Book Review: Cast the First Stone by C.B. Hanley*

Cast the First Stone by C.B. Hanley and published by The History Press, is the sixth Mediaeval Mystery by the author. Set in 1217 and centred around commoner-turned-earl’s man Edwin Weaver,  the story sees Edwin investigating murder in his home village of Conisbrough.

Edwin’s father was the bailiff of Conisbrough. The new bailiff appointed after his death is unpopular and cruel. He upsets almost everyone who crosses his path and soon his murdered corpse is found in the house he is having built. Everything points to the culprit being a foreigner, and the villagers are happy to have an outsider take the blame; Edwin isn’t so sure and is determined to investigate.

However, his former friends, all with something to hide, are increasingly hostile to him and resent his interference. The more he discovers, the more he is convinced that the foreigner the villagers have pinned the blame on is innocent, but this comes with dangers of its own. With the sheriff due to arrive any day expecting to supervise justice in the form of a swift execution, Edwin and his wife Alys must join forces to solve the mystery before it is too late.

What I thought of the book

Edwin Weaver, the central character of ‘Cast the first stone’, is a likeable chap. He is reluctant to get involved in investigating a murder, but his conscience and sense of duty compel him to do so. All of the main characters in the novel are equally well written and the reader gets to know, like or dislike them very quickly – great when you’ve started reading a series on the sixth book, as I had here.

In contrast to many historical novels, the importance of the domestic lives and roles of the women of the community are not overlooked and Edwin’s wife, Alys, swiftly became my favourite character.  The women at the well gossip about the other villagers and are suspicious of Edwin’s sophisticated new wife. The men at the castle carry on similar conversations – but, as one of the female characters remarks, it’s not gossip when it’s done by men – and can change lives with one throwaway remark. All the elements of rural interaction were well observed, creating a real sense of a community amongst the characters, which would become vital to the plot.

The setting of a 13^th century village was also very recognisable and I could picture the locations and action in my mind’s eye. I hope the author would take it as a compliment when I say that I could imagine this book being filmed as a television drama, and being very popular, with great visual appeal.

Following the lines of a classic whodunnit, the murder investigation involved multiple characters with a motive, red herrings, dependable characters who couldn’t possibly have committed crimes – or could they? – and multiple twists, turns and dead ends along the way. What set this book apart was that the action felt true to the historical setting. With the earl of the village several days ride away, Edwin faces the very real danger of the mob taking the matter into their own hands. Even if he does manage to conclude his investigations, the result of one small mistake could be the execution of an innocent man. The reader is drawn in by the underhand actions of those wanting to clear their own names, the support offered by Edwin’s friends and the increasing pressure he finds himself under. This sympathy with the characters absorbed me fully into the story, making the climax gripping and the unexpected (but completely logical) ending extremely satisfying.

‘Cast the first stone’ is a great book to curl up with on an autumn evening – maybe we don’t all have the fireplace of a medieval cottage or a blacksmith’s forge, but I thoroughly recommend that you find somewhere warm and cosy to relax and enjoy this historical whodunnit.

How much is the book and how can you buy it?

‘Cast the first stone: a Mediaeval mystery’ by C.B. Hanley is available as eBook or paperback. The eBook costs £2.49 and can be bought from The History Press via this link.  The paperback costs £9.19 and you can support independent bookshops by buying through Hive at this link.

(Photo by by Jeni Nott)

About the Author

C.B. Hanley was born in Australia, then moved to Somerset in the U.K; achieved a degree in languages and a PhD in Medieval Studies at Sheffield University and now lives back in Somerset.

A love of history, and of the Middle Ages in particular, has remained constant and some of the author’s earliest memories involve devouring books about knights and castles. Alongside subjects requiring detailed academic research, she is also fascinated by the stuff you can’t really find out from books – the little matters of everyday life, the “how-did-they-do-that” things. She worked at the Danelaw Dark-Age Village near York, teaching children about how Vikings, Saxons and early medieval people lived, and helping them with practical tasks like ploughing, grinding corn and thatching.

She was also a member of Knights in Battle, a Sheffield-based medieval re-enactment group who re-enact battles but also “Living History”. As she says, until you’ve really tried to cook a meal for 50 people using only an open fire, or had to get someone into a full suit of armour within five minutes without breaking any of your fingers, you can’t have anything approaching a proper appreciation of, and respect for, the people who lived hundreds of years ago and the conditions they endured.

About the book
Title: Cast the first stone: a Mediaeval mystery
Author: C.B. Hanley
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 9780750991957
Pages: 256 pages

Review by: Sharon Corbally

You may also want to read this:

Giveaway & Book Review: World War II from above by Major General Julian Thompson

Book Review: Animal Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland by Sharon Jacksties

Book review: ‘Folk tales of rock and stone’ by Jenny Moon

*Disclaimer: We were sent a copy of this book for the feature. All opinions are our own