Anne Perry's latest historical novel is set in 13th Century Constantinople. Anna has come here from Nicea in search of her brother. She is a well trained physician. In order to achieve her goals she dresses like a eunuch. She makes connections with the powerful people of Constantinople through her medical practise.
Through her work she discovers that her brother had been involved in a plot to overthrow the emperor. As a result he was exiled.
Meantime in Rome, Charles of Anjou is preparing another crusade to the holy land. The pope wants the orthodox church to submit to Rome, and if it doesn't Charles will wreak havoc on it. How can Emperor Michael prevent disaster. Anna finds herself caught up in the intrigues and as a healer she finds herself torn.
Well written, you won't want to put it down.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The Harper's Quine
I quite enjoyed this historical murder mystery set in Glasgow in the 13th Century.
Gilbert Cunningham is on his way to becoming a lawyer/priest when he returns to Glasgow. However, those plans are soon thwarted when a murder occurs near St. Mungo's Cathedral. He is assigned to investigate because he was the one who discovered the body. Along with the mason building the cathedral he discovers that the young female victim had left her husband and was singing with a blind harper and his sister. Why was the woman killed? And why was a young lad found unconscious nearby?
Soon another young woman is found murdered. At one time she was the girlfriend of the unconscious lad. Is there a connection? Where and who is the lass who was actually with the lad at the time of the murder?
Gilbert and his new friend Pierre the mason and Pierre's daughter set out to discover the truths behind the murders.
Author Pat McIntosh does a very good job of describing 13th Century Glasgow in this very good murder mystery. I am sure that you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Gilbert Cunningham is on his way to becoming a lawyer/priest when he returns to Glasgow. However, those plans are soon thwarted when a murder occurs near St. Mungo's Cathedral. He is assigned to investigate because he was the one who discovered the body. Along with the mason building the cathedral he discovers that the young female victim had left her husband and was singing with a blind harper and his sister. Why was the woman killed? And why was a young lad found unconscious nearby?
Soon another young woman is found murdered. At one time she was the girlfriend of the unconscious lad. Is there a connection? Where and who is the lass who was actually with the lad at the time of the murder?
Gilbert and his new friend Pierre the mason and Pierre's daughter set out to discover the truths behind the murders.
Author Pat McIntosh does a very good job of describing 13th Century Glasgow in this very good murder mystery. I am sure that you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Monday, November 14, 2011
The Tenderness of Wolves
This is Stef Penney's first novel and it is an intriguing one.
The setting is Upper Canada in 1867. A brutal murder has occurred in the small town of Caulfield. A young lad sets out to follow the murderer, but unfortunately he has been pegged for the murder by the investigators. However, due to the ineptness of the investigators another man, who comes to visit the victim is jailed, for the same crime. He is beaten up by one of the invesitgators, and later released by the local magistrate. Meantime another investigator is sent to follow the young lad and bring him back.
The beaten man, together with the mother of the lad who had set out to follow the murderer, now begin a trek in the early winter snows to locate the lad.
Another underlying story in the novel is that two young girls, several years ago, had disappeared while on a picnic. Will they ever be found? Will the young lad be found? Will the murderer be found?
This is an intriguing historical thriller. Well worth the read.
The setting is Upper Canada in 1867. A brutal murder has occurred in the small town of Caulfield. A young lad sets out to follow the murderer, but unfortunately he has been pegged for the murder by the investigators. However, due to the ineptness of the investigators another man, who comes to visit the victim is jailed, for the same crime. He is beaten up by one of the invesitgators, and later released by the local magistrate. Meantime another investigator is sent to follow the young lad and bring him back.
The beaten man, together with the mother of the lad who had set out to follow the murderer, now begin a trek in the early winter snows to locate the lad.
Another underlying story in the novel is that two young girls, several years ago, had disappeared while on a picnic. Will they ever be found? Will the young lad be found? Will the murderer be found?
This is an intriguing historical thriller. Well worth the read.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
The Scarlet Pimpernel
The Scarlet Pimpernel, written initially as a play in 1903 by Baroness Emma Orczy, is one of the first spy novels. The Scarlet Pimpernel is a story set during the French Revolution and involves a man who helps French aristocracy escape the guillotine. The French are set upon catching him, but can't get past the numerous disguises he uses.
A young French woman has married a foppish, wealthy Englishman. Unfortunately some words she said indiscreetly in France has resulted in the deaths of a French aristocratic family. This has turned her husband against her. She tries to get back into his good books, but to no avail, so she mocks his seemingly inept life. Her brother's life is put in peril when a French spy forces her to help him discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel through her connections in English society. A surprising discovery in her husband's study sets her off on a dangerous trip to France to help her brother and the Scarlet Pimpernel.
This is another classic story I have put off reading until now, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. The best lines of the book have to be:
We seek him here, we seek him there. Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven? Is he in hell? That damned, elusive Pimernel.
This is an amusing novel well worth the read.Friday, November 11, 2011
The Three Musketeers
This is another classic that I have put off reading until just now. I thoroughly enjoyed Dumas' story. It is a well told adventure of love and tragedy.
D'Artagnan is a young many in the 15th century who wants to join the famous Musketeers of the King of France. Little does he know what kinds of adventures he will encounter when he leaves his father to go to Paris to serve the king. Shortly after arriving at the place where the Musketeers operate out of, he meets Athos, Porthos and Aramis. He ends up challenging each to a dual, but fortunately ends up becoming lifelong friends of theirs. And so the adventures begin; they include a scheming cardinal, a treacherous woman plus numerous duals.
If you haven't read this classic, I certainly suggest that you do.
D'Artagnan is a young many in the 15th century who wants to join the famous Musketeers of the King of France. Little does he know what kinds of adventures he will encounter when he leaves his father to go to Paris to serve the king. Shortly after arriving at the place where the Musketeers operate out of, he meets Athos, Porthos and Aramis. He ends up challenging each to a dual, but fortunately ends up becoming lifelong friends of theirs. And so the adventures begin; they include a scheming cardinal, a treacherous woman plus numerous duals.
If you haven't read this classic, I certainly suggest that you do.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Sons of Thunder
"Sons of Thunder" is Giles Kristian's sequel to "Raven Bloodeye". It carries on the story of Raven, a Norseman, and the crew of Norse raiders that he has joined. In this story they are taking a book written by St. Jerome to Charlemagne to sell. They go up river to Paris and overland to Aix-la-Chapelle to meet the Emperor. What ensues is typical Norse battles as the group attempts to get away with their prize money.
I found it to be well written and a pleasure to read. I am looking forward to the third book in this trilogy.
I found it to be well written and a pleasure to read. I am looking forward to the third book in this trilogy.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Although this is a tremendously long read, it is a delicious read. This is a book I should have read earlier.
Alexandre Dumas tells the story of love, hate, treachery and vengeance set in early 19th century France. Young Edmond Dantes has just returned from a voyage hoping to marry the love of his life. Unfortunately three men who envy him create a treacherous plan to have him arrested and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. The king's attorney at first believes Edmond's story, but when Edmond provides him with a letter that he was to carry to Paris, the attorney changes his attitude.
While jailed he goes through all of the stages of grief, only to resolve to escape. While putting his plans into play he discovers another convict who is also attempting to escape. The other is thought to be mad, but this is only part of his plan to escape. The older man teaches Edmond many things during their time together, but unfortunately he dies. His death provides the means for Edmond to escape and begin seeking his vengeance on those who have wronged him.
This was a book I could not put down and I regret not having read it sooner!
Alexandre Dumas tells the story of love, hate, treachery and vengeance set in early 19th century France. Young Edmond Dantes has just returned from a voyage hoping to marry the love of his life. Unfortunately three men who envy him create a treacherous plan to have him arrested and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. The king's attorney at first believes Edmond's story, but when Edmond provides him with a letter that he was to carry to Paris, the attorney changes his attitude.
While jailed he goes through all of the stages of grief, only to resolve to escape. While putting his plans into play he discovers another convict who is also attempting to escape. The other is thought to be mad, but this is only part of his plan to escape. The older man teaches Edmond many things during their time together, but unfortunately he dies. His death provides the means for Edmond to escape and begin seeking his vengeance on those who have wronged him.
This was a book I could not put down and I regret not having read it sooner!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Alice in Wonderland
This is the first time I have read "Alice in Wonderland" and it makes me wonder what kind of drugs that Lewis Carroll was on at the time he wrote it. I know it is a intended to be literary nonsense, but all that comes to mind is that the author must have used some good drugs to come up with the story.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The Book of Negroes
What an incredible read! Lawrence Hill has written clearly about a young woman's experience as a slave. Aminita's story begins in the small town in Africa where she was raised by her loving parents, but at the age of 11 was captured by slave traders and taken to the coast.
From there her journey across the Atlantic in a slaver is given in great detail; it is an ordeal she barely survives. In South Carolina Aminita learns to read and write. Fortunately for her she is sold later on to an "enlightened" slave owner. This owner would take her to New York City where she is at the time of the American Revolution. Although she manages to escape, the future will be tough as the British take her and many other Loyalists to Nova Scotia.
Abolitionists help Aminita and many others return to Africa, where the slave trade continues. She has always wanted to see her home town. But seeing the slave trade continue to flourish helps to persuade Aminita to speak to Parliament in London about the abolition of the slave trade.
For fans of historical novels, this is a great read.
From there her journey across the Atlantic in a slaver is given in great detail; it is an ordeal she barely survives. In South Carolina Aminita learns to read and write. Fortunately for her she is sold later on to an "enlightened" slave owner. This owner would take her to New York City where she is at the time of the American Revolution. Although she manages to escape, the future will be tough as the British take her and many other Loyalists to Nova Scotia.
Abolitionists help Aminita and many others return to Africa, where the slave trade continues. She has always wanted to see her home town. But seeing the slave trade continue to flourish helps to persuade Aminita to speak to Parliament in London about the abolition of the slave trade.
For fans of historical novels, this is a great read.
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