England Books

I had to read and review this book for a class, and I thought it was great. I had not read any of the books referenced by Ms. Marcus, so it was difficult to tell how sucessfully she represented the authors, but thats really my problem, not hers. I would say that I don't like such heavy use of literary sources in these types of books, but it is usually because I haven't read the books.

I'm happy I chose this book to review, between the nasty review and its mention on the board, (and Ms. Marcus's rebuttal) this will be an easy book review to write.

In Apartment Stories, Sharon Marcus takes the reader on a stunning tour of the interior spaces of the nineteenth century novel. The views that Marcus offers are always exciting. Following her from behind as she weaves her way through dark regions of apartment houses is often exhilirating. Particularly pleasurable is the way she bounces around London. And although sometimes she seems to bend over to make her point, even this rewarding

In an elegantly written and persuasively argued volume, Sharon Marcus uses the idea of the apartment building as a tool to comb out two sets of terms that tend to clump together in discussions about the 19th century: man=city=public, woman=home=private. In a work made pleasurable to the general reader through her clear and careful writing and her judicious use of footnotes, Marcus proposes a world of 19th century men, women, homes, and cities, that interact in more messy and interesting ways than we've learned to expect. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

There has been a recent interest in theories that undermine the undertakings of the Enlightenment and Modernism toward presenting a world made up of clear definitions and distinctions. This trend has thrown light upon those cultures and periods of history previously dismissed as irrational, decadent, or retrogressive. Further, owing to Post-Structuralist interests in language, scholars have increasingly turned towards realist novels and literature from the period being studied to unearth peculiar social environments that have remained concealed in the purely formal analyses of historical accounts.

Sharon Marcus in Apartment Stories identifies the novel as a significant mirror of everyday life. Literary criticism and cultural history, for Marcus, are intertwined disciplines that feed on each other. In Apartment Stories she uses an analysis of the nineteenth-century realist novel to illuminate a discourse about (not `on') apartment houses of the time. Employing texts that she calls `atypical', as a heuristic device for exploring the range and complexity of nineteenth century debates on domesticity and urbanism, Marcus sets herself the ambitious task of questioning conventional conceptions of the distinctions of private and public, interior and exterior, as well as masculine and feminine. She probes the text not only in terms of seeking social and physical implications of the described spaces but also in terms of the manner in which the narration itself inscribes spatial relations and establishes zones as exterior and interior, private and public, mobile and fixed.

Apartment Stories is divided into three parts. The first part, "Open Houses", discusses the apartment house as a space that refutes readability as a private, opaque, and interior space. The second part, "The City and the Domestic Ideal", discusses the cultural preference for the single-family house over the lodging houses (that resembled apartment houses) of Londoners. The third and concluding part, "Interiorization and its Discontents", deals with Paris during the Second Empire. The author claims that Paris became interiorized after 1850 and thereby challenges the established interpretation of the Second Empire Paris as one of spectacle, flânerie, and circulation. She also questions the famous notion of the Goncourt brothers that "the interior is going to die. Life threatens to become more public". Marcus, in view of the Parisian apartment house, explicates the impossibility of ever fully interiorizing the home.

Sharon Marcus's Apartment Stories provides interesting insights into the world of the bourgeois in nineteenth century Paris- though her ideas are not always convincing and not always substantiated with documentation. Her elaborate endnotes that occupy 81 pages at the rear of the book fail to provide the convincing evidence that more architectural drawings and photographs might. The book leaves the readers constantly searching through the text for `real' images of the physical character of the apartment houses to which they may correspond the analysis of the novel. In the absence of such documentation, the author herself feels the need to stop every now and then in order to summarize and locate within the overall scheme of the book what she had just written (which is also what makes the writing of the book-review easier). These impediments that occlude the understanding of her new insights are further assisted by what could be considered a methodological oversight. Her structure of discussions of the interior and exterior space rest upon the individual descriptions of interior and exterior space. The discussion does not flow from one to the other and that, I feel, strengthens the distinction between the two. A discussion of the in-between transition spaces, apart from perhaps the character of the portière, between the street and the house, that one would expect in a discussion of interior and exterior spaces, is also absent.

