as previously attached to the simpleton, Peterkin Starre in another novel. So, not just continuity of time and character, but also of mysteries. However, it does not mean you have to have read the previous novels but does add another touch of delight to those who have.
So...more murders...more mystery and lots of canonical and secular intrigue. The story opens with the drunken Thomas Mortimer (owner of the Mortimer Mill) killing Lenne and maiming Isnard. Swiftly followed by the deaths in the King's Mill of the Gonville scholar, Bottisham, and the wealthy grocer (and King's Mill patron) Deschalers who are located by Matt and Michael with nails driven through their palate and crushed in the water mill.
More characters come to Cambridge. The introduction of Gonville Hall allows a new physician, Rougham, its Master, Pulham, and several others. The return of Rob and Edward (who have received a King's Pardon for their crimes) to do mischief is tied into the feud between the Mortimer Mill which has turned its hand to fulling, and the King's Mill. The intercession of a King's Commission to rule on the two mills raises the Cambridge temperature considerably. On one side we have the Mortimer clan, legally represented by Gonville, on the other a merchant conglomerate comprising Mayor Morice, Cheney the spice merchant, Bernarde the Miller, Lavenham the apothecary (and his voluptuous wife, Isobel) and the dead Deschalers. Meanwhile, in Michaelhouse, three of Matt's students take more of a starring role, Redmeadow, Quenhyth and Denyman and the key cast list is rounded off with Master Warde of Valence Marie, the new physician Paxtone, Wynewyk, Tulyet and Tynkell (whose physiology proves a mystery in itself).
Three deaths are swiftly followed by the murder of Bosel the Beggar and the arrival of the addled Bess whom Matilde takes under her Frail Sisters wing. By the time Lavenham's workplace goes up in flames Gregory's death count hits twelve (via henbane most of the time as we eventually discover) as Warde, Bess, Lavenham, Isobel, Bernarde, Rob Thorpe, Edward Mortimer, Thomas Mortimer, Mistress Lenne (natural causes in a startling turn) all wind up dead.
During the book , Matt allows himself to get diverted by a brewing personal feud with Rougham, who is clearly imcompetent, who thinks Matt has a secretum secretorum - a panacea - and we get steered down the wrong path through Michael and Matt several times until one very bedraggled fake rat acts as Matt's epiphany. By the end we have our single culprit, discover the motives were all different and there was no conspiracy and Matt has a wealth of new books to keep him company whilst Michael continues to eat his way through Cambridge.
Gregory has added another fine achievement to her Chronicles and it is all the more remarkable as the majority of key players are based on historical reality. Her grasp of medieval Cambridge is excellent, the narrative is gripping, the plots endless but controlled and there is a vibrancy throughout that makes this series an absolute must read for any fan of the genre.
More needs to come from the pen of this fine author.

I know that historical fiction is not usually at the top of the best seller lists and I guess that it is not really a subject that appeals to the mainstream book reading public, but if ever an author deserved best sellers Susanna Gregory is certainly one of them.

She is not as prolific a writer as many of the authors who write this style of book and the anticipation of waiting for a new title can be quite frustrating for the reader. However the wait is always worthwhile.

I am not sure whether it is Matthew Bartholomew himself, or the setting of Cambridge in the mid-fourteenth century but Miss Gregory's books seem to carry an aura all of their own. Certainly for me and hopefully for other readers as well.

Cambridge 1355, the townspeople and the students of Cambridge are as always at one another's throats. Although the students bring status and wealth to the City the people of Cambridge still consider them louts and trouble makers.

The tension has increased with the return to the City of two well-born murderers. They have been released by none other than the King himself, after he deemed that a Royal pardon was appropriate. The pair are showing no remorse whatsoever and are more than ready to confront the citizens who helped in their conviction in the first place.

In the middle of all this Bartholomew is called to a local mill where two corpses have been found. Is there a connection between the bodies and the release of the murderers. Is anything that simple in 14th century Cambridge.

