Chaucer and the House of Fame

1370, Chaucer is sent on a mission by his lord, John of Gaunt, during the Hundred Years War, to Henri, Comte de Guyac, one of the prominent nobles in England's Acquitaine, who is under pressure to side with the French King. A decade ago Chaucer was a hostage in war to the Comte and they had been on friendly terms, so it's hoped that relationship will aid England's cause. But agents have come to grief before on similar missions and Chaucer's trip is plagued with danger. Even after finally arriving at de Guyac's castle, disaster looms. De Guyac meets mortal danger during a boar hunt. At first it looks as if the boar had caused the wounds, but soon rumors abound regarding a human agent and Chaucer had seen some disturbing clues at the scene that this may indeed be the case. The actual murder occurs a third the way through the books, and it's actually much less the focus in the plot than the hazards of the mission, the various mysterious enemies who may be plotting something or other and the diverse political and personal designs at work. So it's more of an action-suspense, adventure tale, with copious amounts of historical fiction, that also contains a murder mystery (there ARE other murders taking place throughout the book, if you include the previous agent's death and people along Chaucer's route which the reader sees happen, but which Chaucer eventually finds out about, which could count towards the mystery plot, I suppose). Chaucer does make a good sleuth. He's an average-looking fellow, growing a little paunchy with the approach of middle age, but has the keen observational eye and insight into human nature that a "maker" or poet could also find essential, as well as a diplomat, which he apparently was, historically. He and the other characters were sympathetic, but I still felt a bit of a distance from them and their story, eventful as it was. The history was interesting and the details created a nice feel for the times. I found the book a good read and I may check out the others in the series if I'm in the mood for more.

Philippa Morgan's debut novel "Chaucer and the House of Fame" is a welcome addition to the medieval mystery genre! Taking a page (or two) from history, as it were, Morgan gives us Geoffrey Chaucer (later to be known as the "father of English literature"), a young man on a state mission from John of Gaunt, King Edward's youngest son and a big part of the royal ruling family at that time. It is the time of the 100 Years War and the squabbles-deadly as they were-over French/English ownership of some of the minor kingdoms in France. Chaucer is on a secret diplomatic mission to Aquitaine to try to secure the support of Henri, Comte de Guyac, long an English supporter but now beginning to waver, as it appears the French may be winning. Accompanying Chaucer are his two aides, Alan and Ned. Ironically, in Morgan's story, Chaucer had been held prisoner by the Comte some ten years earlier and, as history notes, was eventually ransomed and returned safely to England. While in the Comte's care, Chaucer, young poet he was, falls in love with Rosamund, the beautiful wife of the Comte. Now, Chaucer (married and with his own family) is quite curious to see how he will be received! Leaving London in early May, the trio becomes involved in a number of deadly events along the way and they begin to doubt if they'll ever arrive in Aquitaine! Along the way, they team up with a group of actors (Loup's Troop), all the time being shadowed by as evil an antagonist you'll find by the assumed name of Hubert. The pace of the novel really picks up when, on the second day during a wild boar hunt, Henri, Comte de Guyac, is killed in what appears to be an accident. Chaucer senses that this is a murder. And as "murder will out," now it is a race of time to solve not only this murder but to tie up all the other loose ends in the story, and there are many! Morgan, however, is quite up to handling the myriad directions the books takes us! For one, her characters do a credit even to Chaucer, as she's able to capture the essence that he would have wanted evoked: the bawdiness is there, the humor, the satire, the social significance, and, of course, Morgan adds the "murder mystery" aspect. She gives Chaucer much free reign (he's involved in telling his own tale to his aides at the same time he's trying to solve the murder) and,using the Chaucerian technique of the frame story, maintians full control of all aspects of a well-written novel. Fortunately for us, it appears that she's clearly set the basis for a series and a welcomed series it would be. Her Chaucer makes an excellent sleuth!

I wasn't certain about Chaucer in a mystery, but this worked mainly because the character was used in a believable way. Chaucer was, in fact, a diplomat as well as poet. The story is more political suspense, than a traditional mystery. There is a very effective sense of threat and danger that runs as a top note through the story, as well as an excellent twist at the end. There are stories within the story and a wonderful feel of time and place. I think it does help to know the actual history. For history lovers who don't need high action, I highly recommend it.

In this wonderfully readable and engaging debut mystery novel, Philippa Morgan has penned a book where actual historical events share the stage with a suspenseful intrigue subplot and a murder-mystery subplot, making "Chaucer and the House of Fame" a thoroughly exciting and absorbing read. When it begins to look as if the fragile peace between the French and the English are about the breakdown over the lands in Aquitaine, the Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt, sends one of his most trusted diplomats, Geoffrey Chaucer, in order to persuade the Comte de Guyac, a very influential French landholder from the region to continue his support of the English. But almost from the very beginning of the dangerous journey to Aquitaine, Chaucer senses that he is being shadowed. And he is right, for a very dangerous and determined spy-assassin is on his tail. Will the spy-assassin get to Chaucer before he can carry out his mission of persuasion? Soon, however Chaucer finds that he has exchanged one set of dangerous circumstances for another. For the household of Guyac is quite divided about whether or not they should support the English; and soon after Chuacer's arrival his gracious host is murdered during a boar-hunt. Was the Comte de Guyac murdered so that he would not throw his support behind the English? And was he murdered by the spy-assassin who has been dogging Chaucer's footsteps, or by someone from within the Guyac household? As Chaucer struggles to come up with answers, he uneasily begins to realise that his life is in even more danger than ever... Set in 1370 and during the 100 year war, Philippa Morgan does a wonderful job of making the historical and political realities of the period a vital part of the novel, and not in a dense and uninteresting manner, but in a very vital, vivid and exciting way. You can really feel the suspense mount as you read of the spy-assassin closing in on Chaucer and his party, and feel the dread deep in your stomach as you realise that some other innocent or the other would be killed off by our villain in his murderous quest to get closer to Chaucer. The mystery subplot of who killed the Comte and why was rather well handled too -- there were plenty of suspects to keep one happily absorbed in speculating as to the identity of the murderer! But for me what really kept the novel humming and exciting was the suspenseful intrigue subplot as Chaucer and his cohorts to their level best to evade those who seem to have murderous plans for them. All in all, with factors like a good story fantastically told, colourful and vivid historical detail, and wonderfully realised characters, "Chaucer And The House Of Fame" is a read not to be missed by any avid mystery fan.