Helpful Score: 1
This was an enjoyable mystery set in medieval England. The dialogue in the book consists of a lot of one-line simple sentences. But the main character, Hugh, is engaging and enigmatic. The book is about Hugh's quest for the truth about himself and the past he can't remember. The book ends with a small cliffhanger: Hugh's identity and past are resolved but his future is uncertain.
Helpful Score: 1
Hugh Corbaille was raised by two wonderful people who weren't really his parents, that wasn't an issue until his adoptive father dies and a visiting knight spots Hugh and believes that he is the missing child of the Earl of Wisltshire, mysteriously abducted thirteen years before on the same day the Earl was murdered. Hugh has no memory of his early years but he is curious when he finds out that the woman who is supposed to be his real mother is alive in a convent and so he sets out to find his past. The journey is going to be treacherous, the current Earl of Wiltshire does not plan on giving up the throne to this young man and someone is trying to kill him. This was a great mystery, if you enjoy these sort of historical mysteries Joan Wolf is wonderful.
I loved this book, the story was so engrossing that I couldn't put it down. Excellent characters and the plot and storyline really move at a quick pace. The details of the scenes really put you in the story.
Set in the turbulent realm of Norman England, a young man discovers that his identity is the link to an incredible mystery.
In the turbulent realm of Norman England, a young man discovers that his identity is the link to an incredible mystery...
Bereft at the loss of his adoptive father, the Sheriff of Lincoln, Hugh Corbaille is unprepared for a further shock from a visiting knight. Hugh may actually be the sole child of the Earl of Wiltshire, mysteriously abducted thirteen years before on the day the nobleman was murdered. With no memory of his early years, Hugh begins to believe he may be the missing heir and sets off to find his past.
The journey, however, is far from easy -- or safe. Finding himself caught in a web of death and intrigue, and surrounded by a court of scheming strangers, Hugh must turn to the mother he has never known and a supportive young woman to piece together the truth. A cold-blooded killer stands between Hugh and the answers he seeks, answers that may prove his birth -- and his death.
Bereft at the loss of his adoptive father, the Sheriff of Lincoln, Hugh Corbaille is unprepared for a further shock from a visiting knight. Hugh may actually be the sole child of the Earl of Wiltshire, mysteriously abducted thirteen years before on the day the nobleman was murdered. With no memory of his early years, Hugh begins to believe he may be the missing heir and sets off to find his past.
The journey, however, is far from easy -- or safe. Finding himself caught in a web of death and intrigue, and surrounded by a court of scheming strangers, Hugh must turn to the mother he has never known and a supportive young woman to piece together the truth. A cold-blooded killer stands between Hugh and the answers he seeks, answers that may prove his birth -- and his death.
I especially like the medieval period of time and the mystery in the story made me want to see how it went and ended my guess for outcome was wrong
I enjoyed this book.
To tell the truth, I just grabbed this one because I had to wait and didn't have any favorite authors available. I was really pleased to discover that Joan Wolf has really done research and tried to faithfully represent the world views of 12th century English (well, Normans.)
It's also a coming of age tale with a twist; the child with amnesia may turn out to be someone totally other than he grew up thinking he would be as an adult.
From back cover: In the turbulent realm of Norman England, a young man discovers that his identity is the link to an incredible mystery. . . .Bereft at the loss of his adoptive father, the Sheriff of Lincoln, Hugh Corbaille is unprepared for a further shock from a visiting knight. Hugh may actually be the sole child of the Earl of Wiltshire, mysteriously abducted thirteen years before on the day the nobleman was murdered. With no memory of his early years, Hugh begins to believe he may be the missing heir and sets off to find his past.
The journey, however, is far from easy--or safe. Finding himself caught in a web of death and intrigue, and surrounded by a court of scheming strangers, Hugh must turn to the mother he has never known and a supportive young woman to piece together the truth. A cold-blooded killer stands between Hugh and the answers he seeks, answers that may prove his birth--and his death.
It's also a coming of age tale with a twist; the child with amnesia may turn out to be someone totally other than he grew up thinking he would be as an adult.
From back cover: In the turbulent realm of Norman England, a young man discovers that his identity is the link to an incredible mystery. . . .Bereft at the loss of his adoptive father, the Sheriff of Lincoln, Hugh Corbaille is unprepared for a further shock from a visiting knight. Hugh may actually be the sole child of the Earl of Wiltshire, mysteriously abducted thirteen years before on the day the nobleman was murdered. With no memory of his early years, Hugh begins to believe he may be the missing heir and sets off to find his past.
The journey, however, is far from easy--or safe. Finding himself caught in a web of death and intrigue, and surrounded by a court of scheming strangers, Hugh must turn to the mother he has never known and a supportive young woman to piece together the truth. A cold-blooded killer stands between Hugh and the answers he seeks, answers that may prove his birth--and his death.
In the turbulent era of Norman England, a young man discovers that his true identity is the link to an incredible mystery.