28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Medieval Adventure, July 1, 2004
Princess Alais is bored and disillusioned with life in the court of her brother the King of France. When Eleanor of Aquitaine dangles the promise of information that Alais desperately wants, Alais agrees to travel to Canterbury to retrieve a packet of Eleanor's potentially embarrassing letters. Her simple quest turns into something more dangerous as her rooms are ransacked and she is snatched away from the protection of her attendant knights.
How can she gain possession of the elusive letters and why are so many people suddenly interested in her jeweled pendant? Alais has to figure out whom she can trust as her path collides with King John, mysterious monks, and the Knights of Templar. Dangerous secrets about her stormy past with the royal family of England just might hold the key.
You don't have to be an expert on medieval times to appreciate The Canterbury Papers, but Healey thoughtfully includes a brief overview of royal politics of the time and a summary at the end separating the fiction from the facts. The book has a historically accurate feel, and it is obvious that Healey put a lot of time into her settings and characterizations. This charming mystery surprised me - I didn't expect to be as captivated as I was. Alais is a strong character with wit and passion. Healey throws in a charming romance, which does a great job of lightening the tone set by endless court intrigue and family betrayals.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Engaging Suspense Novel from a Promising New Writer, February 15, 2004
At first glance, THE CANTERBURY PAPERS is slightly intimidating. It opens with a whirlwind two-page summary of twelfth-century French and English political history and then launches headfirst into the politics and betrayals of the royal Plantagenet family. Don't worry, though --- even if you flunked medieval history, there's still plenty to enjoy in this engaging suspense novel.
Alais Capet, a member of France's royal family, was, in her youth, betrothed to Richard the Lionheart. However, her engagement was mysteriously broken off, and now, years later, Alais is lonely, bored with French court life and tired of constantly bickering with her brother, the king of France. When Richard's aged mother, the legendary and powerful Eleanor of Aquitaine, summons Alais to perform a mysterious errand at Canterbury Abbey, Alais jumps at the chance to have a bit of an adventure.
As Alais learns more about the letters she's been asked to retrieve from the altar, she is forced to examine some of the less savory parts of her own personal history. She herself admits, "God knows there were plenty of those [sins] strung out like dark pearls in the years behind me." Through flashbacks, readers learn about these old sins, gaining insight into family dynamics and Alais's own bitterness.
Alais also gets more of an adventure than what she bargained for, as she is quickly drawn into the personal and political intrigues of the Plantagenet family, particularly the tyrannical King John. As she conducts her mission, Alais begins to question everything about her assignment. What are Eleanor's true motives? Whom, if anyone, can Alais trust? And why is everyone so intrigued by the pendant that Alais wears around her neck?
From a historical figure who is usually little more than a footnote in history books, Judith Koll Healey has managed to create a flesh-and-blood woman with a vibrant personality. Although some sections, particularly those dealing with lengthy dinner conversations, can seem a bit too leisurely, and although it can be hard to keep all those nobles straight, Alais's tart tongue and the mystery story will keep readers guessing. Medieval history and literature buffs, of course, will eat this one up, as some of the most intriguing historical characters come to life in the pages of THE CANTERBURY PAPERS. For the rest of us, the author includes an afterword that helps sort out fact from fiction and provides some suggestions for further reading about the dysfunctional Plantagenet clan.
--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A pleasant read, July 28, 2004
I am not one for mysteries, but immensely enjoy historical fiction. I especially enjoy British history and knowing little about its medieval times, I thought this book would be worth a try. Alittle slow at first, it finally picked up about halfway through and then I couldn't put it down. I found myself often confused about the many names being dropped and had to reread passages to clarify their roles. I also had to read the facts behind the unraveled mystery over and over to understand the connections-maybe it's just my lack of understanding and that's why I stay away from mysteries in the first place. Once I took the time to slow down, I understood the plot alittle more clearly. I was able to figure out the mystery of Alais' son right off the bat; way before it was divulged by the author.
The reading was easy and fast. I enjoyed the first person narration and the main character, Alais, was likeable, even if sometimes she was alittle too brash and brave. I was alittle disappointed that some sex had to be thrown in near the end to cheapen the story.
All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction (I did learn a lot about the Plantagenet era)and anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
By the way, did anyone else notice the discrepancy on the cover? The main character repeatedly refers to her malformed left hand (I'm not giving away any big secrets); yet, the hand holding the letters on the cover is a beautifully formed woman's left hand. Just thought it was interesting.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