Henty, as always, manages to find a young, strong, and healthy lad that attains high connections in the army and court. I would say that this book would probably be interesting to people under the age of 13. It might be good if you want your kids to get into history. Henty actually has done a fair amount of research, it seems. I read this when I was still young, so it didn't seem that bad. However, this is NOT recommended to adults, or people who think they are.

This is the first book by Henty I've read, and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. I suppose I judge a book by its cover a little to much, and I was putting off reading this book because I wasn't too excited about reading a book written a really long time ago. But after I started, I had a tough time putting it down. Sure, the plot was simplistic, but there was plenty of action to keep me occupied. Be forewarned, however - I'm a high school student, and there were a lot of words in that book that I didn't know the meaning of. Unless your command of old english is pretty good, you will probably have some trouble with some of those words. But don't let that stop you - read the book with a dictionary close at hand. It isn't often that you get to read an exciting book and learn a pile of new words while you do it! Overall, this is a great book for any kid or kid at heart who has the patience to consult the dictionary every now and then.

This book is COOL! I've read several Henty books, but this is my favorite so far. It's about a boy and his cousin who are helping to fight the Catholics, who are opressing the Huguenots in France in the 1500's. The boys are very courageous, so they get into a lot of exciting situations! There are sword fights, lots of battles, sieges of towns, daring escapes, and at the end, St. Bartholomew's Eve: the night the French Catholics began their horrible massacre of thousands of innocent Huguenots. Will the boys and their friend Claire survive? You'll have to read it and find out!

I have read at least 15 G. A. Henty books, and I loved this one! _For the Temple_ is probably my favorite Henty book, but all of his books vividly portray history, and they actually made me enjoy history! While some people say that Henty's books are only for preteens and young teens, I find that his books are excellent reading for those of any age who enjoy a good adventure story. When I first read this book I was about 16, and I loved it! I would not recommend that anyone under the age of 10 read this book as the massacre details can be somewhat unsettling and there are many mass executions and such. Also the extensive vocabulary used by Henty can be difficult to understand at times, especially for younger readers. However, Henty ws an excellent author, and everyone should read his books.

I cannot say enough good things about this book! It is part of a trilogy. Each section is exciting and ends like a cliffhanger making your older children want you to read more. Sometimes the adventures are even a little scary. Each section also ends with a brief devotion section and Scripture. These books are hard to find, so if you find one, grab it!

This is the first year that we have read BARTHOLOMEW'S PASSAGE as a family for Advent devotions. We read JOTHAM`S JOURNEY, by the same author, two years in a row, and really enjoyed the way the two stories intertwine! You can enjoy BARTHOLOMEW'S PASSAGE without ever reading JOTHAM`S JOURNEY. Both stories stand on their own as an exciting adventure set in the time just before the birth of Jesus. As both stories allude to the other, you will enjoy alternating a different book each year. Along the way, you'll learn about the way that the Bible was copied and stored, the tyranny of the Romans over the Jewish people, and culture and daily activities of people in Bible times. The story of Bartholomew is very exciting! There are some parts that are brutal or violent, so I would rate this as a "PG" story and not read to very young children that might be scared of "murderous slave-traders" and the like, at bedtime. After an exciting story chapter is read (always with a "cliffhanger" ending!), there is a short "lesson" or devotional following. I think the devotions are even better this time, than in JOTHAM'S JOURNEY. The author, Arnold Ytreeide shows a spiritual maturity, and an insight into the spiritual development of kids that is outstanding. Instead of "God will always keep you safe", we learn that sometimes bad things do happen, but, God will be there with you through the hard times. The devotional goes down easy because the story is so good! The story, itself, is about a boy that is taken away from his family, and sold as a slave to a cruel master. He is saved by a monk from Qumran and the two must escape from Roman soldiers. Bartholomew's adventures take him from the Dead Sea to Bethlehem, where he helps a man and a very pregnant woman find a place to spend the night. Many good morals and family values are shown along the way. The kids keep begging for one more chapter--which I usually oblige. We don't read this "every" night during advent like the book says to. We read when there are no Christmas or school activities scheduled for that night, then read ahead a little (because we may get behind again), but usually end up with the final segments on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. The story culminates with the birth of the Christ child and a happy ending all around. Through these Christmas devotional books, our family experiences a very rewarding month of read-alouds each December. What a wonderful way to keep Jesus at the forefront of the season! Thank you, Arnold Ytreeide!

