Untrue Till Death: Murder in 17th-Century Europe (Master Mercurius Mysteries Book 2)

This author, like other weak authors of historical mysteries, gives his main character a mostly 21st century mindset. Better authors, like Saylor and Samson, may have characters question aspects of society but within the context of their times. Plot was difficult to follow, writing not very good, and “surprises” were either expected or inconsequential. I managed to finish the book but certainly won’t be reading any more in the series.

After solving the case of the missing girls in Delft in 1671, Master Mercurius has enjoyed returning to his quiet life as a lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Leiden, but it was not to be. In 1674, William of Orange is two years into his role of Stadhouder (ruler) of the Dutch Republic and is concerned about plots against him by the faction he ousted. After hearing of Mercurius' success as a discrete investigator he summons him to the Hague and asks him to travel to Utrecht to spy on his agent there and report back on any hints of unrest. However, the death of one of Mercurius' colleagues soon leads him into the hunt for a murderer on top of looking into a possible plot against William.As with the first novel in this series, this novel has a marvelous feel of both the place and the time. The descriptions of the journeys between towns, the towns themselves and surrounding countryside all make it come alive. Despite it being a complex period politically, this is all explained quite clearly and makes it possible to get a feel for the everyday life of the townsfolk and the people at the University.Mercurius is a wonderfully warm character, with a ready wit (much of it unspoken) and an intuitive understanding of people as well as how justice can be achieved. He also has an eye for the ladies (one in particular) and rues that he cannot marry, as although he is a protestant priest employed at a reformist University, he has also secretly been ordained as a catholic priest, something he could never divulge and keep his job.The mystery is well done complete with coded clues and false turns that keep Mercurius busy travelleing between towns trying to solve first one murder, then a second as well as looking out for those who would conspire against William. Mercurius also meets one of William's inquisitors and learns how prisoners are persuaded to give up their secrets. Definitely not a cosy mystery but one I'm guessing will lead to Mercurius being required as an investigator in the future now that William has observed his discretion and skill.

I love Master Mercurius! This is the second in the series and does not disappoint at all. The storyline revolves around the politics of the day, and consequently is about murder, intrigue and treachery. As in the first book of the series ('Death in Delft') the tale is told by Master Mercurius in his humorous and self-deprecating manner, which makes him so likeable. I couldn't book the book down, and was torn, because I also didn't want the story to end, but the writing is so easy to read that it was over before I knew it. I'm waiting in anticipation for the next in the series. My thanks to Sapere Books for the opportunity to read it.

This is a very different cast of characters than usually found in a mystery novel. The main one is a rather pathetic coward who serves two religions and is hired by the paranoid Dutch leader to ferret out traitors. In so doing to the best of his ability, Our Hero manages to dodge death but accidentally puts others in peril. He bumbles his way through a collection of well-meaning as well as vicious murders while at the same time giving the reader some hilarious insights into his personal viewpoints. We are also given a close view of student life and everyday activities in seventeenth century Netherlands.

I am so happy to have discovered these books! For murder and mayhem to include such a subtle and sometimes not so subtle humorous bent is a nice change! It is interesting to learn more about Holland and environs...the cultural and language differences from the rest of Europe in the Kate 1600'==s, as well, to add some spice to social events conversations and feel as if one can contribute something new to the mix. Cannot wait to read the next three! Highlybrecommend.

This book in the series had a little too much humor for my taste. I would give this 3.6 stars if I could. The writing gives this murder/ mystery more of a cozy feel than the dark, somber, who-done-it that I was hoping for. The setting and characters were interesting and varied. Master Mercurius is an interesting mix, being ordained as a Catholic priest and a Protestant minister. Working in a university setting allows him to avoid conflicts between the politics and dogmatism of the two faiths. I will read the 3d in the series to see the progression.

This is the second book in this series. I look forward to book three. Master Mercurius is a Catholic priest in a Protestant, specifically Reformed, university. It is interesting how this came to be, but I will not spoil this for readers. He has a questioning mind, is a attached to the Department of Philosophy, and called upon to solve mysterious murders. His witty thoughts that are interjected throughout make the books 📚 a delight to read.

