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Hawkenlye Mysteries #2
Ashes of the Elements
In this, Book II of the Hawkenlye Trilogy, the Abbess Helewise takes on another strange case with her French partner, Josse d'Acquin. A lumberjack in the Wealken forest has been found dead. The locals would have it that the mythical Forest People are to blame for his violent end. But when the Abbess Helewise steps in to investigate, she thinks a supernatural solution too easy an answer. She consults her friend Josse d'Acquin, a French soldier of fortune who has helped her many a time. He, concerned about the safety of the abbey, ventures into the forest himself, only to find in this so-called haunted wood something that terrifies even him. Now the two must reconcile superstition with their better judgement.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2000
19 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Alys Clare
46 books219 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 56 reviews
March 9, 2018
Another good story that I thoroughly enjoyed!
May 27, 2017
La segunda entrega de “Los misterios de la Abadía”, en la época de Ricardo Corazón de León. Parece evidente que, en cuanto a calidad se refiere, Alys Clare no llega al nivel de las novelas de Peter Ellis, que son de una temática muy similar. Aún así, la novela se deja llevar, y el argumento te puede garantizar una lectura como mínimo agradable y facilona. Particularmente destacaría la creciente amistad entre la abadesa y Josse d'Acquin, que es, quizás, de donde salen los mejores diálogos. La resolución de los asesinatos en el bosque son, por otra parte, la faceta más floja de la novela.
Lectura ligera y agradable, especialmente si te sientes interesado por la época descrita.
The second in the “Hawkenlye Mysteries”, in the times of Richard the Lionheart. Alys Clare doesn’t get to the standards of Ellis Peters novels. Even so, her installments are pleasant enough to read, the plot flows and keep you interested. Maybe some things about the Forest People are a bit far-fetched. Who knows? The growing friendship between Abbess Helewise and Josse d'Acquin is the best part of the book. As for the murders themselves, that’s maybe the less interesting part.
Nothing much, just an easy read, specially if you like the Middle Age Period.
Lectura ligera y agradable, especialmente si te sientes interesado por la época descrita.
The second in the “Hawkenlye Mysteries”, in the times of Richard the Lionheart. Alys Clare doesn’t get to the standards of Ellis Peters novels. Even so, her installments are pleasant enough to read, the plot flows and keep you interested. Maybe some things about the Forest People are a bit far-fetched. Who knows? The growing friendship between Abbess Helewise and Josse d'Acquin is the best part of the book. As for the murders themselves, that’s maybe the less interesting part.
Nothing much, just an easy read, specially if you like the Middle Age Period.
May 27, 2017
The second in the “Hawkenlye Mysteries”, in the times of Richard the Lionheart. Alys Clare doesn’t get to the standards of Ellis Peters novels. Even so, her installments are pleasant enough to read, the plot flows and keep you interested. Maybe some things about the Forest People are a bit far-fetched. Who knows? The growing friendship between Abbess Helewise and Josse d'Acquin is the best part of the book. As for the murders themselves, that’s maybe the less interesting part.
Nothing much, just an easy read, specially if you like the Middle Age Period.
La segunda entrega de “Los misterios de la Abadía”, en la época de Ricardo Corazón de León. Parece evidente que, en cuanto a calidad se refiere, Alys Clare no llega al nivel de las novelas de Peter Ellis, que son de una temática muy similar. Aún así, la novela se deja llevar, y el argumento te puede garantizar una lectura como mínimo agradable y facilona. Particularmente destacaría la creciente amistad entre la abadesa y Josse d'Acquin, que es, quizás, de donde salen los mejores diálogos. La resolución de los asesinatos en el bosque son, por otra parte, la faceta más floja de la novela.
Lectura ligera y agradable, especialmente si te sientes interesado por la época descrita.
Nothing much, just an easy read, specially if you like the Middle Age Period.
La segunda entrega de “Los misterios de la Abadía”, en la época de Ricardo Corazón de León. Parece evidente que, en cuanto a calidad se refiere, Alys Clare no llega al nivel de las novelas de Peter Ellis, que son de una temática muy similar. Aún así, la novela se deja llevar, y el argumento te puede garantizar una lectura como mínimo agradable y facilona. Particularmente destacaría la creciente amistad entre la abadesa y Josse d'Acquin, que es, quizás, de donde salen los mejores diálogos. La resolución de los asesinatos en el bosque son, por otra parte, la faceta más floja de la novela.
