APRIL:-Medievil Times

The books that members chose this month are all set in Medieval Times. This was a genre that many had not read before, but many would agree that they enjoyed what they had read and even discovered new authors they will continue to read.

ANNE: One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters

This is the second in the series of the Brother Cadfael Mysteries. During the Civil War between Stephen and Maud and following the siege of the Shrewsbury Castle, 94 survivors of the turncoat garrison are executed. When the bodies are taken for burial, Bro Cadfael counts them and realises there are not 94 but 95 bodies...1 corpse too many.

There is betrayal, treason, buried treasure, a duel, fugitives and romance. She thought it a really good story and enjoyed reading it again.

JO:

Jo had also read the same book and agreed with Anne's opinions.

She also mentioned that Ellis Peters had written the George Felse Mysteries set in Scotland Yard in modern times.

PAMELA:

Pamela had also read One Corpse Too Many and commented on the accuracy of the writing regarding the times and places. The moral corruption of the Civil War meant that men would often change sides for the slightest gain.

JOAN: Heart of the Lion by Jean Plaidy

At the age of thirty-two, Richard the Lionheart has finally succeeded Henry II to the throne. And, against her father's wishes, he intends to make Berengaria, daughter of the King of Navarre, his Queen. But first he must fulfil his vow to his country to win back Jerusalem for the Christian world. Leaving England to begin his Crusade, Richard's kingdom is left in the hands of his brother, John, who casts covetous eyes on the crown, and his sister, Joanna, who is willing to defy even a king.

 Jean Plaidy is a wonderful storyteller who has written a huge number of books using many pen-names but always bases on good historical research.

MERILYN: The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

This story tried to explain the mystery of what happened to the two princes in the Tower of London.

Due to other circumstances she hadn't finished it, but thought it would have been worth reading.

knowledge of herbs. It is these rituals that Connie enjoyed reading about.
KRIS: Smoke in the Wind by Peter Tremayne
Sister Fidelma is the protagonist in this Celtic mystery, one of 10 in the series. Set in South Wales, the whole community goes missing and Sister Fidelma is asked to investigate. She is a very strong and interesting character, a qualified dalaigh, or advocate of the law courts of Ireland, thus wielding a lot of power.


KATHY: Wheel of Fate by Kate Sedley
Roger the Chapman (pedlar) solves mystery and murder in his family. Up until almost the last page it was not possible to work out who the murderer was, in fact Kathy was shocked when the truth was revealed. While there is not a lot of historical fact it was certainly an enjoyable read.


KATE: The Heretic's Apprentice by Ellis Peters


MAREE: The Wicked Winter by Kate Sedley
Roger the Chapman (pedlar) meets Brother Simeon an itinerant preacher whose firey sermons are the talk of the countryside. The two join up, although somewhat unwillingly to solve a murder which has occurred at Cederwell Manor.
It was very enjoyable to read, told in a tongue in cheek way. It seemed like a modern day murder mystery but written in the language of the time with many twists and turns.


SHEILA: Dancing with Demons by Peter Tremayne
In this story, the High King, Sechnussach, is assassinated. The murderer, unable to make his escape, turns his knife on himself. Fidelma is summoned to Tara to discover not who murdered the High King, for that was obviously Dubh Dun, whose body was found with the king's, but why the King was murdered.
Although she was originally reluctant to read the book, Sheila opinion having read it, was now that it was a super historical 'who dunnit'.


DIANNE: Apothecary Rose by Candace Robb
 After the village apothecary is murdered, Owen Archer, recently retired captain of the Archers is given the job to investigate the crime.
Although she loves the era, Dianne didn't like the author's style of writing and found she really couldn't get into the book.

WENDY: Prince of Darkness by Jean Plaidy  

The untimely death of Richard Coeur de Lion left his nephew Arthur and his younger brother John in contest for the throne of England. Reluctantly the barons chose John and their choice brought years of evil upon the realm.  His unbridled sensuality, his fierce and terrible temper, his cruelty, idleness and injustice made King John hated and feared. Men came to believe that the House of Anjou was tainted by the devil's blood, that the loathsome monarch was himself Evil Incarnate, the very Prince of Darkness...

He was king by divine right only. 

CONNIE: The Holy Thief by Ellis Peters
This is the 19th book of the Bro Cadfael mysteries and they really should be read in order as other minor characters appear and reappear and the struggle of the Civil War continues.
The story involves the theft of the remains of the Welsh Saint Winifred during a flood and the seemingly related subsequent murder of young Brother Anselm. Bro Cadfael is called upon to investigate, eventually solving the crime using the rituals of the church as well as his extensive This is the 18th book in the series, and Kate enjoyed it so much she went on to read others by the same author.
She also read Medieval People by Eileen Power. This was a factual description of life in those times eg the town revolved around the abbey
     the struggle for power among the monks
     the religious influence on the people was very strong
     the social history about ordinary folk very good

JUDY: Brother Cadfael's Penance
This is the 20th and final book in this series.

With the background of the civil war between King Stephen and Empress Maud, both arrogant as they literally rip the country apart to gain the throne of England, we have Philip, son of Robert of Gloucester, Maud’s most trusted advisor and half-brother. Philip switches loyalties from Maud to Stephen in an attempt to sway the balance in Stephen’s favour and end the war. Brother Cadfael is finally able to discover the location of his son Olivier, whose fate is intertwined with that of Philip’s.

We now have a story that involves murder, jealousy, father/son relationships, political loyalties, and personal ambition and woven through all this is Cadfael’s personal struggle with his devotion to the church and the possibility that this may be denied him in the future if he continues on this search for his son.

Judy really enjoyed the combination of history and a good mystery. 

JULIA: A Trust Betrayed by Candace Robb

This is the first of the Margaret Kerr mysteries set in the 1300s and the war between England and Scotland. Her husband has gone to Edinburgh and been missing for a year and when she goes to find out what has happened she gets herself into all sorts of trouble. A light but enjoyable read.

OTHER RECOMMENDED READS:

Joan: Saving Private Sarbi by Sandra Lee

The story of the dog missing in action in Afghanistan.

Pamela: The Night Circus by Harvil Secker

Behind the scenes of the circus tents, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

Wendy:  They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie

              Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown

An American perspective of the injustices and betrayals of the US Government. Brown views the government's dealings as continued efforts to destroy the culture, religion, and way of life of Native American peoples.