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Hawkenlye Mysteries #10
The Enchanter's Forest
It is midsummer 1195. An impoverished man claims to have discovered Merlin’s tomb and builds a hostel for pilgrims while spreading the word that his find is a place of miracles. This blasphemous intrusion is deeply resented both by the community at Hawkenlye Abbey and the pagan people of the forest. Though the finger of blame points at both communities following the man’s murder, the perennial sleuths Josse d’Acquin and Abbess Helewise soon discover that other parties also had an interest in his death. His wife does not seem distressed at his passing, possibly because she is pregnant despite having not slept with her husband for nearly six months.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published April 28, 2007
13 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Alys Clare
46 books222 followersAlys Clare is the pen name used by Elizabeth Harris for the Hawkenlye series of historical mysteries.
Alys Clare is the pseudonym of a novelist with some 20 published works to her name. Brought up in the countryside close to where the Hawkenlye Novels are set, she went to school in Tonbridge and later studied archaeology at the University of Kent. She lives for part of the year in Brittany, in a remote cottage deep in an ancient landscape where many past inhabitants have left their mark; on her doorstep are relics that date from the stone circles and dolmens of the Neolithic to the commanderies, chapels and ancient tracks of those infamous warrior monks, the Knights Templar. In England, Alys's study overlooks a stretch of parkland which includes a valley with a little spring. The waters of this spring are similar in colour and taste to Tunbridge Wells's famous Chalybeat Spring, and it was this that prompted Alys's setting of her fictional Hawkenlye Abbey in the very spot where her own house now stands.
Alys Clare is the pseudonym of a novelist with some 20 published works to her name. Brought up in the countryside close to where the Hawkenlye Novels are set, she went to school in Tonbridge and later studied archaeology at the University of Kent. She lives for part of the year in Brittany, in a remote cottage deep in an ancient landscape where many past inhabitants have left their mark; on her doorstep are relics that date from the stone circles and dolmens of the Neolithic to the commanderies, chapels and ancient tracks of those infamous warrior monks, the Knights Templar. In England, Alys's study overlooks a stretch of parkland which includes a valley with a little spring. The waters of this spring are similar in colour and taste to Tunbridge Wells's famous Chalybeat Spring, and it was this that prompted Alys's setting of her fictional Hawkenlye Abbey in the very spot where her own house now stands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 28, 2019
Again it was so much fun to return to the group of people I've come to know and appreciate. Thoroughly enjoyable read.
April 28, 2019
I still like all of the characters and the history of this period in British history. It seems that the plot is going toward more paranormal activities. I prefer the mysteries revolving around the Abbey and not the 'Forest People'. I will continue the series.
October 2, 2011
c2007. Better than the previous book. In this one, the character of Josse is a little bit more fleshed out with Helewise taking much more of a back seat. This is not a whodunit but more of a pleasant story with a murder thrown in for good measure. It is a gentle read and an ideal book to read on those times that a bit of sedate reading is called for. If you have read Alys Clare before, you will not be disappointed, but I think a bit of a difficult one for non-afficiandos to enjoy as this series is getting more and more character driven rather than by action or plot. I enjoyed it though and will be ordering the next in the series. FWFTB: pagan, investigation, tricked, power, discovery.
October 1, 2024
Very disappointed. Way too much romance and the plot was unbelievable. I really couldn’t imagine that any thing like that could have happened.
September 28, 2015
First Sentence: In the forest the new season was flourishing.
The Abbess Helewise of Hawkenlye for the future of her Abbey. Much of their revenue comes from alms given by those who visit the Abbey for its healing waters. Now, however, Florian of Southfrith claims to have found the bones of Merlin and pilgrims are visiting there instead. The Abbess asks for the help of her friend Josse d’Acquin first to investigate the truth of his claim and, later, to find out who killed Florian.
Every time I watch an episode of Cadfael, I want to read Alys Clare as they are set in the same period and have a similar feel about them. Fortunately, I have all the books in the Hawkenlye series, so it’s an easy craving to satisfy.
Clare establishes a sense of time and place with descriptions that are vivid and evocative. Her dialogue is so well done, it is nearly audible. Her voice is distinctive and memorable; there is no question as to whose book I am reading.
The series need not be read in order as Clare is very good about establishing the back story for the principal characters. At the same time, with each book, I look forward to knowing the characters a bit better and see the relationships between them grow and change. Clare’s characters are ones with whom you become involved and invested; you want to know what will happen but in the way of friends rather than a soap-opera manner.
The story is a well-done blending of history and the “real” world with mythology and the magical world, including a very credible explanation for the legends of Merlin and King Arthur. I appreciated Josse’s skepticism of the bones found at Glastonbury being those of King Arthur and Guinevere, but it also served as a reminder of just how old is England’s history. Josse and the Abbess are firmly rooted in the real, yet accept the possibility of things for which there is no explanation whether from the old religion of the new. Joanna represents the old religion yet acknowledges non-mystical explanations for some things which occur. It is this extremely well-done balance which prevents the story from floating completely into the space of the paranormal.
Most of all, what draws me back, book-after-book, is the well-plotted mystery and just a cracking good story with a very interesting revelation. I’m ready for my next visit to Hawkenlye.
THE ENCHANTER’S FOREST (Hist Mys/Josse d’Acquin/Abbess Helewise/England-1195) – VG
Clare, Alys – 10th in series
Hodder & Stoughton, UK Hardcover, ©2007 – ISBN: 9780340923856
The Abbess Helewise of Hawkenlye for the future of her Abbey. Much of their revenue comes from alms given by those who visit the Abbey for its healing waters. Now, however, Florian of Southfrith claims to have found the bones of Merlin and pilgrims are visiting there instead. The Abbess asks for the help of her friend Josse d’Acquin first to investigate the truth of his claim and, later, to find out who killed Florian.
Every time I watch an episode of Cadfael, I want to read Alys Clare as they are set in the same period and have a similar feel about them. Fortunately, I have all the books in the Hawkenlye series, so it’s an easy craving to satisfy.
Clare establishes a sense of time and place with descriptions that are vivid and evocative. Her dialogue is so well done, it is nearly audible. Her voice is distinctive and memorable; there is no question as to whose book I am reading.
The series need not be read in order as Clare is very good about establishing the back story for the principal characters. At the same time, with each book, I look forward to knowing the characters a bit better and see the relationships between them grow and change. Clare’s characters are ones with whom you become involved and invested; you want to know what will happen but in the way of friends rather than a soap-opera manner.
The story is a well-done blending of history and the “real” world with mythology and the magical world, including a very credible explanation for the legends of Merlin and King Arthur. I appreciated Josse’s skepticism of the bones found at Glastonbury being those of King Arthur and Guinevere, but it also served as a reminder of just how old is England’s history. Josse and the Abbess are firmly rooted in the real, yet accept the possibility of things for which there is no explanation whether from the old religion of the new. Joanna represents the old religion yet acknowledges non-mystical explanations for some things which occur. It is this extremely well-done balance which prevents the story from floating completely into the space of the paranormal.
Most of all, what draws me back, book-after-book, is the well-plotted mystery and just a cracking good story with a very interesting revelation. I’m ready for my next visit to Hawkenlye.
THE ENCHANTER’S FOREST (Hist Mys/Josse d’Acquin/Abbess Helewise/England-1195) – VG
Clare, Alys – 10th in series
Hodder & Stoughton, UK Hardcover, ©2007 – ISBN: 9780340923856
March 30, 2011
One of the weaker in the series, at least for me, probably because it focussed so much on the "magical" elements. Also needed more editing/proofreading.
June 19, 2011
This is the tenth book of the Hawkenlye series relating the search of the owner of an unknown tomb which could be Merlin's (?). This book was kindly sent by my friend Gundula.
