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A review by amalyndb
The Queen's Man by Sharon Kay Penman
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.