I read this book to three of my children ages 5, 8, and 12. They all liked it and looked forward to reading it each night, often begging for more. I did not read the devotional at the end of each chapter, but let the story speak for itself. I did think that the character Nathan, a Jew awaiting the Messiah, seemed more like a modern day evangelical. But the story was interesting and gave my children a good idea what life was like during the time of Christ and how the Jews longed for the Messiah to come. It also showed God's merciful love, in taking harsh circumstances and working good out of them. Reading this book each night during advent was well worth it.

This book was really well put together. The information was great. It gets a little dry at times and sometimes it skims over information that you wish it would go deeper into. It is a quick read and touches on some great ideas though. I would recommend it to anyone that is into the more spiritual aspects of being a horse owner. It's not for everyone though(in my humble opinion, of course).

This is one of the most helpful books I own. It helped me to really bond with my horse on more than a physical level. It teaches you how to spend time learning your horse and discovering their hidden talents and personality traits. I highly recommend it

Jill has many accomplishments to her name, but her skill as a true communicator is equalled by few.All her books work from the basic of learning to know yourself non-judgementally so you may have much deeper understandings of your horse, & anyone you have to deal with in the "real world" also. learning the lessons in all her books gives you the opportunity to have much more successful outcomes in any encounter-man or animal & leads you to a higher level of understanding yourself & what motivates. I've used her books as a reference for a communication skills seminar for fellow nurses I developed & Jill was of personal assistance on several occasions. We need more like her , Susan Harris ,Sally Swift, & jane Savoie

I'd have to aggree with the review that gave this book only three stars in that some of the information (i.e. medical treatment, breeding techiques, etc.) is probably outdated, but that's a give since the book is over fifty years old. I've purchased and read a number of books on chihuahuas and this book has by far the most interesting in terms of the historical content of the breed. The author does an excellent job of mentioning her sources and it really appears that she's done a through job in her research. Overall the book provides amazing insight into the early days of the breed, information you will not be able to find anywhere else.

Being a chi breeder, I recently came arcoss this book and had the chance to read it. Mrs Harmer has many sections that still hold true today such as history and breed development in the US and UK, but many sections of the book are dated, such as first aid.

This book also talks of how the long hair was introudced into the breed around the turn of the century by breedings to poms and yorkies by Mrs Ida Garrett. It also has illustrations to show corrct bite, tail carriage, ear set, front legs, back legs, hocks and gait, as well as showing ones that aren't breed standard.

Their is no mention of coat color genetics, and the section about breeding mostly talks about line breeding and inbreeding.

There are lots of very nice black and white photos of former chaps and you can really see how the breed has evolved through selective breedings.

Most of the info on shows is based on a UK standpoint.

If you love chi's and can get a copy of this book at a decent price (say $20 or under) it would be worth the investment, but otherwise I would suggest a book that is more current.

This is by far the best book ever written on the breed. If I only can own one book this is the book I would buy. The book has 28 chapters 371 pages.I wish this would go back in print. Discusses the history, who's who in the fancy, buying puppy, breeding, genetics, standard, training, showing, grooming.

It's one of those books that are kind of interesting but isn't all that gripping. It has a cache of semi-interesting characters, and the plot isn't that great- you can predict the ending from the very first chapter. Not only is it predictable, it doesn't manage to cook up the interesting turn points that well written psychological thrillers have. I only read this book because I had nothing better to do. Still, that's only my opinion- go ahead and read it if you like psychological thrillers. It isn't THAT bad.

