Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Cruel As The Grave
Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Sharon Kay Penman
Class/Genre: Mystery Historical
Series: Justin de Quincy # 2
Henry Holt, Oct 1998, 244 pp.
In 1193 London, fifteen-year old Melangell, daughter of a Welsh peddler, is found murdered in the St. Mary Magdalene churchyard. Her clothing was torn and blood was spewed all over a nearby cross.
While the teen lies dead, across town, Justin de Quincey knows where his duty lies. Being the "Queen's Man", Justin works for Eleanor in her quest to locate her missing son, Richard. Justin understands that part of his job is to keep Richard's devious younger brother, John, in line even though that dubious task seems at times to be impossible. The bellicose John will do anything to change his job title from prince to king. Would that include having his minions murder the young daughter of a poor Welshman as Justin is beginning to believe?
The second de Quincey Medieval mystery, CRUEL IN THE GRAVE, is a fantastic historical who-done-it that profoundly brings to life all of the scheming and intrigue that surrounds yet is abetted by John. The characters are all genuine with many of them stepping out of the history books into an exciting murder mystery. Only someone with the talent of Sharon Kay Penman could have penned this spectacular story because only a skilled author could manage to take readers on an amazing trip back to the twelfth century as happens with this book. This reviewer recommends this novel and its prequel THE QUEEN'S MAN, for anyone who loves historical fiction, but especially mysteries.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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