Lectura ligera y agradable, especialmente si te sientes interesado por la época descrita.
January 27, 2023
Antroji ciklo apie Hawkenlye abatiją knyga. Dar vienas istorinis detektyvas. Šalia abatijos miške nužudytas žmogus. Nelabai kas ir sielojasi – mat velionis buvo brakonierius, o ir šiaip ne pati mieliausia persona. Šerifas (savaime suprantama, bukas kaip bato aulas) įsitikinęs, kad žudikai – paslaptingieji Miško žmonės, kurie ten miškuose „visada kažką tokio daro“. Apie Miško žmones jam pasakojo tėvas, o tam – jo tėvas, šerifo senelis. Todėl jis tuo klausimu yra autoritetas, o be to – labai patogu, nes Miško žmonės šiandien čia, o ryt kažkur kitur. Būtų jie čia, suimčiau, sako šerifas, bet jie jau iškeliavo, tai bylą uždarom.
Tik va, abatė Helewise visai nėra tuo tokia tikra. O čia dar ir pora merginų iš vienuolyno elgiasi įtartinai ir akivaizdžiai kažką slepia. Bet va, kaip tik į svečius užsuka senas pažįstamas - Josse d’Acquinas. Tai abatė prašo jo truputį pasidomėti tuo reikalu. O vos pradėjus domėtis, miške randamas nužudytas dar vienas brakonierius – pirmojo draugelis.
Pats tyrimas toks... dauguma faktų tiesiog patys krenta į rankas. Sykis nuo sykio Josse deda skersą ant to tyrimo, bet vis kažkas dar išlenda ir priverčia grįžti. Įpintas ir lašelis mistikos. Šiaip nesu prieš mistiką detektyvuose, bet čia ta mistika ir pats detektyvas – mažumėlę aki aliejus ir vanduo – nė už ką nenori maišytis.
Visai skysti trys iš penkių. Beveik ties dviejų riba. Tai gal tam kartui Alys Clare man pakaks.
Tik va, abatė Helewise visai nėra tuo tokia tikra. O čia dar ir pora merginų iš vienuolyno elgiasi įtartinai ir akivaizdžiai kažką slepia. Bet va, kaip tik į svečius užsuka senas pažįstamas - Josse d’Acquinas. Tai abatė prašo jo truputį pasidomėti tuo reikalu. O vos pradėjus domėtis, miške randamas nužudytas dar vienas brakonierius – pirmojo draugelis.
Pats tyrimas toks... dauguma faktų tiesiog patys krenta į rankas. Sykis nuo sykio Josse deda skersą ant to tyrimo, bet vis kažkas dar išlenda ir priverčia grįžti. Įpintas ir lašelis mistikos. Šiaip nesu prieš mistiką detektyvuose, bet čia ta mistika ir pats detektyvas – mažumėlę aki aliejus ir vanduo – nė už ką nenori maišytis.
Visai skysti trys iš penkių. Beveik ties dviejų riba. Tai gal tam kartui Alys Clare man pakaks.
February 20, 2011
This is the second book in this series, following on from Fortune Like the Moon and featuring the sleuthing duo of Abbess Helewise and Josse D'Acquin.
The abbess has a nasty surprise waiting for her at the edge of the nearby forest when she literally trips over the corpse of a local man, who was killed (in the opinion of the stereotypical incompetent local lawman) by the mysterious 'forest people'. On his return from France, Josse finds himself drawn into the mystery, not to mention trying to figure out exactly where two wayward charges of the nunnery come into all of this.
Unfortunately, while I quite liked the first book in this series, I found this one more difficult to enjoy. While I'm by no means a prude, there's a sex scene in the middle of the book that the writer lingers on a little too much for my liking, and she's also already playing the whole 'is there a woman beneath the nun's robes?' card too heavily. I doubt I'll be going out of my way to read any more of this series, which continues with The Tavern in the Morning.
The abbess has a nasty surprise waiting for her at the edge of the nearby forest when she literally trips over the corpse of a local man, who was killed (in the opinion of the stereotypical incompetent local lawman) by the mysterious 'forest people'. On his return from France, Josse finds himself drawn into the mystery, not to mention trying to figure out exactly where two wayward charges of the nunnery come into all of this.
