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analisrsr's review
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Sharon Kay Penman is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her book The Sunne in Splendor about Richard III of England is not only one of my favorite historical fiction books, but one of my favorite books of all time. The depth of research that she does is incredible and her writing style spans the centuries and brings the figures to life.
When I saw that she had written a mystery series based in England during the reign of Richard I, I knew I had to find them! Luckily, I found the first one on clearance at my local used book store! The Queen’s Man follows Justin de Quincy, the illegitimate son of a bishop, as he tries to find his way in the world. The country is in turmoil because King Richard is missing and rumors about his whereabouts are flying. Justin is on the road where he witnesses the murder of a goldsmith. On his person, there is a letter that Queen Eleanor, the king’s mother, has to see. This sets Justin on a quest to find out who murdered the gold smith. Not only for justice, but to find out if the rumors about King Richard are true.
One thing that I enjoyed about this book was that it took a well known historical event, the capture of King Richard by the Holy Roman Emperor, and brought in a new cast of characters. They are all “average” people, but it gives the reader a perspective that isn’t often explored by authors. Normally, in historical fiction, we are given the story through the courts’ eyes. However, here, the story is seen through a variety of perspectives.
There were only a few problems that I had with this book. Sometimes, the main character, Justin, felt flat and one dimensional. But, at other times, he was dynamic and acted as a driving force that moved the story along. This inconsistency made the story hard to focus on sometimes.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The mystery was intriguing, the characters interesting, and the history spot on. I thought all the elements came together to make a great read. I will definitely be continuing with this series. I rated the book at 3.5 stars, but rounded up on Goodreads because they don’t allow for half stars.
Sharon Kay Penman is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her book The Sunne in Splendor about Richard III of England is not only one of my favorite historical fiction books, but one of my favorite books of all time. The depth of research that she does is incredible and her writing style spans the centuries and brings the figures to life.
When I saw that she had written a mystery series based in England during the reign of Richard I, I knew I had to find them! Luckily, I found the first one on clearance at my local used book store! The Queen’s Man follows Justin de Quincy, the illegitimate son of a bishop, as he tries to find his way in the world. The country is in turmoil because King Richard is missing and rumors about his whereabouts are flying. Justin is on the road where he witnesses the murder of a goldsmith. On his person, there is a letter that Queen Eleanor, the king’s mother, has to see. This sets Justin on a quest to find out who murdered the gold smith. Not only for justice, but to find out if the rumors about King Richard are true.
One thing that I enjoyed about this book was that it took a well known historical event, the capture of King Richard by the Holy Roman Emperor, and brought in a new cast of characters. They are all “average” people, but it gives the reader a perspective that isn’t often explored by authors. Normally, in historical fiction, we are given the story through the courts’ eyes. However, here, the story is seen through a variety of perspectives.
There were only a few problems that I had with this book. Sometimes, the main character, Justin, felt flat and one dimensional. But, at other times, he was dynamic and acted as a driving force that moved the story along. This inconsistency made the story hard to focus on sometimes.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The mystery was intriguing, the characters interesting, and the history spot on. I thought all the elements came together to make a great read. I will definitely be continuing with this series. I rated the book at 3.5 stars, but rounded up on Goodreads because they don’t allow for half stars.
mskyle's review
2.0
For certes, this book was not for me. Part of the reason was that, every time a character said "for certes" (i.e. EVERY TIME ANYONE SPOKE) I couldn't help hearing it in a Valley Girl accent. "Like, for certes, you know?"
regalexander's review
3.0
Spannend verhaal over een middeleeuwse wees die getuige is van een overval en zo, door een samenloop van omstandigheden, die overval gaat uitspitten in opdracht van de koningin. Hiervoor krijgt hij hulp van diverse kleurrijke personages. Zeker entertainend en de moeite waard, schetst ook een goed beeld van Engeland in de 12e eeuw. Enige minpunten: alle vrouwen zijn ofwel sluw ofwel ijdel, ofwel beide. De vertaling was bij momenten wel erg slordig - niet enkel spelfouten, maar Edwin die plots Edward wordt en dan weer Edwin, terwijl Justin eventjes Julian wordt en dan terug Justin is. Ook betwijfel ik sterk dat er in die tijd een aardappelkelder was, en ik denk dat dit eerder aan de vertaling ligt aangezien de auteur nogal gerenommeerd is.
Thrilling story about a medieval orphan who witnesses a robbery and ends up investigating this robbery in service of the queen. He's helped by a group of colourful characters. This novel is entertaining and worth a read, painting a vivid picture of 12th-century England. However, I disliked how almost every female character was either vain or had a hidden agenda and used flirtation for that. I read a translation, and it was quite sloppy at times. Spelling mistakes, Edwin becoming Edward and Justin becoming Julian for one sentence, talk of a potato cellar...
