Book Review: The Tavern in the Morning

Reviewed By: Fiona Walker

The Tavern in the Morning     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Alys Clare
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical
Series: Hawkenlye
New English Library, 2001, 310pp

It’s market day in Tonbridge, Kent, and the inn has been busy all morning. The atmosphere is cheery, and money passes hands freely all day. However, come night there is one guest at the Inn who will never again see in the morning. For he lies dead in the guest chamber, poisoned.

Josse d’Acquin is a regular visitor to the tavern, and when he arrives to investigate he finds wolf’s bane in what remains of the pie. He is also intrigued by tales of a charming, handsome nobleman who supposedly requested a slice of that same pie. However, he was a stranger to the tavern. No one had seen him before, and neither has anyone since. Who exactly was he?

However, the sheriff cannot be persuaded that the man’s death was suspicious, so Josse turns to his old friend, Abbess Helewise of Hawkenlye Abbey. They have investigated murder together before, but will they be able to meet with the same success this time? As Helewise sets about puzzling over the murder, Josse follows the thin trail of murder into the great Wealden Forest…and therein he will find something that will change his life forever.

Clare is not a writer to stick to the accepted formulas of historical crime writing, and because of that she produces some remarkably fresh and enjoyable work. Her books are all very original, and her writing style inspiring. She develops her characters subtly and well. Their development continues through the series, as do their relationships. Josse and the Abbess make for a great team…their talents compliment each other, and put together they are a very effective historical detective duo. Josse’s sharp observational skills and worldly knowledge work excellently in tandem with the Abbess’ mental reasoning and common sense deductions.

The historical detail rings very true, and you really get a deep feel for the times in which the series is set. The Wealden Forest looms over the setting (as it does in all her books) and provides a dark and intimidating background.

This is not exactly the strongest in the series in the plot line (it holds little to surprise, and tends towards the predictable), but it is still very original, and enjoyable. She is a more than worthy heir to the throne of Ellis Peters. In fact, she may be even better.

Fiona Walker

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Fiona Walker