Unfortunately, while I quite liked the first book in this series, I found this one more difficult to enjoy. While I'm by no means a prude, there's a sex scene in the middle of the book that the writer lingers on a little too much for my liking, and she's also already playing the whole 'is there a woman beneath the nun's robes?' card too heavily. I doubt I'll be going out of my way to read any more of this series, which continues with The Tavern in the Morning.
September 28, 2018
Seconda avventura per la Badessa Helewise e il cavaliere Josse D'Aquin, anche questa volta coinvolti in una serie di omicidi all'apparenza irrisolvibili. Disegnando sempre con cura il panorama inglese di fine XII secolo, questa volta l'autrice inserisce anche il discorso dei vari culti pagani che in quel periodo ancora sopravvivevano nei recessi delle vecchie foreste. Le soluzioni dei vari misteri si troveranno, come sempre, unite tra loro in un arazzo senza sbavature e, per concludere, anche l'accenno storico alla situazione politica dell'epoca, non stonerà affatto con il resto, offrendo dati importanti per inserire le prossime vicende nel giusto contesto.
August 12, 2007
ASHES OF THE ELEMENTS (Historical-England-1100s) – G
Clare, Alys – 2nd in series
Hodder & Stoughton, 2000- UK Hardcover – ISBN 0340739339
*** Abbess Helewise discovers a dead body by nearly stepping on it. The man had been killed by a spear with a highly decorative point. Although the Sheriff is willing to blame the murder on the “Forest People,” a group who live and wander through the forest practicing pagan ceremonies, Helewise doesn’t accept this. Enlisting the help of her friend Josse d’Acquin, they find poachers who’ve uncovered ancient treasure, pagan rituals, a link to two of the Abby’s residents, a couple with ties to Queen Eleanor and death.
*** While I like the characters of Helewise and Josse, the story left something to be desired. The anachronistic language was a bit disconcerting and there was one, I thought interesting, plot element that was dropped. The scene of the pagan ritual was perhaps more graphic than I needed, but did serve its purpose to the story. I did like that the author included both the new Christian and old Pagan beliefs without condemning either. I found this an enjoyable, but not a great, read.
Clare, Alys – 2nd in series
Hodder & Stoughton, 2000- UK Hardcover – ISBN 0340739339
*** Abbess Helewise discovers a dead body by nearly stepping on it. The man had been killed by a spear with a highly decorative point. Although the Sheriff is willing to blame the murder on the “Forest People,” a group who live and wander through the forest practicing pagan ceremonies, Helewise doesn’t accept this. Enlisting the help of her friend Josse d’Acquin, they find poachers who’ve uncovered ancient treasure, pagan rituals, a link to two of the Abby’s residents, a couple with ties to Queen Eleanor and death.
*** While I like the characters of Helewise and Josse, the story left something to be desired. The anachronistic language was a bit disconcerting and there was one, I thought interesting, plot element that was dropped. The scene of the pagan ritual was perhaps more graphic than I needed, but did serve its purpose to the story. I did like that the author included both the new Christian and old Pagan beliefs without condemning either. I found this an enjoyable, but not a great, read.
February 28, 2020
Novela de intriga histórica, ambientada en una abadía de la Inglaterra del s. XII y protagonizada por la abadesa de la misma, una mujer fuerte que se hizo monja al quedar viuda, por lo que conoce a la perfección el mundo exterior; y un valeroso caballero afincado en la zona, que luchó en las cruzadas, siervo de Ricardo Corazón de León. Entre ellos hay una ferviente amistad, basada en el respecto y la admiración que sienten el uno por el otro.
En esta ocasión investigan una serie de misteriosas muertes acontecidas en el bosque cercano a la abadía, relacionadas, quizás, con una tribu antigua que habita en él y que siguen a los antiguos dioses.
Me gustan estas novelas por la intriga que tienen, aunque encuentro a faltar un poco más de descripción de la vida y la sociedad de la época.
En esta ocasión investigan una serie de misteriosas muertes acontecidas en el bosque cercano a la abadía, relacionadas, quizás, con una tribu antigua que habita en él y que siguen a los antiguos dioses.
Me gustan estas novelas por la intriga que tienen, aunque encuentro a faltar un poco más de descripción de la vida y la sociedad de la época.
December 8, 2017
Enjoyed meeting characters in first book. However, this book is full of hints about the main character’s feelings for each other (wouldn’t happen with any nun I grew up with) and I could have done without the graphic ‘ceremony’ scene in the woods.
Having said that, I’m going to give book 3 a go but the first sign of any ‘lingering looks’ or ‘touching of fingers’ and I won’t be trying book 4.
