The Jester (Review One)
By James Patterson and Andrew Gross  

     A rare and extremely precious artifact dating back to the crucifixion is found in an 11th century grave during the construction of a shopping mall in France. What would an artifact that old and that precious be doing in the grave of a long forgotten Duke?

     In 1096, Hugh and Sophie De Luc run an inn located in Veille de Pére, a village located somewhere in the southern part of France. Hugh had heard about the Crusades and the men who were leaving their farms and inns and families to fight for the Cross, and he is surprised to find himself swept up in the middle of it.

     When he comes back from fighting, he finds that Lord Baldwin, a greedy duke searching for priceless relics that date back from the Crucifixion, is holding Sophie captive. Now it's up to Hugh to rescue his beautiful wife from the man who is hated by all his subjects. The only way he can figure out how to is to dress as a Jester. Will he find Sophie and kill the Duke who took her away?

Patterson has done it again. This is a story of medieval courage, war, love, death, and triumph that no one should miss out on. The plot is fixating. You never know what's going to really happen until it happens. The writing is so well done that every reader's imagination will be on edge the entire time. I love this book! Warning: there are very extremely graphic scenes and explicit language throughout the book. That aside, if you love a tale of adventure, pain, and triumph, you will never want to put it down--even when you've finished.