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The Colour of Bone: A Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery (Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mystery Book 11) Kindle Edition

4.5 out of 5 stars 400 ratings

It’s May 1480 in the City of London.

After workmen discover a nun’s body in a newly-opened tomb, talented artist and bookseller Seb Foxley is persuaded to assist in solving the mystery of her death.

Evil is once more abroad in the crowded, grimy streets of medieval London and even in the grandest of royal mansions, where a member of the Duke of Gloucester’s household meets an untimely end. And some wicked rogue is setting fires in the city. No house is safe from the hungry flames.

Will Seb and his loved ones come to grief when a man returns from the dead and Seb has to appear before the Lord Mayor?

Join our hero as he feasts with royalty, struggles to save his business and attempts to unravel this latest medieval murder mystery.

Praise for Toni Mount's Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery Series
"An evocative masterclass in storytelling." - Tony Riches, author of The Tudor Trilogy
"It’s superb. What a plot. What characters" - Carol McGrath, author of the She-wolves trilogy
“…takes the reader to the dark heart of medieval London.” - Tracy Borman, historian and broadcaster

AUTHOR INTERVIEW
History is full of exciting true stories which I adapt to suit the tale I’m telling. What happens to Adam in ‘Bone’ really happened to a man in Tudor times. Ralph Sadleir was secretary to Thomas Cromwell. As a young man, he married Cromwell’s cousin, a widow with two children. Eleven years of bliss and more children followed, and then his wife’s ‘dead’ husband came home, expecting to take up where they’d left off! In the eyes of the law, Ralph was an adulterer and father to a brood of illegitimate children. I was cruel to do the same to poor Adam.
I love creating stories and researching is part of the fun yet also frustrating. I try to keep the medieval flavour in everything I write. Mixing fact and fiction is what I love, so both play a huge part in my novels. Seb is still my favourite character. It would be difficult to continue ‘The Colour of…’ series if I went off my hero. As for other characters, grouchy Jude is great to write, especially if I’m not in the most lovable mood. If he throws something to vent his temper, my crockery is no longer in such danger. It’s great therapy. But me and Seb… he’s like a third son to me.
It does take determination and even stubbornness to get any book written. A historical novel series such as this is no different. On the plus side, the main characters are as familiar to me as my family. I have a pretty good idea of how they will react to a particular situation, even so, people you think you know well can always surprise you. I follow Stephen King’s advice, to put my character/s in a situation, wind them up and let them go. This is my way of writing. I’m not big on planning: Seb & co do that for me.
On the minus side, finding new elements becomes more difficult as the series continues. Seb is older now, a family man, a respectable citizen rising in status and prosperity. He’s bound to have changed in certain ways but how? Having extra responsibilities may make him more cautious – even boring. Is money becoming too important to him? Is he always thinking of his reputation; how do others regard him? All these aspects were part of life for medieval Londoners but Seb has to retain a certain innocence and naivety. Change is vital to keep him interesting and fresh - he’s less of a wimp these days and more confident.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An evocative masterclass in storytelling." - Tony Riches, author of The Tudor Trilogy

"It's superb. What a plot. What characters" - Carol McGrath, author of the She-wolves trilogy

"...takes the reader to the dark heart of medieval London." - Tracy Borman, historian and broadcaster

"Toni Mount paints a vivid picture of medieval London that is as colourful as an illuminated manuscript. A hearty huzzah for the return of Seb Foxley!" -E.M. Powell, author of the Stanton and Barling medieval mysteries.

About the Author

Toni Mount earned her Master's Degree by completing original research into a unique 15th-century medical manuscript. She is the author of several successful non-fiction books including the number one bestseller, Everyday Life in Medieval England, which reflects her detailed knowledge of the lives of ordinary people in the Middle Ages. Toni's enthusiastic understanding of the period allows her to create accurate, atmospheric settings and realistic characters for her Sebastian Foxley medieval murder mysteries. Toni's first career was as a scientist and this brings an extra dimension to her novels. It also led to her new biography of Sir Isaac Newton. She writes regularly for both The Richard III Society and The Tudor Society and is a major contributor to MedievalCourses.com.As well as writing, Toni teaches history to adults, co-ordinates a creative writing group and is a popular speaker to groups and societies. Toni is also a member of the Crime Writers' Association.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BT4XZG7N
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ MadeGlobal Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 23, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 358 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 11 of 12 ‏ : ‎ Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mystery
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 400 ratings

About the author

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Toni Mount
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My new novel "The Colour of Sin" is the twelfth in the Seb Foxley series of medieval thrillers. Readers have purchased over 40,000 copies of the series and read over 13.5 million pages via download.