Having said that, I’m going to give book 3 a go but the first sign of any ‘lingering looks’ or ‘touching of fingers’ and I won’t be trying book 4.
March 31, 2022
An interesting mystery about the clash between the medieval church and the pagans.
May 7, 2013
Murder and mystery collide with religious conflict to invade the sanctity of Hawkenlye Abbey in this competent installment of Clare's Abbess Helewise series.
A peasant man found murdered on the fringe of the vast and wild Wealden Forest does not raise eyebrows, given the violent nature of 12th century England, until Abbess Helewise realizes his death came by an unusual flint-headed spear, as expertly crafted as it was wielded. The obtuse sheriff, swift to blame the elusive Forest People closes the case and beelines for the pub.
Abbess Helewise, however, believes the solution to be far more complex. Especially when two young ladies in her care begin sleepwalking, singing unintelligible chants and disappearing into the forest for hours at a stretch.
But after Helewise enlists the aid of Sir Josse d'Acquin, newly appointed lord of a neighboring manor, the sleuths find few answers -- and more corpses. Helewise and Josse must solve the puzzle before the killer strikes again.
Once again, Clare delivers a story ripe with deceptive appearances set against the florid tapestry of Jolly Olde England. Christian and non-Christian belief systems fuel the conflict as Helewise and Josse witness the Forest People's rites. I bestow a bonus point for Clare's avoidance of the "Christian equals good, pagan equals bad" trap and its equally unrealistic converse.
However, I subtract a point for flaws that bounced me out of the story at frequent intervals: anachronistic language employed in dialogue and an initially unsympathetic portrayal of Helewise.
Perhaps a reader can forgive such un-medieval phrases as "wishy-washy" and "get a move on." But Clare would be well advised to remember that, with every book, an author's characters get only one chance to make a favorable first impression. Abbess Helewise dithers so much at the beginning of Ashes of the Elements that, if I hadn't enjoyed Fortune Like the Moon, I would have stopped reading altogether.
Fortunately, Helewise settles into a sensible stride when she sets her hand toward solving the murders. But with so many novels competing for attention these days, an impatient reader might never see it.
Which would be too bad, indeed. Abbess Helewise's firm yet gentle faith, which subtly shades her choices and the way she deals with others, provides a refreshing change from the usual mystery fare.
(Reprinted from Crescent Blues e-zine. Used with permission.)
A peasant man found murdered on the fringe of the vast and wild Wealden Forest does not raise eyebrows, given the violent nature of 12th century England, until Abbess Helewise realizes his death came by an unusual flint-headed spear, as expertly crafted as it was wielded. The obtuse sheriff, swift to blame the elusive Forest People closes the case and beelines for the pub.
Abbess Helewise, however, believes the solution to be far more complex. Especially when two young ladies in her care begin sleepwalking, singing unintelligible chants and disappearing into the forest for hours at a stretch.
But after Helewise enlists the aid of Sir Josse d'Acquin, newly appointed lord of a neighboring manor, the sleuths find few answers -- and more corpses. Helewise and Josse must solve the puzzle before the killer strikes again.
Once again, Clare delivers a story ripe with deceptive appearances set against the florid tapestry of Jolly Olde England. Christian and non-Christian belief systems fuel the conflict as Helewise and Josse witness the Forest People's rites. I bestow a bonus point for Clare's avoidance of the "Christian equals good, pagan equals bad" trap and its equally unrealistic converse.
However, I subtract a point for flaws that bounced me out of the story at frequent intervals: anachronistic language employed in dialogue and an initially unsympathetic portrayal of Helewise.
Perhaps a reader can forgive such un-medieval phrases as "wishy-washy" and "get a move on." But Clare would be well advised to remember that, with every book, an author's characters get only one chance to make a favorable first impression. Abbess Helewise dithers so much at the beginning of Ashes of the Elements that, if I hadn't enjoyed Fortune Like the Moon, I would have stopped reading altogether.
Fortunately, Helewise settles into a sensible stride when she sets her hand toward solving the murders. But with so many novels competing for attention these days, an impatient reader might never see it.
Which would be too bad, indeed. Abbess Helewise's firm yet gentle faith, which subtly shades her choices and the way she deals with others, provides a refreshing change from the usual mystery fare.
(Reprinted from Crescent Blues e-zine. Used with permission.)