The first book in the series was better. This was somewhat slow and meandering, the mystery actually became a little boring. The hero is poor and a timid religious nerd which is not very interesting.

Master Mercurius is certainly a curious fellow and an entertaining one at that. He is humorous, human and fallible but he manages to do all that is required of him; in many cases almost by accident. I never knew that 17th Century Holland was such an interesting place. After all, how many times is one likely to cross paths with a "man of the cloth" who is both a Protestant scholar and a closet Catholic priest and who cannot make up his mind whether he should stick to his Catholic tenets and remain celibate or his Protestant persona which would allow him to take a wife with all of her accompanying pleasures. Having completed this, the second volume, Holland is growing on me and with Master Mercurius to follow, I am sure that 17th Century criminals and crimes will grow even more fascinating as each volume appears and I have pre-ordered volume 3.Well worth reading but do please start with volume one.

Master Mercurius is back with, unfortunately for him, another murder. It’s 1674 in Leiden, and after solving the mystery and murders of the young girls in Delft, he has made something of a reputation for his abilities as an investigator. William of Orange wants to employ Mercurius to rout out any plotters against him, and just as he starts his investigation, one of his colleagues at the University of Leiden is killed. When one of William of Orange’s men is murdered, it looks as though they are linked. Mercurius is called on to solve the murders therefore safeguarding William.I don’t know whether it’s just me, but I never manage to work these things out, but the big reveal always seems to be completely rational. The whole story is delivered with a bit of tongue in cheek - I really do appreciate the humour in all of Brack’s stories, his main characters are immensely likeable, and that mixed with the historical details makes for a very enjoyable read.Mercurius is an ordained Catholic priest masquerading as a Protestant cleric, and he’s surprisingly adaptable. He seems to be very open minded for someone living in this period, and we see his thoughts on a variety of topics - this time whether it’s right to condemn someone to death for accidentally killing someone else. Perhaps there were people who thought like this - I like to think so.Many thanks to Sapere Books for sending me a copy of this to read and review (even though I had preordered it after reading the first one!🤦🏼‍♀️). It was my absolute pleasure!

I thoroughly enjoyed the first Master Mercurius book, and in this second instalment, Graham Brack has really hit his stride. This was a joy to read from the very first page, with the dry, sly professorial humour of the main character making me laugh out loud. I also loved the aside reactions from his long-suffering secretary, as Mercurius dictated this adventure from his youth.This was a history lesson fully coloured in, with historical fact and real figures blended seamlessly into the twists and turns of the treasonous plot, narrated by the ever-entertaining Mercurius who usually feels out of his depth. An absolute delight and I can't wait for book three in this excellent series.

I read many historical fiction books, from many different authors, and this book caught my attention when searching for another haul of books to read. The author takes us on a journey with this rather unassuming hero, Master Mercurius, as he gets caught up investigating a murder. The web of intrigue leads the reader through the streets of Dutch towns and cities, and deep into the ruling elite. Yet, Mercurius remains grounded and impish in the tale he tells. I felt that I was with him as he ate and drank at Ale houses along the way, and there was humour in his observations.This is the first book I have read written by Graham Brack, in this series, and I am eager to read more. Master Mercurius is a chap whom I would have loved to have met and had a jolly good chat to, about life. Over a mug of ale or three. And learn a few Dutch words.

This series of books is very well written and are (so far) very enjoyable to read. Thoroughly recommended. As far as I can tell the writing reflects the thinking and style of speaking of the time it is set in. However, at one point Mercurious refered to possibly having 'zero tolerance'. At that time he is more likely have said 'no tolerance' or 'totally intolerant', as the misuse of zero when refering to non-numerical things is a very 21st century trait (would you have one tolerance or two tolerances, for example). Anyway, it's a purely pedantic point and I didn't mark it down because of that but it did jarr when I read it as everything else felt authentic to me.