My latest book from Pen & Sword is the next in my series of light hearted 'How to Survive' books - this one looks at how to prepare for a trip to Tudor England and 'how to keep your head when all around are losing theirs.' And How to Survive in Anglo-Saxon England is due out in the autumn of 2024.

My novels have brought these positive endorsements:

Tracy Borman, historian and broadcaster said “An atmospheric and compelling thriller that takes the reader to the dark heart of medieval London.”

Matthew Lewis historian, podcaster and author said “Toni Mount continues to delight with the superbly crafted Seb Foxley mysteries. Impeccable research and sculpted characters combine with an engaging narrative to create another irresistible story.

The first Foxley 'Collector's Edition' is a luxury hardback combining the first two stories from the Sebastian Foxley series and contains bonus information including maps and character studies.

"How to Survive in Medieval England" and "Everyday Life in Medieval London" have both become No1 Best sellers in five seperate Amazon categories.

My next projects include book 13 in the Foxley series 'The Colour of Darkness' and book four for Pen & Sword 'How to Survive in Ration-Book England'

I study, write and teach British history. My non-fiction books look at the ordinary lives of medieval people, leading me to write my successful series of murder mysteries. They are set in the stinking streets of medieval London and feature the talented yet humble artist, Sebastian Foxley. My Victorian melodrama is "The Death Collector".

My fascinating non-fiction book "A Year in the Life of Medieval England" looks at real events that occurred on everyday of a medieval year and my first biography is about the life and times of Isaac Newton.

To download my free ebook, The Foxley Letters from my website.

After many years of teaching history to adults several of my courses are also available online visit my website for more details

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
400 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's storyline, with one review highlighting its multiple narrative threads and historical setting. The writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as a well-crafted mystery. Customers appreciate the character development, with one noting the characters they care about.

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5 customers mention "Storyline"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, with one review highlighting its multiple narrative threads and historical setting, while another describes it as a delightfully rich tale.

"Sebastian Foxley certainly has an interesting life. He's a perfect protagonist for these stories...." Read more

"...let me down as the author deftly combines human interest with a good mystery...." Read more

"A delightfully rich tale full of the local colour and familiar persona that characterize Mount's books...." Read more

"...Well written with exceptional historical details (love the descriptions of various foods) & characters one cares about, this series has been a real..." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with one describing it as a well-crafted mystery.

"...I found this a satisfying mystery and enjoyed reading of the further fortunes of Seb and his family." Read more

"...Well written with exceptional historical details (love the descriptions of various foods) & characters one cares about, this series has been a real..." Read more

"...This is a well written mystery, with multiple story lines weaving their way through the fabric of the story...." Read more

"excellent writing..." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...He's a perfect protagonist for these stories...." Read more

"A delightfully rich tale full of the local colour and familiar persona that characterize Mount's books...." Read more

"...details (love the descriptions of various foods) & characters one cares about, this series has been a real pleasure to read...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2023
    Sebastian Foxley certainly has an interesting life. He's a perfect protagonist for these stories. He has a wide range of contacts, he has a good grasp of morality, fairness, and honesty, and he is staunchly loyal to his family and friends. Toni Mount has a real talent for placing the reader right in the story, though luckily, despite her flawless description of the smells of that century and this story, one is not actually made to smell them. The description is enough for me. I enjoyed this story a lot, and am looking forward to reading the next one.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023
    Those of us who have been following his activities for the last several years realize that Sebastian Foxley, book illuminator and portrait painter, will never be able to devote himself entirely to his art or to a blissful family life. No, he will always be called upon to solve a murder or two and to deal with professional problems and family squabbles. He will have to endure his irascible brother Jude. In this latest adventure, Jude’s treatment of his brother has become even nastier as a result of the crippling injuries he sustained saving Seb’s life in The Colour of Rubies. But I ask you, isn’t it a bit much to ask of Seb to have to solve three grisly murders, discover the bloody body of a person within his family circle, stop an arsonist, all while having to answer a suit against him brought by the London guild of Limners and Painters? The usually equable Seb shows signs of strain as he snaps at all those around him. Being Seb, of course, he seeks God’s forgiveness for being so short tempered.

