Il saio nero

Margaret Kerr #2

by Candace Robb

Scozia, 1297.
Arroccati nel castello che domina Edimburgo, gli invasori inglesi vigilano saldamente sulla città. Gli abitanti rimasti, scampati all'assedio iniziale e alle periodiche rappresaglie, vivono nel terrore e non osano dar voce al malcontento, se non al sicuro delle loro abitazioni o tra il fumo e il frastuono della taverna di Murdoch Kerr, l'unica ancora aperta. E lì che la giovane Margaret, nipote dell'oste, tende l'orecchio per carpire notizie utili alla causa dei ribelli. Sono passati mesi da quando, ingenua e ignara del pericolo, è giunta nella capitale dal nord della Scozia per cercare il marito scomparso, e ora ha deciso di diventare una spia in nome della libertà del suo paese. Quando il vecchio Will, avventore abituale della taverna, muore dopo una delle sue proverbiali sbornie, sono in pochi a dar peso alla vicenda; dopotutto, era solo un povero ubriacone. Ma Margaret è insospettita dal colpo violento che l'uomo ha subito alla testa e dalle parole sibilline pronunciate prima di spirare, a proposito di una porta aperta in cui avrebbe cercato riparo. Forse non è un caso che, quella stessa notte, qualcuno si sia introdotto nel sotterraneo della taverna e abbia frugato tra i documenti lì nascosti. E che, a distanza di chilometri, la stessa intrusione sia avvenuta nella casa del padre di Margaret, in quella del marito, e nella cella del convento dove si è ritirata in preghiera la madre della ragazza.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery, Medieval, Scotland, Historical, Fiction

390 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 4, 2003

About the author

Storyteller, mythweaver, author of the Owen Archer, Kate Clifford, & Margaret Kerr mysteries. Primary residence, medieval York.

I blog about writing, medieval history, writing women's stories, and feature new scholarship in my field at candacerobbbooks.com, and share loads of medieval news, folklore, and whimsy on my facebook page, Candace Robb

Reviews

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stelle e mezza

[Geoff Boxell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the first book and wasn't keen on the heroine. This time all I wanted to do was take her outside and slap her legs: she is an idiot!

[Tapio · Rating 3 out of 5]

A completely spontaneous buy from a second hand shop, the book seems to be a middle part of a series, which I usually tend to read quite strictly from the start. I usually have quite a low pain threshold for romance, but being a bit of a Middle Ages enthusiast, this one made the grade to my night-table. And it's not a bad novel at all: the characters have depth, the plot plods on with a good pace and the setting seems quite authentic, from what little I know of late Middle Ages' Scotland. The only real complaint here is the prose, which I found a bit confusing at times, having to re-read sections now and then to understand what was going on. This might have more to do with binging the book on a sleepless night than actual flaws in the writing, but it doesn't really happen that often. An entertaining read, and I might even pick up the other parts at some point.

[Gareld Butler · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the historical perspective was interesting, I thought the story itself moved a little too slowly and the emphasis on more characters than the first book did not really add that much to the narrative. While we did eventually find out who killed who, this information did little to conclude the story as it just kept plodding along. While I am mildly interested in the developing love triangle between James, Margaret, and Roger, I am more interested in the political intrigue between Robert Bruce, William Wallace, Edward Longshanks, and the missing Scottish king. Unfortunately, the politics are seldom mentioned. I hope the third book focuses more in this area.

[PR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigue and Fear Engengendered in this book

Her writing is simply excellent..as the saga of Margaret Kerr continues. I loved this continuation of Maggie's story...and felt the tension and Gear as if I was in the room where events happened! I cannot wait to read book 3 to see where we are headed...such wonderful and well researched writing is hard to find. Long live Candace Robb and her great historical fiction!

[Ruhani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I prefer the Kate Clifford series but enjoyed this as well. Margaret Kerr is more involved in the intrigues happening all around her and is not a side player like Kate who has a family to look after. It is fascinating to see the divided loyalties and how different people around Margaret supports different sides and how they justify their stance. Look forward to reading the third and last book of this series (why did she stop this series anyway?)

[BRT · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first in this series quite a while ago but had little trouble picking up the thread right away. Margaret is a good protagonist; a young woman learning to make her way independently in a man’s world of war and intrigue. Complicated history is woven simply and clearly into a good mystery.

[G L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the fact that it was set in late 13th century Scotland. Plus it was nice to hear more about Margaret and Celia.

The plot and writing were jerky, which diminished my enjoyment.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candace Robb non delude mai. Sa coinvolgere il lettore.

[Sarà Grilli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appassionante e scorrevole. Una trilogia stupenda.

[Leslie Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courageous characters, interesting plot, well written with supporting historical details.

[Deb McConkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy all of the author’s books because of the research quality and well drawn characters

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book set during the battles between England and Scotland during the William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

[Michael Wojciehoski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thistle Rises

Meeting the family. Spy vs spy. Country vs. country. Mis marriage, new love interest? Who will rise to become ruler of Scotland? Who is involved?

[Angela Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Credo che il difetto maggiore del libro sia non avere un inizio e non avere una fine. Mi spiego; sembra di iniziare a leggere un romanzo da metà e concluderlo a metà, nonostante siano più di 300 pagine! Per il resto nulla da dire, ottimo inquadramento storico, bei personaggi, colpi di scena e tutto però ecco..non ha sviluppato minimamente i lati più interessanti della storia, e alla fine nessuno ha raggiunto il suo scopo e nessuno ha fatto qualcosa! Le 300 pagine sono l'intermezzo tra avvenimenti già accaduti che hanno portato i personaggi al punto in cui si trovano e conclusioni che devono essere raggiunte ma non si è ben capito come. Tre stelle!