June 13, 2016
Abbess Helewise of Hawkenlye Abbey stumbles over a dead body, a poacher, stabbed through the heart with a flint-headed spear near the edge of a forest. The sheriff of the district pooh-poohs the crime as the work of the Wild Folk living in the forest, who travel around so there is no chance of catching them; in the sheriff's book, the case is closed. Her friend Sir Josse investigates. There is another murder of the poacher's friend, this time the man is struck down with a dagger. A local nobleman dies in mysterious circumstances. Did he hit his head on the stairs as his wife tells Sir Josse? There's a fair amount of Irish and other Celtic paganism introduced into the story when some of the Forest Folk appear. Helewise has problems with a novice and a lay worker in the old folks' home/hospice. Finally, all is resolved satisfactorally.
I didn't like this one as much as I did vol. 1 in the series. So much paganism unsettled me. The charactrs were just as endearing as before. I feel this novel may not be one of the author's best, but I plan to read the series.
I didn't like this one as much as I did vol. 1 in the series. So much paganism unsettled me. The charactrs were just as endearing as before. I feel this novel may not be one of the author's best, but I plan to read the series.
December 18, 2013
This is the second of Alys Clare's Hawkenlye mysteries, featuring the crime-solving duo of Abbess Helewise of Hawkenlye Abbey and Sir Josse the knight. This story concerns mysterious deaths in the nearby ancient forest, and rumors of strange forest people who may or may not exist.
I enjoyed reading this story and I'm moving right on to the next. It is well-written, engaging, and a fun read. The reason I gave it three stars instead of the four I gave the first book is that there are some supernatural elements that are not quite explained. While I enjoy the paranormal as much as the next reader, I found it a little out of place in this novel whose main character is a Catholic Nun. However, if you enjoyed Fortune Like the Moon, by all means continue with Ashes of the Elements.
I enjoyed reading this story and I'm moving right on to the next. It is well-written, engaging, and a fun read. The reason I gave it three stars instead of the four I gave the first book is that there are some supernatural elements that are not quite explained. While I enjoy the paranormal as much as the next reader, I found it a little out of place in this novel whose main character is a Catholic Nun. However, if you enjoyed Fortune Like the Moon, by all means continue with Ashes of the Elements.
July 16, 2016
The body of Hamm Robinson is found at the edge of the forest with a spear protruding from his back. Sheriff Pelham believes this is an open-and-shut case of murder by the Forest People. Abbess Helewise doesn’t believe such lore. Soon after when Josse D’Acquin pays a social visit to the Abbey, Helewise tells him and he begins to investigate. Can another explanation be found?
I enjoyed this more than the first one and that was quite good. Perhaps it's because this time I could let the series stand on its own instead of making the comparisons to Cadfael. There are a bunch of things going on in this but they all come together in the end.
I enjoyed this more than the first one and that was quite good. Perhaps it's because this time I could let the series stand on its own instead of making the comparisons to Cadfael. There are a bunch of things going on in this but they all come together in the end.
January 22, 2016
I enjoyed this book and will read more of the series. The knight and Abbess make an interesting team and the secondary characters add to the story rather than confuse it. I only gave it a 3 because I think it was either a bit over-edited or a bit under-thought-0ut when, on at least a couple of occasions, Josse seems short-tempered with little provocation - makes me think a significant part of what made him that way was edited out - but 3 is still a good number and I'll read more of her work.
April 20, 2019
I was really enjoying this book until Abbess Helewise and Sir Josse stumble upon the ceremony. This "ceremony", or as Josse describes it, the rape, felt like it was dropped in from some other book. The strange meeting Helewise and Josse had with the Forest People's leader was not as disturbing as the ceremony it too felt completely out of place. From her telepathic abilities to Helewise and Josse accepting a man should be murdered for cutting down a tree, none of it felt believable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2024
What is it that possesses some historical mystery writers to run completely off the rails into the supernatural? I mean, if you want to write an alt-history paranormal series, do that. Might even be fun to read. But don't start a series with a perfectly unexceptional and straightforward historical murder mystery containing nothing more mystical than the meditative benefits of prayer and then serve up druid fanfic as the sequel.
February 20, 2019
I like these stories because they stick to the mystery and the characters. There is not a lot of filler trying to educate me on everything medieval. There is some historical background as Josse d'Acquin is a follower of Richard Lionheart. Josse is a bachelor and already the potential love interests are lining up. Recommend.
