Customer Reviews

The Bastard's Tale: A Dame Frevisse Medieval Mystery

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of Margaret Frazer's best featuring Dame Frevisse. A well-plotted, well-written and well-edited book that puts you right into Medieval times along with Henry VI and the famous and infamous of history. Although I have read each entry in this series, I don't believe it is necessary to have read them to enjoy this one. In this tale, we meet again a character we've been intrigued by in other tales, Joliffe. He warns the nun to be careful with her sharp tongue that she not cut herself, but Frevisse is sharp all the way through, a thinker and observer and a true help to her cousin, Alice married to Suffolk. The story is smoothly plotted and filled with people you can care about, that you can be interested in, and that is Margaret Frazer's strength as an author. The mystery is not the focus of the story, but the people and the times are. I was sorry to see the story end. And I hope I will see more of Dame Frevisse and Joliffe in the future, preferably sooner rather than later.

I've read almost all of the Dame Frevisse books by Margaret Frazer. They began as simple historical mysteries but have really moved into a different genre. The first few books were actually written by two people, one with the head for mysteries and the other with a passion for life in 14th Century Britain. The first author has dropped out of the equation and the novels are now entirely penned by Gail Frazer, the history buff, and it's definitely beginning to show. Freed from having to essentially write the books by committee, she really seems to have taken the project to heart and for the last few books, has been moving away from the traditional framework of a simple whodunit to concentrate on her real area of interest: the intrigues and machinations surrounding the court of Henry VI. In the Bastard's Tale she makes the break complete, most noticably with the total absence of a true murder in the traditional narrative sense. It is still a puzzling and exciting read with a wealth of stunning historical detail, but unfortunately Dame Frevisse's reasons for being in such exhalted company in the first place are starting to wear a little thin. Nonetheless her character remains as uncompromising and stoically endearing as ever, and the astute reader will enjoy continuing the series simply for the joy of watching Gail Frazer evolve from her artistic infancy as a ghostwriter of pulp mysteries to an impressive novelist in her own right.

This is very much a historical novel, as there really is no murder and murderer to be found. I found that the book had somewhat of a slow start, but most historical novels suffer from this problem since the author needs to build his/her character base and lay the groundwork for the unfolding of the story. In this book Dame Frevisse and Dame Pepetua are sent to a meeting of parliament as a request of the Bishop. He wants Dame Frevisse to listen and learn about the many political intrigues that are going on in this emergency scheduled calling of parliament. Right away Dame Frevisse is in the middle of all the political unrests, secrets and plots and counterplots that surround King Henry VI and his uncle the Duke of Gloucester. She finds that her brother-in-law, the Duke of Suffolk is in the middle of this, and is in fact the cause of the problems, so she must deal with her sister's concerns about her husband as well as try to thwart a truly evil plot that Suffolk has hatched. This will become the biggest challenge of her career, and will in fact destroy her reputation (a thing that a nun does not take lightly). Ms. Frazer is a very good writer, and this book is well-researched, but it was not what I was expecting since I wanted a medieval mystery. I personally didn't really enjoy the story as I've read many historical mysteries about this time, and really wasn't wanting to read another about the maelstrom that surrounds an early English king's throne, but I've given it 4 stars since it is so well-written, and well-researched. Be aware if you read it that this is not a mystery novel.

I've read and liked all of Margaret Frazier's books, but this one is special. I'm not going to discuss the plot except to say that the last few chapters kept me reading into the night; one in particular I read over and over, heart in mouth. This outstanding book is reminiscent of Edith Pargeter's (AKA Ellis Peters, of Brother Cadfael fame) series The Heaven Tree, the Green Branch, and The Scarlet Seed--and higher praise I cannot give.

... and precise description of the social mores of the time. I am always pleasantly taken with how Frazer manages to make Dame Frevisse seem so absolutely true-to-form. I did not find it slow-paced, but then, I grab every new Frazer as soon as I can, and have yet to be disappointed.

Medieval sleuth Dame Frevisse is back to tackle her twelfth mystery. The year is 1447. Parliament is about to begin its session in Bury St. Edmonds, an event that brings the most powerful men of England together as they strut, posture and vie for favor. As would be expected in a gathering of politically driven personalities, egos and ambitions clash. A rumor is set afoot that the Duke of Gloucester plans to arrive with a throng of men to overthrow his nephew, King Henry. Where the rumor started is anybody's guess, but many are betting that the individual responsible is Suffolk, a bitter rival and hateful conniver. The beloved Frevisse of St. Frideswide's nunnery travels to Bury St. Edmonds with a mission --- to act as the eyes and ears for Bishop Beaufort of Winchester. In her attempts to mingle and listen, she encounters an old friend, the all-too clever Master Joliffe Noreys, as he rehearses for a play. Although she is quite happy to see him, she wonders about his allegiances. He seems a bit too oily to fully trust. Is his name really Joliffe and who does he work for? Then a lucky meeting with Bishop Pecock, a scholar and dry wit, wins her another welcome friend.

