The Lost Letters of Aquitaine

Alais Capet #1

by Judith Koll Healey

The only thing I felt was a strong hand around my neck, another around my waist, and -- before I could cry out -- I smelled the thick, sweet scent of a mandrake-soaked cloth. Unforgiving hands clapped it against my face, and all went dark.

Alais, the king of France's sister, is abducted while on her mission for the wily Eleanor of Aquitaine, the former Queen of England, to retrieve hidden letters that, in the wrong hands, could bring down the English king. In exchange, the French princess was to receive long-heldand dangerous information. Now Alais, along with help from the very intriguing leader of the Knights Templar, must unravel a tangled web of family secrets and lies.

Filled with intrigue and peopled with compelling legendary figures, The Canterbury Papers is an "electrifying journey into the past" (Booklist).

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Medieval, Historical Mystery, Romance

Mass Market Paperback

First published December 23, 2003

About the author

Judith Koll Healey is currently the president of a national firm that works with families in their philanthropic efforts. She is a published poet and short-fiction writer and has lectured internationally on the topic of art and the unconscious. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Series:
* Alais Capet

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed here.

Okay, all you lovers of Grave Mercy. Listen up. I think this book is for you. I first read THE CANTERBURY PAPERS about six years ago, though it was originally published back in 2003. This is Judith Koll Healey's first novel, though she was a previously published poet and author of short fiction. It was the cover that caught my eye in the bookstore. When I picked it up and read that it took place during the 12th century and involved the crafty Eleanor of Aquintaine and the Knights Templar, I knew I would be reading it. But when it had to go and have one of those sink-your-fingers-in matte covers, I just went ahead and purchased it on the spot. Behold my susceptibility to pretty, tactile covers, for it is great. I love anything to do with the Plantagenets, and this one piqued my curiosity double because it is set after much of the traditional drama. It helps that the protagonist is a real-life "forgotten princess" and that Ms. Healey gets to play around with the historical possibilities inherent in her choice of character. I have always loved historical fiction, and I find myself returning to it again and again when I'm in need of some good mental engagement and a visit with figures I've studied and been fascinated by for years.

Princess Alais Capet of France thought the nightmare was over. When her long-standing betrothal to Richard the Lionheart was abruptly severed by his ever-scheming mother Eleanor of Aquitaine, Alais was devastated and bewildered. Now a middle-aged spinster, she has grown used to living alone at her brother's court, to the idea that she will never marry. Then an unexpected missive arrives from Eleanor. It includes an imperious demand from the imprisoned queen. Alais is to retrieve Eleanor's letters to Thomas Becket from their hiding place in the Canterbury Cathedral. She is to deliver them to Eleanor before they are discovered and threaten the throne of England itself. In exchange, Eleanor promises to divulge certain information about a family member Alais thought long gone. Unable to ignore the potential goldmine, Alais embarks on the dangerous quest and stumbles across a string of murders, the devious King John, as well as the famed Knights Templar on a mission of their own. Caught up once again in the endless machinations of the Plantagenet family, Alais risks abduction and death to find what she once lost and discover if her future will be one worth living after all.

It's wonderful to read about such a mature character. As a girl, Alais became a pawn in a much larger game of thrones. In the intervening years, she retreated from the pain of the past into a numbing and solitary life. When the larger-than-life Plantagenets attempt to use her as a pawn in their game once more, they are all somewhat surprised to find she has grown up in the intervening years, and she will not be the docile girl they knew. I became thoroughly enamored with Alais very shortly into this absorbing novel. The hand she was initially dealt played out very poorly. She's reached a stage in her life where she believes this is as good as it gets. But her response to one last adventure is such a rewarding one. I was equally caught up in the overarching mystery itself and in Alais' personal path toward fulfillment and revival. Healey's treatment of the period and her filling in of the gaps where Alais Capet is concerned is excellent. The writing is even and smooth, the characterization subtle and full of depth. To the outward eye, Alais is taciturn and reserved. But to the privileged reader, she is a keen and wry observer of the misalliances and foibles of each of the royals swirling around her. She is so easy to sympathize with, and it is her compelling blend of vulnerability and steel that kept me at her side for the duration. It is also what earns her the loyalty of a certain character who proves integral to the conclusion of the mystery and Alais' personal journey. There is a lovely, quite romance here between mature adults. And I sat back and just let myself enjoy the way Healey leisurely wove it into the story. All in all, an intelligent and engrossing read about one of my favorite historical periods and one I have enjoyed returning to for its richness and its winsome protagonist.

