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The French Orphan #2
The Secrets of Montrésor: Historical novel
The Secrets of Montrésor is the eagerly awaited sequel to The French Orphan, and continues the story of young Pierre de Beauvoir… Coming into a fortune at any age brings huge responsibility, but when you’re an inexperienced teenager, it seems that surprises are waiting for you around every corner. Pierre, former orphan and now Marquis de Beauvoir, may have claimed his inheritance, but life is never that simple. For a start, he needs to learn pretty quickly exactly who to trust and who to keep at arm’s length. For example, how do you work out (and survive….) the changing motives of the most powerful man in seventeenth-century France, Cardinal Richelieu? And then what do you do when the people you should be able to trust try to deliver you into the hands of your worst enemy? And then there’s the small matter of a sacred quest to Italy… Fortunately for Pierre he has his best friend Armand to support him as he gets to know his chateau at Montrésor, its people and… its secrets. (Armand, of course, has his own agendas to pursue, usually involving a pretty face and a willing smile.) Far from being certain, Pierre’s future has yet to be settled and Pierre will have to draw on his own innate talents as well as those of the people around him to ensure he survives, as his enemies are just waiting to seize their opportunity. [This is a revised, second edition of The Secrets of Montrésor]
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2012
68 people are currently reading
1754 people want to read
About the author
Michael Stolle
55 books148 followersBorn and educated in Europe, Michael has always been intrigued by the historical setting and the fact that what makes us human was as true in the 17th century as it is now.
He has been reading and writing about history for longer than he cares to recall...
He has been reading and writing about history for longer than he cares to recall...
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 25, 2019
Excellent sequel to the "French Orphan"
Many series have 2nd books which don't live up to the original. Happily this is not the case in Michael Stolle's "The Secrets of Montrressor". With almost all of the characters from the 1st book plus some additional well drawn additions, I enjoyed this book almost as well as its predecessor. I love the way these books cover many different country's during the middle ages. The p!ots ( yes, that's plural) are interesting and just keep coming, although sometimes they seem a bit outrageous. Regardless, I'm really enjoying this series and even writing these short reviews keep me from what I really want to be doing, which is reading the next book immediately!
Many series have 2nd books which don't live up to the original. Happily this is not the case in Michael Stolle's "The Secrets of Montrressor". With almost all of the characters from the 1st book plus some additional well drawn additions, I enjoyed this book almost as well as its predecessor. I love the way these books cover many different country's during the middle ages. The p!ots ( yes, that's plural) are interesting and just keep coming, although sometimes they seem a bit outrageous. Regardless, I'm really enjoying this series and even writing these short reviews keep me from what I really want to be doing, which is reading the next book immediately!
April 13, 2015
Also read this review on my blog, Behind The Secret Bookshelf.
I received this book as part of a Goodreads ARC giveaway.
The Secrets of Montresor is the sequel to The French Orphan . In this sequel, the reader follows the continuation of Pierre, his best friend Armand, and Pierre's personal servant Jean. The core of this novel focuses on Pierre locating a specific ring in order to have complete validation of his position as the Marquis de Bouvier of his newly found estate. Throughout Pierre's journey, he is constantly plagued by his own cousin, Henri de Bouvier's attempts at murder in order to gain the title of Marquis for himself.
Overall, I quite thought this book was an interesting and fun historical fiction read. The details are very loosely based on actual history, with a great amount of creative filling in with details. The book started out pretty slow and lagged some places, but overall, it was an interesting read. If one really likes getting into the details of 17th century life, then this is the book for them, but I feel that more impatient readers would tire of the details quickly. But I liked the details and the richness that it lent to the overall plot of the story.
The blurb of the book promised a continuation of Pierre's journey as the author sort of left the reader hanging in the first book, but if readers were hoping for a quick ending to the quest that Pierre was promised, then they will be a little disappointed. This book really focuses on Pierre's misadventures as he continues on his journey, mostly at his newly acquired chateau of Montresor, as the book is aptly named. A large part of the book is concentrated at the chateau, but eventually it moves on, picking up the pace of the book once again. I felt that the blurb was a little misleading because the true quest that was alluded to in the first book is not really described in depth again until the last fifty or so pages of the book. But I guess that is what a third book is for, right?