September 18, 2013
I enjoyed this book. It reminded me of Cadfael with the clash of culture and attitudes. I would read more in the series.
May 6, 2016
The second in the series, it was interesting and engaging; a fun read.
May 11, 2017
Sensationalist and sort of...silly. But trying really hard to be Ellis Peters.
October 9, 2017
Second book of the series and was better than the first. I liked the way the characters are being developed. Storyline for the time period was believable.
Read
January 17, 2019Excellent
A host of great characters, two ideally selected partners in crime solving and a great sense of the period, make this a great read.
A host of great characters, two ideally selected partners in crime solving and a great sense of the period, make this a great read.
July 7, 2025
This is the second book in the Hawkenlye Mysteries series. It is just as entertaining as the first book in the series. I love that the books are set in England during he reign of King Richard. This series has been compared to the Brother Cafael series. I understand both feature religious main characters as slueths, but I am not sure how much more they offer the same. The time frame is different, and so it the location. does not really matter because both series are w9rth ready if you like cozy mysteries with a historical setting thrown in for some more flavor,
Joss has not really seen Abbess Helewise for almost two years. it is taking forever for his new home in Britain to be rebuilt. So he has stayed at his home in France, but honestly, he is not a farmer. His brothers are more attached to the land while he was trained to be a knight and fight for his King. so when Joss goes back to New Winnowland to live, he makes sure he calls at the abbey to visit his friends. He finds the Abbess troubled by two of the young ladies residing at the abbey and a man recently murdered. Soon, Joss is in the forest seeking answers to why a man was murdered. one thing Joss understands is the forest is old and the people who live there are not like the people who live around the outside of the forest. Abbess Helewise is troubled about the young ladies in her care. She needs to understand why one acts like the forest is calling her to come and why the other lady is going I to the first. When another murder happens and the lady is found running from the forest covered on blood, Helewise decides she has to go to the forest herself. she needs answers. Thankfully, Joss will be with her and protect her. They cannot imagine what they come upon in the forest and how much danger they are truly facing. There may be more death to come. Abbess Helewise has her faith that God will help and guide them so she may help those who need it most.
I enjoyed this second story even more than the first in the series. Now I have to find the 3rd book in the series and I am not sure how easy that will be. I want to see what happens in the lives of this night and the Abbess. I also really enjoy the view of life during this time period. The mysteries to be solved are never straight forward and that makes for some enjoyable reading.
Joss has not really seen Abbess Helewise for almost two years. it is taking forever for his new home in Britain to be rebuilt. So he has stayed at his home in France, but honestly, he is not a farmer. His brothers are more attached to the land while he was trained to be a knight and fight for his King. so when Joss goes back to New Winnowland to live, he makes sure he calls at the abbey to visit his friends. He finds the Abbess troubled by two of the young ladies residing at the abbey and a man recently murdered. Soon, Joss is in the forest seeking answers to why a man was murdered. one thing Joss understands is the forest is old and the people who live there are not like the people who live around the outside of the forest. Abbess Helewise is troubled about the young ladies in her care. She needs to understand why one acts like the forest is calling her to come and why the other lady is going I to the first. When another murder happens and the lady is found running from the forest covered on blood, Helewise decides she has to go to the forest herself. she needs answers. Thankfully, Joss will be with her and protect her. They cannot imagine what they come upon in the forest and how much danger they are truly facing. There may be more death to come. Abbess Helewise has her faith that God will help and guide them so she may help those who need it most.
I enjoyed this second story even more than the first in the series. Now I have to find the 3rd book in the series and I am not sure how easy that will be. I want to see what happens in the lives of this night and the Abbess. I also really enjoy the view of life during this time period. The mysteries to be solved are never straight forward and that makes for some enjoyable reading.
February 17, 2024
Lo leí porque lo encontré en una tienda de libros usados y me llamó la atención. Un asesinato misterioso ambientado en una abadía en la Edad Media. No tenían el primero de la saga así que directamente leí el segundo (si, todo muy improvisado).
El libro se lee rápido y está bien escrito. Sin embargo, no me pareció la gran cosa. Creo que lo que más me gustó fueron los personajes, Josse y la abadesa que tienen linda química como dúo de detectives y el ambiente de cozy mistery. Pero con respecto a los misterios, me parecieron muy flojos. No solo la resolución es predecible sino que bastante aburrida y anticlimática. Tampoco sentí que los personajes realmente resolvieran el misterio, podrían no haber hecho nada y nos enterábamos igual.