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Well plotted with decently-written characters. :D

This book is also not a chunkster. :)

[bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

for a “novel of suspense” this book was so horrendously predictable. and honestly, it might not have been predictable, the main character might have just been to stupid to pick up on the very obvious “clues”. there were multiple times where something was revealed that I swear I had already known about 70 pages previously.

alaïs is unbearable and annoying and has zero survival skills. also the ending was dumb. like they were trying to tie up loose ends but any competent reader had already tied them up 3 chapters ago.

very poor pacing, and just not that good overall.

1.5 stars

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alais Capet might be a French princess but she's not a happy camper -- she's bored because everyone at Court is consumed with plans for an upcoming wedding. When she receives a letter from
Eleanor of Aquitaine asking for help she decides to travel to Canterbury. She and Eleanor have an old and bitter history. Raised in the court of Eleanor and Henry II as the bride-to-be of Richard she became a pawn in their ongoing fights for power.

This is a story about Alais but I couldn't ignore other members of the Plantagenet family or the ghost of Thomas Becket. I've always been fascinated by Eleanor and have read many books about her. In this tale she is and elderly, but still powerful, woman. In my mind she is the woman portrayed by Katharine Hepburn in "The Lion in Winter" which is one of my favorite movies.

Alais is haunted by her tragic past; William is mysterious; King John is still a greedy brat; Aunt Charlotte is un-abbess like; and Eleanor is, well, Eleanor -- still plotting in old age. Wonderful characters, well-researched details about medieval customs, and an intriguing plot.

No graphic sex or violence

[Caryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.

In my opinion, it is very poorly written. The characters are broadly drawn, lacking depth and personality, especially the main character/narrator, Princess Alais of France, who is anachronistic and unsympathetic. The story reads like a bad romance novel filled with "important secrets" that are finally revealed so casually that the reader wonders why so many artificial contrivances were made to keep them hidden- accept that if they weren't there would be no story. The author dresses up the book by throwing in historic facts that have nothing to do with advancing the story or our understanding of the characters, while she does not provide the sort of details of character and atmosphere that make historical fiction such a delight to read.

[casapazzo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sometimes historical novels are good for filling in lesser-known personages and forgotten intrigues. Other times they're just excuses for anachronistic heroines and showcases for an inability to write from an actual medieval viewpoint.

[Tessa]

DNF

I tried valiantly but it's just so boring.

[Aneca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am always very fond of stories that bring some light to those minor, forgotten characters of history. I am fully aware that if they are minor characters a lot of the writer tells me is pure fiction but I like to imagine that it could have been so.


When I found a book about Princess Alais of France, of which I only knew she was Richard, the Lionheart's betrothed and that they never married because she became his father's mistress, I couldn't help but be interested. As many of the HF being published today this one belongs to a subgenre, it's a historical mystery. Princess Alais would have had a baby by King Henry and about 20 years lately here she is trying to find out what happened to the child she believed dead.


I found this an interesting story, it is written in a light tone and you get an overview of what was happening in England and France at the time. Alais was once used as a pawn between Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry and now she is set up to be one again. Luring her with information about the child, she is quickly captured by King John who is trying his best to find the same information and eliminate a potential threat to the throne.


However I did feel that Alais was a bit too daring, and shall we say modern, in her way of thinking at times. That made it a lighter read than what I would have liked. The author also felt the need to add a love story, I have nothing against that but making it so quickly consummated definitely made it look a bit too much like a romance novel. Overall I would have preferred a more solid read in terms of medieval behaviours and way of life but I still found it a pleasant read if not a memorable one.

Grade: 3.5/5

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a big Eleanor of Aquitaine fan* and was intrigued to read a story about the younger generation, the children of Eleanor, Henry, and Louis. In the end, though, I felt this book was undermined by a thousand cuts of historical inaccuracy. The 12th century characters keeps breaking into 20th century high-school French; they bathe all the time and dress in fabrics that weren't available until hundreds of years later; they nosh on salad and dab their lips with white-linen "serviettes." The main character has a hobby of sketching, as if people would have allowed sheets of parchment to be casually drawn on out of boredom--by a woman.

If you can ignore this kind of thing, this is a three-star effort, with a plot somewhat reminiscent of The Other Boleyn Girl.

*There should be a word for us. Eleanoristas?

