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mayastone's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
wishanem's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of the best of the few Mysteries I've read, entertaining and plausible without ever being tedious. The plot itself isn't historically accurate, but the setting, characters, and action feel period-appropriate and the important details of the time period are solid.
Words I learned from this book:
Alaunt - An extinct breed of dog, generally resembling a mastiff
Certes - Certainly, assuredly
Compline - Evening prayers
Cresset lamp - A lamp where the wick is contained in a cup or basket.
Lazar - A poor and diseased person, especially one afflicted by a feared, contagious disease such as leprosy.
Leman - A lover or sweetheart, most often a mistress.
Malmsey - A sweet fortified wine.
Rouncey - An ordinary, all-purpose horse.
Settle - (noun) A wooden bench with a high back and arms, typically incorporating a box under the seat.
Vituperative - Bitter and abusive.
Words I learned from this book:
Alaunt - An extinct breed of dog, generally resembling a mastiff
Certes - Certainly, assuredly
Compline - Evening prayers
Cresset lamp - A lamp where the wick is contained in a cup or basket.
Lazar - A poor and diseased person, especially one afflicted by a feared, contagious disease such as leprosy.
Leman - A lover or sweetheart, most often a mistress.
Malmsey - A sweet fortified wine.
Rouncey - An ordinary, all-purpose horse.
Settle - (noun) A wooden bench with a high back and arms, typically incorporating a box under the seat.
Vituperative - Bitter and abusive.
elwieisevil's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
stuffandwhatnot's review against another edition
4.0
The mystery is fine, but the real fun is in seeing Penman's Plantagenet England once again, from a new perspective. Will definitely read the rest of the series.
abbythompson's review against another edition
4.0
I've read most of Sharon Kay Penman's Welsh trilogy and loved her character building and world descriptions. I've yet to read a better author for rendering medieval Britain with so much life.
Justin de Quincy is the illegitimate child of the Bishop of Chester and through a bizarre series of events, ends up "the Queen's man" - a spy for Queen Eleanor as she struggles to hold the country together in the name of her son Richard.
Full of great characters, amazing period detail and a fascinating hero, this is a series not to be missed!
Justin de Quincy is the illegitimate child of the Bishop of Chester and through a bizarre series of events, ends up "the Queen's man" - a spy for Queen Eleanor as she struggles to hold the country together in the name of her son Richard.
Full of great characters, amazing period detail and a fascinating hero, this is a series not to be missed!
michelleful's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting premise and protagonist in Justin de Quincy, the bastard son of a bishop during the reign of Richard the Lionheart while Richard's off captured in Europe, but, at least in the first book of this series, he was a bit of a bumbling investigator who solved the case mostly by luck. Might still continue, in the hope that he grows as an investigator in the next book, mostly because I'm really interested to see what happens with his father.
breazy_reader_724's review against another edition
4.0
This was good overall. It took a bit of time to get going, but the author does a good job of creating interesting, well-rounded supporting characters and weaving history with fiction. I still don't know the protagonist very well, and hopefully his backstory will be developed over the remaining three books, which I intend to read. The pacing was a bit off at times, most particularly the ending which felt somewhat rushed, although I did like it even so. I was excited to get into this series, having learned of it (sadly) while reading the author's recent obituary, as I love the genre, and the book did not disappoint.
klallison's review
5.0
I found the story engaging and I definatly wanted to solve the mytery. I am excited about reading the second story of Justin's adventures as the Queen's man. I enjoy the mideval timeframe and this was no exception.