📖 Blog Tour ~ Desolation by Keith Moray

Boldwood Books
17 October 2025

A Ralph de Mandeville Mystery #1

My thanks to the publisher for the book
And Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation to the blog tour

The Black Rood of Scotland, stolen.

A coroner of York, murdered

An evil worse than plague itself, at large…

1361, York. As the country recovers from the war with France, and whispers that the pestilence has returned to England grow louder, fear is in the heart of every nobleman and commoner alike. Sir Ralph de Mandeville, ex-solider and newly appointed Justice of the Peace is sent to Langbarugh, just outside York, to investigate the murder of Coroner Sir Boderick de Whitby.

More deaths quickly follow, and while these are swiftly dealt with as plague victims, Sir Ralph and his two assistants Merek and Peter soon uncover something altogether more horrifying… A greater evil is at large in the northern wapentakes.

As panic escalates and the lines between plague and murder blur, Sir Ralph is thrust into a desperate race against time. Every shadow hides a potential killer, every cough could be a death knell. Can he unmask a murderer lurking in the terrifying shadow of the Black Death before they’re all consumed by a terror more sinister than any plague?

📖 My Review ..

The middle of the 14th century was a dark and dangerous time as England was still reeling from the effects of the war with France and only just recovering from the aftermath of the great pestilence in 1348, people are naturally cautious and fearful of an unknown future.

In 1361, Sir Ralph de Mandeville is a newly appointed Justice of the Peace, who has been sent to Langbarugh, near York, to investigate the untimely death of Coroner Sir Broderick de Whitby. This is an uneasy time as not only has the death left the locals feeling uneasy but there is also the very real fear that the deadly plague has once more resurfaced, and with a series of unexplained deaths everyone, it seems, has something to fear. 

This is an interesting medieval mystery with an authentic sense of time and with a complex and rather dark mystery at its core. The medieval setting is imaginatively described so that I felt like I was placed within the small Yorkshire villages watching as the mystery deepened. The characterisation is flawless, I especially enjoyed watching how Ralph de Mandeville, and his companions, set about solving the murder mystery and by the end of the story I was already looking forward to seeing how they would go forward in future stories.

Desolation is an atmospheric and well written historical murder mystery. 

About the Author

Keith is a retired GP, medical journalist and novelist, writing in several genres. As Keith Moray he writes historical crime fiction in the medieval era and in ancient Egypt, The Inspector Torquil McKinnon crime novels set on the Outer Hebridean island of West Uist, and as Clay More he writes westerns. Curiously, his medical background finds its way into most of his fiction writing.

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Book Review ~ The Mirror of Simple Souls by Aline Kiner ( Translated by Susan Emanuel)

   

Pushkin Press
6 April 2023

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

A heretical text, a vengeful husband, a forbidden love...

It's 1310 and Paris is alive with talk of the trial of the Templars. Religious repression is on the rise, and the smoke of execution pyres blackens the sky above the city. But sheltered behind the walls of Paris's great beguinage, a community of women are still free to work, study and live their lives away from the domination of men.

When a wild, red-haired child clothed in rags arrives at the beguinage gate one morning, with a sinister Franciscan monk on her tail, she sets in motion a chain of events that will shatter the peace of this little world-plunging it into grave danger..

📖 My Review..

The title of the book takes its inspiration from a medieval work on Divine Love written by Marguerite Porete who was burned at the stake for heresy in Paris in 1310. Set against the background of medieval Paris and with its focus on those women who chose to spend their lives in contemplation, safely ensconced behind the walls of the Beguinage of Paris, we meet Ysabel, the infirmiere, who tends her garden, nurturing both the soil, and her patients as tenderly as children. 

When Maheut, an emotionally damaged girl, arrives at the beguinage, Ysabel is determined to help this red-haired young woman whose secrets lie hidden however, there is a sinister Franciscan monk seeking her who also wants information. Caught up in those who seek the whereabouts of this mysterious young woman, The Mirror of Simple Souls shines a spotlight on a dangerous period in French history and of both the strength, and vulnerabilities, of women living during this difficult time of religious persecution.

Beautifully written, and sensitively translated, from its original French the medieval world comes vibrantly alive. Whilst I knew a little about the role of the beguinage in medieval Europe, it has been fascinating to discover more about this lifestyle choice and of the women who took no holy orders and yet who lived their lives in quiet contemplation.

About the Author

Aline Kiner (18 June 1959 – 7 January 2019) was a French journalist and novelist. Kiner began as a journalist for Sciences et Avenir in 1995, and was then named editor-in-chief of special issues in 2008. She also collaborated with the French documentary series Thalassa, and for the French newspaper Libération.