Marcus works from an impressive bibliography, one that partially compensates for her deficiencies in documentation and illustration. Apart from a slight error in quoting the publication date of James Stevens Curl's The Victorian Celebration of Death as 1872 instead of 1972, the bibliography, along with the book, becomes a wonderful resource for any scholarly study of nineteenth century France and England in the fields of feminist theory and criticism, geography, urban studies, architectural history, literary criticism, and interdisciplinary research on everyday life.

this is a great book. It covers in detail the jouneys of that great explorer/naturalist/thinker Alfred E. Wallace through Indonesia and addresses the current state of affairs and threats to its natural treasures.

The books goes through all the major parts of Indonesia and shows plenty of well-selected pictures of amazing flora and fauna of the archipelago. Pictures are 70% of the book, but it also provides a good scientific description of how the archipelago formed (10% of the book), explaining how so unique species developed and survived untouched. Around 10% of the book is devoted to the explorers, like Wallace, who first discovered the uniquness of the islands and tried scientifically describe what they found - some early maps of the region and pictures of explorers are presented. Last 10% expresses the concerns about the impact of the modern Indonesia on the nature of the region. Book is published by UC Berkeley/LA, which can only be a further recommendation.

Archipelago is an excellent book on several levels. First, as a photo essay of the biota of the Indonesian islands it must be beyond compare. The photos are simply awesome, leaf through it and see for yourself. Second, it tells the story of one of the worlds least known but greatest scientists, Alfred Wallace. Wallace was just as responsible for developing the theory of evolution through natural selection as Charles Darwin. If you are interested in the history of science or a biology student at any level you should be aware of Wallace's work. This is as good a book to learn about it as any. One slight complaint, in reading this book I felt that the authors felt that Wallace received a raw deal from Darwin and the rest of the scientific community. I don't know if it's true or if the truth will ever be known. I know that Wallace didn't feel that way so why include it here? Third, this book is so much a trip through time. Each chapter on Wallace in the islands is mixed with modern essays on life in the islands and what is happening to the environment there. As an environmentalist "call to arms" it is great, because it is backed by better science through a broader range of disciplines than any I have seen.

I'm not a big fan of the "Coffee Table Book" but this is an exception. While it might be tempting to only look at the pictures, the text is in such a interesting format that reading it turns out to be such a breeze that you will be done before you notice.

This beautiful coffee table book goes far beyond presenting the tropical and exotic beauty of this complex archipelago. True, outstanding photos highlight the natural splendor, rich culture and exotic architecture. But the authors also explore its historical significance, beginning with Wallace's 19th century discoveries in biogeography, continuing through the current, looming ecological crisis wrought by exploitation of the islands' natural resources. For those who have traveled to Indonesia, or have ever wished to, this book is a must.

Well, to be honest, I'm not sure what I expected when I checked this out from the library, but it sounded interesting, so I thought I'd take a look. The story was fairly slow-going at first. In fact, I would say that it wasn't until about 1/2-way through the book that the plot actually got 'moving' so-to-speak. That's not to say that it wasn't interesting, it just seemed like there was lots of information that wasn't really connected to the plot. There were also times where I felt that certain scenes were written just to display the authors' historical knowledge, which isn't something I find particularly appealing in novels.

Also, although touted as a historical fantasy, this book is probably about 80% historical, 15% fantasy and 5% alternate reality. Honestly, if I had known nothing about Elizabethan England when I read this I would have been completely lost and, while reading, I still felt out of the loop occasionally. There were a lot of historical names and places, and it was difficult keeping them straight in my head, especially at the beginning. I can't really recommend this book to anyone who doesn't have at least a little previous knowledge of this time period, but I can say that it would be worth it to do some research for the sole purpose or reading it.

If you don't want to read about the time period, take a look at these two movies: Elizabeth w/ Cate Blanchett and Shakespeare in Love w/ Gwyneth Paltrow. They will give you a historical basis to work off of and both will give you most, if not all, of the names you need to know.

