Bone-Pedlar Hb [Hardcover]

Sylvian Hamilton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 19, 2000

'In the crypt of the abbey church at Hallowdene, the monks were boiling their bishop ...' This novel begins with monks but this is not the world of Brother Cadfael. This is the world of medieval quest, of castles, journeys, chance encounters with beggars and spies, of violent killings, and sometimes of unimaginable cruelty. It also a world deeply enmeshed with the supernatural, in which the holy remnants of saints - the finger of St Thomas, the tooth of St Ursula - may be a matter of life and death. It is against this background - peopled with monks, witches, children, mountebanks, women good and evil, and knights Templar or otherwise - that Sir Richard Straccan's first adventure as bone-pedlar extraordinaire takes place. Central to it all is the kidnap of his beloved little daughter, Gilla, brought up by nuns since the death of his wife.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sylvian Hamilton has been at different times a secretary, mother, lexicographer, journalist, farmer, second-hand bookseller and antiques dealer. She is devoted a Star Trek fan. Since arthritis clipped her wings, she spends much of her time at home, a tiny cottage in the Scottish border country, with a very patient husband, two cats and about five thousand books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Orion Publishing; First Edition edition (October 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752832603
• ISBN-13: 978-0752832609
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,065,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical fiction with a sense of humour, January 8, 2004

By 

"anneotherwitch" (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bone-Pedlar (Paperback)

Hamilton is a refreshing change to overrated authors of the historical fiction genre such as Elizabeth Chadwick, Candace Robb and Ellis Peters.

The goodies are believable because they have their flaws and the baddies are believable because you understand what they are up to. I also loved the humour which actually helps the thrill and suspense have more impact in the other parts of the novel.

Hamilton understands that you can't take modern characters and stick them in medieval setting and call it a medieval novel. She actually gives them a medieval outlook as well and pays attention to her minor characters as well.

The good news is that there is a follow up already published and more planned.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book!, April 9, 2005

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bone-Pedlar (Paperback)

Sylvian Hamilton writes some of the best opening lines ever: 'In the crypt of the abbey church at Hallowdene, the monks were boiling their bishop...' She certainly doesn't whitewash the life of that period, but tells a wonderful, captivating story with strong characters. Although I felt this book a bit less strong the book three, The Gleemaiden-forgiven as it is the first book after all, it was still wonderful. I have become a huge fan of Ms. Hamilton, can't wait to read the second and for her to write the fourth. This series has become a definite favorite of mine. (Later note: Ms. Hamilton passed away in February 2005. Her 4th book remained unfinished.)

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good medieval mystery, March 8, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Bone-Pedlar (Paperback)

Hamilton has given us a good first effort with this novel; however, the reviewer who claims that her work is better than the "overrated" Ellis Peters and Candace Robb needs to read the book again...it doesn't come close to the work of either of these prolific, excellent authors!