📖 Blog Tour ~ Ascent by Cathie Dunn (Giveaway)

8 April 2023

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book 
and to Rachel's Random Resources for the invitation to the tour.

A brutal Viking raid heralds the dawn of a new, powerful dynasty – the House of Normandy

Neustria, Kingdom of the West Franks

AD 890

Fourteen-year-old Poppa’s life changes when Northmen land near Bayeux. Count Bérengar, her father, submits to them, and she is handfasted to Hrólfr, the Northmen’s heathen leader, as part of their agreement.

To her relief, Hrólfr leaves immediately in search of further conquest, only returning to claim her years later. In the face of retaliating Franks, they flee to East Anglia, where she gives birth to their son and daughter.

When Hrólfr and Poppa return to reclaim Bayeux, his new campaign strikes at the heart of Frankish power, and King Charles of the West Franks offers him a pact he cannot refuse. In exchange for vast tracts of land in Neustria, Hrólfr must convert to Christianity and accept marriage to Gisela, the king’s illegitimate daughter.

Poppa’s world shatters. She remains in Bayeux, with her daughter, Adela. When Gisela arrives one day, demanding she hand over Adela, to be raised in Rouen, Poppa’s patience is at an end. But Gisela makes for a dangerous enemy, and only one woman will survive their confrontation high up on the cliffs.

Will Poppa live to witness the dawn of a new era?

📖 My Review...

Travelling back to the dark days in the latter part of the first millennium takes us right into the heart of Nuestria in the ancient kingdom of the West Franks. There we meet with Hrólfr, the heathen leader of the Northmen, who dares to infiltrate the peace of Bayeux where he lays claim to the town as his own.  Hrólfr strengthens this uneasy relationship with a handfasted marriage to Poppa of Bayeux, the young and spirited daughter of Count Bérengar, which adds to the sense of destiny in these early days of the House of Normandy.

Ascent is a well written historical saga which brings to life the uncertainty and danger of living in a time when it was all too easy to get caught up in violence. Back to a time when danger lurked on every corner and brave, and strong, fighting men were constantly having to protect their hearth, and homes, from marauders who wished them harm. 

Throughout the story there’s a real sense of history and even though the story moves forward through time quite quickly it never felt rushed or lacking in detail. I enjoyed getting to know more about Poppa of Bayeux who was a real historical figure and uniquely instrumental in forging the House of Normandy. Poppa’s relationship with Hrólfr was not without its challenges and this fictional account of their time together helps to put history into context whilst allowing a sympathetic love story to emerge.

Ascent is the first book in a proposed series about the forgotten women of early history who helped to shape the foundations of the House of Normandy for the coming millennium.

About the Author

Cathie Dunn is an award-winning author of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. The focus of her historical fiction novels is on strong women through time.

Cathie has been writing for over twenty years. She studied Creative Writing online, with a focus on novel writing, which she also taught in the south of France. She loves researching for her novels, delving into history books, and visiting castles and historic sites. A voracious reader, primarily of historical fiction / romance, she often reviews books on her blog, Ruins & Reading.

Cathie is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Richard III Society, and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

After many years in Scotland, Cathie now lives in south of France with her husband, and rescued Charlie Cat and Ellie Dog. 

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📖 Hist Fic Saturday ~ The Castilian Pomegranate by Anna Belfrage

On Hist Fic Saturday

Let's go back to ...1285

Timelight
21 October 2021
The Castilian Saga #2

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

An enraged and grieving queen commands them to retrieve her exquisite jewel and abandon their foundling brat overseas—or never return

Robert FitzStephan and his wife, Noor, have been temporarily exiled. Officially, they are to travel to the courts of Aragon and Castile as emissaries of Queen Eleanor of England. Unofficially, the queen demands two things: that they abandon Lionel, their foster son, in foreign lands and that they bring back a precious jewel – the Castilian Pomegranate.

Noor would rather chop off a foot than leave Lionel in a foreign land—especially as he’s been entrusted to her by his dead father, the last true prince of Wales. And as to the jewel, stealing it would mean immediate execution. . .

Spain in 1285 is a complicated place. France has launched a crusade against Aragon and soon enough Robert is embroiled in the conflict, standing side by side with their Aragonese hosts.

Once in Castile, it is the fearsome Moors that must be fought, with Robert facing weeks separated from his young wife, a wife who is enthralled by the Castilian court—and a particular Castilian gallant.

Jealousy, betrayal and a thirst for revenge plunge Noor and Robert into life-threatening danger.

Will they emerge unscathed or will savage but beautiful Castile leave them permanently scarred and damaged?

