A Dark Night Hidden

First Sentence: The spiteful wind of a bleak, icy February blasted down the muddy track and around the sparse huddle of buildings as if it hated the world and everything in it. Father Gilbert has broken his ankle and a substitute priest has been sent. Father Micah's fanaticism has won him no friends. However, it wasn't expected to find his body lying in a ditch. A man speaking a foreign language begs help of the Abbey of Hawkenlye. The woman he carries has been severely whipped and her forehead branded. From Gervase de Gilfford, in the service of Richard FitzRoger de Clare, Sir Josse d'Acquin learns the two people were part of a group of Cathars traveling through England. Josse and Gilfford seek to find the rest of the group and the killer of Father Micah. Catholics, Cathars and pagans, what a great combination. I actually like a bit of woo-woo and, in this time where some did still practice the old ways, it worked for me. Helewise and Jose are wonderful characters and never more so than in this book. Their friendship is strong and an important element of the story. Each had a question of their faith versus morality. It was handled very well. There are some wonderful supporting characters, particularly Father Gilbert and Gervase de Gilfford, of whom I hope we see more. Clare always creates a very strong sense of time of place. I particularly like that her dialogue provides a sense of the period without being over the top. The story was very well plotted, although you did have to wonder at the alternating POVs. I should have known to trust Clare in that she always being the story together and always ties up all the loose ends This is a great series; a pleasure to read, and one with which I shall definitely continue.

I have read all the Hawkenlye novels to date, but I consider this one slightly unlike the others in that it has a one narrative that parallels the case and deals with magical, Druid-like Outsiders that seem more like modern Wiccans to me. Though a confirmed fantasy enthusiast, I do not care for it in mystery novels as it upsets the delicate balance of motives with unknowable and supernatural ones. Oh, well, I admit I enjoyed it anyway, any annoyance being passing. Alys Clare is an excellent author, and it must be admitted that there are undoubted supernatural elements in many other Medieval mysteries. Just less about the Great Mother, okay?

Alys Clare's Hawkenleye series revolve around her two main characters Sir Josse d'Acquin and Helewise, abbess of the Hawkenleye Abbey. Sir Josse is spending Yuletide with relatives he has not seen for many a long year when news reaches England that the Lionheart has been captured by his enemies and a ransom most be raised to free him from their clutches. Sir Josse believes that Queen Eleanor is bound at some stage to call at Hawkenleye Abbey which is one of her favourite religious houses and decides to call there on the way back to his own manor and seek out the Abbess, who herself is a friend of Josse. Perhaps he will be able to get some first hand information about what is to be done to free King Richard. The Abbess Helewise is however having problems of her own as a sadistic new priest has arrived to administer to the spritual needs of the Abbey. Josse and Helewise are soon embroiled in more than one murder by people who are no friends of the church in general and Hawkenleye Abbey in particular. Sir Josse and Helewise are given an excellent and friendly relationship by the author, with undertones that something more than friendship is never far away. This series of books are excellent.