    Thaddeus Turner, the City Bailiff and Seb’s friend, asks for his help when the body of a young novice is discovered at St. Helen’s Church in Bishopgate. During the course of a major construction project the tomb of the priory’s founder, William Goldsmith, was being moved and it was here under a stone slab covering the tomb that the bones were found. Now Seb knows a thing or two about bones as he had been studying skeletons in order to improve his portrait painting a la Leonardo Da Vinci, and notices that the founder’s skeleton is that of a woman. (Incidentally, Leonardo was born in 1452, the same year as Richard III.) Also, in the tomb, Seb finds a scrap of textile that had apparently been torn off the garment of the killer. It is a badge of a white boar—the cognizance of Seb’s patron, Richard, Duke of Gloucester. The killer must be a person serving the duke, and a high born person since expensive silver thread was used in the embroidery. The Duke is in residence at Crosby Place, which borders St. Helen’s, and Seb approaches the Duke in order to question members of his household. Both the Duke and Rob Percy are little tetchy where the integrity of the duke’s squires is concerned, but, of course, cooperate with the investigation. Suspicion soon focuses on four body squires, and in particular Harry Nightengale who has disappeared. The other three initially describe Harry as the best of them, but as Seb digs deeper he discovers that it is not all good fellowship at Crosby Place. Rather, there is a resentment that he is the Duke’s pet and bias because he comes from a merchant family.

    Without giving too much away, two more murders are committed at Crosby Place. The discovery of one is described in wrenching detail: the victim is found in a state of complete decomposition in the dung heap behind the stables. Counterbalanced against this horror, is the scene where the local apothecary and wise woman—the only one who can stand the stench—lovingly strips and bathes the body. “As she washed the dead, she kept up a muted conversation, telling him his loved ones would miss him dear and mourn his passing, how his soul would be prayed for most earnestly. ‘And justice will be done, never you fear,’ she told him, ‘You don’t know him but I do and you can rely upon Master Seb to see the devil who did this to you suffers as he should.’”

    Not only does he solve these murders, but the pyromaniac is identified. The latter’s connection to the other crimes may be bit too contrived, and if I had a slight criticism it would be that there is too much going on—too many plot lines . But overall the latest of Seb’s adventures didn’t let me down as the author deftly combines human interest with a good mystery. Not only is Seb faced with his brother’s hostility, but his cousin Adam’s resentment for spending more time on his investigations than in the workshop. But then Adam’s world is upended by the appearance of someone thought to be dead. And we also learn what takes place in a Lord Mayor’s court proceeding, how late fifthteenth century Londoners responded to fires, Finally, we are able to attend a banquet given by the Duke of Gloucester, and decide as Seb did that he is not nearly so solemn and straight-laced as he would have folk believe.
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2023
    A delightfully rich tale full of the local colour and familiar persona that characterize Mount's books. Much happens to Seb's family in ways that affect their futures as well as to the Duke of Gloucester's household. Interwoven circumstances involve some coincidence, though hopefully, not so much as to suspend belief. I found this a satisfying mystery and enjoyed reading of the further fortunes of Seb and his family.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2023
    Toni Mount delivers yet another fascinating look into medieval London as seen through the eyes of scrivener and reluctant sleuth, Sebastian Foxley. Ms Mount has an amazing ability to place the reader inside the medieval world. Well written with exceptional historical details (love the descriptions of various foods) & characters one cares about, this series has been a real pleasure to read. As always, I can’t wait until the book!!
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2023
    Murders she wrote! Three murders, deadly fires in the night, and broken hearts set Seb and Bailiff Thaddeus on a hunt for recalcitrant murderers near Paternoster Strete and Crosby Place.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2023
    The Colour of Bone
    Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery #11
    By Toni Mount
    Reviewed February 26, 2023

    Seb, his business, and his extended family continue to grow, but not everyone is happy.

    Seb’s brother Jude, who is never content, was seriously injured in the previous book, saving his “little” brother. The injury has left Jude dependent upon his younger brother, which apparently rankles his ego. With his wife (Chesca) living at court as King Edward’s mistress (and for which Jude is handsomely compensated for any inconvenience), Jude is not a happy camper. As soon as he is able to hobble out on his own, he leaves Seb house without so much as a thank you. In fact, Jude makes it known in no uncertain terms that he doesn’t want anything further to do with Seb.

