THE SHERIFF

A weary lifelong soldier comes into his own in this historical novel.

Stefan is a disgruntled Saxon soldier who’s never gotten his due. Still, he’s determined to make the most of his new appointment as the sheriff for the Shire of Codswallow. Once there, Stefan meets an important citizen—Jonathan, the keeper of the Sleeping Dragon Inn. From Jonathan, Stefan learns there are bandits robbing residents and visitors on the roads into Codswallow. Jonathan has a secret: He’s a former Druid priest named Labhruinn who was falsely accused of betraying his shrine and then banished, described in The Valley (2022), the series’ second book. Then Druid priestess Feywn and her niece Cyri arrive at the Dragon. They’ve gotten separated from the rest of their Druid cult who are seeking a new home after their previously hidden location had been revealed. But before Stefan can learn more about them, he receives a letter from his former commander, Lord Ruford, ordering him to offer his services to King Gilberth. Princess Aleswina, the king’s intended, has disappeared from an abbey where she’d been consigned (although she actually escaped to avoid marrying Gilberth). Stefan will need all his battle-won wiles to track down Aleswina. This third book in author Linden’s planned five-volume Druid Chronicles sets up what’s to come. Few of the previously introduced characters make appearances. Instead, as the title suggests, this is Stefan’s story. The reader discovers his backstory and how it weaves into his current quest. Jonathan is also an intriguing addition whose ongoing storyline, which involves fighting no shortage of bandits, will have to be wrapped up in a future book. What is somewhat frustrating, however, is that only one storyline gets resolved in these 350-plus pages. Yet Linden successfully keeps adding to the fascinating world she has created.

Richly develops an important player and propels a winning series.