Hi. I would like to tell you about some fabulous books that create a great combination of medieval history and mysteries! If you aren't a history fan, these books are a good way to find out interesting facts without feeling as though you are in a high school history class. If you are a fan, then you will appreciate the author's attention to those details. The first historical mystery I brought today is by an author who writes in several different genres, including romance and fantasy, and who lives in LaFayette, Indiana! Her name is Roberta Gellis and the book is called A Mortal Bane.
<hold up book>
This book is about a woman who works in the oldest profession. Yep, she's a prostitute. It's also based in twelfth century London and Magdalene la Bâtarde chose this path because it was the only one available to her to survive. Unwed women did not have many choices available to them at that time. So when a client is found dead, she and her women are blamed and Magdalene must find out who murdered the dead man or she may hang. Sir Bellamy is the investigator sent to determine "whodunit" and finds himself respecting Magdalene - perhaps he even feels a bit more?
Magdalene is an engaging character, she is practical and also kind. Her profession does not deter the reader from liking her and wanting to know more, especially from the hints about her secretive past. Bellamy is the love interest, but that is secondary to the mystery and is not fully developed until later. The details of London and how society works is very interesting, but those details are integrated into the story so well, the reader doesn't even realize how much information they are getting as they are just absorbed in the story. There are three other titles in this series and through each book the characters grow and change.
<pass book around and hold up next book>
Another title in the medieval era is Candace M. Robb's The Apothecary's Rose. This is the first in a series of ten books about a retired Welsh archer, aptly named Owen Archer. The time is 1363 and the setting is York, England. Owen is sent to investigate the murder of a highborn noble. Once he solves this mystery, he is begun to be seen as an "investigator" and is called upon to solve more. Robb gives Owen an interesting and recurring secondary cast of characters that are important to him and his work. She also describes the time period well, and the places Owen must venture to in the course of his investigations.
<pass book around and hold up next book and DVD series>
Ellis Peters (Edith Pargeter) is probably the most famous of these medieval authors, as she wrote the Brother Cadfael series set during the 1100s. You may have seen the TV series starring Derek Jacobi. The Welsh born Cadfael turned to the cloister when he was in his forties, and had previously been a soldier and sailor. His worldly experience helps him solve mysteries, although it also gets him in to a bit of trouble as he has a sense of justice that others may not appreciate. One recurring theme in the books is that of star-crossed lovers. Brother Cadfael always solves the mystery and helps the lovers unite. The first in this series is A Morbid Taste for Bones.
<pass book and first (or more) season of the DVD series around, hold up final book>
The last book I am suggesting for Medieval Mystery Madness? Last but definitely not least, The Queen's Man by Sharon Kay Penman. She won an Edgar award for this mystery, is a fantastic author, and this book is the first of four. They are about Justin de Quincy who is Queen Elinor of Aquitaine's "man" and she sends him to solve serious issues that affect the crown. The time period is the late 1100s and takes place in different areas of England. Penman also has other fabulous historical titles if all these books have whet your interest.
<pass book around>
I love all of these books, and have read all of Gellis', Robb's and Penman's books, their mysteries as well as their other titles. I am a slacker and have only read 4 of Ellis', but they are great reads. These books are definitely a great way to delve into the past but with the conveniences of modern plumbing. Happy reading!
I'd give them a list of the books I have talked about plus other medieval mystery authors with the first title in their series (if there is one):
Margaret Frazer
P.C. Doherty
Michael Jecks
Umberto Eco
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