Another murder mystery for Penric
Penric’s Fox is the third (according to internal chronology) novella in Lois McMaster Bujold’s PENRIC AND DESDEMONA series, a spin-off from her well-decorated FIVE GODS trilogy. Each of these novellas is essentially a chapter in Penric’s story and I assume that someday they’ll be combined together in one volume. This particular story takes place after the events of Penric and the Shaman, so I would recommend reading it after that story and before Penric’s Mission. While visiting the capital city, Penric gets involved in helping his friend Inglis investigate the murder of a temple sorceress (yes, another murder mystery!). The two men must discover who killed the sorceress and find out what happened to her demon. Bujold’s FIVE GODS world is so rich and compelling. It’s always a treat to read a new story set in this world because each time we learn a little more of its expansive and interesting history, geography, culture, and theology. As for the murder mystery in Penric’s Fox, it’s really not too clever or exciting but, as the title and cover art suggests, it does involve a fox and her cubs, which is a lovely little touch. And it’s always a pleasure to spend time with Bujold’s delightful characters. This is not Bujold’s best work but she is such a great writer and character developer that anything she writes is worth reading. I especially enjoy listening to her stories on audio because they’re narrated by the wonderful Grover Gardner who always seems to “get” Bujold’s sense of humor and what she is trying to do with her characters. Penric’s Fox was produced by Blackstone audio and it’s 4.5 hours long. I listened to this one on a flight to Mexico and it was a nice diversion.