With the adventure and historical context, of course comes the romance associated with France, nobility, and rich teenage boys in 17th century Europe. The romance in this book is not overwhelming, but does add a nice little subplot to the overall themes of the book. It is adorable, and at times on the border of scandalous to 21st century eyes, but is authentic to the atmosphere of the book. Armand especially, would be the nightmare of most fathers today: a dashing, charming, and short attention spanned young man.
I did like this book, though it got a little long sometimes. But I am extremely glad that I finally finished it, after receiving the book quite some time ago! I await the third installment of Pierre and Armand's adventures!
I received this book as part of a Goodreads ARC giveaway.
The Secrets of Montresor is the sequel to The French Orphan . In this sequel, the reader follows the continuation of Pierre, his best friend Armand, and Pierre's personal servant Jean. The core of this novel focuses on Pierre locating a specific ring in order to have complete validation of his position as the Marquis de Bouvier of his newly found estate. Throughout Pierre's journey, he is constantly plagued by his own cousin, Henri de Bouvier's attempts at murder in order to gain the title of Marquis for himself.
Overall, I quite thought this book was an interesting and fun historical fiction read. The details are very loosely based on actual history, with a great amount of creative filling in with details. The book started out pretty slow and lagged some places, but overall, it was an interesting read. If one really likes getting into the details of 17th century life, then this is the book for them, but I feel that more impatient readers would tire of the details quickly. But I liked the details and the richness that it lent to the overall plot of the story.
The blurb of the book promised a continuation of Pierre's journey as the author sort of left the reader hanging in the first book, but if readers were hoping for a quick ending to the quest that Pierre was promised, then they will be a little disappointed. This book really focuses on Pierre's misadventures as he continues on his journey, mostly at his newly acquired chateau of Montresor, as the book is aptly named. A large part of the book is concentrated at the chateau, but eventually it moves on, picking up the pace of the book once again. I felt that the blurb was a little misleading because the true quest that was alluded to in the first book is not really described in depth again until the last fifty or so pages of the book. But I guess that is what a third book is for, right?
With the adventure and historical context, of course comes the romance associated with France, nobility, and rich teenage boys in 17th century Europe. The romance in this book is not overwhelming, but does add a nice little subplot to the overall themes of the book. It is adorable, and at times on the border of scandalous to 21st century eyes, but is authentic to the atmosphere of the book. Armand especially, would be the nightmare of most fathers today: a dashing, charming, and short attention spanned young man.
I did like this book, though it got a little long sometimes. But I am extremely glad that I finally finished it, after receiving the book quite some time ago! I await the third installment of Pierre and Armand's adventures!
February 19, 2013
I enjoyed the book. The characters have developed and the author has the same facility of engaging the reader so that the book must be finished. I am glad that it was expressed to be number 2 in the series, so that I was not expecting it to be resolved at the end and then being disappointed that some issues were left for the next book.
A good book. I would certainly have not finished it otherwise as I find it difficult to read books that do not hold my interest.
A good book. I would certainly have not finished it otherwise as I find it difficult to read books that do not hold my interest.
April 21, 2013
I won this through Goodreads Firstreads.
I enjoyed this book, the characters were developed well and it has a solid story line.
5/5
I enjoyed this book, the characters were developed well and it has a solid story line.
5/5
off-tbr-and-into-wpb
March 6, 2014see#1
December 27, 2020
European travel log of 17 year old boys.
This story could have been good. Instead, it is just a bizarre travel log of two 17 year old boys. One wants nothing in the world but to have sex with every bar waitress in Europe, but only if they are pretty enough to warrant his attention. Excessively repeated phrases regarding bosoms become harder and harder to ignore. Then there is an older cousin who is so perverted I began to wonder who would even think of the filthy things he decided to do. There is a story line but it is buried beneath ridiculous adolescent behavior or even more distractions of behavior that shouldn’t have a place in any literature. The unearthing of the story is not worthy of the reader’s time.
This story could have been good. Instead, it is just a bizarre travel log of two 17 year old boys. One wants nothing in the world but to have sex with every bar waitress in Europe, but only if they are pretty enough to warrant his attention. Excessively repeated phrases regarding bosoms become harder and harder to ignore. Then there is an older cousin who is so perverted I began to wonder who would even think of the filthy things he decided to do. There is a story line but it is buried beneath ridiculous adolescent behavior or even more distractions of behavior that shouldn’t have a place in any literature. The unearthing of the story is not worthy of the reader’s time.
