Today I’m pleased to be reviewing There Will Be Wrath by Steven A. McKay part of the wonderful Forest Lord short stories/novellas due for release tomorrow.
I’m a big fan of the main Forest Lord series as well as these linked shorts/novellas so super excited that I’ve been lucky enough to be able to read and share my thoughts with you prior to release!
I really look forward to these being released.. see what you thing of this…
Here’s the blurb
Yorkshire, England.
Winter c.1330
When a group of Trinitarian friars appears in Wakefield’s market hawking miracle cures, local bailiff John Little doesn’t think much about it. Then an elderly man dies after using one of the healing salves, and the bailiff and his friend, Robert Stafford – better known as Friar Tuck – become suspicious.
As Christmas approaches the weather worsens, but the friars continue selling their wares, moving around the north of England village by village, while John and Tuck’s fears grow as more rumours of unexpected deaths reach them. Could the healing salves and potions truly be deadly? With the evidence mounting, the pair resolve to look into the Trinitarians’ activities, not realising the terrible danger posed by the clergymen and their sinister followers…
This new standalone tale sees the much-loved Forest Lord characters, including Will Scaflock and Robin Hood, reunite once again to investigate strange doings in snowy Yorkshire. Bringing medieval Britain vividly to life, just as Swords in the Snow, and Friar Tuck and the Christmas Devildid in previous years, action and adventure fans are sure to love the frosty yuletide mystery wrapped up in There Will Be Wrath!
Review
Robin, John, Tuck & Will are back with another little adventure. I’ve read all the books in the series so far so I thought I’d know what to expect but McKay still knows how to surprise the reader!
A group of Trinitarian friars are out selling their wares, salves and potions blessed by Minster Henry Bickner. While such items are meant to heal when a man dies the alarm bells start to ring… at first the men put this down to fate.. surely it’s just coincidence that he died after using one of the friars’ salves?
Things just don’t sit right, especially with Tuck.. so when visiting other villages and chatting to those they meet, and learn of similar deaths, the dread he feels grows.. no one has linked the deaths to the friars but Tuck is adamant there’s a connection.
It’s time to catch up with these friars… they can’t be aware of the danger surely? They need to be told of the dangers.
I don’t want to give the game away but things aren’t as they seem and it not only the villagers at risk.. Tuck and the others are in some danger themselves as they get closer to the truth…
There are twists along the way as the true nature of these items and the men selling them become clear.. the who’s and why’s really make this story stand out in the series.
What I loved is that the book feels like a bit of fresh air. I’m used to a mystery for the lads to figure out but this one gets back to a bit more of the nitty-gritty..It’s a bit clearer from the start, the “how” is known; it’s the “why” that makes this one such a great story.
The plot is wonderful and I felt as a reader I was able to focus on the story more and the characters motivations as I wasn’t trying to solve a mystery but damn those little twists and the action took me by surprise.
You really think it’s a clear cut story, but it’s not..there are some really clever moments that make you shout “No way!”
Fans will love this one and it continues the development of the characters we know and love. The ending leaves things open for future tales.. I feel a showdown coming in Robin’s future.. the excitement levels are high!
5/5 Stars!
I expect some good reviews to come in quick on this one so why not grab a copy tomorrow, it’s on Amazon & Kindle plus but do check out your preferred supplier or ask your local bookseller to grab you a paperback.. You won’t regret it.
