- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Ballantine Books; 5th edition (April 14 1998)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0345417186
- ISBN-13: 978-0345417183
- Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 13.7 x 2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 318 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #280,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Do you know the story of Sharon Kay Penman's first mystery novel, The Sunne in Splendour? She spent every spare moment for years--first as a law student, then as a lawyer--working on the book about Richard III. And when the only copy of the manuscript was stolen from her car, she sat down and wrote it again. Five excellent historical mysteries later, Penman has started a new series set even farther back in time. It's 1193, and King Richard has disappeared on his way back to England after fighting in the Crusades. Justin de Quincy, the well-educated but illegitimate son of a bishop, is tapped to search for the missing ruler, and he turns out to be just the chap to blow away the cobwebs that often hang over historical mystery. Other Penman picks: Falls the Shadow; Here Be Dragons; Reckoning.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
It's 1193. In a bleak and bitterly cold England, King Richard, on his way back from the crusades, has been missing for two months, and his ruthless brother John is scheming for the throne. Penman (Here Be Dragons) sets this energetic and adroitly plotted series launch within this historical framework, giving Justin de Quincy, the well-educated but illegitimate son of a bishop, a chance to save England. Justin is too late to aid a goldsmith murdered by thieves, but he does take the wealthy man's hidden letters to their destination: the Queen mother, Eleanor. Of course, he reads them first and discovers that King Richard, with the connivance of the French king, is being held prisoner in Austria. The Queen appoints Justin as her chief investigator into the goldsmith's murder, giving him money, carte blanche and dire warnings as to the need for secrecy. Justin?comely, courageous and shrewd?quickly befriends a wide array of sheriffs, doxies and wenches, and flits from palace to alehouse to brothel ferreting out plots and conspiracies. The sounds of swordplay and bodices being ripped are loud and frequent. The accomplished author of historical novels employs some stereotypical characters (if he sneers, he's a villain) and much cliched prose ("...her mouth as soft and ripe as Summer strawberries"), yet Justin is so beguiling and, the action so lively and unpredictable, that readers will cheer Justin's return in further adventures.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Unique Historical Murder Mystery,
By
This review is from: Queen's Man (Paperback)
A unique creation by Sharon Penman, DeQuincy, is placed in a medieval secret agent role as Queen Eleanor's "man". Although I was skeptical at first, I found Penman's feel for the medieval England of Henry & Eleanor from her previous historical novels sets such a great stage for the storyline that I couldn't help but be drawn into her tale, which is set in England in 1192-1193. In fact, I also found the follow up "Cruel As The Grave" worthwhile.Penman emerged long ago as one of the best historical novelists and continues to solidify her reputation with each new release. The "Queen's Penman's true genius is the broad historical scope that is painted on top of the shimmering details of brief moments. It truely does feel as if you If you prefer to read in chronological order:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A bit of a let down,
By
This review is from: Queen's Man (Paperback)
I'm not normally a mystery reader. Perhaps I was expecting too much. I liked this book for the author's wonderful depiction of medieval society and the main character Justin De Quincy is well written. However, the solution to the mystery was a bit of a let down. I guess I hoped for some twist and turn in the story that led to a dramatic ending that I least expected. That was sadly not the case. I nearly gave the book 4 stars because the writing was excellent. However, the plot was less than thrilling at times and the ending was blah. So, 3 stars it is - and I hope that I'm not being too harsh simply because of my lack of mystery reading experience. Maybe the obvious is the usual solution????
3.0 out of 5 stars
MEDIEVAL MYSTERY SLEUTHING . .. SOMETIMES GOOD,
By MISTER SJEM "sonofhotpie" (CALIF BAY AREA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Queen's Man (Paperback)
Penman wrote these medieval mysteries to take a break from her more flowery medieval prose. Unlike the latter, she didn't necessarily know what the outcome would be to various mysteries so it gave her a new stretch in her writing career.QUEEN'S MAN follows the ... son of a Bishop who, by chance, is charged by Queen Eleanor to solve the mystery of a murdered goldsmith in connection with Richard the Lion Hearted. During this investigation, our hero meets a number of suspisciou people in the town, as well as makes a few friends here and there. The dialogue and descriptions are sparse compared to her more Historical works. If anything, this series focuses on movement and pacing. I would say this is more of a fun and quick read than the usual elegant, flowery and heart breaking Historical pieces Penman is usually know for in her works.
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