THE TAVERN IN THE MORNING
by Alys Clare
New English Library (Hodder & Stoughton) - July 2001
ISBN 0340739363 - Paperback
Historical / British - 1191, Kent, England
Reviewed by Rachel
A Hyde, MyShelf.com
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This is the third of
the Hawkenlye mysteries featuring Abbess Helewise and Sir Josse d'Acquin
(the first two were Fortune Like the Moon and Ashes of the Elements).
Sir Josse D'Acquin has his work cut out for him when a man is found poisoned
at a popular tavern in nearby Tonbridge, which hitherto had an excellent
reputation for its food. Suspecting foul play he soon finds himself recovering
in a hut in the Wealden Forest after having been hit over the head and
is befriended by the mysterious Joanna and her son Ninian. But who are
they, and what do they have to do with the murder? Abbess Helewise lies
sick with a fever but Josse finds himself growing hot for quite a different
reason.
The series is set during
the tumultuous early days of King Richard I's reign when he was off on
the Crusades and John as scheming to get the throne for himself. This
in itself helps to ensure the series' popularity as it was such a turbulent
and fascinating time and Clare manages to sketch in an authentic background
without the facts swamping the story. I felt that this novel was the strongest
so far with no need for editing and the characters starting to come to
life a bit more although Sir Josse and Helewise lack the well-rounded
personalities of Brother Cadfael and Sister Frevisse and apart from being
good folk who solve crimes remain elusive and subservient to the plot.
I didn't guess it all though and it certainly kept me reading happily
on and entertained. A series that improves with each book and is good
if not great.
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