Candace Robb, well known for her historical mystery series starring Owen Archer and Margaret Kerr, introduces readers to a new character, Kate Clifford, in her newest series starter, THE SERVICE OF THE DEAD. Normally, I'm drawn to titles, but in this case, it was the author's name that caught my attention as the title doesn't do this story justice. I'm likely prejudiced though as I adore historical fiction especially in Britain and in this time period at the cusp of the 15th century.

Kate Clifford grew up on the northern marches an area fraught with battles with Scotland. This upbringing which gave her experience with daggers and fighting and survival is much of why her being a kickass female works during this time in British history where normally it might feel too modern. Kate, too, has created a business for herself, trying to fight her way out from under her dead husband's debt. Part of this business is renting rooms in her guesthouse to prominent York merchants to entertain their mistresses.

The murder of a mysterious stranger and the disappearance of the woman he was to meet, starts off the mystery in this tale. Kate, with the help of her unusual household, must suss out what's going on while trying to keep the scandal from ruining her good name.

Robb gives us more than a traditional mystery though as she peppers the story with economic and political situations relevant to the time period. People are picking sides as to whom should be king, Richard II or his estranged nephew in exile, Henry Bolingbroke. Spies are everywhere and the wrong word in the wrong place could prove perilous.

Robb does a nice job bringing York to life for the reader. If you enjoy historical fiction, you'll appreciate the details. The story moves forward at a steady pace, continuing to engage this reader at least.

My one complaint is that the ending seemed tacked on, likely as a hint of what will occur in the next book, but it felt forced, and I would have enjoyed THE SERVICE OF THE DEAD just as much without the final chapter or if it was introduced as a teaser for the next book. Overall, I enjoyed the story and will definitely explore her other work.

Book Summary

Expertly recreating the social and political upheavals of late medieval Europe and the increasing power of the wealthy merchant class, acclaimed author Candace Robb introduces a new series starring Kate Clifford, a woman forged on the warring northern marches of fourteenth century England.

Political unrest permeates York at the cusp of the fifteenth century, as warring factions take sides on who should be the rightful king--Richard II or his estranged, powerful cousin in exile, Henry Bolingbroke. Independent minded twenty-year-old Kate Clifford is struggling to dig out from beneath the debt left by her late husband. Determined to find a way to be secure in her own wealth and establish her independence in a male dominated society, Kate turns one of her properties near the minster into a guest house and sets up a business. In a dance of power, she also quietly rents the discreet bedchambers to the wealthy, powerful merchants of York for nights with their mistresses.

But the brutal murder of a mysterious guest and the disappearance of his companion for the evening threatens all that Kate has built. Before others in town hear word of a looming scandal, she must call upon all of her hard-won survival skills to save herself from ruin.