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sadie_slater's review
3.0
The Merchant's Mark is the third of Pat McIntosh's Gil Cunningham mysteries, set in late fifteenth-century Glasgow. In this one, a barrel that was supposed to contain books turns out, instead, to contain a severed head in brine, and Gil, aided by his fiancée Alys, her father Pierre Mason and his sister Kate, sets out to find out who the dead man was and what happened to him.
I like these books; I first started reading them because I know the author a little (she's one of the Glasgow knitting crowd), but they're enjoyable light reading with occasional scenes of mild peril, and sympathetic characters who I'm enjoying seeing grow and change over the course of the series. There are also nods to both Sayers and Dunnett; the female characters, who are tough and independent without stretching my credulity of what would be possible for women in medieval times, reminded me particularly of the women in Dunnett. In this book I particularly liked Gil's sister Kate, who I hope will also reappear in later books, and the developing friendship between her and Alys.
I like these books; I first started reading them because I know the author a little (she's one of the Glasgow knitting crowd), but they're enjoyable light reading with occasional scenes of mild peril, and sympathetic characters who I'm enjoying seeing grow and change over the course of the series. There are also nods to both Sayers and Dunnett; the female characters, who are tough and independent without stretching my credulity of what would be possible for women in medieval times, reminded me particularly of the women in Dunnett. In this book I particularly liked Gil's sister Kate, who I hope will also reappear in later books, and the developing friendship between her and Alys.
kukushka's review
5.0
Gil Cunningham is eagerly awaiting a shipment of books. But when the barrel that was supposed to contain literature turns out to have a human head floating in brine instead, he and his companions become enmeshed in yet another mystery.
Another great addition to the series!
There’s a bit more supernatural stuff (a ghost this time), but it’s still manageable in quantity.
I like that Gil’s station changes between the books. Each book is an isolated mystery, of course, but the character development is continuous throughout the series. I’ve really enjoyed watching Gil’s relationship with Alys grow and change – which it does in a delightfully realistic and sensible way – as well as their accumulation of companions – first a baby, then a dog. I look forward to reading the next books in the series!
Another great addition to the series!
There’s a bit more supernatural stuff (a ghost this time), but it’s still manageable in quantity.
I like that Gil’s station changes between the books. Each book is an isolated mystery, of course, but the character development is continuous throughout the series. I’ve really enjoyed watching Gil’s relationship with Alys grow and change – which it does in a delightfully realistic and sensible way – as well as their accumulation of companions – first a baby, then a dog. I look forward to reading the next books in the series!
singinglight's review
4.0
The third Gil Cunningham mystery. Fun again, and I really enjoyed the introduction of Gil's sister Kate. I also loved the fact that once again McIntosh takes the characters' faith seriously. (Aug. 2010)
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