Just So Stories

Clan Destine Press

Imprint: Ebook Alchemy Pty Ltd

August 2026

ISBN: 9780645316735

ISBN-10: 0645316733t

RRP: $39.99

So I admit that in all the years I’ve been reading the late, great Kerry Greenwood’s books and following her socials, with their many references to the Wizard, I had absolutely no idea that said wizard, David Greagg, is also a writer. And what a writer! Gadzooks!! I am in hot pursuit of more of his work after this gloriously uproarious romp through medieval England.

So, take a pudding bowl of English history and Shakespeare combined with a hefty sprinkling of Blackadder and Monty Python stirred up with some utterly fabulous and memorable characters, a sprinkling of folklore and leavened with some cracking sparkling wit – this is MY kind of book!!

On that stunning cover (the artwork is sensational throughout!) we have from left to right: Harry i.e. Henry V – who relished the skirmish of war and, to be fair did have a pretty convincing win at the Battle of Agincourt, next is Josiah Windrush – my favourite character, a gentle man of healing, an alchemist, self-effacing and kind whose companions Quark (yes, duck) and Dougal (cat) are in themselves endearing characters, then we have Robin Hood -not THE Robin Hood but the latest in a long line of these stalwarts and lastly, Hugh Morton – minstrel, player, almost perpetually in the wrong place but always at the right time and on the back cover is the lovely young Catherine, who knows Josiah is her man even if he doesn’t yet realise it, along with the faithful Quark and Dougal.

The thread of the story revolves around Harry’s intention to make war against France with Hugh and his small company being enlisted by the powers that be to ‘entertain’ in the army’s train, as well as another company being enlisted likewise but to fan the flames of righteous indignation within the populace, against the French in justification for yet another war. With troops and weaponry being commanded by the king, some smaller gentry find they need to recruit more men for their contribution – enter various Robin Hoods, Friar Tucks and Little Johns.

Then there’s Josiah who is being pursued by a batshit crazy priest intent on having him declared a heretic but who is, for the moment, safe from that fate by being commanded to cast cannon for the king’s army, with the Sheriff of Nottingham, not quite the Basil Rathbone version. I love that Guy of Gisborne comes into this as a complete arrogant nincompoop who rightly is scorned by all.

Combine all this with Catherine’s determination to have Josiah realise that he does, in fact, need a wife who loves him and his familiars dearly, a sympathetic local priest, who has a wonderfully warm and frank relationship with Our Lady, Mary, in his parish church – she is exactly as pragmatic as Mary would be, I say! – and various other secondary characters.

Throughout, the spectacular anachronisms, insertions of contemporary references thinly disguised and outright bellylaughs are just wonderful. A whole riff on Bob Marley and the new style of music developed in the West Country called rigge had me snaughling as I read. Likewise, the appearance of the very superior Poiret, complete with little grey cells working – the highly efficient steward of one Robert, Count of Vin Aigre and other like moments of intertextual contemporary references.

There are many subsidiary story threads too numerous to mention here but honestly, this whole book is just one fabulous episode of pure joy. Whether you like your historical fiction with a good dollop of humour, or your humour with a good dollop of history – or whether you just relish a hearty laugh and light-hearted read, this is for you. I know it’s staying on my shelf [something that rarely happens with review books] because I will, doubtless, re-read it at some point. It’s a resounding huzzah! 5 👑👑👑👑👑rating for a brilliantly fun read.