Testimony of Mute Things by Lois McMaster Bujold

Although 15th in the publication order in the Penric and Desdemona series, Testimony of Mute Things is a novella in which Lois McMaster Bujold takes Learned Penric and his demon Desdemona back to a time when he was young. The most recent book in the series that I had read was Adventure of the demonic ox where Penric was happily married with children who were asserting their independence, so it took me a few pages to adjust to picturing a young Penric, supporting the Princess-Archdivine Llewen of Martensbridge, who is adjudicating a dispute in the border town of Occo. When Penric discovers that a woman’s death is suspicious, he and Des are determined to find the murderer and uncover the strange circumstances leading to her death.

The world building is wonderful as Bujold brings to life the complexity of trying to arbitrate peace settlements and petty jealousies between Temple hierarchies. As always Penric and Desdemona’s characters are fascinating and the mystery that they set out to solve is one that mystery lovers will enjoy.

Although Testimony of Mute Things can be read as a stand-alone, readers new to the series will want to read Penric’s demon, the first book, and no doubt will continue with others in the series.

Themes: Fantasy, Murder, Novella, Demons, Politics.

Pat Pledger