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a work of historical fiction set in Edinburgh and Perth. If I had read the first in the series I might have formed a connection to the characters which would have held me through the book; however I never really got to care about them. I have loved the Owen Archer books, The Apothecary Rose particularly. But this is quite different and less engaging.

I do admire the historical research which went into recreating this place and period; King Edward, Longshanks as he's known, is waging war in a few directions at once, building castles on the Welsh borders while appointing a king of Scotland, to the objections of all the other Scots clans, and taking off to the Continent to pursue claims to parts of France. The ordinary Scots are having a miserable and turbulent time of it, tugged in all directions and with conflicting loyalties under the same roof. In this tale our characters meet such notables as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

However, the book is marketed as a crime story. Early on an old man is knocked about in the course of a robbery and he dies. At intervals through the story we get a passage of 'don't forget old Will died; I wonder who did it and what they were after?' The reader soon stops caring. Every page has several different names on it and a discourse on what we'd call history and the characters would call politics or the course of the struggle, with an army moving here and a diatribe on equipping or paying soldiers there.

I would see every reason to write a fictionalised history of this time, but what is given to us does not work, for me. At the end is perhaps the most interesting part, a note from the author about the amount of money, all silver, in circulation at this time in Britain and how the king used almost all of it for his war chest. This is well written, clear and understandable. I'd read more of that, from interest, but I don't think I'll be reading more of this series. Other readers may well love the book.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Margaret Kerr series book two, The Fire in the Flint, by Candace Robb continues in this story of mystery, deceit, lies, half lies, secrets, and suspense. In this story, Margaret has been reunited with her husband, but is not sure if she trusts him in this time of war and tragedy. Taking place in 13th Century Scotland, this is a time where people pick sides during this time of war and turmoil, especially since all is not what it seems. I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy mystery and 13th century, Scottish literature.

Series: Margaret Kerr
Genre: historical; mystery; crime; European literature; Scotland; cultural; 13th century
Publisher: Diversion Books
Publication date: First published in 2003; reprinted August 9, 2015
Number of pages: 255

Other books in the series:
1-A Trust Betrayed
3-A Cruel Courtship

Content Rating: PG-13 (mystery, a bit of violence/crime, brief sex scene in chapter 13)
Book Rating: 4 stars

A review copy of this book was provided by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.

[weaverannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margaret Kerr is nu in haar oude woonplaats Perth. Ze heeft Edinburgh verlaten. Haar man Robert gaat met haar mee, maar ze vertrouwt hem niet. Evenmin als zijn 'bediende, die zich allesbehalve als een bediende gedraagt. Ze gaat ook nu weer spioneren, breekt sloten open en vindt allerlei dingen, die niet voor haar ogen bestemd zijn.
Haar vader duikt ook op in Perth, haar jongere broer, wil eigenlijk liever naar zijn oom, waar hij als secretaris op diens rederij wil gaan werken. Hij is in dienst bij het bedrijf van zijn vader en van Robert, de man van Elizabeth. Als hij er vandoor probeert te gaan, loopt dat bijna slecht af, maar hij wordt gered door Wallace, een van de troonpretendenten van Schotland en door James, een vriend van Margaret uit Edinburg.
De moeder van Margaret heeft nog steeds visioenen en voorspelt nu en dan de toekomst. Zij woont nog steeds in het klooster, ondanks herhaalde verzoeken van haar man om met hem mee te gaan naar Brugge.
Spionage, complotten en intriges - het komt allemaal voor in dit boek. Niemand vertrouwt iemand anders, meestal niet zonder reden.

[Gail Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The historical background of this book is very accurate as it should be with Ms Robb's credentials. She brought to life some of the struggle of the people of Scotland during the time of Robert the Bruce, Wallace Murray, John Balliol, and King Edward.

The pace of the book is sluggish. I don't think it covered very much time. I understand it is one of a set of books about this time period. Trying to come to terms with all the players in this fiction as well as the players of the time took some effort. I was hoping for more activity and intrigue. So, I gave this book 3 stars because of its plodding pace.

[Abra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is the second in the Scotland/Margaret Kerr series, but honestly, it's not nearly as good as the first. I'm not sure why. There's more detachment here, from the characters, than there is in Candace Robb's 15th century series centered on York, with Owen Archer and Lucy Wilton/Archer, the Apothecary. I am in the middle of the third and final novel now (A Cruel Courtship) and it is somewhat better. A little less detached. More interaction with actual historical figures like The Bruce, John Balliol, Simon Montagu, and so on.

[Sumi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Technically it's not medieval England, it's medieval Scotland, but I'm not creating a shelf for just one book.

I didn't like the book. I thought I would because I do like the author's Owen Archer mysteries, but I just couldn't like the characters in this series.

[Pat Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled to care about most of the characters in this book. It really didn't grab me and I thought it would as its set in my home town. I really didn't get much of a feel for life in Perth at that time. I did finish it but I'm not sure I will read the next one.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, wish it was available in the states. It's the sequel to "A Trust Betrayed" and was just as intriguing.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story of the wonderful characters set in Scotland's troubled and turbulent past.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as the first so far, a very good sequel to `A Trust Betrayed'