Mistress of the Art of Death

A medieval mystery? Yes, and Mistress of the Art of Death delivers a great story, historically accurate details and gripping characters, all set in the 12th century town of Cambridge during the reign of Henry II the Plantagenet. Not being one to read murder mysteries, I started this one with caution, but was rewarded with a heroic leading lady rushing to solve grisly tortures and murders of children before another is snatched for a certain death. And a love story too? Oh yes. Twists and turns? Oh yes. Looking for Franklin's next book, The Serpent's Tale starring the same leading lady? A third, emphatic yes.

Narrow Dog to Carcassonne

A retired Englishman and his wife take their canal boat on the trip of a lifetime. Canal boats apparently are NOT robust enough for a sea journey, but Terry and Monica's dream is to chug along the English canals, out the Thames, across the Channel, pop into Calais, down the French canals, through Paris, down to Carcassonne. (Why Carcassonne? It sounds nice.) Accompanied by their narrow dog, Jim the whippet, they accomplish just what they set out to do, sharing the peculiarities of modern canal travel as they go. We meet unsavory characters, hard-working but sparse lock captains, town fair patrons, bartenders, mayors, other narrow and wide dogs, and everyday people rather surprised to see an English canal boat out of its usual environs. The eighteen French phrases at the back of the book to keep on hand when traveling are not to be missed. This book is a charming keeper, especially if you have experience traveling to any of the locales it describes, or have a dream to do so.

The Pirate Queen

Made it through nine chapters of this book on Queen Elizabeth I and her pirate adventurers in the early years of her reign. It's historical non-fiction; I knew that going into it. But very HEAVY on facts, very LIGHT on story. More like a history final than a "Pirate Queen". I'm going back to Alison Weir for my English history fix.

The Red Queen

By one of my favorite authors, The Red Queen details the story of Margaret Beaufort, heir to the Lancastrian house at the time of the Wars of the Roses, York vs. Lancaster, for the British throne in the 1480's. From the birth of her son, Henry Tudor, to the battle at Bosworth Field in 1485, Margaret fights for her house and her son to rule England. Was she responsible for the death of the York princes in the Tower of London? Did she marry Lord Stanley only to gain position for the long battle to the throne? Did she love Jasper Tudor, younger brother of her husband Edmund? Like her ancestor Katherine Swynford, her life was full of intrigue, romance, defeats and victories. While this book is a novel, recurring themes of historical fiction ring true for Margaret Beaufort. If you like this book, read The White Queen by the same author, or the first (and some say greatest) book of historical fiction/romance, Katherine by Anya Seton.

The Age of Innocence

Set in New York upper society in the 1870's, The Age of Innocence spotlights Newland Archer, a young "man of means" bound to cultural duty and restraint. Engaged to cousin May, he cannot put down his unbounded feelings for Countess Ellen Olenska, his wife's cousin in an abusive marriage to a European lesser noble. "His whole future seemed suddenly to be unrolled before him; and passing down its endless emptiness he saw the dwindling figure of a man to whom nothing was ever to happen." This passage describes the role of a man in society of the time: emotionless, cool, restrained, robotic. Archer predictably chooses the life he was born to lead. But the last chapter describes his eldest son's opposite character born of rebellion to the society life, and Archer's last encounter with the path not chosen. Wharton's language and style eloquently describe the time, which pervades even the word choices she makes. Would we have chosen differently, given the circumstances?

Notwithstanding

Notwithstanding is a collection of short, but related humorous articles about the eponymous hamlet in England. You might consider it the "Lake Wobegon" of country England. I enjoyed reading this one on my recent trip to England, where the vestiges of small-town country English life appeared only if one looks very closely. There are no more men wearing bowler hats commuting into the City, but there may very well be nuns disregarding the speed limit, 42-year-old men living with their mothers, and cats chasing marauding moles. This book is a delightful summer read!

The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England

If you read a lot of English history, play medieval RPGs, or enjoy learning about other times and cultures, this is an interesting take on the days of knights and chivalry. Written like a travel guide, this book gives the background to medieval practices and beliefs. The culture of knights is explained thoroughly, as well as the roles and relationships between medieval women and men. The various castes of English society are explained, and the motivations of each toward religious practice, crime and their "betters". A fascinating read! I enjoyed reading this book during my recent trip to London, where the history came alive by seeing the places where it happened.