This is the best work of historical fantasy, and one of the best works of historical fiction, which I have ever read. Although the universe (an alternate history Elizabethan England where magic works and where Sydney and Marlow survived the events which killed them in our time line) is fantasy, the approach is basic science fiction "what if", extrapolated on a magical rather than physcial technology. Rather than overlaying modern concepts of magic onto their characters and history, the authors present magic as it was understood by the various classes of Tudor England, and in so doing create a world that feels like reality and avoid the one-dimensionality common to much contemporary fantasy. All this, and a great read, too.

This is a very well-structured, well-written book set in an alternate version of Queen Elizabeth I's reign. The settings are finely drawn, the characters are engaging, and the plot is gripping. I reread this book about once a year just for the pleasure of it, and I snapped up this hardcover when it came out. If you like alternate history and fantasy, and don't mind them mixed together, read this book. If you just want to read about people living in Elizabethan England, read this book. And if you just have to have any book with Shakespeare as a character... you, too, have some reading ahead of you.

I'm the cover illustrator, and I don't always like everything I read. Often, even if I liked a story the first time, I don't like it when I have to read it about the fifth time to check on the color of someone's shirt. Or I start noticing the lapses in historical detail or logic or characterization.

This book I still read for pleasure, even after I finished the cover. I read a lot of alternate history, and this surely ranks among the best.

I bought this along with Elaine Stillerman's prenatal book. I am a massage therapist that's trained in prenatal and knew that there were some things that you had to be careful of when massaging a mommy-to-be. Most women love aromatherapy but have to be aware of certain risks when using essential oils during their pregnancy. This book is clear about what to use and what to avoid. Highly recommended.

Many women enter pregnancy with a heightened desire for self-awareness and well being. Allison England has written an informative text, introducing the nurturing and health promoting treatments of aromatherapy and massage for use on mothers to be, and newborn infants.
Through the use of essential oils in baths, massages, and specific treatments, readers will learn how to increase their body awareness, ease the common discomforts of pregnancy and aid in relaxation and pain management throughout labor and delivery.
The sections on postpartum needs, breast-feeding and basic newborn care will ensure this book does not grow old on a shelf. Parents will refer to it again and again for safe and effective remedies.
Illustrated sections on massage for the mother-to-be, and baby, show how to nurture the mother, and calm the infant. They make for an excellent, hands-on tool for partners who want to participate in the birth experience.
All safety issues are clearly spelled out with the pregnant woman and newborn in mind¸ and general education is provided so that the reader can proceed in confidence, knowing which oils to embrace, and which oils to avoid, along with dosage recommendations for pregnancy.
Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby was written with the goal to help every mother feel her best, and help in facilitating the bonding of the mother and child in a fragrant, gentle way. This book is a "must have" for all pregnant women who want to explore essential oils, and their natural, time-honored potential for enriching their pregnancy and mothering experiences.

Aromatherapy and Massage for Mothers is an excellent resource book for any pregnant moms, friends of pregnant women, or massage therapists. I got lots of great ideas for my clients whom I will be doing labor massage for. I wish I had this book when I was pregnant with my children. There are many great ideas on all of the various ailments of a pregnant woman. This is a great book.

I found this book at Whole Foods and didn't know if it was worth the price. Went across the street to the library and checked it out. The answer is yes, it is worth the (Amazon) price! It is chock full of information pertaining to aromatherapy and oils that are safe for mom and baby both prenatal and postpartum. I was especially interested in which oils help with the baby blues and this book gives a thorough rundown of those as well as others that relieve pain, give energy, and calm you (or the baby) down. I have to take the library book back, so here I am to buy it. If you are interested in massage and/or aromatherapy, or know a pregnant mom who is, get this book! I wish I would have had it for my first pregnancy.

I absolutely love this book. I nearly salivated when I saw the numerous drawings and photos of garden structures and architecture- So I'm a "Structure" guy, not a "plant" guy. My wife literraly told me to stop bothering her because I kept showing her pictures of stairs, walls and pergolas. This really is a tremendous resource. I refer to this book whenever I need a bit of design inspiration. I found the sketches, along with photos, to be tremendously helpful.