Supongo que si en alguna tienda encuentro otro libro de la saga lo compraría, para ver como evolucionan los personajes, pero tampoco me muero de ganas.
Pero bueno, me gusto mucho la premisa y la ambientación.
El libro se lee rápido y está bien escrito. Sin embargo, no me pareció la gran cosa. Creo que lo que más me gustó fueron los personajes, Josse y la abadesa que tienen linda química como dúo de detectives y el ambiente de cozy mistery. Pero con respecto a los misterios, me parecieron muy flojos. No solo la resolución es predecible sino que bastante aburrida y anticlimática. Tampoco sentí que los personajes realmente resolvieran el misterio, podrían no haber hecho nada y nos enterábamos igual.
Supongo que si en alguna tienda encuentro otro libro de la saga lo compraría, para ver como evolucionan los personajes, pero tampoco me muero de ganas.
Pero bueno, me gusto mucho la premisa y la ambientación.
April 17, 2020
This book was on my shelf for so long I cannot recall where it came from. I definitely didn’t buy it. I didn’t realise that there’s a book before this one. I do wish that they would put these things on the cover. That said I don’t think it matters.
Set in the Tonbridge area during the 1100s it’s a murder mystery with unlikely sleuths - an abbess and her friend Josse from France. The 3 murders are separate but connected to the Forrest and the abbey. Living in the Forrest is a group who have kept to the old ways and worship Mother Earth with all sorts of ancient rituals. The book meanders along slowly and is a nice easy read. Not sure if there are further books but it would be interesting to see how relationships hinted at develop.
Set in the Tonbridge area during the 1100s it’s a murder mystery with unlikely sleuths - an abbess and her friend Josse from France. The 3 murders are separate but connected to the Forrest and the abbey. Living in the Forrest is a group who have kept to the old ways and worship Mother Earth with all sorts of ancient rituals. The book meanders along slowly and is a nice easy read. Not sure if there are further books but it would be interesting to see how relationships hinted at develop.
July 21, 2024
3.5 stars really.
I found this one much easier to get into than the first book "Fortune Like the Moon", probably because my mind was in the zone for the setting and characters.
This one gave us more of a look at the life of 12th century Abbey and more of a look at life in those times for two, on the face of it unlikely allies - an abbess and a retired man at arm.
We have 3 murders which take some picking apart and a look at life for those who still followed the old beliefs from pre conquest England.
Josse and Abbess Helewise make good pairing at solving problems in the world they live in and the abbey.
I found this one much easier to get into than the first book "Fortune Like the Moon", probably because my mind was in the zone for the setting and characters.
This one gave us more of a look at the life of 12th century Abbey and more of a look at life in those times for two, on the face of it unlikely allies - an abbess and a retired man at arm.
We have 3 murders which take some picking apart and a look at life for those who still followed the old beliefs from pre conquest England.
Josse and Abbess Helewise make good pairing at solving problems in the world they live in and the abbey.
August 25, 2019
Segunda entrega de Los Misterios de la Abadía donde nos volvemos a encontrar con la abadesa Helewise y el caballero Sir Josse d´Acquin.
Como su predecesora, es una novela entretenida y que se lee fácilmente.
La autora, gran conocedora de la historia medieval, nos irá dando información sobre las costumbres de la época y los acontecimientos históricos que se van sucediendo, lo que nos hará conocer un poco mejor la Inglaterra medieval, al tiempo que disfrutamos de otra amena aventura.
Como su predecesora, es una novela entretenida y que se lee fácilmente.
La autora, gran conocedora de la historia medieval, nos irá dando información sobre las costumbres de la época y los acontecimientos históricos que se van sucediendo, lo que nos hará conocer un poco mejor la Inglaterra medieval, al tiempo que disfrutamos de otra amena aventura.
January 29, 2020
This is the second in "The Hakenlye" series. It has an exciting opening giving you an anticipation of what is to come. But it is light reading, silly at times. Perhaps the author, on realizing this, decided to spice up the story with sex scenes, the worse being a gang rape. She also is trying to push the nun into something sexual. Not a way to make the book interesting. Gave it three stars.
November 21, 2021
While out walking Abbess Helewise comes across a dead man, with a flint spear in his back. When another body is found Helewise calls on Jose d’Acquin, her friend, to help her solve the mystery. Meanwhile a couple of her nuns are behaving strangely. Are these things related? What will they find?
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