I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS GREAT. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS ABOUT WHEN I PICKED IT OFF MY ROOMATES BOOKSHELF....HE GOT IT AT A MODEL HOME CLOSE OUT SALE SO THERE WAS NO BOOK JACKET. ALTHOUGH IT WAS PREDICTABLE, IT PERKED MY INTEREST IN READING AGAIN, SOMETHING I HAVEN'T DONE FOR MANY YEARS....I FINISHED IT ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO AND SINCE THEN I'VE READ 5 OTHER BOOKS (DIFFERENT AUTHORS). I THOUGHT THE CHARACTERS WERE ALL VERY INTERESTING, THE SUBJECT MATTER WAS A BIT DISTURBING BUT ALL IN ALL, I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK HIGHLY.

...here's the description from the book to help you decide if this book is for you: "A four-year- old boy is dead. His eight-year-old sister, Billyjean, is accuses of murder. Here is the story of Billyjean, thirteen years later---the powerful portrait of a young woman's journey from madness back to reality. Billyjean lies in an unreal world where terror resides in the next room. Billyjean has returned home after thirteen years in a mental assylum. She has listened carefully to her kindly, patient psychiatrist about what to expect. She looks at her new life with a unique, completely personal logic, and the clarity of a child discovering a new alphabet... Her only friends are two precocious young neighbors who persuade Billyjean to open her own investigation into the murder. Told with penetrating psychological insight and a deft sense of drama, OUTRUN THE DARK will haunt the reader after he has turned the final page."

I am well satisfied with the purchase of this book, Great seller and price.

Overall this book is a good overview of the american political system. The structures of the beurocracy, executive, congressional, and judicial branches are covered very thoroughly. However, I found that the author inserted a bit too much of his own Republican biases in it. There is a whole section devoted to "government waste" - a common election tactic by Republicans. While it is true that the government is wasteful- all beurocracies are to some extent- a recent survey showed the US gov't to be the 3rd most efficient in the world. Also, sprinkled throughout the book are convinient three paragraph long and very shallow "Counterpoints" which try to convince readers of republican principles from the flat tax to the abolition of affirmative action. The most egragrious offenses come in various profiles "people in polics" of various leaders in politics. Invariably, the Republicans profiled have their personal strengths asserted with a folksy charm, while the Democrats are given a far away overview as well as mention of some trivial personal faults (Barbara Boxer's overdrafts from the House banks- a trivial issue in the big picture of things- is in her bio). And of course there are also the "Liberal ratings" in it- with the late Paul Wellstone topping the list. In addition to all of this, the general wording of the book and word choice used betrays the clearly Republican biases of the author. Overall the book is not a bad book, it does a good and thorough job at outlining the structure of the federal government, however, reader beware of the biases of the author.

I just finished taking a class called "Introduction to American Politics" and this was our only textbook. I found the textbook to be easy to read, clearly written, and factually accurate. I fear that many students, like myself, who have already studied some in this area may find the book to be too simplified, and will get bored reading about the basics of material which is already familiar to them. The book is great for the novice, but is definitely not upperclassmen material.

After I read Yew & Non-Yew, I finally understood why my colleague shook her head ruefully when I told her I had planted wax begonias. My colleague is a horticulturist at an arboretum. I had transgressed a gardening rule I never knew existed. Now that I've read Yew & Non-Yew, a hilarious book which spells out all those rules, I'll never do it again. I recommend this book to anyone interested in gardening. My friend the horticulturist called it "quite a hoot."

it has a few good tips, and is greatly entertaining. I strongly reccommend this a present to all you gardening friends

As an American expat in England, I was beginning to understand some of the never-changing ideas of English gardening. "Yew and Non-Yew" made these things quite clear. While not one to tuck gnomes into my landscape, I did wince to read that hanging baskets containing a few -- gasp! -- IMPATIENS would be viewed with disdain by our British gardening neighbors. But the book travels well across the Atlantic to our gardens in the colonies. It is hilarious through and through. And telling as it charts the chasm between gardeners who would put plastic furniture on the patio and those who would use only old bricks for the parterre. Every chapter is a hoot. You'll read and re-read these pages.

