by Marilyn Meredith
& Lorie Lewis Ham

Interview by Marilyn Meredith, book review by Lorie Lewis Ham, and contest to win a copy of Demon’s Parchment by Jeri Westerson at end of post:

Medieval noir mystery author Jeri Westerson was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about her and her latest book.

Jeri: I wasn’t a history major. In fact, I majored in art. But I was raised in a family of rabid Anglophiles so I came by my interest in all things medieval naturally. History was always something beloved at home through textbooks and through historical fiction, so when I decided to give being a novelist a try, I was naturally going to write about the medieval period.

For about ten years, I wrote historical fiction novels…that no one wanted to publish. I had agents, though, and we tried our darnedest. Then a former agent recommended I switch to medieval mysteries, as mysteries were a far better market. “You mean like Brother Cadfael?” I asked. “Yes, just like that.” Except I didn’t want to write stories “just like that.” I wanted something with more action, more violence…more sex! I realized I wanted a hard-boiled detective in a medieval setting and that’s what finally sold.

Jeri: I’ve always been a writer, ever since I could pick up a crayon. But it was a hobby, never a career choice. I wanted to be an actress, but after some real world auditions I decided the actor’s life was not for me.

I switched majors in college to art and became a graphic artist for some fifteen years in Los Angeles. It wasn’t until I semi-retired to have my baby that I realized I wanted to slow down and stay at home. I thought I could continue to do commercial art but during the two years I was raising a toddler, the whole graphics industry had switched over to computers, while I, alas, had not.

So I decided I might try this novel writing that I had been doing for fun as a real career. After all, how hard could it be? Ha ha.

Jeri: It took fourteen years to get published. Hard enough for you? Eleven years of writing historical fiction, and three writing medieval mysteries. The actual first Crispin book was rejected everywhere. It had at its heart a plot involving the knights Templars and the Holy Grail. Guess which book had hit the bookshelves the same time I was trying to sell mine? (Curse you, Dan Brown!)

But having networked with other mystery writers, I had heard that oftentimes the first in the series doesn’t get published and it’s the second one that does the trick. I had a habit of after finishing one novel starting in right away on the next. And in this case, it was especially important because I had never written a series and wanted to make sure I could.

So by the time an editor was looking at Veil of Lies, I was deep into book number three. As it happened, fourteen months after we put Cup of Blood, the first real Crispin Guest novel to bed, my editor at St. Martin’s called my agent asking if I had any other books in that series because he “couldn’t get those characters out of his head.”

I had just sent Veil of Lies to my agent and without even reading it, he sent it off. Two weeks later, I had my first contract. So it only took fourteen years and two weeks.

Jeri: Each book features a religious relic so I always start there. In The Demon’s Parchment, the latest Crispin Guest Medieval Noir, I wanted to do a few things. I wanted to talk about medieval Jews, I wanted a more supernatural sort of element in there with a Golem, and I wanted to feature a medieval serial killer (based on a real medieval serial killer).

Jeri: Oh yes. But I can’t really tell you about them. Those would be plot spoilers.

Jeri: It’s the same thing I do for all my books. I get myself booked at all kinds of events all year round: bookstores, libraries, literary luncheons, big author events, mystery fan conventions like Bouchercon and Left Coast Crime, and have a big launch party once a year featuring sword fighting knights (Saturday, October 23 at 5:30 pm at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, CA—all are welcomed. It’s free!).

Jeri: Barnes & Noble, any independent mystery bookstore, Amazon.com.

Jeri: I’m working on a second medieval mystery series with all new characters that will be lighter in tone set to be a lusty, funny, fast-paced romp. But in the meantime, you can see the Crispin series book trailer, book discussion guides, my appearance schedule to see if I’ll be in your home town, and other fun stuff on my website; you can see my blog of history and mystery; and you can read Crispin’s blog. You can also friend Crispin on his Facebook page or follow me on Twitter @jeriwesterson.

Marilyn Meredith is a Springville, CA mystery author and an ongoing contributor to our Local Literary section. Be sure to visit her website; fictionforyou.com

Demon’s Parchment, Review & Book Giveaway!

Review by Lorie Lewis Ham

The Demon’s Parchment is the third in a Medieval Noir mystery series set in the late 1300’s, written by Jeri Westerson and featuring former knight Crispin Guest. Guest was convicted of treason and stripped of his land, his title and his honor. Effectively banished to the lower social reaches of the crowded neighborhoods of London, all he has left with which to earn a living is his intelligence and keen eye for detail. Now, using those wits and gifts, he has become known as the “Tracker” – a man who can find anything, can solve any puzzle, and will do so for a price. To put in modern terms, he is like a medieval private investigator. He is aided by his young apprentice, Jack Tucker, who once lived on the streets.

In this book, Guest is hired by a Jewish physician to recover some stolen Hebrew parchments that may hold mystical text that can bring forth a type of monster called a Golem. Throughout the book, Guest grapples with his own prejudice against the Jews that is caused by ignorance and propaganda. By this time, the Jews had been exiled from England for nearly a century. Before he can truly begin his search, he happens upon a boy who has been gruesomely murdered, and learns that the boy is one of many. He is then also engaged by the local sheriffs to find the boy’s killer.

The twists and turns in this book, along with the rich setting and varied cast of characters, make it a very interesting read. Guest learns much along the way about people, the Jews, secrets, pain, and how things often are not as they appear. One of my favorite characters is an unlikely friend of Guest’s, a cross dresser named John, who ends up coming to his rescue at one point.

If you love knights, old England, and mysteries, I highly recommend this book and intend myself to go back and read the first two books, Veil of Lies and Serpent in the Thorns.

To win a hardback copy of this brand new, just released, book, simply email KRL at life@kingsriverlife.com with the subject line “book contest”, or comment on this article. U.S. residents only please.

Visit and buy targeted facebook shares along with buy real facebook video views.

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and an enthusiastic contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds.