Cursed in the Blood

After meeting Catherine's eccentric family, we finally get to see where Edgar came from. All I can figure is that he indeed was the changling - because he's far too normal to be part of that motley band. Edgar, Catherine, baby James, Soloman (one of my favorites - we need to find him a nice Jewish girl!), and servant Willa travel to Scotland. Edgar has been summoned to help avenge the deaths of his two eldest brothers and 12-yr-old nephew. This family brings new definition to the term "dysfunctional"! Once again, Newman's dialog just clips along - very rich and believable. Her attention to period detail is just unmatched. I did figure out the mystery before the end - and I've done that with her books before - but she does add some breathtaking twists to the end, don't assume you've got the whole story nailed. All in all - this series is just wonderful. Unlike other series, it doesn't seem to be losing steam as each book comes out. Yes, Catherine is changing - but she is growing older and more mature, and we all change as we do that. I look forward to more, especially if Margaret (Edgar's baby sister) is going to play a bigger role. And what will we do with Soloman??

Edgar and Catherine - what a pair. I really enjoyed finding out more about Edgar's past. I wondered how he could leave his home, seemingly cut the ties with his relatives and move so far away.This is an excellent time period and now that Ellis Peters can no longer reveal Cadfael and his times to us, Catherine and Edgar can pick up the slack.Go back and find them all and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

In this 5th of series, we learn why Edgar was able to leave his home and family for Catherine - and why he could love and respect her even though she is but a woman. I love this historical period, and enjoy glimpses of Abelard and Heloise in the earlier novel and, in this one, seeing more of E. Peters' Brother Cadfael's world. Edgar is so much more than a beautiful face. I want to know him and Catherine even better. I hope there will be more. I want Solomon to find a kosher wife and I want Catherine's son to grow up. I want to hear more talks with their Parisian friends. I am deeply satisfied with the characters in these five books - and I hope to meet the again.

Cursed in the Blood continues the story of Catherine and Edgar, this time they travel to Scotland where we meet Edgar's family. The story portrays the harsh realities of Medieval times. A must read for all Sharan Newman fans!

English loyalties are divided between Stephen and Mathilda. The impact of the civil war spills into Scotland where the English enemy is too busy infighting to bother with the increased clan violence of their northern neighbor. However, blood feuds fail to explain the deaths of Lord Waldweve's two sons and grandson. Nobody claims credit for killing the three males. Waldweve, an abusive individual feared and hated by his family and his tenants, plans to learn who killed his flesh and blood in order to enact a painful vengeance on them. He demands Edgar return home from his self-imposed exile in France to help his family with their quest. Catherine, who has undergone many hardships to be with her beloved Edgar, refuses to desert her beloved now. They travel together to Scotland, unaware that treachery, war , and duplicity will be their constant companions. Sharan Newman, always considered a fine writer, has surpassed her own high standard of excellence with CURSED IN THE BLOOD, a novel that is more than just the mystery that it is being categorized as. Fans of Sharon Kay Penman will want to read this book that is a keeper due to its brilliant conveyance of a colorful but tumultuous era in British history. The lead characters feel like real people allowing readers to care what happens to them. The story line is a plausible renactment of what could have happened during a civil war nestled inside a larger civil war, a unique storytelling device that makes this book a very special keeper. Harriet Klausner