    Trying not to dwell too much on this particular familial difficulty, Seb focuses his energies on his work – illustrating a copy of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales for Mayor Shaa, and finishing a portrait of Bishop Stillington – but more unpleasant news soon arrives in the form of a summons to court. It seems Seb has stepped on the toes of the Limners and Painters Guild. He is being charged with infringing upon their guild’s territory, including the making of a sign with the ducal coat of arms for Crosby Place (as if Seb could really just say no to a commission from the king’s brother!) and the painting of portraits. Unfortunately, major fines look to be looming on the horizon.

    To make matters worse, the house next door burns down one night. Thankfully, the bucket brigade is able to prevent the fire from spreading to Seb’s house, but it’s another financial loss as the property belongs to Seb. At least no one was seriously hurt, but the building is a total loss and it soon becomes apparent that an arsonist is on the loose.

    With all this going on, City Bailiff Thaddeus Turner recruits Seb to help solve a murder at St. Helen’s Church in Bishopsgate. The body of a young novice nun has been found in a tomb when workers who are refurbishing the church have to open the tomb in order to move it and its contents – and find the novice’s body along with the bones of the priory’s founder.

    Searching the church for clues, they find a torn livery badge. It’s a white boar, which takes Seb and Thaddeus to Crosby Place, the London residence of Duke Richard, Seb’s royal patron. As Seb and Bailiff Turner work to solve the mystery, there are more murders as two of the Duke of Gloucester’s esquires meet an unpleasant end.

    With all this and more going (because I’m not going to tell you everything), is it any wonder that Seb is feeling at the end of his tether, with the usually quiet and caring young man snapping irritably at people along the way?

    This is a well written mystery, with multiple story lines weaving their way through the fabric of the story. And any story that includes Duke Richard as a major secondary character is an added plus in my book!

    If you enjoy a good mystery with a historical setting, you can’t do better than to give Seb and Company a try.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Simone Wallnoefer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another gem in the series
    Reviewed in Italy on March 7, 2023
    Another gem of a book in Toni Mount's Seb Foxley series. This time our humble artist turned sleuth has to solve three murder, not only one. All of this while there's a few problems within his household, what with a family member suffering a great shock, Seb's work getting neglected and his ginances suffering a few losses (Thaddeus really should pay for Seb's assistance!).
    As usual the author paints such vivid pictures, the characters and the whole of Medieval London spring to life and permit the reader to dive right into this fascinating world.
    And once again I'm left craving for the next instalment as the books just get better and better
  • M. H. Woodley
    5.0 out of 5 stars unsurpsssed
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2024
    What an I going to read now? I loved being absorbed by the books and the characters I felt very involved.Thank you for such a great read
  • Amazon___Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2023
    I am a big fan of historical crime fiction, Toni Mount is one of the best at the historical detail and an author I never miss via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

    I had sort of correctly guessed the resolution 1/2 way through but still enjoyed the story.
  • Wendy A
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling, engaging and like meeting old friends
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2023
    The eleventh instalment in Toni Mount's "Sebastian Foxley" medieval whodunnit novels has arrived and as ever, it is more than worth the wait. Things are going well for our hero - he is happily settled with the love of his life, he is becoming more prosperous and his business is thriving. However it is not long before the storm clouds gather in the form of a court summons, his embittered brother, an arsonist and yet more gruesome murders. He certainly doesn't have a quiet life but this tale of lies and deceit is as engaging and excellently written as ever and by now, it really does feel like the Foxley family are old friends. As always, I can't wait for the next instalment.
  • Sighthound
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent mystery
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2023
    This is an excellent mystery, with multi-layers of plot. Poor old Seb doesn't just have a murder to solve, there are all sorts of issues going on in his life and scarcely has a minute to get on with earning money. The author reveals an extensive knowledge of 15th-century London and the period in general. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III) shows up quite a few times in the story and displays the same integrity he did when ruling Yorkshire.

    You will grasp some of the undercurrents better if you have read the previous books in the series, but the novel would be fine as a stand-alone. Much better than the average period detective story.

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