E. M. Powell

I have mixed feelings about this book - on one hand, I think the 12-century reign of Henry II of England provides rich ground for a thriller, on the other, I wasn't fond of the overall story. Eleanor of Aquitaine as a villain is workable, but the backstory of Henry have a loving relationship and secret marriage with another woman requires quite a suspension of disbelief. In addition, the plot point of a witchcraft trial is more of a 17th-century trend than something suited to a novel set in show more medieval England. Overall, I felt like I was reading more of a medieval fantasy novel with characterizations designed to endlessly raise the stakes in this thriller rather than a well-research novel with a realistic plot. show less

Dark deeds in Holy places.

It's Easter, 1711 and Aelred Barling has a personal and exacting challenge metered out from his confessor--to make a pilgrimage to Canterbury. Our dour King's clerk has a deep, dark secret that pulls him down. He takes Hugo Stanton with him. Stanton of course is looking forward to the rumoured delights that abound on the pilgrimage trail but is foiled by the more moderate stops that the sanctimonious Barling chooses, much to Stanton's bitter chagrin.
After a penitent show more and bloody approach to the Cathederal, Barling is in line on the steps, almost through the door, ready to complete his task, yearning for the spiritual relief this will give him, when he's hauled out of the line at King Henry II's request to support no lesser a powerful being, than Richard, Archbishop of Canterbury.
Murder has taken place and Barling is called upon to investigate. As the killings escalate he and Stanton struggle to find links that will lead to resolution.
Once more this unlikely duo are thrust into a situation that will stretch and test them.
As always a different but highly satisfying read.

An ARC provided by the author via NetGalley show less

This is the third book in The First Knight series and I am honored to have reviewed them all. This installment takes the reader to Ireland with Henry II’s son John, known to history as John Lackland and ultimately as King John after his brother, Richard the Lionheart died. He was the youngest son of Henry and Eleanor of Aquitaine and he didn’t have the power or lands that his brothers did and he felt that lack greatly. When given the task of going to Ireland by his father he felt it was show more his chance to take control and take a crown.

Henry does not completely trust the people in Ireland and perhaps he doesn’t trust his son so he sends a man he does trust to oversee the endeavor and to try and learn if Henry’s main Irish ally is friend or foe. John’s reception in Ireland is initially warm but his behavior soon leads to war and Henry’s man, Sir Benedict Palmer is soon caught up in trying to save John from himself and someone he loves.

This book stands alone just fine. It had been a while since I had read the previous two books in the series and truth be told I had forgotten much but this book deftly reminded me of what I needed to know to understand the players and the back stories. The characters are richly developed and very interesting. There is an author’s note so you do learn what is real and what is fictional. Ms. Powell is quite skilled at weaving history with her imaginary world. And it is a rich world she creates. The medieval times come alive through her descriptive writing. The characters in this book are not all likable and at times you are left guessing but they are all very intriguing. show less

I'm delighted to have found another medieval mystery series with interesting, likeable characters, good plotting, and period settings. The main characters Stanton and Barling are a study in contrasts—one happy-go-lucky, the other a bit pompous and overly concerned with form and rules. The tensions in their relationship are a key part of the novel, and provide a key reason why I'm now waiting for volume four in this series. (I did go back and read volumes one and two in the three days after show more I finished volume three.) The mystery kept me guessing, which I appreciated. show less