CROWNER ROYAL

The charms of Bernard Knight's long-running series about "Crowner" John, a twelfth-century British coroner, lie in their wealth of medieval details, the nuanced portrayals of the characters, and their sometimes-gruesome deaths. Although the writing very occasionally falls flat, narrator Paul Matthews imbues it all with interest and verve. In this installment, Crowner John has been appointed coroner of Westminster, where he discovers that intrigue and murder—don't drink that foxglove tincture!—rule the court. Matthews voices everyone from high-borne ladies to gruff innkeepers in a way that entertains and informs. His easy-listening baritone smooths the narrative. And his diction makes every historical tidbit clear. With Matthews in our ear, we want to stay forever in the past. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2010]