Customer Reviews

Faithful Dead, The

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When Josse d'Acquin receives a visit from Prince John and a group of his courtiers looking for a mysterious stranger named Galbertius Sidonius, he becomes suspicious. Why would the Prince go out of his way and come to Sir Josse's out-of-the-way manor, instead of visiting the nearby Hawkenlye Abbey, through which it is much more likely a mysterious visitor such as Sidonius would pass? Josse decides to visit the abbey to get his friend the Abbess Helewise's advice. Although, upon arriving he finds that she has troubles enough of her own: a decomposing body has been found in Hawkenlye Vale, and the death the man met was clearly not a natural one.

Before much investigation can be carried out, Josse receives another visitor: his brother Yves, who has crossed the Channel from Acquin in Northern France to seek Josse out. A mysterious visitor has been asking after their father Geffroi, dead for several summers. Josse, Yves and the Abbess are soon thrust into a mystery whose roots lay back as far as the Second Crusade, and that has to do with a strange jewel called The Eye of Jerusalem...

This is the fifth novel in Alys Clare's brilliant historical series set in and around the Weald of Kent. As in all her novels, the plot she presents if wholly original and completely refreshing. And, of course, thoroughly enjoyable. The writing is nothing short of first-class, and the further development of her characters and their relationships is excellent once again. Both the main protagonists are fully developed and wholly interesting personalities. (It is especially interesting in this book to learn more about Josse's family and its past.) My only criticism of THE FAITHFUL DEAD, and it is true of all five, is that they are not long enough!

And, as for historical detail, it's all so wonderfully unobtrusive. It's full of authenticity and atmosphere, and yet not once does it feel as if the reader is being assaulted with show-off period detail. Every word is germane to the plot. In my opinion, this is the best and most thoroughly enjoyable historical series being written today. I would recommend it not just to fans of historical novels, but to fans of all crime fiction. Absolutely wonderful.

Alys Clare's novels are like a breath of fresh air. I love medieval murder mysteries and there are certainly a lot of them about (thank goodness), but the authors books breathe new life into the period and her will they won't they situation with Helewise and Sir Josse, holds the reader's attention as well. Don't be swayed into thinking that these books are written with the female reader in mind. They are for everybody, young and old, male or female. Alys Clare lives in Kent where the Hawkenlye mysteries are set.

An old man, a pilgrim dies in Hawkenlye Vale. There is nothing suspicious about the death, or so it is thought. The man was gravely ill when he arrived. At home at his manor Sir Josse d'Aquin is perturbed when he sees a group of horsemen riding towards him. By their bright and expensive clothes he knows that they are wealthy and important men, but he is surprised to see Prince John in their midst. John is a man he has met before, but until now was in no particular hurry to meet again.

The Prince who is accompanied by his seer, is seeking news of a stranger, one Galbertius Sidonius. As soon as the party of men have left Josse heads for Hawkenlye Abbey to ask for assistance from Helewise, the Abbess, but finds when he gets there that the Abbess has her own problems. A naked decomposing body has been found. The body has been killed by an expert. This is victim of a drunk fight or village quarrel.

Josse and Helewise are drawn deep into a mystery that stretches back much further than the Second Crusade and there is a dark, macabre figure watching their every move.

Alys Clare's fifth Hawkenlye mystery with Josse d'Acquin and Abbess Helewise, The Faithful Dead, takes a walk on the strange side. Clare has introduced some interesting characters in the forest people that inhabit the woods around Hawkenlye Abbey and they give a bizarre element to the stories. But in this novel, Clare mixes a little bit of the supernatural with a touch of magic.

Much of the book takes place in the past (prior to the events in the novel) and focuses on Josse's father Geoffroi and his adventures in the Crusades in the Holy Land. After saving the young son of a powerful Muslim, Geoffroi is given the Eye of Jerusalem, a large sapphire set in gold that has arcane powers. Geoffroi puts the jewel to the test and it surpasses his expectations.

He finally returns home with a friend known as the Lombard, but keeps the jewel hidden. He uses its power once to save the brother of his beloved doesn't disclose its presence to anyone. After the Lombard has returned to his home, Geoffroi realizes the jewel is missing.

Years later, Josse receives a visit from Prince John, who gives the knight a cryptic reason for seeking him out. The prince asks the whereabouts of a man Josse has never heard of. After the royal departs, Josse travels to Hawkenlye Abbey to enquire if the man had sought out its healing waters, as many travelers do. He learns plenty from the monks and the nuns but it's only when his brother Yves arrives unannounced, that the clues start to come together. The reason his younger brother made his way across the Channel to seek out Josse is directly connected to a mysterious death six weeks prior near the abbey.

In addition to the strange powers of the Eye of Jerusalem, another character brings an mysterious twist to the work; a seer in the service of Prince John. He appears to have precognition among his many powers. And he's not the only one.

Sometimes The Faithful Dead reads more like science fiction/fantasy. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It's just not expected in a medieval mystery. It seems to put Abbess Helewise in an awkward stage of character development. Some of the strange aspects of magic and the supernatural, she accepts but others she dismisses. It's confusing at times. Josse seems to accept everything for what he's told.

I enjoy Clare's Hawkenlye series but I hope they take a step back from the edge of strange.

This is the 4th book in the Hawkenlye series of mysteries set in the time of Richard the Lionhearted. So far I think the series is good, not quite as good as Cadfael but enjoyable. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

First Sentence: Josse d'Acquin stood with his manservant, Will, looking gloomily out over the meadow which, last night, had contained the household cow and her calf.

Two travelers come to the healing waters of the Vale at Hawkenlye Abby; an old man and his young servant. The old man dies and the young man disappears.

Several months later, skeletal remains are found on the Abby grounds. Meanwhile, Sir Josse d'Acquin received a visit from Prince John and his sorcerer, John Dee, wanting to know whether Josse has received a visit from Galbertius Sidonius. The name is unknown to Josse but his search leads him home to France and back into his father's time with the Crusades.

I like this series better with each book. The relationship between the Abbess and Josse has such respect and caring of dear friendship. Josse's returning home and our learning of his family adds to his dimensionality. The members of the Abby and Josse's household provide reality and depth.

I enjoy that the books are set, and take advantage, of a time when people both believed in the Church, yet the old faith still played an important role. There is just enough mysticism to appeal to those of us who enjoy it but not so much to cross the story into the absolute realm of woo-woo.

The history is fascinating, although I question the role of John Dee about whom I found reference in the 1500-1600s, but not earlier. Still, as a character, he adds a wonderful element to the story.

This is my favorite book of the series thus far and I'm looking forward to reading the next.

Good mystery and very interesting historical notes. Writing is good and moves fast. Excellent story in the series.