A Deadly Brew

I've compared Susanna Gregory's Matthew Bartholomew mysteries to a workplace comedy, and the humor stars coming through in the fourth installment, A Deadly Brew, in part through the introduction of Ralph de Langelee. The future college head makes his first appearance as a suspiciously unlearned lecturer and Matt and Brother Michael are not surprised when he turns out to be a spy. Neither are they surprised to find out that the wine which is poisoning members of both town and gown was smuggled in. Starting with two deaths connected to the surprise election of the new University Chancellor and including an escape (accompanied by an elderly nun and a merchant's niece) through the fens from a convent, A Deadly Brew is a satisfying mystery.