March 26, 2018
Very interesting
This book was a good read a worthy sequel to the book The French Orphan. Readers that enjoy historical fiction will want to read on to book three!
This book was a good read a worthy sequel to the book The French Orphan. Readers that enjoy historical fiction will want to read on to book three!
February 9, 2017
Picking up right after The French Orphan, Pierre- the new Marquis de Beauvoir, his friend Armand and trusty valet, Jean are off to claim the Beauvoir property of Montresor. However, their trip has double purpose. From Montresor, they will begin a quest to unite three rings for the Knights Templar. When the group arrives at the estate, they begin to find that things have not been kept quite right from when Pierre's cousin Henri ran the estate. Pierre begins to set things straight and must out some staff. Meanwhile, Henri is still trying to find a way for Pierre to meet his unfortunate end. With many players including Henri, Cardinal Richeleiu and King Louis XIII and their different agenda's, Pierre's life is anything but boring.
This is the second book in the French Orphan series and I am so glad that I stuck with it! The Secrets of Montresor is action packed and includes more historical detail surrounding Louis XIII. Pierre and Armand can't seem to stay out of trouble as they claim Pierre's estates and Henri is always right on their trail. Henri's malicious debacles were even greater this time as he came closer and closer to killing Pierre. I was especially intrigued when he became involved with a gypsy troupe who almost seemed to manipulate him. Jean was the shining star for me in this installment, his devotedness to Pierre and street smarts help Pierre and Armand out of trouble more than once. Another new comer is Armand's cousin, François de Toucy who is surprising in a good way. The female characters play a smaller role in this installment, but they definitely have more to offer in upcoming books, especially Julia. Like the last book there are several sex scenes and male/male sex scenes, so that is something that the reader will have to be comfortable with. The writing is less clunky, but there is still inner-monologues that are in the way and a few instances of repeated knowledge to the reader. I will, however like to continue reading on in the series to see how Pierre and Armand will find the third Templar ring.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
This is the second book in the French Orphan series and I am so glad that I stuck with it! The Secrets of Montresor is action packed and includes more historical detail surrounding Louis XIII. Pierre and Armand can't seem to stay out of trouble as they claim Pierre's estates and Henri is always right on their trail. Henri's malicious debacles were even greater this time as he came closer and closer to killing Pierre. I was especially intrigued when he became involved with a gypsy troupe who almost seemed to manipulate him. Jean was the shining star for me in this installment, his devotedness to Pierre and street smarts help Pierre and Armand out of trouble more than once. Another new comer is Armand's cousin, François de Toucy who is surprising in a good way. The female characters play a smaller role in this installment, but they definitely have more to offer in upcoming books, especially Julia. Like the last book there are several sex scenes and male/male sex scenes, so that is something that the reader will have to be comfortable with. The writing is less clunky, but there is still inner-monologues that are in the way and a few instances of repeated knowledge to the reader. I will, however like to continue reading on in the series to see how Pierre and Armand will find the third Templar ring.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
August 14, 2014
I, as a fortunate participant in the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program, received a copy of The Secrets of Montrésor thereby securing an opportunity to journey alongside the intrepid Pierre and Armand as they continued their epic adventure.
In this sequel to The French Orphan, issues at one of Pierre’s estates waylay the friends as they attempt to fulfill their Templar quest. Pierre’s valet, Jean, and Armand’s cousin, François, assist Pierre and Armand in rectifying Montrésor’s problems, but the dynamic duo’s tribulations do not end there. They also thwart a royal assassination attempt, destroy an underground crime operation, escape a Puritanical zealot’s ire, and elude Henri’s, who is Pierre’s EVIL French cousin, various deathtraps. Good luck catching your breath!
The colorful personalities of the numerous characters are also quite memorable, especially if you have completed the first novel. Pierre and Armand complement one another perfectly, both physically and temperamentally. Henri and his accomplice, Marina, qualify as devil’s spawn, while François debuts as an illusory dandy. In conjunction with their well-defined personae, these, as well as other, individuals can exhibit expectedly radical behaviors. Such actions, however, may disturb the sensitivities of some readers.
