If you are a fan of historical murder mystery fiction and you have not yet discovered Michael Jecks, you really are missing out. His books are remarkably easy to read, evocative of the time in which they are set and full of convincing and complex characters. He is also a master at keeping you, as a reader, guessing to the very end as to who may have committed the crime and what their possible motivation may be. Like the mistress of crime fiction herself, Agatha Christie, the solution is in what is not revealed rather than what is apparent.
Plot in Squire Throwleigh's Heir by Michael Jecks
Michael Jecks' investigator is an ex-Knight Templar called Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace. He is accompanied in seeking the truth by Simon Puttock, the bailiff and together they examine each scrap of knowledge to find a clear solution to the crime.
In Squire Throwleigh's Heir, Squire Roger of Throwleigh appears to die of an heart attack, falling from his horse whilst seeking out the boys, Alan and Jordan, friends of his son, Herbert for playing in the orchard. Herbert, his heir and only son, has already angered him by defending his friends instead of respecting his father and telling the truth. Could it be this smouldering anger which tips the Squire's heart over the edge?
His wife certainly thinks so. Lady Katharine is resentful of her son as she believes that he is the cause of her husband's death. She shuns him at the graveside of her husband and it is details like these that Baldwin notices more keenly than others and make him an instinctive detective who acts on his hunches until he once again feels comfortable that he has reached the heart of the matter.
When Herbert is found at the roadside a couple of days later, he appears to have been run down by a cart. However, Baldwin is called in to investigate by Daniel, a loyal steward of the Throwleigh family who believes that the death of Herbert is murder and there are many people who would want to see him dead.
Characters in Squire Throwleigh's Heir by Michael Jecks
So who would have the motive to kill a five year old boy? As with most books, there is a wide and varied list of possible suspects who may have committed the crime from the various classes of society at the time.
There is the squire's brother, Thomas, heir apparent to Throwleigh now there is no son to claim it.
Also, James van Relenghes, a Fleming lord who appears and professes to being an old comrade of the squire although there is no-one who can corroborate this story. He also seems a little too keen on the squire's widow to have thought highly of Roger. Is he all that he appears to be?
Servants are also under suspicion. Anney has always harboured a grudge against Herbert for personal reasons of grief. Edmund, a tenant on the squire's land, is resentful of his master and changes that he is making to the running of his estate that will affect him and his family enormously - all motives for murder.
Suspicions are also aroused concerning the priest, Stephen. He is a little too vigorous with the cane when punishing Herbert and it is suggested that he could have a predilection for violence. With this in mind, do Herbert's friends know more than they are prepared to share, fearful of the consequences should they be discovered by the priest?
The Conclusion of Squire Throwleigh's Heir
The conclusion to this book is surprising and shocking whilst also being understated. Many secrets are unsurfaced about the suspects on the way to the discovery of the killer and Jecks manages to keep the reader guessing until the very end as to who may have done it. Baldwin and Simon are satisfied with the verdict that they reach but the question remains: have they really found the true killer?
All in all, an excellent book - one of Jecks' finest to date.
Rachel Deeming - Rachel is a mother of two boys, one 18 months old and the other a busy boy of four. She used to work until recently as an English teacher ...
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