[.ca] Cruel as the Grave (ISBN 0345434226)

From Amazon.com:
Readers of The Queen's Man, Sharon Kay Penman's first book about young Justin de Quincy, will feel right at home as Justin--the bastard son of a bishop--continues to help England's aged Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine find out if her son Richard Lionheart is still alive in a German prison while trying to keep another son, John, from usurping the throne. Newcomers might take a few more pages, but Penman's skill at making the daily life of 1193 England so immediately accessible should soon have them equally comfortable. Why would a messenger grab his mantle but not his boots before jumping out of a Winchester bawdy house window on a mild April night? Because that's where a traitorous message is hidden. What would Justin and his friend Luke have for supper at a Thameside cookshop? "Pork-filled pie and ginger wafers, washed down with cider." Why was "breakfast the day's dubious meal, not quite respectable?" Because, Penman tells us, "people were supposed to be able to satisfy themselves with a hearty dinner and a lighter supper." Details like these bond us quickly with distant ancestors--and make us wonder what particulars of our own lives will be fodder for future writers of historical fictions. --Dick Adler

The Queen's Man Rides Again:
A 2nd episode for DeQuincy, Queen Eleanor's "man" from the mind of Sharon Penman. Her feel for the medieval England of Henry & Eleanor from her previous historical novels form the basis for this unique historical murder mystery set in England in 1193, which also serves as a nice encore for the first murder mystery "The Queen's Man". Penman emerged long ago as one of the best historical novelists and continues to solidify her reputation with each new release. The "Queen's Man" novels are unique side trips where she plays with fictional characters based on her strong historical story lines. Penman's special genius lies in the bright and shining historical detail that she can weave into both plot and dialog (she's a very good student of history and at times is absolutely brilliant in conveying to us the workings of medieval minds). Penman's true genius is the broad historical scope that is painted on top of the shimmering details of brief moments. It truely does feel as if you are living the story yourself, and it is this bringing us readers in as witnesses that stands as Penman's contribution to the art of the historical novel. If you prefer to read in chronological order: 1101-1154 When Christ And His Saints Slept (Vol 1 of Trilogy) 1156-1171 Time And Space (Vol 2 of Trilogy) 12th Cent Devil's Brood (Vol 3 of Trilogy)- not yet released 1192-1193 The Queen's Man 1193 Cruel As The Grave 1183-1232 Here Be Dragons (Vol 1 of Welsh Trilogy) 1231-1267 Falls The Shadow (Vol 2 of Welsh Trilogy) 1271-1283 The Reckoning (Vol 3 of Welsh Trilogy) 1459-1492 The Sunne In Splendour

another fine historical mystery from author Penman:
I thoroughly enjoyed this second novel about Justin de Quincy, who we first met in Penman's The Queen's Man, referring to Justin's career as aide to Queen Eleanor, mother of Richard the Lion-Hearted and Prince John. It is 1193 and Richard is being held for ransom. While Eleanor tries to raise the money and keep John from a treasonous grab for the throne, Justin gives her invaluable assistance and also solves a murder closer to home. Penman brings the 12th century to life with details about the everyday existence of people as they go about their business. Her style is wonderful, flowing easily and beautifully, and she writes well for different characters -- the conversations with Prince John and Justin's enemy/ally Durand fairly sizzle with malice and innuendo. A notable undercurrent in this novel is the relationship between parents and children, and we see the consequences of familial dysfunction in the case of Justin and his estranged father, the two murder suspects and their bullying patriarch, and Prince John and his politically astute mother. This is a terrific novel and I can't wait to read more of this series -- Justin de Quincy is a fun protagonist and Eleanor and John and Durand are compelling historical figures who jump right off the page. Lovely.

Part Two Two Medieval Mystery Sleuthing:
Penman wrote these medieval mysteries to take a break from her more flowery medieval prose. Unlike the latter, she didn't necessarily know what the outcome would be to various mysteries so it gave her a new stretch in her writing career. The dialogue and descriptions are sparse compared to her more Historical works. If anything, this series focuses on movement and pacing. I would say this is more of a fun and quick read than the usual elegant, flowery and heart breaking Historical pieces Penman is usually known for in her works.

Ms. Penman Does it Again!:
Sharon Kay Penman is a very good author. Her writing is wonderful and her research faultless. Her love of the Aquitaine era in England is very apparent since that is where she concentrates her research and her novels. This second book in the Justin de Quincy series, I think was actually better than the first. I do hope that she writes more in this particular series. The characters in this book are wonderful as always, and her craftsmanship ensures that the reader is placed right into the era and the plot. In this book Justin is asked by his friend Nell to find the killer of a young Welsh girl who was found dead in a church graveyard. Justin sets out to find this killer while at the same time he is asked to undertake a very dangerous mission for his queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. He doesn't have to look far for suspects in his murder case as it appears that there were only two - two brothers from the same family. Justin tries to prove their innocence, and instead uncovers a situation and a homelife that mirrors ones that he is familiar with - his own and his queen's.

A little thin:
Penman's books are well written and thus a pleasure to read. Additionally, she has researched what life was like in 12th century England and so her historical fiction, including this mystery, are great fun if for no other reason than to learn what everyday life was like. The mysteries are particularly good for this in that they allow Penman to write about everyday people rather than just the Court. Thus I must say I enjoyed Cruel As the Grave. But... as historical fiction, there is very little plot here and the mystery will disappoint mystery fans. Even stranger (and unlike the first of Penman's mysteries) there is no connection between the events surrounding Eleanor and her son, the future king John, (i.e. the historical fiction if you will) and the murder her protagonist must solve (the mystery). It left me wondering what the point was except as an excuse to write another book in which Eleanor appears.