May 24, 2021
So tempting to give this old-school fantasy book a lower rating for the tiresome way it meanders around the plot, squandering what seem like promising threads, only to end up as bewildering cul-de-sacs going nowhere. So why DID I give it three stars? For one thing I made more notes on this book as I worked my through it than I have on any other (better) book I've read lately, so that means that it made me think, which I value and respect.
This is number 6, I believe, in a series, none of which others I have read, so I don't know if the issue of the forest ownership is addressed in one of those previous books. However, coming to it from an historic, (not a fantasy) aspect, whoever owned the unnamed forest at the heart of this story, would have been far more interested in the tree's monetary value than in preserving it for esoteric purposes! Moreover, if the tomb owner, Florian, was the owner of the trees he cut down, he wouldn't have had to set up a fraudulent shrine because he could have made a fortune selling off the timber!
The book is riddled with anachronisms and preposterous situations, i.e. who would set off on a journey of unknown duration with a few strips of jerky and a handful of small apples?! Where, oh where is the ubiquitous bread and cheese, staple of life since forever! Also, through the story, there is mention of cleanliness and bathing to a point well beyond what would have been the accepted norm in the year 1195! Water had to be be hauled and then laboriously heated and so it rarely was "wasted" on such frivolities as washing dishes, floors, clothes or bodies. My 21st century sensibilities are not nearly as offended by the thought of dirt as by the pretense that people had an understanding of germ theory during the middle ages! Furthermore, travel in the late 12th century was an unlikely undertaking due to the arduousness involved. Such travelers as these would probably have stayed at an Abbey, or Priory, designed to take in people who needed overnight accommodations. However, even if they had found a suitable Inn, they would NOT have ordered from an array of choices what they wanted to eat and drink, but would have taken whatever was on offer from the communal pot and been grateful!
Once I got over these irritants and just resigned myself to them, I found that there was something beguiling in the story of some giant bones emanating a mysterious power and the quest to find out what they were and to whom they originally belonged. The mystery of Florian's murder was not only secondary to the "bones" plot, but poorly resolved. In fact, the whole last section called "Postscript" should have been eliminated as the story actually ended before that was tacked on, serving no purpose and greatly weakening the whole structure of the narrative. The "Postscript" was full of pointless mumbo-jumbo that felt overly contrived.
With some deep editing, both of content and details, this could have been a much better read. The writing itself was good, had a nice flow and, my favorite, good grammar! A fanciful look at a distant time and beliefs.
This is number 6, I believe, in a series, none of which others I have read, so I don't know if the issue of the forest ownership is addressed in one of those previous books. However, coming to it from an historic, (not a fantasy) aspect, whoever owned the unnamed forest at the heart of this story, would have been far more interested in the tree's monetary value than in preserving it for esoteric purposes! Moreover, if the tomb owner, Florian, was the owner of the trees he cut down, he wouldn't have had to set up a fraudulent shrine because he could have made a fortune selling off the timber!
The book is riddled with anachronisms and preposterous situations, i.e. who would set off on a journey of unknown duration with a few strips of jerky and a handful of small apples?! Where, oh where is the ubiquitous bread and cheese, staple of life since forever! Also, through the story, there is mention of cleanliness and bathing to a point well beyond what would have been the accepted norm in the year 1195! Water had to be be hauled and then laboriously heated and so it rarely was "wasted" on such frivolities as washing dishes, floors, clothes or bodies. My 21st century sensibilities are not nearly as offended by the thought of dirt as by the pretense that people had an understanding of germ theory during the middle ages! Furthermore, travel in the late 12th century was an unlikely undertaking due to the arduousness involved. Such travelers as these would probably have stayed at an Abbey, or Priory, designed to take in people who needed overnight accommodations. However, even if they had found a suitable Inn, they would NOT have ordered from an array of choices what they wanted to eat and drink, but would have taken whatever was on offer from the communal pot and been grateful!