[Mirah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book...it was a light, quick read. I had never heard of Princess Alais so I found the plot very engaging. I liked reading something about a little known figure in history as opposed to the more popular Henry, Eleanor, or Richard. Even though some turns in the plot were not a surprise for me, I still enjoyed it overall. The way Healey painted Alais made her interesting and I was curious how everything would play out for her in the end. While there may have been some discrepencies with dates/real people, it's a work of fiction so I'm ok with a little author's license. According to the author information she is working on another book featuring Alais and I will most likely give that one a try.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm getting tired of saying "this was better than expected" so I guess I'll have to expect better in the future! A gutsy, smart heroine; a bunch of royalty, knights, and monks; mysterious kidnappings and letters; and love, passion, and old betrayal. There's a lot in this book. The dialog is fun, the emotion good (if a bit over-dramatic at times), and the action is well-played. Oh, and it takes place in 1200, so there are horses and maids and everything, thankfully excepting the body odor and diseases of the time.

The author might be working on another, and I'll probably read it if she does!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly entertaining historical novel, set in the year 1200 in France and England and full of several familiar names from medieval history. Palace intrigue, lively characters, and a decent mystery kept this reader entertained. The novel's protagonist, Princesse Alais, feisty old gal that she was, the daughter of a king and sister to another, provided the central narrative. One came to completely admire her courage and determination, even as one wondered how she could not see what was right in front of her face! A lot of meticulous research went into the writing, and it shows. Ms Healey has given us a first-rate tale that proved a most satisfying read.

[fbtarmo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love this period of English history and I especially love this screwed up little family so I was intruiged by a fictionalization of one the marginal historical characters. But the real-life figures just become an excuse to have the book which I don't think is that well written. I think I would gain more suspense and tension from reading the histories than this. It is well-researched but the dialogue comes across clumsy and at times I feel like I am reading a convent captivity narrative. Actually, those are more fun in this ridiculousness.

Eh....not a good one.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Canterbury Papers had been on my to-read list for quite some time, as I very much enjoy medieval fiction. The novel is historical fiction but with a bit of mystery/sleuthing, which is a nice mix. Alaïs is a strong, smart character. On to Book 2!

[Velvetink · Rating 2 out of 5]

an easy & enthralling read - alternative history of Princesse Alais who was bethrothed (but not wed) to Richard the lionheart.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Canterbury Papers by Judith Koll Healey is the first book of the Alais Capet mystery series set in 1200 France and England.

Historical facts revealed during the action of the story: Princess Alais Capet, daughter of King Louis VII of France, was raised in England by her stepmother Queen Eleanor, former wife of King Louis, later wife of King Henry II. Alais was once betrothed to Eleanor and Henry's son Richard (The Lion Heart). Her childhood dreams were forever disrupted when Henry imprisoned Eleanor.

Decades later, Alais lives in the Paris court with her brother, King of France. She's resigned to a life with little interest or joy. All she has left from her past is a treasured jewel pendant from Richard, that she wears always. Alais receives a message from Eleanor (after all the years of estrangement), asking her to undertake a secret mission to England. Eleanor wants Alais to retrieve letters written by Eleanor to Thomas Becket, hidden at Becket's altar in Canterbury Cathedral. The letters pose a risk to her son John, King of England, who is fighting with the Templar Knights for control of abbey revenue. In return for the letters, Eleanor promises to reveal a secret that Alais desperately wants to know.

Wild adventure ensues! In a fast-paced and entertaining sequence of plot twists, Alais is drugged, captured, robbed, threatened, rescued, romanced. Hard to identify the 'good guys' vs. the 'bad guys'. Through it all, Alais shows great spunk. She never stops demanding answers, until she finally learns what really happened in her past. The book's ending promises more adventures to come.

Sending Alais to recover hidden letters strikes me as an implausible plot device. A visit to England by a royal princess from France, and her actions during the visit, will be noticed by many; in contrast, an English servant loyal to Eleanor could obtain them unobtrusively. It seemed obvious that Eleanor intended all along for Alais to be captured, so that Alais would have access to Eleanor's writing desk in Sarum Tower. But Eleanor didn't confirm that in the end - odd.

[Elaine Bidstrup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirty years after Archbishop Thomas Beckett is murdered in Canterbury Cathedral, Princesse Aliss is asked by Eleanor of Acquatine to retrieve letters hidden in the altar where Beckett was murdered. Somewhat reluctantly the Princesse agrees, mostly because she doesn't like the bustle surrounding the upcoming wedding of her cousin. Aliss has a complicated relationship with Eleanor, having been raised partly with Henry and Eleanor when they were married, engaged to their son Richard, became Henry's mistress, and has been living with her brother King Philippe of France.. While she makes a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral to try to obtain the letters, she has no idea the problems she will encounter. Among them are a reunion with William Caen, an orphan adopted by one of Henry's retainers, being kidnapped by King John and held in Old Sarum castle (a castle only in name, really a fortress), and falling in love.

