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Miscellaneous Murder on the Canterbury Pilgrimage: A Geoffrey Chaucher Mystery by Mary Devlin $13.95 / Winter Press Clb / 2000 Murder on the Canterbury Pilgrimage revisits Chaucer's "tales told on the journey," but with the added twist of a murder to be solved and political intrigue to unravel. Starting in London, we meet Geoffrey Chaucer, who is going on a pilgrimage accompanied by friends. Every character represents a different social class, and the manner in which they interact with each other as the mystery unfolds is used to introduce Chaucer's musings on motivation, personality, and morality. Such exposition can often be awkward and distracting in an action-oriented novel, but here it is handled deftly. The storyline is fast-paced, presenting readers with the murder of a flirtacious but seemingly inoffensive young woman. The inferences that lead to the unmasking of not only the killer, but also other malefactors, are not only well researched but also quite appropriate to the times. Nonetheless, I was disappointed by the book for, while the story and the characters reflect the times well, the manner of speaking and the description of the events as they unfold are utterly modern in affect. It almost seemed as though I were watching seasoned actors who had been well instructed in the details of life in medieval times but who could not quite comprehend the difference between a medieval monarchical society and a modern democracy. In short, this fictional story is a pleasant diversion, particularly for hose who appreciate well-written mysteres, but do not expect this tale to immerse you in a believable medieval atmosphere. —Anne Frates

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