📖 My Thoughts..

In The Castilian Pomegranate, Robert FitzStephan and his beautiful wife, Noor, find themselves temporarily exiled abroad as they travel the war ravaged lands of Aragon and Castile on a mission for the English Queen Eleanor, who has given them the task of retrieving a precious jewel which is hers by right of birth. Those who have read the first book in this series will already be familiar with the complicated reasons why FitzStephan and his wife are exiled and the author does a great job of reminding us of those reasons whilst explaining the background for readers who are perhaps reading this book as a standalone story.

The action gets under way quickly and Robert and Noor soon find themselves caught up in the political maelstrom which is facing a very divided Spain, as not only is it at time of great danger for all who travel through the country, but equally for Robert and Noor, guarding their own secrets, it is a country where they need to be very careful not to get on the wrong side of their enemies. From the start of the story I felt I travelled the dusty roads alongside Robert and Noor, experiencing their fights and challenges and becoming embroiled in the danger which is never far away and which seems to wait for them around every corner. 

Whilst it is perfectly possible  to read  The Castilian Pomegranate as a standalone story, I do feel that you should start with the first book, The Castilian Hawk, not just to become familiar with the complicated politics of medieval Europe, but also to fall under the spell of beautifully imaged characters which the author brings to life in such glorious detail.

The Castilian Pomegranate is an adventurous historical novel, richly detailed and beautifully authentic. It's been really interesting to observe medieval history from the perspective of a divided Europe and this talented author certainly knows how to bring history alive in a very special way

About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England. 

The Castilian Pomegranate is the second book in The Castilian Saga.

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📖 His Fic Saturday ~ The Coming of the Wolf by Elizabeth Chadwick

 

On Hist Fic Saturday

Let's go back to ...1069

Sphere
6 August 2020

The Welsh Borders, 1069

When Ashdyke Manor is attacked, Lady Christen is forced to witness her husband's murder and the pillaging of her lands at the hands of brutal Norman invaders.

It seems the pain is finally over when Miles Le Gallois, Lord of Milnham-on-Wye, calls off the attack. But he has Christen's brother under armed guard and a deal to offer: her brother's freedom for her hand in marriage. Christen finds herself hastily married into the enemy side, with her brother swearing his vengeance on her new husband.

Miles and Christen's precarious union invites enemies from all sides and when Miles is summoned for a lengthy campaign by the King, Christen is left to watch his lands. In the midst of war, two enemies must somehow learn to trust one another if they are to survive 

📖 My Thoughts..

The Coming of the Wolf  begins in the mid-eleventh century in the early years of the reign of William the Conqueror when the border lands were particularly troublesome with Norman marauders searching for easy prey. When Ashdyke Manor on the Welsh Borders is attacked and Lady Christen's elderly husband is savagely murdered she has no-one to to come to her aid except a Norman knight, Miles le Gallois, Lord of Milnham-on-Wye, who calls off the attack and sends the culprits fleeing into the night. 

With her home, and personal circumstances in ruins, and with her life in danger, Lady Christen has no choice but to accept the protection of this enigmatic Norman knight even if it means entering into a marriage of convenience which alienates her from everything she has known. However, Christen finds to her cost, that the hand of fate is fickle and her sheltered life once so precious is now over and times are about to get far more dangerous.

It's been nearly thirty years since I read The Wild Hunt trilogy of historical adventures and this prequel makes an interesting addition to the series. I have enjoyed starting back at the beginning and getting to know the characters who have only ever existed as a shadowy mention in the later novels. There's no need to have read any of The Wild Hunt novels in order to enjoy this story, in fact I think you are probably at an advantage if you are entirely new to the stories as this book will blend beautifully into The Wild Hunt which opens in 1098.

The Coming of the Wolf  is a beautifully written historical adventure which has at its heart, a dash of danger, a smattering of intrigue and an exciting love story.

 

About the Author

Much of Elizabeth Chadwick’s research is carried out as a member of Regia Anglorum, an early mediaeval re-enactment society with emphasis on accurately re-creating the past. She also tutors in the skill of writing historial and romantic fiction. She won a Betty Trask Award for The Wild Hunt and has been shortlisted for the RNA Awards four times ( Publisher)

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Twitter@chadwickauthor

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Book Review ~ His Castilian Hawk by Anna Belfrage

 

Published 2020

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

For bastard-born Robert FitzStephan, being given Eleanor d’Outremer in marriage is an honour. For Eleanor, this forced wedding is anything but a fairy tale.

Robert FitzStephan has served Edward Longshanks loyally since the age of twelve. Now he is riding with his king to once and for all bring Wales under English control.

