"great medieval historical mystery"
On his way home from the crusades, Richard the Lion-Hearted
was kidnapped and held for ransom by the Holy Roman Emperor
Heinrich for one hundred thousand silver marks. While King
Richard I is languishing in an Austrian prison, his mother
Eleanor of Aquitane is bankrupting the country trying to
gather up the ransom from every class and guild including
the church. When word reaches her that the ransom
collected by the Welsh Prince Davydd ab Owain was stolen,
she dispatches her man Justin de Quincy to recover the
ransom. When he arrives at Davydd's court, the prince tells him
that the outlaw Llewelyn ab Iorwerth was responsible for
the theft. He expects Justin to ask the Earl of Chester to
bring troops into Wales to capture the outlaw and what is
left of the ransom. It doesn't take Justin long to realize
that Llewelyn, who is battling Davydd for crown, is a pawn
in Davydd's quest to stay in power. He discovers Flemish
sailors who were supposedly hired by an English lord stole
the ransom. Justin has to find the English Lord if he
intends to gain control of the stolen ransom though
betrayal and murder follow in his footsteps. Nobody writes a better medieval historical then Sharon Kay
Penman and her latest historical mystery shows that
meticulous research. Medieval England and Wales come alive
as historical trivia is generously sprinkled throughout the
story line. The protagonist is truly THE QUEEN'S MAN as he
diligently works for the crown while facing down ghosts
from his own past. DRAGON'S LAIR opens up new worlds to
its audience one that they will want to revisit when Ms.
Penman produces the next book in this addicting series. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted August 31, 2003
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