A Play of Dux Moraud (Joliffe, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

Margaret Frazer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 2005

Performing at the wedding of Sir Edmund Deneby's daughter, the player Joliffe has another task to perform—as a spy. As he uncovers the secrets of the Denebys' sordid history, it becomes clear that this wedding celebration is destined to end in tragedy.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Margaret Frazer was a finalist for an Edgar Award for Best Original Paperback for both The Servant’s Tale and The Prioress’ Tale. The Sister Frevisse series includes The Novice’s Tale, The Servant’s Tale, The Outlaw’s Tale, The Bishop’s Tale, The Boy’s Tale, The Murderer’s Tale, The Prioress’ Tale, The Maiden’s Tale, The Reeve’s Tale, and The Squire’s Tale. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (August 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425204340
• ISBN-13: 978-0425204344
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #517,925 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Margaret Frazer is a full-time writer. She has twice been a finalist for the Edgar(r) in the paperback original category. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A destitute playing troupe . . . ., September 25, 2005

By 

Marilyn Dalrymple "MaLing" (Lancaster, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Play of Dux Moraud (Joliffe, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

The destitute playing troupe of performers made up of Joliffe, Basset and his daughter Rose, her son Piers and her love Ellis, had a stroke of very good luck. After years of traveling the countryside hoping for a few coins that would allow them to survive, they come under patronage of generous Lord Lovell. Their prayers had been answered, thought the actors. The only request Lord Lovell made was that the troupe takes on Gil Densell, the young son of one of Lovell's bailiffs, as an apprentice. How could their generous patron be denied such a small favor?
Lord Lovell added to the troupe's good fortune by providing them with a very good job. The son of Lord Lovell's landholder and daughter of his friend, Sir Edmund Deneby, were to be married. The troupe was asked to go to Deneby Manor and perform as a betrothal present for the young couple. And while there, Lord Lovell says, "I wanted to be able to call on your wits if need be."
The bride-to-be was recently betrothed to another man - a man who died under suspicious circumstances shortly before the wedding. And her current marriage seemed rushed. Lovell wants to know what is going on behind the scenes.
While at Deneby Manor and during the readying for the celebration, the actors had a warm dry place to stay, good company and regular, meals. All considered luxuries to the once struggling actors. Joliffe, who was very popular with all who lived at the manor and the townspeople, found it easy to gather information about the Denebys.
Not hard to uncover was the evident distaste the promised bride and her mother, Lady Benedicta, had for each other and the wall of ice that stood between the bride's parents. Other mysteries, however, are harder to unravel.
The story is slow to start, but the delay is well worth it. Frazer holds your interest with deftly drawn characters acting in a stage of intricate and accurate details of medieval life. The author's attention to the factual events and trimmings of a performance troupe from that period, add to the delight of the story.
As the book ends, the answers to the mysteries are exposed and answers that one would never imagine appear.
History and mystery buffs alike, will enjoy A Play of Dux Moraud.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, August 3, 2005

By 

Kimberley Wilson (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Play of Dux Moraud (Joliffe, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Joliffe and his fellow actors arrive to entertain guests at the wedding a knight in medieval England. This should be a happy occasion and an easy acting job but something is not right. The last man to be engaged to the bride died a little too suddenly and there are quiet fears that something might happen to the new groom. There are troubling whispers and old rumors that won't stay dead and Joliffe, who's no prude is shocked to discover despite a respectable veneer there seems to be a sexual carnival going on at the estate. Things rapidly turn ugly and it takes all of Joliffe's wits to solve a particularly gruesome mystery. It's a very satisfying mystery and the ending is a shocker.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars well written historical mystery, August 3, 2005

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Play of Dux Moraud (Joliffe, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Since they acquired Lord Lovell as their patron, players (actors) Basset, Joliffe, Elis,Rose and her son have a feeling of security that was missing in their lives and they intend to do everything in their power to please his so he will keep on supporting the troupe. After performing in his home for Michalmas, Lord Lovell asks them to journey to the manor home of his vassal Sir Edmund

Sir Edmund's daughter is getting ready to wed a wealthy merchant but Lord Lovell is uneasy because her first betrothal ended when her bridegroom to be died quite suddenly. He wants the players, to see if there is any sense of wrong doing going on in Deneby Manor. When they arrive, they find a husband and wife barely talking to one another, a mother and the bride at each others throats and Sir Edmund's heir having "accidents". Joliffe discovers there is corruption in the Deneby finally that has led to one murder and very will might lead to others.

Set in the same universe as Margaret Frazier's Dame Frevisse mysteries, A PLAY OF DUX MORAUD is a meticulously researched, well written historical mystery that brings to life a bygone era. The working of society as seen through the eyes of the players is entertaining and full of unexpected surprises that add drama and color to the storyline. Historical mystery fans will love this series.

Harriet Klausner