Consider The Ravens by Cressida Downing

Consider The Ravens

 by Cressida Downing



Consider The Ravens by Cressida Downing 
was published on 16th July by No Exit Press.

My thanks to the author and publisher for sending me a copy to review and to 

Random Things Resources for inviting me onto the book tour.





About The Book


Lindisfarne in 1494 is a holy island of secrets. The scribe Linnet is running from her criminal past and seeking sanctuary in the island of her childhood. She’s friendless in the monastery, the monks resentful of a woman scribe, and her only company is Tom the fisherman and a child, Isabelle – watchful, clever and unlikeable – with her partly tamed raven Pol. The monastery bursar Oswyn threatens to expose Linnet’s past but she isn’t the only one with secrets to hide. Intent upon uncovering the monks’ misdeeds is the fanatic inspector, sent by the new Bishop of Durham to write a report on the monastery. When Oswyn is found drowned, Linnet suspects the death is not accidental. After another death, Linnet realises there’s a killer amongst the brethren, and her own precarious position makes her vulnerable – unless she can first identify who it could be…






My Thoughts


This is hopefully the first in a series of seven novels that Cressida has planned for the series and I really hope that this is the case as I have thoroughly enjoyed Consider The Ravens which is set in 1494. 

Fans of Brother Cadfael will enjoy this series an it was interesting getting to know Linnet and her past before she ended up at The Abbey on Lindisfarne as a scribe.What is also interesting is the historical background that Cressida has included at the end of the book which I found extremely interesting and have looked into in a lot more detail.

The novel itself moves at a very readable pace in which new characters are introduced on a regular basis at the beginning of the book in, what are , relatively short chapters.

There are so many times that you really will empathise with Linnet as she tries to find her way in what is , technically at the time, a man’s world with the incredible talent that she has. It is incredibly hard for her to know who she can trust especially when she hears a man, who she thinks of as her friend , tell her secrets.

Linnet strives to find out how is behind the different deaths on the island , and why and whether you will work it out in advance waits to be seen. 

I really liked the feisty character of Isabelle and her pet Raven Pol which really highlighted how children had to learn how to survive in a tough world. 

I’m looking forward to reading more in the “A Scribe of Lindisfarne Mystery “ series and hope that we do not have to wait too long for the next one.


    About Cressida





Cressida Downing is a freelance editor, has worked in bookshops and for publishers, and owns a business taking people on reading retreats. 

She lives near Cambridge and has planned 6 further novels in the series

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