Summary of Marked to Die, by Sarah Hawkswood

Embark on a hilarious medieval murder mystery with 'Marked to Die' by Sarah Hawkswood, where knights and deceit create a thrilling adventure.

Welcome to the medieval mystery fest that is "Marked to Die," the third installment of the Bradecote & Catchpoll series! Buckle up, because we're diving into a world where knights are more prone to dying than actually getting out of their suits of armor, and where solving a murder involves more than just pointing a finger at the usual suspect (looking at you, the one who always has a knife hidden in their cloak).

Set in medieval England-you know, the time when the biggest fashion statement was a giant pair of shorts and hygiene was just a suggestion-our story unfolds with two rather charming detectives: Bradecote, a sergeant who is more about the rules, and Catchpoll, his rather cheeky partner. Together, they sort of resemble a medieval buddy cop movie, minus the cop car and with a lot more horsepower.

The plot kicks off when a body is discovered marked, quite literally, to die in a rather gruesome manner. The catch? The dead guy is not just anyone; he's a member of the noble class. Oh sure, just what our brave detectives need-a murder that could start a full-blown class war while they try to figure out who slipped the fatal knife between the ribs! Spoiler alert: everyone has a motive, including the baker who has been giving bad bread to the gentry. Talk about baked revenge!

Now, Bradecote and Catchpoll have a task on their hands that requires more detective work than solving a scavenger hunt where all the clues are in old French. They must comb through a web of nobility, deceit, and more sideways glances than you can shake a stick at. They interrogate a cast of colorful characters, from the local gossip (who we all know is just dying to spill the tea) to the brooding knights with way too many issues-all of whom seem to think they could be the next contestant on "Who Wants to be a Knight?"

As if the stakes weren't high enough! They must navigate the murky waters of court politics while avoiding the king's wrath, who apparently has zero tolerance for both murders and incompetent detectives. And while Bradecote tries to keep his cool with all the royal pomp and circumstance, Catchpoll just can't help but poke the bear, or in this case, the nobleman.

Throughout this thrilling tale, we witness not just the unraveling of this mystery, but also the dazzling display of friendships, loyalties, and the occasional betrayal. Because let's face it, if you're going to die in medieval England, you might as well do it with flair.

So, if you're ready for a humorous romp through the medieval muck of murder, might I suggest you keep your reading glasses handy? "Marked to Die" promises a delightful blend of wit, intrigue, and enough suspicious eyes to make you wonder if everyone's out to get you-especially if you've recently tasted that bad loaf of bread.

In summary, if you thought solving crimes in the Middle Ages was all chivalry and honor, think again. Death has never looked so stylish, and honestly, who wouldn't want to solve a murder with a side of sarcasm? Happy reading!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.