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Nine Men Dancing: Roger the Chapman Mysteries 12

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Nine Men Dancing is the twelfth book in the Roger the Chapman Mysteries series by Kate Ellis. The book is set in 1348, during the Black Death, and follows Roger as he investigates the murder of a young woman in the village of Nine Men's Morris.

Nine Men Dancing (Roger the Chapman Mysteries 12)

Nine Men Dancing (Roger the Chapman Mysteries Book 12)

by Kate Sedley

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	665 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	400 pages

The book begins with Roger arriving in Nine Men's Morris, a small village in the Cotswolds. He is there to investigate the murder of Alice, a young woman who was found dead in the woods. Alice was a member of the Nine Men Morris dancers, a group of young women who perform traditional dances on May Day. Roger quickly learns that Alice's murder was not an isolated incident. In the past few months, several other young women have been found dead in the surrounding area.

Roger begins his investigation by talking to the villagers of Nine Men's Morris. He learns that the villagers are terrified of the Black Death, which is ravaging the country. They are also suspicious of outsiders, and they are not eager to help Roger with his investigation. However, Roger is determined to find Alice's killer, and he eventually gains the trust of the villagers.

As Roger investigates, he learns that Alice was involved in a secret love affair with a young man from a neighboring village. The man's family was opposed to their relationship, and they may have had Alice killed to prevent them from being together. Roger also learns that the Nine Men Morris dancers are involved in a pagan ritual that may have something to do with Alice's murder.

Roger eventually uncovers the truth about Alice's murder, and he brings the killer to justice. However, the book ends on a bittersweet note, as Roger realizes that the Black Death will continue to claim lives, and that there is little he can do to stop it.

Characters

Roger the Chapman: A traveling merchant and unlicensed physician who investigates crimes in his spare time.
Alice: A young woman who is found dead in the woods. She was a member of the Nine Men Morris dancers.
The Nine Men Morris dancers: A group of young women who perform traditional dances on May Day.
The villagers of Nine Men's Morris: The villagers are terrified of the Black Death, and they are suspicious of outsiders.

Themes

The Black Death: The Black Death is a devastating plague that is ravaging England in 1348. The villagers of Nine Men's Morris are terrified of the disease, and they are desperate for a cure.
Murder: Roger investigates the murder of Alice, a young woman who was found dead in the woods. The murder is a mystery, and Roger must use all of his skills to find the killer.
Love: Alice was involved in a secret love affair with a young man from a neighboring village. The man's family was opposed to their relationship, and they may have had Alice killed to prevent them from being together.
Paganism: The Nine Men Morris dancers are involved in a pagan ritual that may have something to do with Alice's murder. Roger must learn about the ritual in order to understand the motive for the murder.

Setting

The book is set in 1348, during the Black Death. The Black Death is a devastating plague that is ravaging England, and the villagers of Nine Men's Morris are terrified of the disease. The book is also set in the Cotswolds, a beautiful region of England that is home to rolling hills, lush forests, and picturesque villages.

Reviews

Nine Men Dancing has received positive reviews from critics. Publishers Weekly called the book "a well-crafted mystery with a strong sense of place and time." Kirkus Reviews said that the book "is a gripping read from start to finish."

Nine Men Dancing is a well-written and engaging mystery novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and murder mysteries. The book is set during the Black Death, and it provides a vivid portrait of life in England during that time. The characters are well-developed and believable, and the plot is suspenseful and exciting. Overall, Nine Men Dancing is a great read that I highly recommend.

Nine Men Dancing (Roger the Chapman Mysteries Book 12)

by Kate Sedley

4.4 out of 5