The Paths of the Air

Hawkenlye Mysteries #11

by Alys Clare

The new novel in the popular Hawkenlye series - Autumn 1196. A secretive stranger arrives at New Winnowlands, and Sir Josse dAcquin guesses that he is a returning Crusader. Josse seeks the assistance of Abbess Helewise of Hawkenlye to have the mans injuries treated in the infirmary. But then the various demons who are on the mans trail begin to turn up, and Josse realizes that his mysterious guest has brought with him a terrible secret . . .

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Medieval, Historical, Historical Mystery, British Literature

250 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Alys 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.

Reviews

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved it!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author and read everything she writes, I wait patiently for the next novel to surface and then consume them so quickly i regret my reading speed.
She is a superlative story teller. Her characters are alive, rich and fully sketched in, inpersonality and characteristics. Next story please?

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've missed a few books in the series, as they're not available in any of my libraries.
Nevertheless, it was easy to pick up the threads of the lives and characters of Sir Josse and Abbess Helewise, in particular, and of the supporting characters.
If you enjoy the Brother Cadfael series, you'll enjoy this, I think.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Josse has a visit from a gravely ill and shrouded man who identifies himself as John Damianos. Josse allows him to stay in one of his outer buildings. It is odd how John eats heartily but appears to sleep all day and not get any better. One morning, it is found that he left during the night. When he doesn’t return several days later, Josse sets off for Hawkenlye. While there, a messenger brings word of a gruesomely murdered body found along the path. Josse goes to investigate and wonders if it could be John. Never having really seen him, he can’t be sure. Then there is word of another death – one which a fire attempts to conceal. Who are these men and why were their lives taken?
I had a hard time following this one - too many threads of individuals and possibilities. About 60 pages from the end, things fall in to place and I enjoyed the conclusion but it sure was a tangled web to unravel! My least favorite (so far) of the series.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first read of a Hawkenlye Mystery, & I did not realize this was part of such a long series... That said, I found it quite entertaining and well written: fine as a standalone read. I would give it a 3.5 or even 4 star rating within the category of light entertainment.
I like the historic setting, which has some real flavor of life in the times, and there is just enough character development to interest you in the outcome.
I am not reaching quickly for another in the series, but I do expect to read more of these mysteries if they don't fall into the trap of over explaining the context & history each time.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of characters with foreign names were hard to keep straight. There is not enough information to help solve the mystery. Unless you are a good guesser you will have to wait until the end. Some new characters were added to the cast. There are also some lose ends that keep me reading the next book. Recommend.

[Alissa McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

More Hawkenlye Abbey - such a treat! These books are often not available in the US because they were never printed here. This one came to me with the check-out chart, old-fashioned date stamp and everything, from a library in Oxfordshire, England.

[Heather McCloud · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book--and I love how the continuing story of the reoccurring characters blends with the new characters that are introduced in each installment! And I especially appreciate the strong female characters--old and new!!

[Jazzysmum · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this, the 11th book in the Hawkenlye Mysteries, we are back to a Mystery, not side issues and characters which detract from the series.

We are taken into the happenings of one of the Crusades and learn more about these futile battles.

Detective work is needed by Sir Josses and Abbess Helewise and their group of delightful helpers, who really make the series.

Knots are unpicked and the Abbess gets a surprise ending.

[Kelly Callaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A man sits watching the Abbey. A stranger turns up at New Winnolands, seeking help from Josse. A body is found murdered most cruelly, a guest house goes on fire. Are all these events connected? Can Helewise and Josse solve these questions before anyone else dies?

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great plot. Very engaging.

[Kyri Freeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting opening scenes quickly devolved into rather trite writing that just didn't grab me.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better than the last one. Interesting history.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man has been savagely killed in the old forest near Hawkenlye Abbey and Sir Josse d'Acquin and Abbess Helewise have another mystery to unravel. It is 1196 and someone has committed a foul crime that must be solved before others become victims too!

Have enjoyed this series but am frustrated by the lack of several titles at my local library. Have run into this problem before with English authors. Some of their books are produced in limited quantities and trying to find them here in the states becomes almost impossible. And when reading sequential books (as in this series), it can cause problems because subsequent books discuss situations and/or people that the reader is not familiar with. Aggravating to say the least!

Note: By this point in the series, I have to accept that the author either is a practitioner, or knows a lot about, the Pagan or Earth religions. References to "respect" for the forest, the male god, herbal lore, those who do worship the Christian G*d, etc., is what alerted me to this. I respect the author's beliefs (they mesh with my own) but if you're one of those who believes in only ONE religion to the exclusion of all others you may not enjoy this book.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those of you who enjoy mediaeval religious mysteries (hard to believe that could be considered a genre in itself) this series is as good as any. Well drawn characters, intricate plots which stay within the realm of possibility, interesting historical details which don't overwhelm the story and a great contrast between the main characters-the Abbess of Hawkenlye and Sir Josse d"Acquin, an ex-crusader. These two unlikely friends now often find themselves working together to solve crimes committed both within and outside their communities. This instalment, which concerns a pair of fugitives returning from Outremer to England pursued by three separate groups of men intent on capturing either the fugitives or a precious item they possess, is as good as any of the previous Hawkenlye books. For those of you new to the series I would recommend reading them in order as the backstory evolves over time. If you have read and enjoyed Clare's previous books this is a great addition to the series.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

c2008. A much better book than the last 2. Back to form - is a phrase that comes to mind. The story is much more concentrated on Josse without much of the supernatural that was evident in the previous 2. Both the murder and mystery was more complicated and less easily anticipated than the earlier ones. I loved the addition of the Hospitallers - they rank just under the Templars in my interest. Again, the blurb on the back does not refer to this actual book but to the author and series in general. FWFTB: stranger, Crusader, 1196, runaway, danger.

[Kathy Moberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book in the series. The story is not as believable as usual for Alys Clare, but nonetheless, a great read. I love the regualr characters in this series, and that part of the storyline takes some very interesting twists and turns! Now, I'm on to the next one!

[Josephine (Jo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished 6th December 2008
When a returning crusader is brought to Hawkenlye Abbey wounded and in need of care in the abbey infirmary he brings with him a lot of trouble for Abbess Helewise.
A good plot and quite a few twists and turns enjoyable light reading.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as good as Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael, but a very enjoyable book.

[Marie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book - very entertaining. Mystery set in the time of the Crusades
1190. Is the latest in a series of books. Well written and keeps you guessing till the end.

[Ma'lis Wendt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine medieval mystery. The plot thicken as the book progressed and actually got very complicated and interesting.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific read! Another great mystery by Alys Clare! This one in particular had a lot of twists and turns, and things NOT turning out as one would expect!

[Abra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This entry in the series was a little more interesting and enjoyable because of the flashbacks to the most recent Crusade and European doings in "Outremer". There was almost no fantasy/Pagan stuff.

[Ann O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read and enjoyable.

[Janey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

[Mary Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series. Well written.