Simon deBrie, Martin IV has not been long been Pope as Jack Everette and David Coles’ The Abbot and the Acolyte in Death and Taxes a medieval mystery commences during late night hours in a small shrine where a monk is tending an ailing goat. Brother Abbo has earned a well-deserved reputation for caring for animals. The goat, Genevre has earned her own well-deserved reputation; she will eat anything, edible or not.
The shrine where Brother Abbo felt along the neck of the ailing goat was lighted with a candle. This single-minded goat was one the monk treated more often than most of the other animals. The willful goat habitually consumed that which was not planned for eating, thus, once more her appetite had brought her to Brother Abbo.
It was in the shrine associated with the monastery St Trivier that Brother Abbo perished while tending Genevre.
A fourteen-year-old young man, William, whose family connections have caused him to fall under the wrath of The Inquisition; William the only son of a minor noble, nephew to Jeanne, Comtesse de Toulouse whose fidelity to the lost cause of the Cathars, has been sent by the Bishop to the St Trivier abbey where The Order placed great importance on silence, solemnity and frugality while discouraging cheerfulness within its walls. It was a dreary place for an acolyte to contemplate beginning monastic life.
It is not a good fit. The monastery is devoted to silence, prayers and little else. Stephen is a taciturn, austere man with little interest in anything other than the prayers the group there conduct while William is a bright-eyed lad slowly waning in the damp corridors. Neither those who need sustenance or shelter, nor a youngster whose family affiliations have caused him problems are of importance to Stephen.
Abbey prior Stephen views Acolyte William as ‘Too loud, too quick, too young.’
It seems a providential day for William when Abbot Rutilius comes to St Trivier. Abbot Rutilus relates that as a man suitably accomplished in accounting he has been given the rank of abbot, and is granted an authority to examine anything he wishes.’
The time is early 1280s, France; Abbott Rutilius, auditor of monasteries; is not bound to a lone community, rather he travels from one to another, reviews the accounting and chooses what ought to be directed to Rome and what will stay in the local strong box. It is Rutilius’ obligation to assure the balancing of their accounts.
His is not a bad life, Rutilius is treated with reverence wherever the community he reviews. During his period of inspection he is provided bed and board and is allowed to examine anything he wishes.
William who can both read and write, is allowed by Stephen to join Abbott Rutilius in his travels. It doesn’t take long before the youngster gets to show off his swordsmanship skills as the twosome find themselves getting into a variety of sticky situations.
Arrival of the pair to Abbey of Gellone soon has them embroiled in opinionated maneuvering, embezzlement of church funds, deceit, duplicity, chicanery, hiding secrets from the local nobleman, disquiet, sham in this fast paced account centering upon death and taxes. Comte Girand, local nobleman who controls the area is convinced Abbot Rutilius is hiding evidence of the murder of Brother Abbo.
One murder then two and then an attempt at a third, The Abbot and the Acolyte in Death and Taxes a medieval mystery rushes on to unravel a mystery packed with truly devout as well as self-important monks, enticement, theft, murder, appealing women including afternoon trysts, food stealing, and much more all set in appealing settings occupied with fully fleshed riveting characters.
Writers Coles & Everett offer a well written chronicle certain to please those who appreciate mysteries, the medieval era, or a blend of the two as is found on the pages of The Abbot and the Acolyte in Death and Taxes a medieval mystery.
Abbott Rutilius and his personal quandaries proffer entertaining events within the main plot. From the prologue and the abrupt demise of Brother Abbo, to waiting quietly with Rutillius’ small donkey Katerine, to a stubborn bandit who desires the rings Rutillus wears but absconds with Katerine instead, through a raging thunderstorm to arrive at the Abbey of Gellone where Rutillius finds the bread quite delicious and the ale tasty, to learning about head scribe, Brother Willi and his proclivity for pulling ears if one does not bow or spills the ink, to suffering a hang over from too much wine; the account rollicks forward as The Reader follows Abbot Rutillius and William his Acolyte.
Envisioned to be the first in a series of tales featuring Abbot Rutillus and Acolyte William, The Abbot and the Acolyte in Death and Taxes a medieval mystery, is a satisfying read for a long summer’s afternoon sitting in the porch swing, sipping iced tea and reading.
Death and Taxes is a text sure to hold appeal for the YA and adult Readers who enjoy the genre. I do not keep all books received for review. This is one I will be keeping.
Happy to recommend.
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Reviewed by Molly’s Reviews
molly martin
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Amazon Product Details
Title: The Abbot and the Acolyte in Death and Taxes a medieval mystery
Authors: David Coles and Jack Everette
Genre: medieval historical fiction
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: libros international (December 12, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1905988184
ISBN-13: 978-1905988181