Eleanor d’Outremer—Noor to family—lost her Castilian mother as a child and is left entirely alone when her father and brother are killed. When ordered to wed the unknown Robert FitzStephan, she has no choice but to comply.

Two strangers in a marriage bed is not easy. Things are further complicated by Noor’s blood-ties to the Welsh princes and by covetous Edith who has warmed Robert’s bed for years.

Robert’s new wife may be young and innocent, but he is soon to discover that not only is she spirited and proud, she is also brave. Because when Wales lies gasping and Edward I exacts terrible justice on the last prince and his children, Noor is determined to save at least one member of the House of Aberffraw from the English king.

Will years of ingrained service have Robert standing with his king or will he follow his heart and protect his wife, his beautiful and fierce Castilian hawk?

What did I think about it...

Robert Fitzstephan is rewarded for his loyalty to his King when he is given the plentiful lands that surround Orton Manor, but it's not just the manor he receives, Robert also gets to marry the manor's custodian, the beautiful, Eleanor d'Outremer. However, the relationship is difficult from the beginning, as not only does Robert have to come to terms with an arranged marriage to a teenager he didn't need, or plan for, but he must also try to keep his temperament mistress under control.

What then follows is a lively medieval adventure which takes us from the border lands of Wales, to the sumptuous, and often brutal, court of King Edward I. The thirteenth century world comes gloriously alive as all the difficulties of a King at odds with his  people comes sharply into focus. The ferocity of Edward I's campaign against the Welsh is well documented as is the King's quest to eradicate all evidence of Welsh ancestry. 

In this authentically portrayed story, the plight of the Welsh is described in a forceful and realistic way which doesn't shy away from describing the brutality of a medieval war. However, His Castilian Hawk is not all about war, politics and power, there's also a sparkling love story at its heart, which has its fair share of delicious passion, insane jealousy and deep seated resentment. 

The story has everything I have come to expect - thwarted romance, passionate response, and more than enough medieval politics to keep me enthralled and totally involved in a medieval world of danger and intrigue, a world which this clever storyteller recreates so beautifully.

Beautifully written and impeccably researched, His Castilian Hawk is the start of a passionate medieval adventure which has all the trademarks of this talented author's love for the medieval world. The story is set to continue with The Castilian Pomegranate in 2021 - I can't wait to find out more about Robert and Eleanor's passionate adventures.😊

About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England. 

More recently, Anna has published The Wanderer, a fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal and time-slip ingredients. While she loved stepping out of her comfort zone (and will likely do so again ) she is delighted to be back in medieval times in her September 2020 release, His Castilian Hawk. Set against the complications of Edward I’s invasion of Wales, His Castilian Hawk is a story of loyalty, integrity—and love.

Twitter @abelfrageauthor

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Hist Fic Saturday ~ The Devil's Crossing by Hana Cole

 

On Hist Fic Saturday

Let's go back to ...1212

Sharpe Books
2020

My thanks to the author for my ecopy of this book

1212. The Chartrain, France.

Gui is a troubled priest who has been shielding his secret family for years.

Agnes, his beloved, is a falsely-accused heretic he rescued from the Inquisition’s pyre.

Their son Etienne, unaware of his father’s true identity, is coming of age. Tired of his lowly shepherd’s life, he seeks adventure. The Crusade is the perfect opportunity to prove himself to the world. He has no reason to suspect the men offering him passage overseas are not what they seem.

Discovering that Etienne has been sold into slavery, Gui and Agnes set off to find him. If Gui is ever to tell his son the truth, he must give up his comfortable compromises and fight the battle of his life against the institution he has served devoutly.

Meanwhile, Agnes guards a secret of her own; she must face her past in a confrontation with the venal Amaury, Lord of Maintenon, that will either set her free or claim her life.

If they are to save their son and expose the slave trade, they must risk everything to overcome the powerful enemies who will stop at nothing to protect their positions and silence them.

What did I think about it..

The Devil's Crossing is a fascinating glimpse into a period of history that I hadn't heard of before, namely, The Children's Crusade which took place in France and Italy during the tumultuous early years of the thirteenth century. 

Gui and Agnes live, from necessity, a quiet life, each have secrets they would rather not expose and it breaks Gui's heart not to be able to acknowledge that Etienne is his son for these are dangerous times and there are those who seek to do Gui, Agnes and Etienne great harm.

The author writes well and brings this forgotten period in history alive in a very readable and thrilling way. There is much to take in both in terms of plot and malice and there's an array of decidedly villainous characters who make your blood run cold. Throughout the story there's a real sense of danger especially as we get drawn further into the story of the crusade and Gui and Agnes's desperate search for Etienne, who, inadvertently, gets himself caught up in a situation which will lead them all into grave danger.

