Five star doo-doo
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This book is shockingly bad. From the cod Pre Raphaelite illustration on the front cover to the last full stop, it oozes anachronism on every page. The greater historical background - which could have come straight from a cheap encyclopaedia - and more than a few of the plot developments are covered in reported speech, giving it a closed, almost claustrophobic feel. The whole thing is deeply silly and won't stand a moment's thought. But you know what? I couldn't put it down. Maybe the writer used Dan Brown's formulaic approach to language and narrative. I don't want to think about it, in case, my pleasure evaporates. But where Dan Brown is just doo-doo, this is good doo-doo. A real Dick Emery of a book....it IS awful, but I like it!
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VINTAGE GELLIS!!!!!!!!!
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Being a long time fan of Roberta Gellis, I will read anything, absolutely anything with her name on it. I have been looking forward to a new Gellis for a long, long time and this is Gellis at her best. No one writes historical like Gellis. Her in depth analysis of history and its impact on the lives of her characters is masterly. With sparkling flashes of wit and convoluted plot this book is a definite keeper. The sparks between Magdalene and Bell are subtle nuances at this point, but are very real and of course there are some conflicts to be resolved, but Ms. Gellis lays a good solid foundation for the explosion to come. As in real life the romance is sometimes secondary to the life and times of her characters but the essence is there and ready to build to a crescendo in the subsequent books in this series. Thank you Roberta for a wonderful read!!!! Can't wait for the next installment.
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A "Must Read" for medieval mystery lovers
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Mortal Bane has everything that Gellis's readers have come to expect: intricate ploting, wonderful sense of period, in-depth characters, lively action. Medieval mystery lovers have waited for a sleuth who is not a nun, or a herbalist, and Magdalene la Batarde provides a refreshing change. This mystery moves through ingenious twists and turns as Magdalene and her ladies, one blind, on deaf, and one "dumb," put on a five star investigation that solves the mysteries and saves their business. It's full of the period detail that makes historial mysteries such fun. Don't miss this one. It's a great read.
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Can't wait for the next one
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OK I'm a BIG Roberta Gellis fan. She does it again. Real characters in real places and situations instead of cartoon characters and contrived plots. Had me guessing to the very end. Still want to know more about Magdalene and Bell but I can wait till next time.
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Wow - Really Really Good
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Roberta Gellis of the Roselynde Chronicles in a different guise! This is a mystery rather than a romance, but such a good mystery that I didn't care! I am reminded of the Brother Cadfael series on PBS with Derek Jacobi - I guess because of the setting. The book wasn't what I expected, but so very very good that I can recommend it anyway.
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