While tensions mount, word ripples through Bury St. Edmonds that the Duke of Gloucester has been arrested for treason. Frevisse, more than mildly skeptical, wonders who set him up and why. Could the rancorous gossip about him be coming from Suffolk and his cronies, or maybe Dorset, or even York? Fortunately, Gloucester's illegitimate son Arteys eludes his father's accusers and falls into the care of wry Bishop Pecock, Master Noreys and Frevisse, who have joined out of necessity to form an investigative team to aid the duke, if possible.

Despite her life's chosen work as a nun, Dame Frevisse does not come across as all sweetness and light --- she's very human too. Her courage, coupled with her stalwart sense of good, averts many disasters and rights many wrongs. In the course of conversations, she delivers some philosophical insights with both religious and lay undertones. And, in the end, she delivers a satisfying conclusion.

THE BASTARD'S TALE is an engaging story, despite its slow pace. It is pleasantly peppered with medieval details and historical side trips that give us a glimpse into life in 15th century England. Most of the action comes in the latter half, allowing the reader time to savor Ms. Frazer's storytelling talents. And there is enough action to keep you turning the pages once it reaches speed. I don't know if this will be a favorite in the series (not having read any of the others) but it is sure to be a hit with loyal fans.

--- Reviewed by Kate Ayers

In 1447 England, King Henry VI sits upon the throne but is unduly influenced by his closest councilor the Marquis of Suffolk. The Marquis has seen to it that the king's heir, his uncle the Duke of Gloucester, is looked upon with distrust and suspicion. At Bury St. Edmonds, the king, his lords and the parliament attend a council meeting. An invitation is sent to Gloucester hinting that if he attends his wife will be released from prison.

Suffolk's wife Alice is a cousin and close friend to Dame Frevisse who is very happy to live in St. Frideswide's Nunnery away from the worldly cares of corrupt men. When Frevisse is asked to go to Bury St. Edmonds to spy for Bishop Beaufort of Winchester she accepts because she wants the priory to have the property the Bishop is willing to give in return for her services. When she arrives at the site of the gathering, she becomes so involved in political affairs of the realm that she lies and perjures herself to save the live of Gloucester's illegitimate son and four of his trusted companions.

The heroine of THE BASTARD'S TALE makes a life long enemy of her cousin's husband the Marquis of Suffolk and risks an estrangement with her cousin Alice in order to prevent the death of innocents. It is obvious that Margaret Frazer has done meticulous research on the events that take place in this book so that the readers have a feel the era and an understanding of how such injustices can occur. Fans of medieval mysteries will relish the latest entry in this Edgar nominated series.

Harriet Klausner

I read Margaret Frazer as much for her astute knowledge of history and for her fine story telling. THE BASTARD'S TALE take a brief moment of the troubled history of England during 1447 and explores a political culture with few survivors.
Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, the heir and uncle of King Henry VI. died a mysterious death in a place called Bury St. Edmunds. His bastard son Arteys was sentenced to died for treason, but walked away from his excution to disappear from the pages of history.
Margaret Frazer weaves a tale that is both plausable and probable. The reader is all the richer for the experience.
Nash Black, author of SANDPRINTS OF DEATH.

Another excellent Sister Frevisse story! This one is centered around the actual historical events of the Duke of Gloucester's death in 1447, which was believed to have been murder despite the claim of those who arrested him that he died from natural causes. His bastard son Arteys also existed, as well as the Bishop Pecock who befriends Sister Frevisse and Arteys as they attempt to escape the deadly tangle of political threads they find themselved enmeshed within. Frevisse is in the middle of the court politics because she is the cousin of the wife of the Marquis of Suffolk, who is believed to have been involved in Gloucester's arrest and subsequent death. More than in any of her previous books, Frazer cleverly weaves her story among events chronicled in history, which makes it all the more fascinating.

A historian is a detective, trying to sort out what really happened from the mystery of the past. Whether you consider this book to be more historical fiction or more historical mystery is a matter that determines its place in the library. That it belongs in the permanent collection of the serious historical fan is beyond question.

Margaret Frazer has shown a spotlight on a moment of historical time: the death of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, in 1447 and the accusation against his bastard son Arteys de Curteys. It is of interest to historians in that she throws out a plausible theory about this interesting case of political murder/natural death.

For fans of her two mystery series, this shows Dame Frevisse at her best. For those who like her new series about the roving player Joliffe, this is an interesting glimpse of the actor at a point in his career beyond the fourth and last book so far, "A Play of Lords".