Once I got over these irritants and just resigned myself to them, I found that there was something beguiling in the story of some giant bones emanating a mysterious power and the quest to find out what they were and to whom they originally belonged. The mystery of Florian's murder was not only secondary to the "bones" plot, but poorly resolved. In fact, the whole last section called "Postscript" should have been eliminated as the story actually ended before that was tacked on, serving no purpose and greatly weakening the whole structure of the narrative. The "Postscript" was full of pointless mumbo-jumbo that felt overly contrived.
With some deep editing, both of content and details, this could have been a much better read. The writing itself was good, had a nice flow and, my favorite, good grammar! A fanciful look at a distant time and beliefs.
October 22, 2023
I liked this book for all that it's 10 books into the series. It's a well-told story via more than one voice moving the story forward. What I liked the most was the acceptance between the nunnery and the People of the Forest. I want to read the series from the beginning to see how this came to be, how they all met. It was wonderful to see the acceptance, spiritual instead of religion.
That was the best part of the whole book, the relationships and acceptance as much as the investigating that occurred about the new site claiming to heal people with the bones that are supposed to be of Merlin, magician of Arthur.
I like the telling of the story and descriptions of the settings. A lovely immersion like when I read a Brother Cadfael mystery. There's more in this series, with the touch of mystical that is woven through. It feels real, a part of earth, wind, fire, water.
I can absolutely recommend this book, series and author.
That was the best part of the whole book, the relationships and acceptance as much as the investigating that occurred about the new site claiming to heal people with the bones that are supposed to be of Merlin, magician of Arthur.
I like the telling of the story and descriptions of the settings. A lovely immersion like when I read a Brother Cadfael mystery. There's more in this series, with the touch of mystical that is woven through. It feels real, a part of earth, wind, fire, water.
I can absolutely recommend this book, series and author.
September 29, 2018
A man desperately in need of funds is digging in the forest looking for treasure. A discovery is made and soon there is a shrine set up and admission being charged. When a dead body is brought to the Abbey, it is found to be that man. Josse and Abbess Helewise become involved in the process of the validity of the initial find and the investigation of the death. Can they find the truth?
I enjoyed this a lot, largely because of the development of the recurring characters - predominantly Josse and Joanna and Meggie. I will be interested to read on and see what more is done with these characters.
I enjoyed this a lot, largely because of the development of the recurring characters - predominantly Josse and Joanna and Meggie. I will be interested to read on and see what more is done with these characters.
September 7, 2019
It seems to me the author would prefer to write about the fantastical and pagan rituals. Why she chose to set any of her stories in an abbey is beyond me, unless it is to fool fans of Ellis Peters, etc into reading them? I find they are spinning further and further out of sync.
It also appears the author would like to write Mills and Boon style romances. I wish I’d stopped at the first book so I could go on believing this was a medieval series that had anything remotely to do with an Abbey or nuns.
It also appears the author would like to write Mills and Boon style romances. I wish I’d stopped at the first book so I could go on believing this was a medieval series that had anything remotely to do with an Abbey or nuns.
February 16, 2025
Josse and Joana reunite. in this delightful book
The heart of this story is not about murder, although of course there is one, but about belief and love. We get a dose of all our favorite characters : the abbess , of course, but also Maggie, Josse and Joanna”s daughter is delightful, Gussie and Saul and the infirmarer , Tiphaine. Clare gives us a glimpse onto everyday medieval life, , their faith and their habits.
The heart of this story is not about murder, although of course there is one, but about belief and love. We get a dose of all our favorite characters : the abbess , of course, but also Maggie, Josse and Joanna”s daughter is delightful, Gussie and Saul and the infirmarer , Tiphaine. Clare gives us a glimpse onto everyday medieval life, , their faith and their habits.
November 2, 2020
Not so much a mystery as a New Age fantasy novel. There is a body, and it is not clear at first who dun it, but most of the story is about the relationships between the characters. Which is OK. I read a few of the previous novels in the series and like them well enough to continue. The New Age elements in this one are heavier than in the first few.
May 14, 2025
A great deal of focus on the ‘other world’.
A desperate man uncovers some unusual bones and decides to make money from them. Abbess Helewise is concerned that people were being conned out of their money and Josse offers to investigate. When there he feels a great power. In order to determine what the bones are Josse and Joanna embark on a trip to France.