I had taking Biology Anatomy and Physiology so i need this textbook to study. This textbook have so much information and all in detail. i really enjoy reading because they are easy to understand, except if you are new.

I ordered the book and received it before I went to class. Now, that's service. Thanks!

This was my first Peter McGarr mystery and it won't be my last. Bartholomew Gill created this most Irish detective and imbued both he and his setting with the charm of an Irish Bed and Breakfast.

McGarr is the Chief Inspector of Detectives, a position created to lure him away from Interpol. Before that McGarr had been with Criminal Justice in Paris and is somewhat revered in his home of Ireland. When a particularly young and beautiful Irish lass named May Quirk is found murdered with a pitchfork along the roadside McGarr tackles a case that will involve the I.R.A. and lead him all the way to New York and back to catch a killer.

Gill writes a complex mystery full of atmosphere for a beautiful country where some tawdry things take place. He shows the sympathetic nature of most in Ireland for the I.R.A. even though their methods are frowned upon. It appears May Quirk may only have returned to her homeland to expose the financial pipeline of the I.R.A. for her paper in New York.

McGarr is a fleshed out character with a wife, Noreen, 21 years younger than he, and a love for fine food and Ireland. As he tries to get to the bottom of May Quirk's death an explosive attempt to take out McGarr and a high ranking I.R.A. member will give him a steely resolve to find out whether love or politics was at the bottom of her death.

Gill subtly makes us feel as though we really are in Ireland throughout this entire mystery. Whether describing the lovely Irish countryside or coast, Gill perfectly captures the charm of a country where a friendly Irish pub is a social club while at the same time showing political division.

This is a good series with finely drawn characters, great atmosphere and just enough fun mixed in to make this a great read. Open up this McGarr mystery and enjoy some great food in scenic Ireland.

With this toast Chief Superintendent Peter McGarr of the Garda Soichana salutes his New York counterparts for helping him investigate IRA fund-raising in the U.S. to finance terrorism abroad. A seemingly straightforward investigation of the murder of a young Irish woman, stabbed to death with a wooden pitchfork on the Cliffs of Moher, has quickly turned into an international conspiracy involving secret cells of the IRA, money-laundering, and plans for a major terror attack in the Emerald Isle. McGarr's investigation of the murder of May Quirk, a reporter for a New York newspaper, reveals the wide variety of people affected by her death and their interactions--educated young Irish emigres now living in New York, sad and frustrated old folks tending small farms in County Clare, owners of local dance halls and pubs in Lahinch, misguided supporters of the IRA, crooks threatened by May's investigations, and even her German boyfriend with his Irish roots.

McGarr, his wife Noreen, and his officers--Hugh Ward, Bernie McKeon, and O'Shaughnessy--whom we know from previous novels, continue to develop their personal relationships in parallel with the ongoing IRA investigation. McGarr, who is not averse to having a jar with the lads, even the bad lads, is an honest investigator who shows his emotions and is willing to get "down and dirty," if necessary. He himself admits to interpreting the law on terms that are "somehow fairer than the cold print on the pages of the law books," in order to effect a just outcome. The action is fast, the plot is exciting, and the characters, with all their quirks and idiosyncrasies, are unforgettable.

Author Gill's eye for revealing detail, his colorful dialogue with all its colloquialisms, his perceptive recreation of unique settings and atmosphere, and the loving humor of his observations make this novel a lively and memorable evocation of characters and places we have come to know as part of this fifteen-book series. Originally published in 1978 as McGarr and the Cliffs of Moher, this is a new reprint following the untimely death of the author in the summer of 2002. Mary Whipple