Thrilling story about a medieval orphan who witnesses a robbery and ends up investigating this robbery in service of the queen. He's helped by a group of colourful characters. This novel is entertaining and worth a read, painting a vivid picture of 12th-century England. However, I disliked how almost every female character was either vain or had a hidden agenda and used flirtation for that. I read a translation, and it was quite sloppy at times. Spelling mistakes, Edwin becoming Edward and Justin becoming Julian for one sentence, talk of a potato cellar...
trusselltales's review
4.0
A bit of historical crime is one of my favourite reading experiences, and Sharon Penman is one of the best. This was a reread, I've read all the Justin de Quincy books previously, but it's just as gripping as the first time round.
amalyndb's review
3.0
A mystery set in 12th century England. Justin of Chester, the illegitimate son of a bishop, happens upon an ambush turned murder in the forest on his way to London. The dying man gives into his care a sealed letter for Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine.
After getting the letter to the Queen, he is recruited to track down the murderers, for the letter was news that King Richard had been captured by the Holy Roman Empire - causing the question to be raised of whether spies - or Prince John - might have been behind the murder.
This was quick and held my interest - decent, but not the most fantastic medieval mystery I’ve ever read. At the same time, the plot had my attention. I didn't have a good sense of timescale within the text - while it is mentioned that the ride from Winchester to London takes 4-5 days, and multiple rides to and fro occurred, as well as a week of bedrest at one point, the mention near the end of the novel that ten weeks had elapsed felt a bit disconnected from the experience of time within reading.
After getting the letter to the Queen, he is recruited to track down the murderers, for the letter was news that King Richard had been captured by the Holy Roman Empire - causing the question to be raised of whether spies - or Prince John - might have been behind the murder.
This was quick and held my interest - decent, but not the most fantastic medieval mystery I’ve ever read. At the same time, the plot had my attention. I didn't have a good sense of timescale within the text - while it is mentioned that the ride from Winchester to London takes 4-5 days, and multiple rides to and fro occurred, as well as a week of bedrest at one point, the mention near the end of the novel that ten weeks had elapsed felt a bit disconnected from the experience of time within reading.
appalachianlibrary's review
4.0
Although it took me nearly a year to finish...I actually really enjoyed it. She has wonderful character development and, once I started reading it in earnest, an engaging plot. Some words will not be familiar to most readers. However, growing up in Appalachia, I had no trouble at all. Now I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
catherine_t's review
4.0
Good mediaeval mystery--not quite the intellectual puzzle that Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael ones are, but definitely a good tale. Justin de Quincey is an engaging character, educated but woefully lacking in street smarts, never mind the subtleties of court politics. I had a problem with info-dumps, but as this was Penman's first foray into the mystery genre, it's forgivable.
shallwehavetea's review
4.0
A book which has been sat on my bookshelves for a couple of years now, I've finally gotten around to reading the first one of the series and I have to admit, I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I had expected to enjoy it.
I found the characters well thought out and in depth with the time the book is set in, the language is easy to understand and follow along with as well as the whole storyline. I'm quite looking forward to reading the rest of the series to see what else happens with Justin and the rest of the men as well as the Queen and King.
I found the characters well thought out and in depth with the time the book is set in, the language is easy to understand and follow along with as well as the whole storyline. I'm quite looking forward to reading the rest of the series to see what else happens with Justin and the rest of the men as well as the Queen and King.
asuitcasefullofbooks's review
5.0
I have reread this book so times the pages are coming unglued from the spine. I love Penman's books! This author inspired me to go into History. Her characterization of Eleanor d'Aquitain inspired the focus of my History thesis to be on women.
lisa_setepenre's review
2.0
This is quite a proficient medieval crime novel, solidly well-written though it trips itself up in places. The overuse of the archaic word “certes” had me going “you can just say ‘certainly’, Sharon Penman”, the occasional bit of information dumps, characters that verged into stereotypes, and a sense that there was a bit of filler (did we really need a subplot about the protagonist rescuing a drowning dog that he then unwillingly adopts?). But it’s not bad.
Then again, I also couldn’t really bring myself to care about it. If I’m honest, it felt a little soulless. I read the summaries of the other books in the series and thought, “huh, neat” and then flipped back to the preview of the second book in the series and noped out after a few paragraphs because I couldn’t invest myself in it.
Then again, I also couldn’t really bring myself to care about it. If I’m honest, it felt a little soulless. I read the summaries of the other books in the series and thought, “huh, neat” and then flipped back to the preview of the second book in the series and noped out after a few paragraphs because I couldn’t invest myself in it.