Aubrey stared at his son. "As you will. You may be sure that I'll not offer again. But I want your word that you'll say nothing of this to Lord Fitz Alan." Having developed a strange addiction for historical mysteries, I can not tell you how happy I was to find that my favorite author of historical fiction, Sharon Kay Penman, had written a historical mystery series. This is a historical mystery with style; the historical details and medieval setting are perfectly drawn, as we can only expect from a writer of this quality. Eleanor of Aquitaine sits on England's throne. At seventy, she has outlived the husband with whom she had once scandalized the world. But has she also outlived her favorite, her first-born son? Richard Lionheart, England's king, has been missing these last months. It is rumored that he is dead. Many think his youngest brother plots to steal the crown. Only Eleanor's fierce will can keep John from acting on his greed. Only a letter, splattered with the blood of a dying man murdered on the Winchester road, can tell her if Richard still lives.

Incluye personajes numerosos que atrapan la esencia de las distintas facciones que entraron en juego en estos muy históricos y reales acontecimientos. Ha sido fascinante aprender sobre el revolucionario, sangriento y doloroso cisma religioso que se vivió en Inglaterra en aquella época. Qué triste para tanta gente ver cómo su religión cambiaba, cómo se convertía en herejía lo que una vez les había asegurado el cielo. En ese sentido, el trabajo del autor ha sido efectivo y encomiable, pues el misterio, la atmósfera frustrante y peligrosa, el personaje de John y la salvaje disputa religiosa son pilares fundamentales de esta novela y están documentados y desarrollados con gran acierto. The Queens ManThe newest book in the series, The Queen’s Man, will be released tomorrow, February 25, 2014. I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I LOVED it. Metcalf, Mitch (August 11, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 8.10.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved August 16, 2022. The plot unfolds beautifully as John uncovers secrets in several arenas: Elizabeth's Court, the Catholic Church and his hometown. His loyalties to Crown and Country are tested as he navigates between supporting his Queen and discovering the truth. I don't want to give too much away - the best part of the mystery is experiencing John solve it. Promise me," Gervase repeated, and if his voice was weak, his eyes burned into Justin's with mesmerizing fervor. "You must deliver this letter to her ... to the queen."He was acutely aware of all the curious eyes upon them. The steward was hovering several feet away, looking utterly miserable--as well he ought. Martin had always been friendly with Justin, too friendly, it now seemed. "I told you that you must wait, Justin!" The man's face was shadowed by his leper's cloak. Whether it also hid the ravages of his disease, Justin could not tell, but he did get a glimpse of the leper's mutilated hand, with stumps where fingers ought to have been. His own plight suddenly seemed less perilous, and Justin fumbled for his money pouch, leaned over, and dropped a farthing into the alms bowl, ashamed that he could spare so little. The leper had learned, though, to be thankful for the most meagre offering, even courtesy, and wished Justin "Godspeed."

The closer of the two was a strapping youth about Justin's own age. His face was as colorless as the snow, his hair matted with blood, and he looked dazed and disoriented. But he'd managed to sit up, and Justin bypassed him in favor of the second man, who lay ominously still, a crimson stain spreading beyond him into the snow. Kneeling by his side, Justin caught his breath, for he knew at once that he was looking death in the face. and Richard the Lionheart is feared dead, leaving an opportunity for his brother John to claim the throne of England. Their mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, awaits news of Richard and soon employs the services of Justin de Quincy, after the murder of a goldsmith who was on his way to the Queen with important information about Richard. This leads Justin, The Queen’s Man, to set out on a journey to discover the secrets behind the murder and the secrets within the royal court. I've read four of Penman's longer historical novels and loved each of them, so I was excited to try this, a shorter historical mystery. In the end I enjoyed some of it it, but didn't love it as much as her others. This is a nice story of a young man, reeling from finding out who his father actually is, who then tries to save a man who's being robbed and killed on the road to London. Before the man dies he entrusts the hero with a letter that must be secreatly delivered to the Queen. Queen Eleanor then charges him to find who was behind the murder. Justin's eyes were darker than Aubrey had ever seen them, a storm-sky grey. "Her death was convenient, was it not? How disappointed you must have been that I was not stillborn, for then you could have buried all your sins in one grave."A suspenseful, professional-grade north country procedural whose heroine, a deft mix of compassion and attitude, would be welcome to return and tie up the gaping loose end Box leaves. The unrelenting cold makes this the perfect beach read. He was vexed by Justin's unexpected and ill-timed arrival, and vaguely uneasy, too, with that peculiar discomfort that only Justin could provoke. Nor was his mood improved to realize that Hugh de Nonant had overheard the entire exchange. I have no intention of telling Lord Fitz Alan that you're my father." Justin jerked the door open, then paused. "You see," he said, "you're nothing to boast about."

How generous of you." Justin's voice was toneless, impossible to read. Turning away, he stood motionless for a moment before the altar, and Aubrey dared to think he had won. But then Justin swung around, holding out the silver-gilt crucifix.White, Peter (February 24, 2021). "Tyler Perry Studios Sets Strip Club Drama All The Queen's Men At BET+". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 1, 2022. Metcalf, Mitch (July 7, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 7.6.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED with Broadcast". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved July 7, 2022. Aubrey found it unexpectedly difficult to meet Justin's gaze. "There was no need for you to know," he said at last. "What mattered was that I did right by you, and you cannot deny that I did. I did not shirk my duty. You always had food for your belly, a roof over your head--" But that education might well be his salvation. He'd heard that London scribes set up booths in the nave of St Paul's Cathedral, writing letters and legal documents for a price. If he could hire out as a scribe, mayhap he could buy himself some time, a chance to decide what he should do next. Salem, Mitch (May 24, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Tuesday 5.23.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved May 26, 2023.

And so the adventure, and the new job as 'The Queen's Man' begins. First assignment? Find out who killed the goldsmith and why. Were the killers after the letter? If so, who hired them? Or was the murder the idea of Fitz Randolph's wife, or one of his unlovable adult children?

Justin spurred Copper forward and the stallion responded like a launched arrow, sending up a spray of snow as he lengthened stride. Within moments, they were in the clear. Glancing over his shoulder, Justin saw no movement, suspicious or otherwise. It was easy to doubt his own senses, to wonder if he'd imagined those disembodied woodland whispers. "Fool," he jeered aloud. "I'll be seeing forest phantoms next, Copper, with a few horned demons thrown in for good measure!" book is incredibly well written, the cast of characters is entertaining, and the description of the historical settings - from the English Queen's court to the Scottish Queen's prison - are outstanding.