Gertrude Jekyll's expertise is evident in this finely written and illustrated book. It covers the Arts and Crafts era of fine gardening in extensive detail. She illustrates the garden relationship to the residence and outbuildings and what plants to use to create different effects.

First published in 1912 by `Country Life' as GARDENS FOR SMALL COUNTRY HOUSES, ARTS AND CRAFTS GARDENS by Gertrude Jekyll and Lawrence Weaver was republished years later as part of the Antique Collectors Club LTD, and now as a "revised edition with additional colo[u]r illustrations" by the Garden Art Press. More art book than instructive garden guide, the modern publication includes many black and white illustrations as well as layout drawings of the houses and grounds discussed, as well as detailed examples of other features, appearing in the earlier volume, along with beautiful color photos and illustrations depicting specific design elements as they appear today. Thus the reader can determine what the landscaper saw and planned, and how well her design worked then and years later. Jekyll's foresight and intuitive understanding of the "art" of garden design (which many of us learn about the hard way) as illustrated in this book, provides the modern reader with an idea of why Jekyll is still revered among garden designers.

The book title, `Gardens for Small County Houses', may appear ludicrous to the contemporary reader, as it provides an overview of selected examples of various gardens the authors developed in Surrey, Berkshire, and Guildford, which by today's standards are quite large. Chapters cover houses and gardens in their entirety, and at least one covers the "Treatment of Small Sites" such as Cheyne Walk in Chelsea, a gorgeous town house site. Other chapters cover selected design elements, such as "balustrades and walls", "steps and stairways" and retaining walls. Most of these elements are used by modern landscape designers in large public settings and on a few "estates", but many cannot be adapted to the small scale urban garden. Many features of these "country" gardens were lifted from Roman villas and most of us don't own villas, however, some of the elements, such as pergolas, arbors, and trellises can and probably should be adapted to a modern urban garden.

Because you probably wouldn't want to attempt to duplicate these designs on an average modern lot, the value of this book other than as a beautiful art book lies in its ability to inform. You will want to study it before you visit one of the notable "estates" where Jekyll worked in England.

This book is a great point of reference for anyone looking for formal garden inspiration. It is wonderful to see the way architecture and garden design can really complement one another so harmoniously. In these cases, neither would be nearly as interesting without the other.

G. Jekyll's garden plans are very interesting to look at. They are giving me many thoughts on good plant combinations & spacing. Also, while her designs are filled with a lot of material, she seems to have a keen eye for leaving space as well.

The attention to detail is wonderful and one can really see the benefit of meticulous planning. Rather than the plant and see what happens approach, it is actually possible to make very deliberate & specific choices.

Now I just want to know who the poor people are who have to do the weeding, watering and pruning in these giant gardens - eeeks!

This was my first read by Elizabeth Young. Really enjoyed it. There's way more to the story than what was in the movie, the Wedding Date. But hey, let's not discount that scene against the car with Dermot Mulroney. As soon as I get a chance I will read another Elizabeth Young book.

I'm not finished reading the book, but I already love it! It is really fun and witty and if you've ever seen the movie, it's so much different! It's worth it though - a perfect story idea! Brilliant!

I loved reading this book. It's light and fun with great humor! You'll be laughing as you read with some of the wacky and real characters.

This book was made into the movie "The Wedding Date" with Debra Messing as the delightfully sarcastic Sophy who has to produce a charming, successful, ideal boyfriend to show up with at the wedding of Sophy's "perfect" sister Belinda.

In this, the third Country House mysteries, one finds oneself in Christie territory, literally and figuratively. The tale begins at Hay-on-Wye, where the protagonist, author Antonia Darcy, is appearing on a panel of crime writers, being gushed over by an apparently devoted fan, one Beatrice ("Bee") Ardleigh. In short order Antonia and her husband, Major Hugh Payne, become embroiled in Bee's complicated life.

Bee appears to be an invalid, being confined to a wheelchair, but is she really? She has as a companion, Ingrid, a decidedly strange woman with whom she has lived for decades, who appears to loathe Bee's new husband [calling him "the interloper]." And she appears on the brink of being the sole heir of a very wealthy man she hasn't seen or heard from in many decades, one Ralph Renshawe, owner of the eponymous Ospreys, a "bleak Gothic mansion on the border between Oxfordshire and Berkshire" [now fallen into disrepair].