Complex, intriguing, and with a real sense of time and place, The Devil's Crossing is a dark and dramatic story by a talented new author. It's definitely a story which will stay with me for quite some time.

About the Author

Hana Cole is a novelist and historian. Born in Essex to an Anglo-Italian family, she studied Economics at the London School of Economics and Medieval History at Oxford where she gained her Masters. After living in Turin for several years, she travelled widely in the Middle East and India before returning to the UK. She has worked as a film subtitle translator, financial analyst and a yoga teacher. She now lives in Manningtree, Essex, with her husband, daughter and two cats.

Twitter @HanaScribe

@SharpeBooks

Amazon UK

Hist Fic Saturday ~ A Tapestry of Treason by Anne O'Brien

On Hist Fic Saturday

Let's go back to...1399

HQ
22 August 2019

My thanks to the author for my proof copy of this book

Her actions could make history – but at what price?

1399: Constance of York, Lady Despenser, proves herself more than a mere observer in the devious intrigues of her magnificently dysfunctional family, The House of York

Surrounded by power-hungry men, including her aggressively self-centred husband Thomas and ruthless siblings Edward and Richard, Constance places herself at the heart of two treasonous plots against King Henry IV. Will it be possible for this Plantagenet family to safeguard its own political power by restoring either King Richard II to the throne, or the precarious Mortimer claimant?

Although the execution of these conspiracies will place them all in jeopardy, Constance is not deterred, even when the cost of her ambition threatens to overwhelm her. Even when it endangers her new-found happiness.

With treason, tragedy, heartbreak and betrayal, this is the story of a woman ahead of her time, fighting for herself and what she believes to be right in a world of men.

What did I think about it..

The richness of A Tapestry of Treason is as sumptuous as anything that ever graced the walls of a medieval castle. Lovingly stitched by an author who continues to bring fascinating life to the forgotten women of our history. 

Constance of York was born into a vainglorious and deeply ambitious family whose familial connection to Edward III places them close enough to royalty to always be a threat. It is their unwavering allegiance to Richard II which will prove to be disastrous when in 1399 their cousin Henry IV usurps Richard’s crown inciting the York’s do all they can to restore Richard back to power.

A clever blending of fact and fiction brings the mercurial medieval court of Henry IV to life. Filled with political intrigue and deadly ambition, Constance discovers that despite her cunning and formidable ability she is always at the mercy of men who would exploit and deceive her. Despite an uneasy marriage to Thomas, Lord Despenser, Constance is never far from political intrigue and her uncompromising personality and her capacity to be drawn into scandal is what makes this account of her life such a fascinating read. That Constance is a worthy heroine is in no doubt, her life reads like a modern day reality show, and yet, by the end of the novel I couldn't help but have enormous respect for the trials she endured during her life in which her undoubted charisma, tenacity and sheer strength of will are tested to the absolute limits.

Beautifully written and impeccably researched, A Tapestry of Treason is another absolute triumph of a novel from an author who allows us, with her clever words and vivid imagery, to experience life in medieval England. We stand shoulder to shoulder with those strong and decisive women who forged our history, not armed with crossbows on the battlefields of Europe, but who, in draughty anterooms and dusty solar, could be found cleverly plotting and deftly weaving together the tapestry threads of  conspiracy, intrigue and deadly danger.

 A Tapestry of Treason is published in hardback and ebook on the 22nd August by HQ and is available to pre-order

About the Author

by kind permission of the author

In 2019 Anne O'Brien celebrates ten years of giving voice to the forgotten women of history

Anne O'Brien was born in the West Riding of Yorkshire. After gaining a BA Honours degree in history at Manchester University and a Master's in Education at Hull, she lived in the East Riding for many years as a teacher of history.

She now lives with her husband in an eighteenth century timber framed cottage in the depths of the welsh marches in Hertfordshire the borders between England and Wales.

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Review ~ Blood Queen by Joanna Courtney

Piatkus
2018

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book

Cold. Ruthless. Deadly. The myth of Lady Macbeth looms large. But behind the villainous portrait stands a real woman. This is her story . . .

My knowledge of medieval Scottish history is sketchy at best, as most of my understanding of this dark time comes from reading Shakespeare's tragedy. So, to be fair, my image of Lady Macbeth is that of Shakespeare's manipulative harpy, the deranged woman who was hell-bent on seizing power, urging her husband, Macbeth, to commit regicide.