While this story teems with endless excitement and vivacious characters, it seems less exquisitely woven than the first tale. It rigidly sticks to an outline, which is quite imaginative but fraught with luck. Perhaps this no-frills approach occurs because the novel serves primarily as a bridge to the next book. Regardless, I plan to read the third book in the series, Under the Spell of the Serenissima, in the very near future.
October 7, 2014
I received a free copy through Goodreads.
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This is the first book of the series that I have read. It was fairly easy to pick up, and the bulk of the blanks were easy to fill in (like what happened in Book 1).
I was so looking forward to reading this book, based on the back cover. However, I was a little disappointed with how it turned out. Now don't get me wrong, the story is very interesting, filled with deceit, adventures and murder. It was interesting to see how the boys avert one crisis after another, with a lot of luck and protection from those around them. I am definitely intrigued by Henri, who seems to be everywhere and is just as lucky as Pierre.
I didn't like how there was like no actual character development of Pierre and Armand. It just seems like they are content to make their way through life seeking pleasure, while somewhat keeping a tab on their oath. After so many assassination attempts on Pierre's life, you would think the two of them would smarten up and be more careful. But no, they are all about seeking pleasures and passing the days being idle.
Overall, it was a decent read. It's not quite at the level of other historical fictions that I have read, but it is very entertaining. It certainly passes the time.
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This is the first book of the series that I have read. It was fairly easy to pick up, and the bulk of the blanks were easy to fill in (like what happened in Book 1).
I was so looking forward to reading this book, based on the back cover. However, I was a little disappointed with how it turned out. Now don't get me wrong, the story is very interesting, filled with deceit, adventures and murder. It was interesting to see how the boys avert one crisis after another, with a lot of luck and protection from those around them. I am definitely intrigued by Henri, who seems to be everywhere and is just as lucky as Pierre.
I didn't like how there was like no actual character development of Pierre and Armand. It just seems like they are content to make their way through life seeking pleasure, while somewhat keeping a tab on their oath. After so many assassination attempts on Pierre's life, you would think the two of them would smarten up and be more careful. But no, they are all about seeking pleasures and passing the days being idle.
Overall, it was a decent read. It's not quite at the level of other historical fictions that I have read, but it is very entertaining. It certainly passes the time.
February 24, 2013
I don't think I've ever read a more adventurous book. There is every single scenario you could possibly imagine. There are politics, scandal, contempt, jealousy, adventure, danger, romance even! I don't see how anyone could possibly not enjoy this book! You will instantly fall in love with Pierre's boyish charms. Long for the seductively handsome Armand. All the while cursing out against Henri the evil scoundrel, devil incarnate. And find yourself remarkable impressed by a very loyal servant, Jean!
I was a little disappointed with the ending, but it just left me with a palpable desire to read the next in this amazingly skillful series!
I was a little disappointed with the ending, but it just left me with a palpable desire to read the next in this amazingly skillful series!
December 17, 2016
Another good book
This second book of the series was not quite as good as the first one, but well worth reading all the same. Picking up from where the first book leaves off, the adventures and intrigue continue. It's a fast paced, hard to put down book encompassing aristocratic life in the 1640's Europe. The young men main characters are now on a mission and seem to get into trouble wherever they go. It's a bit hard to imagine the lifestyles and customs of these people, but the author dies a superb job of describing in detail. I love the historical ties. On to book III of this fascinating series.
This second book of the series was not quite as good as the first one, but well worth reading all the same. Picking up from where the first book leaves off, the adventures and intrigue continue. It's a fast paced, hard to put down book encompassing aristocratic life in the 1640's Europe. The young men main characters are now on a mission and seem to get into trouble wherever they go. It's a bit hard to imagine the lifestyles and customs of these people, but the author dies a superb job of describing in detail. I love the historical ties. On to book III of this fascinating series.
June 1, 2014
Yes another triumph from this awesome author. As I said about the first in the series, I say again about No.2 - This fast paced story is full of surprizes, and had me hooked after the first couple of pages. The are lighter comic comic moments which are very welcome, and should, in my opinion anyway, be included in all books. The prose really does have the power to transport the reader back to those bygone days of yore. I anxiously all that he writes in the future.
November 12, 2013
thoroughly enjoyable read, so much so i am now going to track down the previous book in this series and await the next exciting episode.you will not want to put it down, put it on your to read list!
June 12, 2015
i like the book it was a good read
Read
February 14, 2014Good read!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews