Customer Reviews
An Author with New Ideas - By: J. Chippindale, 12 Mar 2007 
Alys Clare's novels are like a breath of fresh air. I love medieval murder mysteries & there are certainly a lot of them about (thank goodness), but the authors books breathe new life into the period & her will they won't they situation with Helewise & Sir Josse, holds the reader's attention as well. Don't be swayed into thinking that these books are written with the female reader in mind. They are for everybody, young & old, male or female. Alys Clare lives in Kent where the Hawkenlye mysteries are set.
An old man, a pilgrim dies in Hawkenlye Vale. There is nothing suspicious about the death, or so it is thought. The man was gravely ill when he arrived. At home at his manor Sir Josse d'Aquin is perturbed when he sees a group of horsemen riding towards him. By their bright & expensive clothes he knows that they are wealthy & important men, but he is surprised to see Prince John in their midst. John is a man he has met before, but until now was in no particular hurry to meet again.
The Prince who is accompanied by his seer, is seeking news of a stranger, one Galbertius Sidonius. As soon as the party of men have left Josse heads for Hawkenlye Abbey to ask for assistance from Helewise, the Abbess, but finds when he gets there that the Abbess has her own problems. A naked decomposing body has been found. The body has been killed by an expert. This is victim of a drunk fight or village quarrel.
Josse & Helewise are drawn deep into a mystery that stretches back much further than the Second Crusade & there is a dark, macabre figure watching their every move.
An Author with New Ideas - By: J. Chippindale, 23 Aug 2006 
Alys Clare's novels are like a breath of fresh air. I love medieval murder mysteries & there are certainly a lot of them about (thank goodness), but the authors books breathe new life into the period & her will they won't they situation with Helewise & Sir Josse, holds the reader's attention as well. Don't be swayed into thinking that these books are written with the female reader in mind. They are for everybody, young & old, male or female. Alys Clare lives in Kent where the Hawkenlye mysteries are set.
An old man, a pilgrim dies in Hawkenlye Vale. There is nothing suspicious about the death, or so it is thought. The man was gravely ill when he arrived. At home at his manor Sir Josse d'Aquin is perturbed when he sees a group of horsemen riding towards him. By their bright & expensive clothes he knows that they are wealthy & important men, but he is surprised to see Prince John in their midst. John is a man he has met before, but until now was in no particular hurry to meet again.
The Prince who is accompanied by his seer, is seeking news of a stranger, one Galbertius Sidonius. As soon as the party of men have left Josse heads for Hawkenlye Abbey to ask for assistance from Helewise, the Abbess, but finds when he gets there that the Abbess has her own problems. A naked decomposing body has been found. The body has been killed by an expert. This is victim of a drunk fight or village quarrel.
Josse & Helewise are drawn deep into a mystery that stretches back much further than the Second Crusade & there is a dark, macabre figure watching their every move.
Best of all of them - By: , 02 Apr 2003 remember, please, this is fiction. It's made up, its a story. And it's a reallly wonderful one, too. Clare is such a great writer...her story moves so absolutely fluidly, & the writing is so clean & sharp. There isnt a word superfluous to the plot, & alll the characterisations are acute, concise & sharp.
The two lead characters are a joy to read about. They're fresh, likeable, interesting... everything protagonists should be. PLus, its very interesting to learn something of Josses family, which freshens the plot up even more. The setting of the mystery is great, the switching from the Middle east to England to France & into the past reallly serves to set the pace running!
I would reccomend this fast, enoyable book to anyone who likes historical fiction, & a great story! This isn't ust my favourite historical series, but its also probably my favourite fictional series full stop... (well, it ties with Deaver's Rhyme series, i think). If youve not read these wonderfully written, wonderfully plotted novels, youre reallly missing out. But at least you have them still to savour!
disjointed and tiresome - By: , 10 Mar 2003 
Well, I couldn't decide if this was an historical murder mystery or some silly science fiction/new age nonsense. Hithertofore I have enjoyed alll of Ms. Clare's novels very very much. I appreciate the grittiness & the realistic depiction of harsh living conditions in this era contrasted with the warmth & evident affection of the protagonists. I have also enjoyed the ironic humour with which the characters are invested. That said, I deplore the increasing trend toward New Age/Wiccan rubbish. Magic jewels,magic spells, female Druids-give me a break!! Ms. Clare, please pick a genre & stick with it!!
Garbled - By: , 03 Mar 2003 
I have read alll of Ms.Clare's books & have enjoyed them very much. I particularly like the edginess & realism in each of the novels. Until this one. I found the descent into New Age/Wiccan rubbish extremely disconcerting. Might as well toss in a few dragons & Merlin. I sincerely hope Ms. Clare discontinues this trend; or, if she chooses not, to publish as science fiction, not fact based historical mysteries.