In Blood Queen, an altogether, more realistic Lady Macbeth comes to life, cleverly merging fiction with what factual evidence is known about her and the times in which she lived. Interweaving the lives of Macbeth's Queen and Duncan's Queen, is inspired, as it gives a fascinating portrayal of two medieval women, whose lives were shaped, and destinies controlled, by the marriages they were forced to make. Both women are very different and yet, the connection between them is powerful, as is their unyielding love for their men who would be King.

In order for the story to feel authentic it cannot shy away from the inherent danger of living in a time when callous disregard for life was almost commonplace and so, there is a certain amount of violence in the story, after all Blood Queen is about a dangerous time, and of the paths chosen by ruthless men and ambition women. However, the author uses this sense of danger to heighten the tension and succeeds in allowing the characters to emerge with unique personalities, whilst at the same time creating a strong sense of their place in history.

The author writes well and uses her considerable skill as a historical fiction writer to bring time and place alive and it's obvious from reading the story that a huge amount of research has been done to make the story feel authentic. I found the family tree at the beginning and the author's notes at the end really useful and they helped to increase my understanding of what happened when, to whom and why.

Blood Queen is book one in a new series of books which will focus on the imagined lives of Shakespeare's most infamous queens, I'm already looking forward to seeing which queen is next on the list...

My reading table

About the Author

Website

Twitter @joannacourtney1 #BloodQueen

@PiatkusBooks

Amazon UK

Hist Fic Saturday ~ The Turn of Midnight by Minette Walters

On Hist Fic Saturday

Let's go back to ...medieval England

The year is 1349 and time is running out..

Black Death #2
Allen&Unwin
4 October 2018

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book

What's it all about...

As the year 1349 approaches, the Black Death continues its devastating course across England. In Dorseteshire, the quarantined people of Develish question whether they are the only survivors.

Guided by their beloved young mistress, Lady Anne, they wait, knowing that when their dwindling stores are finally gone they will have no choice but to leave. But where will they find safety in the desolate wasteland outside?

One man has the courage to find out.

Thaddeus Thurkell, a free-thinking, educated serf, strikes out in search of supplies and news. A compelling leader, he and his companions quickly throw off the shackles of serfdom and set their minds to ensuring Develish's future - and freedom for its people.

But what use is freedom that cannot be gained lawfully? When Lady Anne and Thaddeus conceive an audacious plan to secure her people's independence, neither foresees the life-threatening struggle over power, money and religion that follows...

My thoughts about it...

In 1348/49 the worst pandemic in history continues to make its presence felt. For those who try to survive in the demesnes of Develish in Dorseteshire, life, despite the plague, is, thanks to their gracious benefactor, Lady Anne, safely maintained. When clandestine news arrives from their erstwhile steward, Thaddeus Thurkell, that there are little survivors throughout the area, plans are made to bring in whatever food and livestock is available in order to ensure the survival of Develish. However, danger is never far away, and Thaddeus and his young companions need to keep their wits about them as they venture into dangerous territory.

There is no doubt that the author has created a very believable and almost dystopian medieval world. Fourteenth century Dorset is a place where all hope of charity is abandoned and the old feudal way of life is forever changed. Survivors of the plague look for guidance from their lords and priests but finding nothing worthwhile challenge authority on every level. Lawlessness is one step ahead of terror and Thaddeus and his companions need wit and guile and also a plausible reason for travelling the land, and so, with the collusion of Lady Anne, an audacious plan is set in place which will either see the success of Develish or its demise.

Thanks to the undeniable skill of the author I have been immersed in a dark medieval world, traversing a countryside destroyed by the ravages of a deadly disease which ravaged communities. The old remnants of a feudal system is in disarray and the country is a lawless place were bodies lie unburied and livestock roam untended. However, if people are to survive, plans have to be made, and both serfs and freemen must work together in order to survive, and for some this is the chance of a lifetime to make something of themselves.

The Turn of Midnight brings this dark world to life in glorious detail, concentrating more on what is going on in the wider community than at Develish, the story is no less compelling. The characters we got to know so well in The Last Hours continue to have a starring role in this story but with greater emphasis placed on Thaddeus and his young companions who he has trained into a strong band of followers. 

As there is a seamless continuation from the first book to this second story, I feel that readers coming  new to The Turn of Midnight will have missed far too much and whilst I'd like to say this story works as a standalone, I don't think it does, as this really is one of those series which you should read in book order.

Alive with menace from the start, The Turn of Midnight is a vivid recreation of medieval life and one of the best historical fiction series I have read in a long time. I do hope that there's going to be at least one more book as the ending in this one certainly lends itself to a continuation...

