St Mungo’s Robin

I have read several books in the Gil Cunningham series, \”The Harper\’s Quine\”, \”The Nicholas Feast\” etc, and enjoyed them very much. The writing style in this book is very different. There are names of 35 characters in the first chapter alone. While I am familiar with some of the characters from the other books, the names and relationships of that many people was a bit daunting. A character could also be known as Dorothea at one time and as Dawtie at another time adding to the list of names. The other novels I read gave a feel for the times in which the novel took place by using older sounding language, but this novel went overboard in using difficult to understand Scots vernacular. – \”You were here the morn, maister. Are you no the man that gart the corp speak?\” Things like that would slow me down and bring the flow of the story to a halt. Gil is charged with finding the murderer of a man found in an almshouse garden. Despite preparations for his wedding and pre-marital jitters (both his and his bride\’s) he goes about it in his usual methodical way. It is a good mystery plot but the ponderous writing style almost made me give up. I finished it with a sense of relief not satisfaction. I can only hope Ms Mcintosh will revert to the clearer writing style used in \”The Harper\’s Quine\” or \”The Nicholas Feast\”.

I started this 15th century Gil Cunningham mystery series by Pat McIntosh with her first book The Harper\’s Quine (Gil Cunningham Murder Mystery) and proceeded thru to St Mungo\’s Robin (Gil Cunningham) . I have yet to be disappointed. After the second book I did, however, begin to notice a very similar process as the story progressed. The setting, characters, crime, obstacles and resolution seemed to become repetitive. But as had been the case in the past and proved once again that the twist always presents itself near the center of the story, renewing the faith that every day is a new. It is due to this attribute that I give it 4 stars and not the 5 that the quality of writing deserves. When asked to enter a title, I chose \”Fingers of Truth, Fingers of Guilt\”. Somewhat like finger prints used today, there was a method used during the stories time frame that had a similar outcome. For those who have already read the story will understand, I am hopeful that the new reader will be intrigued enough to find out what I am referring too. Something that our modern science would probably die laughing at. I know one particular aspect of Ms. McIntosh\’s write is not unique but interesting in that she has purposely prolonged that very significant relationship between the two main characters upon which the stories revolve. This in itself has drawn me back waiting for that particular moment. Happy ready to any wishing to delve into 15th century Scotland.

As Alys turns into Bridezilla, Gil and Pierre investigate the stabbing of a poorhouse deacon who may have been enriching himself at the expense of his charges. The story is stronger than its pieces. As usual, I found the excessive use of dialect distracting even though authentic. The plot twists were unsurprising but moved right along. I\’m not sure what the point was of introducing a seeming miracle; it didn\’t advance the plot and was never explained or verified. Less of Gil\’s and Alys\’ relationship problems would have strengthened the storyline but the book kept me reading anyway. The title was quite relevant to the plot. Spelling, grammar, and Kindle formatting were fine.

This series of books is SO GOOD! I bought the first one in the series on an Amazon recommendation and because it was inexpensive, and was immediately hooked. I wanted to find out if the author continued the relationships she established in the first, and she did! AND, they only get more complex and interesting, and the mysteries are really good, too! Want something absorbing to read? Want something with a little more literary content? Want to snicker once in a while at subtle, dry humor? These are for you!

This was the 3rd one of the Gil Cunningham series I\’ve read. I am finally catching on to the language which makes it easier for me to follow the investigations. This was a good read. The story has rebellious teens, a bridezella , and men who originated the conservative ideas men still hold about a woman and a woman\’s behavior. The mystery is bound in the tangle of medieval law and unfolds slowly but steadily.

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