The reader is aware of the identity of the intended murder victim, but there is no dead body until more than halfway through the novel, something which startled me when I became aware of it. So much for the perpetual argument as to how soon in a book a body should first be discovered. Here there is no sense of the author having waited too long for that plot development - the journey has been too much fun to even notice. And just when a murder appears to take place, the author provides a twist sure to have the reader puzzled, but only for a little while.

The book is full of drollery and literary quotes, references and allusion, as well as bits of Latin and French. Ingrid thinks of Antonia's books as each being "a mere commercially motivated replica of its predecessor. Variations on a tried, if tired, lucrative theme. Well-bred characters sitting beside cosy fires, drinking tea, deliberating whodunit ad nauseam." Ospreys is referred to as a "house of death," characters as "devilishly devious," the case as a whole "marked by a pervading sense of strangeness." And all around Ospreys are the ever-present rooks, giving to the whole an ominous feel reminiscent of Hitchcock.

A subtle, clever and altogether delightful read, and recommended.

Edge-of-the-seat suspense, the cleverest of plots, unpredictable characters -- this is one of the best whodunits I have read in recent years.

ASSASSINS AT OSPREYS is nearly on par with THE HUNT FOR SONYA DUFRETTE and a bit higher than THE DEATH OF CORINNE on my enjoyment meter. I really admire R. T. Raichev's ability to tell an unpredictable suspense tale. He succeeds beautifully here in crafting pottily eccentric characters whose circumstances and personalities fatefully corner them. ASSASSINS ingeniously manages a host of details -- one can think of the author as having scored and conducted a symphony, making sure all the "instruments" (characters) had their own parts to play and yet blending them into a rigorous set of movements.

In this outing, Antonia meets "the maids," at one of her book signings: long term companions who "appealed to her sense of anomaly. They stimulated her Gothic imagination." The wheelchair-bound, talkative Beatrice chats like a magpie while the taciturn Ingrid repeatedly says it is time to go. Beatrice (Bee) boldly predicts to her favorite author: " 'Shall I tell you what I think? I think you are going to put us in your next book,' " and asks Antonia to visit them at their home, Millbrook House. Months later Hugh and Antonia take up that invitation and discover that Bee still shares her house with Ingrid but has also become ambulatory and a newlywed. Hugh nicknames the ladies, Goldilocks and Cerberus, respectively -- not to their faces, of course. Goldilocks, despite her marriage and his, has a bit of a crush on Hugh, prompting an unfamilair streak of jealousy in Antonia. As the plot thickens, the amateur detective couple is drawn into a web, gothic indeed, that radiates out from Bee and Ingrid, their histories, their warped and secretive personalities, and their vengeful occupations.

Each chapter is a little gem, presenting, with clockwork precision, the clues needed to solve the crimes committed, but written with the suave guile necessary to deliciously misdirect: Hugh's left-behind tobacco pouch touches off a fateful series of events, including an ominous bonfire. A "monstrosity," a pink conservatory, is among the locations surrounding the Ospreys mansion we readers several times want to urge Hugh and Antonia to search. And Raichev imbues several chapters with especially inspired invasions of character minds; two, concerning Len (Bee's husband) and Ingrid, really shine.

Although this country house mystery employs "assassins" in its title, the reader will come to understand it does so in a literary, not strictly literal, manner. This too misdirects attention a tad. As I was reading, I kept wondering whether the potential murder victims had some secret identity that merited them being assassinated rather than more "commonly" murdered. Also, perhaps cinematically, I tend to associate the term "assassin" with someone who is a spy or a ninja or a professional killer or something like that, so I also wondered whether anyone had a secret identity on that order. However, ASSASSINS AT OSPREYS ratchets up suspense differently, and, in fact, the mundane origins of many of the character's actions are, in my opinion, major attractions of the novel.