A desperate man uncovers some unusual bones and decides to make money from them. Abbess Helewise is concerned that people were being conned out of their money and Josse offers to investigate. When there he feels a great power. In order to determine what the bones are Josse and Joanna embark on a trip to France.
June 23, 2018
The continuing story of Hawkenlye Abbey. Medieval England was never so enjoyable!
February 5, 2019
More mystical than mystery. Story was ok. Two more to go.
May 12, 2020
I loved this book even more than the last one in the series! I find it impressive that this series just keeps getting deeper and more compelling with each installment! Love!!
February 9, 2021
An entertaining story but not as well plotted as some of her previous books.
December 30, 2022
2.5 stars
September 6, 2024
I need to think on what I dislike about this one in the Hawkenlye series, before I review!!
December 8, 2013
It was an okay read. It's part of a series and I haven't read the rest of them, so might be missing something because of it.
England. Around 1195. An ambitious man is severely in debt due to taxes collected to ransom King Richard. Next thing you know, he is the "owner" of the just discovered remains of Merlin, which become the hot ticket for sojourners.
This hurts business at the Abbey, and the Abbess asks Josse to investigate, and it gets more urgent when the businessman is found dead in the forest.
Could be a good airplane read.
England. Around 1195. An ambitious man is severely in debt due to taxes collected to ransom King Richard. Next thing you know, he is the "owner" of the just discovered remains of Merlin, which become the hot ticket for sojourners.
This hurts business at the Abbey, and the Abbess asks Josse to investigate, and it gets more urgent when the businessman is found dead in the forest.
Could be a good airplane read.
July 30, 2011
I did not realise that this is one in an ongoing series. Although the idea is good, the realisation was only OK. It reads like a standard mystery novel, but the factt that the setting is medieval England does nothing much to enhance the suspense or increase interest in the story, which is at times predictable.
September 7, 2011
Another Hawkenlye Abbey historical featuring the Abbess Helewise and the knight Sir Josse d'Acquin, in which a charlatan opens up a shrine proclaiming he's discovered Merlin's bones. An okay read, but I think I'm growing a little weary of the series--the characters don't seem to grow much and there's a bit of the 'same old same old.'
July 4, 2012
Most of the novel set away from the Abbey, which makes a nice change-too much murder in one place leads to the "Murder She Wrote" syndrome. Emphasis on the mystic, which suits the series, but does demand that the reader suspend disbelief and modern rationality. Read them for what they are, and just enjoy the plot arc through the series.
September 4, 2016
This series is getting more fantastical and ridiculous. Sigh. It's no competition for either Ellis Peters or Margaret Frazer. We'll see how it stacks up to Priscilla Royal, whose medieval Nun-as-sleuth mystery series I have not started yet.
Edited to add: well, Priscilla Royal is worse. I couldn't even finish her first book, The Wine of Violence -- entirely too anachronistic.
Edited to add: well, Priscilla Royal is worse. I couldn't even finish her first book, The Wine of Violence -- entirely too anachronistic.
May 27, 2008
Another pleasant outing from Alys Clare. This is a good, but not great, series of medieval mysteries set in England in the reign of Richard I., Enjoyable characters, always intriguing plots. A nice way to spend a couple of hours.
August 14, 2008
This is a fantasy mideval mystery story that has the intersection of pagan beliefs and Christianity woven into a love story. A quick read, casually entertaining, but not deep or instructive -- probably excellent for middle girls.
January 15, 2008
More from Alys Clare and her Hawkenlye series - and not her best outing. Little mystery - but added plot points to carry on with - particularly on the relatiosnhip between Josse and Joanna.
August 4, 2010
I really enjoyed this Hawkenlye mystery which centered on the interaction between the Abbey, the Forest People and an even older civilization which carved the chalk figures in the Downs.
September 29, 2011
I solved the mystery the way they did halfway thru the book which made it somewhat boring
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews