Chaucer and the Legend of Good Women

Geoffrey Chaucer Mysteries #2

by Philip Gooden

Three years after his secret mission to Aquitaine, poet and diplomat Geoffrey Chaucer finds himself once more embarked on royal business. After an arduous journey in the spring of 1373, he reaches Florence, a city twice the size of London and the banking centre of Europe. Chaucer has come for money for Edward III, who needs a loan to prop up the ongoing English campaign against France. Arrangements with the banking house run by Antonio Lipari should be straightforward, but Chaucer soon discovers that various people are opposed to the deal, including Lipari's blind brother and his ambitious secretary. Within days Antonio Lipari has died, suspiciously. Violence is bubbling under the surface of this city of stone towers and golden vistas. Outside the walls is camped a band of English mercenaries while, inside, Chaucer himself is aware of shadowy pursuers. Following a fishy trail and the clues provided by a fallen statue, Chaucer must establish the truth about the death of the banker and others before he can return home to England.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2014

About the author

Philip Gooden lives in Bath. In addition to his Nick Revill series, Sleep of Death, he is the author of The Guinness Guide to Better English and the editor of The Mammoth Book of Literary Anecdotes. Each of his Nick Revill mysteries revolves around a Shakespearean play mirroring life - in Sleep of Death the play was Hamlet, in this offering it is Troilus and Cressida.
AKA Philippa Morgan.

Series:
* Shakespearean Murder
* Tom Ansell

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1373 Geoffrey Chaucer is on a mission for Edward III to obtain a loan of money from banker Antonio Lipari. Unfortunately for him he encounters attacks on himself and several murders.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery

[Richard James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An expertly woven tale

Philip Gooden has assembled a cast of memorable characters in a slice of Italian mystery, all served up with rich descriptions and thrills galore. Chaucer makes for a likeable protagonist, I’ll be sure to read more of his adventures.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant mystery read

This book imagines Geoffrey Chaucer in Italy on a mission for King Edward II of England to secure a loan from a banker for the continued fight of his war against France (aka the Hundred Years War, which went on...and on...). While he is there, one of the bankers from whom Chaucer is trying to procure the money is murdered and he attempts to figure out who did the deed, but not before someone tries more than once to kill him. There are several subplots, including the romance of the notary with whom Geoffrey is staying and the banker's daughter, and the tale of another murder victim and his wife. All these plots are neatly woven together with a very interesting and satisfying outcome. The description of Chaucer is very close to every other one I've read--rather short, somewhat stout, with a small beard. So is the description of his marriage to Philippa de Roet, "happy enough, but happily apart". All in all, a very satisfying and pleasant read.

[Barbara K · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has done a heroic job of putting the historical personage of Geoffrey Chaucer into the middle of yet another mystery. Like with "Chaucer and the House of Fame" the events unfold because Chaucer has been dispatched by his king on an international errand and this errand sets events in motion to swirl around the envoy but of which he is not the direct cause. All sorts of colorful personages emerge - some of whom are murdered, some of whom are those doing the killings, and some of whom are red herrings. Set against the backdrop of 14th century Florence, this story is well worth your time and effort.

I applaud the author who weaves this all together quite adroitly!

[losira13gmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was better on pace than the first in the series

I love historical based mysteries and this book was better written than the first one in the series. The first book I felt like it was dragging in the story line and I almost gave up on finishing it while this one while it may slow down in a spot or two, but was intriguing enough to me to get to the end of the book and find out who did it. I think others may enjoy this series who enjoy historical fictional mysteries as I do.

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This marvellous second outing of Chaucerian mystery tales used its Italian setting beautifully, with Chaucer on a delicate diplomatic mission and not-so-innocent abroad.

The historical details were seamless, the characters fully rounded and colourful and the mystery was complex and engrossing. This was a thorough treat to read!

[Veronica Mcniff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diverting and surprising

Thought this was a little slow to start with, but the pace and plot line really picked up. Lots of enjoyable coincidences and and indeed, the women are remarkable. Can’t say more or it would spoil the (convoluted) outcome. I could name the title of one of Shakespeare’s plays to summarize.

[deana evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

Really enjoyed this story well written strong characters great narrative historically interesting I would recommend the Chaucer series have ordered the next one straight w

[S A W Steel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and clever

I really enjoyed this second book in the series. The use of Chaucer as the main character is a brilliant device and the plot is original and well thought out. An intelligent dialogue supports entertaining characters. I look forward to reading more.

[Maryteresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tedious

I didn't care for this book. There was too much description and it took forever to move the story along.

[Franklin]

Enjoyed the book but it was not what I was expecting.

[Keira Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ordinary

Lots of suspects, lots of mayhem, many deaths but little real suspense. No surprises and noone I really cared about. Ver ho hum.