Raichev's Antonia/Hugh mysteries aren't what one would call grittily realistic because, although the characters are not caricatures, they dance almost playfully at that margin. But that is grand. This country house crime series pays homage to the old English mystery masters but then cements itself into the genre with a unique and atmospheric sleuthing voice all its own. Raichev also mischievously seems to blend into Antonia in their shared mystery writer identity. Antonia may have scoffed at Bee's gleeful announcement that she and Ingrid would be in the writer's next book, but... was Bee wrong? Find out....

I look forward eagerly to the next Antonia/Hugh mystery!

Mystery writer Antonia Darcy and her husband Major Hugh Payne attend a literary gala in Hay-on-Wye. At the festival they meet an odd couple, wheelchair bound seductive Beatrice "Bee" Ardleigh and her companion sober Ingrid Delmar. They enjoy the flirtatious sexy Bee, but find Ingrid overly prim and proper.

A few months later, Bee invites the couple to visit her at her home Oxfordshire they accept. In Oxfordshire, Antonia and Hugh learn Bee has surprisingly married and Ingrid pretends to be Bee while seeing a dying neighbor; whose will bequests his home Ospreys, known in the region as "the secret house of death", to the National Trust. However, the abode lives up to its reputation when someone murders a priest there leading to Antonia and Hugh investigating the crime..

The third Darcy-Payne mystery (see THE DEATH OF CORRINE and THE HUNT FOR SONYA DUFRETTE) is a fabulous whodunit that starts off innocently but soon spins into a murder investigation. The story line is filled with twists and fascinating support characters, who break stereotypes especially the sex siren Bee. Fans of an old fashion entertaining investigative thriller will want to read ASSASSINS AT OSPREYS and its predecessors as this is a solid series.

Harriet Klausner

I love everything about "At Home in Nantucket" - the pictures were beautiful, it was easy to read and the recipes were delicious! I have never been to Nantucket but would love to check it out now!

I love this book!! I purchased a copy for myself first, and then numerous for friends and colleagues of mine who regularly summer in Nantucket, and some who have only been once, and others who haven't been yet (great way to encourage them!) - the photos are gorgeous and anyone with a bit of home decor interest would be interested in this.

Loved this book - some gorgeous homes that really gave me a lot of inspiration as I love that seaside/cottage look. Not all of the homes are decorated in an expected Nantucket style, however, which kept the pages interesting. It has beautiful photographs and some nice recipes too! If you love Nantucket or that casual, cottage/beachy design style, this is a great book for you.

The book is written in a style that warms the reader to life on Nantucket. The photographs come to life with the descriptive prose that the author uses to provide detail. A true sense of life on the island is conveyed in the book which made me want to rush to Nantucket for some R&R!

Lydia is a symbol of the Twenties -- a time when young women were learning to be more direct and uninhibited by morality. As a rather shy girl who inherits a great deal of money at a young age, Lydia is surrounded by young men anxious to please. But instead of settling on just one, Lydia soon finds that she can enjoy two or three young men buzzing around her as long as she likes. She plays them against each other and allows each one to think that only he has won her heart. But all the while, her own lifestyle is growing ever more reckless and self destructive.

The sex scenes in this book are very steamy. Deep down Lydia is the type of girl who really just can't get enough. But she's also very good at pretending to be cold and haughty when dealing with her gentleman friends. When dealing with the well to do lads who offer marriage, she can be quite stiff, yet the secret flings she has with local working lads are very sexy and raw.

The narrator of this book is honest and true. He is the only young man in the village who sees Lydia for what she is. The sad thing is, he can't help loving her. But finally he walks away. When that happens, Lydia becomes truly heartbroken. There are more parties, and more wild affairs, and of course there is more drinking. Lydia smokes and drinks and is the very picture of the glamorous young, always having fun and being quite scandalous.

Yet all the time, there is a hollowness in her life she can't understand. The last chapters of the book show Lydia really reaching a decision to reach out honestly to the man she loves. Of course you don't see that right away. At first she just feels blue without knowing why. It's so touching the way she has one jazz record that reminds her of that honest young love, and she plays that record only when alone in her room. You see her lying around after a late night, resting in her room and listening to the music, and thinking. Is this all she wants from life? Gradually she drops off to sleep on the bed, and the faces of all the young men she's kissed come back to her. But when she falls asleep she pictures herself with that special young man, not dancing to hot jazz or making out in a car, but the time he taught her how to ice skate on the frozen river.