[Cricket Muse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shades of The Lion in Winter as the plot delves into the family drama of the Plantagenet family. Basing her story on Henry II and Eleanor and their feuding progeny, the author presents a plot revolving around Princess Alice, the forgotten betrothed of Richard the Lion Hearted. History presents Alice as a political pawn as she is becomes a bargaining chip between Henry and his sons, yet Healey decides Alice is very much an independent woman who stands up for herself.
For those who appreciate historical fiction infused with mystery and intrigue, this might be a suggestion; however, the story begins to read like a light romance as Alice readily consumates a love interest and often acts much bolder than a Middle Ages woman would be expected.
Overall, an engaging read.

[Sunhawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the border with five stars. A brilliant character, Alaïs, and brilliant characterization. In this book -- there is a second book about Alaïs that I think is even better -- our hero steps beyond her place and the normal calling for women and has a momentous adventure. 13th Century Europe (including England) is fertile ground for historical fiction authors, because the known 'facts' are sparse yet suggestive, the times were fraught, and there are echoes from these times in our present social and political circumstances. I was so taken with this book that I segued immediately (unusual for me) to Healy's second Alaïs book, The Rebel Princess.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I picked this up because I thought it was going to be related to The Canterbury Tales (which I love), but it is not. It is set in Medieval England and France (which is a setting that I think is overlooked in fiction, particularly in historical fiction). This novel tells a great tale of intrigue, royalty, chivalry and the Knights Templar. What I really enjoyed was the strength of the female protagonist. She wasn't a damsel in distress, like how many female characters from this era are portrayed.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy historical fiction, so I was excited, and I enjoyed it, but it was not as much a historical fiction as a novel. It definitely followed historical characters and was loosely based off of historical events, and I believe the author kept pretty closely with the time that she was writing in. I did enjoy the novel, the pacing was well done and I empathized with the main character quite a bit. It also had some twists that I wasn't expecting (though it wasn't terribly unpredictable). Overall, an enjoyable experience that I came away from having learned some about that time period.

[Ktmholm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Alaïs of France received a cryptic note from her stepmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, asking her to do an errand, retrieving some old letters. In return, Eleanor would reveal what she knew about a certain infant, presumed dead, that might be of vital interest to her son, King John of England. What first seemed like a simple request led to romance, skullduggery, and a confrontation with the Knights Templar. Engaging historical suspense.

[Rhonda Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I considered this book "okay." It took me a while to get into, and then I figured out the main plot twist/reveal almost immediately upon meeting a certain character. The writing was fine most of the time, but there were several times I was thrown out of the story by words that didn't fit with the time period (the word "incommunicado" in a story set in the 1200s was the worst offender). I did find the storyline interesting though.

[Mapleleaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canterbury Papers, Judith Koll Healey (Nov26-Dec9) 8/10 Daughter of King Louis VII and Constance of Castille, Princess Alais Capet, is blackmailed by her stepmother, Eleanor of Aquataine, to retrieve letters hidden in altar but is kidnapped before finding them. William, a Templar Knight, becomes her protector and lover. Is intriguing in beginning but not as good as The Other Boleyn; could be interesting to history buffs.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

John was a Bad King

Historical fiction of the very best .
A complex story line with the unexpected changes in direction and climax adding excitement .
Unfortunately , my principle memory of this novel was that King John kicked and killed a small white dog , Supposedly to prove he was a bad king which I knew.

[Mallee Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Alais receives a request from her estranged step-mother that sends her on a journey from France to England to retrieve some hidden letters. But before she has a chance to collect the letters, she is abducted.

Set in the 13th century, this tale is based on real characters who lived during that era that makes this work of fiction a little more interesting.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was lacking in a lot of areas. Not enough cultural context. Not enough character development. Marginally witty dialogue. The plot was very forced. It came together in the end only by the authors shear will. It was not a complete waste of effort but I would not have been sad to leave this behind at the airport. I like the premise, but execution sucked.

[Sarah Castro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book more than I did, but I struggled to get into it. The first half of the book was fairly boring. The only thing that I really enjoyed were the parts that included William of Caen. The ending was appropriate and I was very happy that my suspicions were correct on the romantic front.

[Catherine Rowntree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Easy to read and just the right amount of historical details and romance. I had a lot of empathy for the central character, Alais, and the hard knocks she was dealt. I will be looking for more titles by this author.

[Jan Chiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful

Very interesting change of pace and characters. I had not heard of Alais Capet or the others. Good reading, but didn't like the ending as it left everything to the imagination. For 18+