About the Author

©Vicky Fry

Minette Walters is one of the world's best-selling crime writers. She is the author of twelve novels, winning the CWA John Creasey Award for The Ice House, the Edgar Allan Poe Award in America for The Sculptress and two CWA Gold Daggers for The Scold's Bridle and Fox Evil. The Last Hours and The Turn of Midnight mark an exciting new direction for Minette. She lives in Dorset with her husband.

Amazon UK

Twitter #TheTurnOfMidnight

Hist Fic Saturday ~ A Gathering of Ghosts by Karen Maitland

On Hist Fic Saturday

Let's go back to ...Dartmoor, 1316

Headline Review
6 September

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book

The year of our lord, 1316 and a great famine sweeps the land. In an isolated refuge in the wilds of Dartmoor, the holy sisters of the Hospitallers’ Priory of St Mary care for the poor, the diseased and those troubled in spirit. Taking the waters at the Holy Well, once known locally as Brydes Well and dedicated to the Goddess Brigid, offers a sliver of mercy and hope of redemption. However, some pilgrims believe more in the old gods and goddesses, pagan deities who controlled thoughts and prayers long before Christianity, and it would seem that the old gods are, once again, demanding their own sense of appeasement. The delicate green moss which decorates the wall to the Holy Well, once a sight of wonder, now becomes a shimmering mass of deep ruby-red as the walls start to run with blood. 

Visceral and filled with a primitive desolation, A Gathering of Ghosts is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a delicate story. It’s dark and dirty, alive with fear and superstition, and so eerily creepy it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Tense with menace from the start, there is never a moment when the sense of medieval history doesn’t come gloriously alive. 

Beautifully told in several story strands we are led through the dangerous reality of living life in constant fear of starvation and the undeniable dread of being in the wrong place, at the wrong time. There is much to take in; from the inner workings of daily life at the priory, with all its squabbles and petty jealousies, to the mysterious portent of the arrival of a blind child, and the unexpected visit from Knight Brother Nicholas, a warrior monk and Knight of St John, all of which deeply disturbs the equilibrium of life at St Mary’s. Out on the windswept moor itself, we have Kendra, the blood charmer and her daughter, Morwen, a young woman on the cusp of her power as a cunning woman. But I think it was in the story of Sorrel, a pitiful young woman who in escaping her father’s cruelty runs straight into another nightmare, who really tugged at my imagination. 

This is not the pretty history of romantic novels; it’s harsh and brutal, showering the page with the vicious reality of medieval life. It’s also another wonderfully atmospheric story from the queen of medieval fiction, there’s not a word wasted, an emotion unexpressed or a terror unexplored. A Gathering of Ghosts kept me awake at night, and when I finally put the book down and slept, I had nightmare visions of churning snakes and the glistening gold-green of hundreds of frogs as they swarmed from the holy well.

I loved it 😈

 About the Author

Karen Maitland travelled and worked in many parts of the United Kingdom before settling for several years in the beautiful medieval city of Lincoln, an inspiration for her writing. She is the author of The White Room, Company of Liars, The Owl Killers, The Gallows Curse, The Falcons of Fire and Ice, The Vanishing Witch, The Raven's Head,The Plague Charmer, A Gathering of Ghosts. She now leads a life of rural bliss in Devon.

Website

Twitter @headlinepg #AGatheringofGhosts

Amazon UK

Blog Tour ~ The White Cross by Richard Masefield..

Jaffareadstoo is delighted to host  the first stop on The White Cross Blog Tour

Red Door Books
12 July2018

My thanks to the publishers and to Love Book Groups for the invitation to this blog tour
and also for my copy of this book

What's it all about..

‘A knight who isn’t skilled in arms can count for nothing in this world, remember that. It is your destiny to fight.’ 

With the words of his dead father ringing in his ears, Sir Garon leaves his new wife, Elise, and their green domain of Haddertun for blood and dust and disillusionment in Palestine. Meanwhile at home Elise is forced to fight for her survival and her honour in the brutal man’s world that is twelfth century England. Set against the backdrop of the Third Crusade and a villainous King Richard, The White Cross is a passionate and moving love story, and so much more – a thrilling and engaging novel that shines a fresh light on timeless issues of morality and faith and the futility of war.

What did I think about it..

I enjoy a crusade story and this one certainty packs a hefty punch as, coming in just at 530 pages, it certainly takes some committed reading time. It's a lively account of the relationship between Sir Garon, a crusader knight and his wife Elise. Garon's vivid recollections of the third crusade makes for interesting reading as does Elise's account of managing the couple's estate in her husband's absence. 

The story overall is divided into manageable sections with the narrative separated by the slightly unusual means of having different type-font for the main characters, a method which I found a little disconcerting at first, but as the story progressed I became more comfortable with the idea as it helps to place the characters very firmly in the story. Interspersed within Garon’s and Elise’s individual stories is that of Richard I, the Lionheart of our history, which depicts this enigmatic warrior king in an altogether more challenging light, and one which isn’t particularly flattering. That Richard is portrayed as selfish, vicious and arrogant is rather at odds with the image we have of a bounteous Crusader king whose chivalry and military success is the stuff of legend. But such is the way of historical fiction and it's interesting to have a different perspective.

The general historical feel of the story is good, and whilst there's a certain amount of colourful language, which may offend some, it certainly adds a realistic edginess to the story. The narrative flows throughout and there is enough historical detail to make the whole thing feel authentic. The author writes well and has an interesting turn of phrase. It is obvious that he has clearly done his research and this helps to bring time, place and history alive in the imagination.

About the Author

A cousin of the poet, John Masefield, Richard has worked in a variety of spheres – as an actor and an adman, as a care manager and teacher at a school for disabled children and for many years as a livestock farmer. But always he has returned to writing. He is a regular speaker at literary and reading group meetings. He lives in Tenterden in Kent with his wife, Lee.

Website

Twitter @RedDoorBooks #White Cross

#LoveBooksGroup

Blog Tour ~ The King's Justice by E M Powell

Jaffareadstoo is delighted to be hosting today's stop on The King's Justice Blog Tour

Thomas & Mercer
1 June 2018
Stanton and Barling #1

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book and to HF Virtual Book Tours for the invitation to be part of this blog tour

What's it all about..

A murder that defies logic—and a killer on the loose. 

England, 1176. Aelred Barling, esteemed clerk to the justices of King Henry II, is dispatched from the royal court with his young assistant, Hugo Stanton, to investigate a brutal murder in a village outside York. 

The case appears straightforward. A suspect is under lock and key in the local prison, and the angry villagers are demanding swift justice. But when more bodies are discovered, certainty turns to doubt—and amid the chaos it becomes clear that nobody is above suspicion. 

Facing growing unrest in the village and the fury of the lord of the manor, Stanton and Barling find themselves drawn into a mystery that defies logic, pursuing a killer who evades capture at every turn. 

Can they solve the riddle of who is preying upon the villagers? And can they do it without becoming prey themselves?

And here are my thoughts about it..

It's been a real treat to escape to 1176 and spend time in the company of Aelred Barling, an esteemed clerk to the justices of Henry II, and his messenger and erstwhile assistant, Hugo Stanton, as they seek to investigate a brutal murder which has taken place in a small village on the outskirts of York.

With a real sense of time and place, The King's Justice takes us into very heart of medieval England and back to a time when impartiality was tenuous at best, and most often those on the wrong side of the law were often pronounced guilty even before trial. Trying to prove innocence was, quite often, a deadly affair, and although they have people under suspicion, Barling and Stanton’s attempt to investigate this horrific crime leads them into some very dark places.

From its short and snappy chapters, and filled with twists and turns, The King’s Justice moves along at a lively pace and there is certainly never a dull moment, or a minute’s peace, once these two, rather unconventional, investigators arrive in the village of Claresham. Stanton and Barling's subsequent involvement with, Sir Reginald Edgar, the Lord of the Manor, does nothing to make the due process of justice any less troublesome. 

Imaginatively written, with a fine eye for historical detail, The King’s Justice is the first in a proposed new series of medieval crime mysteries. The partnership between the sanctimonious Barling, alongside the more rambunctious, Stanton, makes for a really interesting partnership, and I am sure that we will learn more about what makes this duo tick as the series progresses. There is much to find out and I am already looking forward to seeing just where this intrepid duo find themselves in the next instalment of the Stanton and Barling mysteries.

About the Author

E.M. Powell’s historical thriller Fifth Knight novels have been #1 Amazon and Bild bestsellers. The King’s Justice is the first novel in her new Stanton and Barling medieval murder mystery series. She is a contributing editor to International Thriller Writers’ The Big Thrill magazine, blogs for English Historical Fiction Authors and is the social media manager for the Historical Novel Society. 

Born and raised in the Republic of Ireland into the family of Michael Collins (the legendary revolutionary and founder of the Irish Free State), she now lives in North-West England with her husband, daughter and a Facebook-friendly dog.

Website

Twitter @empowellauthor #TheKingsJustice

Facebook

#HFVBTBlogTours

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away 6 paperback copies of The King’s Justice! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on July 13th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

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– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Enter Gleam Giveaway Here

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Historical Fiction Virtual Tours