Book Review: Dragon's Lair

Reviewed By: Webspinner - RAM

Dragon's Lair     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Sharon Kay Penman
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical
Series: Justin de Quincy # 3
G Putnam's Sons; 2003; 317pp

Richard the lionhearted is King, but on his way home from the Crusades is captured and held in an Austrian prison. At home in England, John still wants the throne, while Eleanor pulls the ransom demand together from all over the continent. When part of the ransom is hijacked in Wales, Eleanor sends her man, Justin de Quincy to retrieve the desperately needed ransom.

Justin travels to Wales at the Queen's behest and once again comes face-to-face with the father who will not acknowledge him. At the court of Prince Davydd, in Wales, Justin finds himself embroiled in court politics and intrigues and very suspicious of the supposed hijacking of the ransom payment where three guards were murdered and one young boy is the only survivor, albeit without memory of the event.

Sharon Kay Penman proves with "Dragon's Lair" that "The Queen's Man" and "Cruel as the Grave" were not flukes. Her history is fascinating; the plots are complex; the mystery elements are solid. The book abounds with scoundrels and rogues both rich and poor, as well as traitors and patriots. The insights into court politics, and into Eleanor herself, are worth the read, even without the mystery. The mystery is a gift set inside a marvelous story that would still stand on its own. A wonderful, solid read.

Does anyone else expect Robin Hood to pop into view at any moment?

Webspinner - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Webspinner - RAM