Lydia knows what she has to do. But does she succeed? LOVE FOR LYDIA is a sexy book with some really romantic moments.

HE Bates is one of the most under-rated authors of the Century and this book is his masterpiece. It is the story of the love of a young man for the beautiful Lydia, and how their love has painful and tragic consequences for them both and their friends. It is a story of warmth, love lost and love found, of growing up, of rejection and hope. HE Bates had a profound love for the countryside and it shines through in the detail of his narrative. A few books teach you more and more each time you read them: this is one of them.

Donna Lewis' song I love You Always Forever was inspired by this book. It is the best song!!!! The book is very good....I just want to say you should read this!!!!!1

This book has one of the most accurate descriptions of wintertime that I have ever read. It's a beautiful book that should not be read quickly-- one should savor it rather, because every sentence is so elegantly crafted that you practically want to memorize it. It's one of the few books I always have with me.

Fourth in the Crowner John medieval mystery series set in 1190's Devon, UK. When a Templar Knight--or rather, an ex-Templar who has now left the order--who fought with John in Outremer seeks his assistance while he waits for a cohort to arrive, the coroner reluctantly agrees. When he finds out that Gilbert is now considered a heretic who has an `awful secret' about the Church that the Templars are suppressing, and is being pursued not only by three higher-ups in the Templar Order, but by a papal nuncio who is part of the Inquisition, John curses the moment he pledged his help, but stands by his word. When the ex-Templar turns up dead, obviously murdered, John must then investigate even though his suspicions lie with the Church, whom he has no authority to question. A secondary plot deals with piracy off the coast of Devon and brings the Crowner to Ilfracombe and Barnstaple, which provided a bit of personal interest for me as my husband's sister lives in that area.

I did guess the bad guy way ahead of time in this one and didn't think the story was quite as good as some of the others in this series--or maybe I've just been "DaVinci Coded" to death--but I still enjoyed it as I like the setting and the characters in this series. Knight doesn't sugar-coat the realities of living in medieval times, nor does he glorify his protagonist--Crowner John is a very real man, with very obvious faults and foibles as well as a few virtues that make him an excellent sleuth. The supporting characters are also well-fleshed out, diverse and interesting. This is a series I'll continue reading til the end!

One can picture life in the late 12th century with considerable accuracy while reading a good "who done it."
Much like Michael Jecks in that you don't know the whole story by page 3 as you find in all too many books. Knight and Jecks are great reading especially when you need a break from the purely academic, etc. You may not like the behavior of some, but that's life. Some things never change.

Bernard Knight, or to give him his correct title, Professor Bernard Knight, CBE, was a pathologist to the Home office until 1980 when he was appointed Professor of Forensic Pathology at the University of Wales College of medicine, 1980. He has written the extremely successful Crowner John series of medieval mysteries, of which there are now ten or eleven books, His character Crowner John is certainly among my favourite characters in medieval mysteries.

A Knight of the Temple of Solomon claims to have in his possession a secret that could shake Christendom to its very foundations. It so happens that he is also an old acquaintance of Crowner John (Sir John de Wolfe) from their crusading days together. The Knight's name is Sir Gilbert de Rideford and he is desperate to escape from the secretive order of warrior monks. He prays that Sir John may be able to help him.

Sir John find himself embroiled in a world of religious intrigue, and dangerous politics. Although Sir John's wife is never away from church, as a fighting man Sir John has never had the time or the inclination to become involved in religion and he does not like what he finds. He finally finds himself on a mission to Lundy Island, a place inhabited by pirates, until finally the secret itself is revealed.

Bernard Knight has a way with words, to put it simply, as he takes the reader back to the twelfth century. With Crowner John de Wolfe as a most human protagonist, one becomes intimately involved in the life of the times. For those who wish to gain knowledge of this period and at the same time enjoy an intriguing mystery, The Awful Secret is the book to read.