Product Description

In the tradition of Ellis Peters, A Plague on Both Your Houses introduces the physician Matthew Bartholomew, whose unorthodox but effective treatment of his patients frequently draws accusations of heresy from his more traditional colleagues. Besides his practice, Bartholomew is teacher of Medicine at Michaelhouse, part of the fledgling University of Cambridge. In 1348, the inhabitants of Cambridge live under the shadow of a terrible pestilence that has ravaged Europe and is travelling relentlessly eastward towards England. Bartholomew, however, is distracted by the sudden and inexplicable death of the Master of Michaelhouse - a death the University authorities do not want investigated. When three more scholars die in mysterious circumstances, Bartholomew defies the University and begins his own enquiry. His pursuit for the truth leads him into a complex tangle of lies and intrigue that causes him to question the innocence of his closest friends, and even his family. And then the Black Death finally arrives and Bartholomew is dragged deeper and deeper into a quagmire which threatens not only his life, but the continued existence of the University and the future of the town.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24921 in Books
• Published on: 1996-07-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 406 pages

Review
'A good, serious and satisfying read' IRISH TIMES

It's Cambridge, England, in 1348. If the black plague doesn't get you, beware of the black gowns and the scheming, black-hearted academics wearing them. In his third outing, physician-teacher Matthew Bartholomew (A Bone of Contention, 1997, etc.) is once again in a fine mess. Bad things start happening with the alleged suicide of Sir John, the Master of Michaelhouse. It's a particularly gory suicide, too: death by entanglement in a waterwheel. And it has Matt wondering. After all, he was with Sir John only the night before, listening to the master's enthusiastic plans for the college's growth and development. And soon enough, Matt's skepticism proves warranted. There are plots, nasty ones, the aims of which the estimable Sir John was blocking. These seem at first to be centered in, of all places, that other great university. It's Oxford versus Cambridge, Matt's told, but in a contest deadlier than any that ever took place on the Thames. Only one great university can be allowed to survive. Or is all that just smokescreen? Is it just a wicked grab for money and power by envious men who see themselves as unfairly bypassed? Before Matt can get at the truth, he finds himself with a big-time medical emergency on his hands: suddenly, the Black Death strikes, felling close friends and enemies alike, and putting Matt at terrible risk. First-rate for the history, but there are so many plot lines, and so much tedious talk about them, that interesting characters eventually lose their vitality, and the 14th looms like a century and a half. (Kirkus Reviews)

Synopsis
In the tradition of Ellis Peters, A Plague on Both Your Houses introduces the physician Matthew Bartholomew, whose unorthodox but effective treatment of his patients frequently draws accusations of heresy from his more traditional colleagues. Besides his practice, Bartholomew is teacher of Medicine at Michaelhouse, part of the fledgling University of Cambridge. In 1348, the inhabitants of Cambridge live under the shadow of a terrible pestilence that has ravaged Europe and is travelling relentlessly eastward towards England. Bartholomew, however, is distracted by the sudden and inexplicable death of the Master of Michaelhouse - a death the University authorities do not want investigated. When three more scholars die in mysterious circumstances, Bartholomew defies the University and begins his own enquiry. His pursuit for the truth leads him into a complex tangle of lies and intrigue that causes him to question the innocence of his closest friends, and even his family. And then the Black Death finally arrives and Bartholomew is dragged deeper and deeper into a quagmire which threatens not only his life, but the continued existence of the University and the future of the town.

About the Author
Susanna Gregory is the pseudonym of an academic at Cambridge. Before studying anthropology she worked in a coroner's office.

Customer Reviews

A Plague on Both Your Houses
Interesting read though the plot gets extremely complicated towards the end of the book and interest in whodunnit began to wane. Far more effective is the author's depiction of a plague ridden town, which perhaps would have made a more interesting novel without the murders. Matthew Barthlolomew seems a bit vague and wet but serves his purpose. Not sure if I would pick up the next one in the series.

"captivating read"
This book is filled with so many exciting twists and turns you won't be able to put it down! With a host of inriguing characters and a plot filled with suspense and humour it is well worth the money. A great start to a great series. A brilliant read for any fan of medieval fiction.

Great Start to a Great Series
Susanna Gregory is the pseudonym of a Cambridge academic who was previously a coroner's officer. Her series of mediaeval mysteries have gained a formidable following. This book is the first in the series and introduces the physician Matthew Bartholomew to the reader. There are now a number of books in the series and they are always eagerly awaited by the author's fans.


Besides practising medicine Matthew is also a teacher at a Cambridge University and his sometimes unorthodox treatment of his patients draws accusations of heresy from his more traditional, but less skilled colleagues.

The year is 1348 and the inhabitants of Cambridge live under the shadow of a terrible pestilence that has swept through northern Europe, crossed the channel and moved voraciously through southern England. As if Matthew had not enough to contend with he is distracted by the death of the Master of the university, an inexplicable death and one that the authorities do not seem to want solving.

When three more scholars died in unexplained circumstances Bartholomew decides enough is enough and begins his own enquiry into the death, but his pursuit of the truth leads him into a complex tangle of lies and deceit that causes him to question the innocence or otherwise of close friends and even his family. On top of all this the Black Death has finally arrived in Cambridge . . .