Testament

by Alis Hawkins

When Damia Miller is employed to promote revered Kineton and Dacre college, it doesn’t take her long to recognise that a grotesque antique painting recently uncovered on one of the college’s walls might hold the key to the college’s future. Six hundred years earlier, master mason Simon of Kineton is preparing plans for his magnum opus, a college to rival anything in England. His work only interrupted when he becomes father to the son he has longed for for twenty years. In the present day, Damia grows increasingly obsessed with the mysterious wall-painting and the college’s dark history. What is the painting trying to tell her? Why was the college named after its mason as well as its founder? And who does the statue of the carefree boy in the Toby Yard represent? In mediaeval Salster, Simon of Kinnerton is struggling to come to terms with the fact that his son is disabled – cursed, in the eyes of many of Salster’s townspeople. But just as Simon himself is coming to accept young Toby a tragedy occurs whose repercussions will echo until the present day. Testament is a startling feat of imaginative skill, distinguished by the breadth of its vision, and by the heartbreaking story at its that of the sacrifice a child made for his father, six hundred years ago.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Thriller

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Alis Hawkins grew up on a dairy farm in Cardiganshire. Her inner introvert thought it would be a good idea to become a shepherd and, frankly, if she had, she might have been published sooner. As it was, three years reading English at Corpus Christi College, Oxford revealed an extrovert streak and a social conscience which saw her train as a Speech and Language Therapist. She has spent the subsequent three decades variously bringing up two sons, working with children and young people on the autism spectrum and writing fiction, non-fiction and plays. She writes the kind of books she likes to read: character-driven historical crime and mystery fiction with what might be called literary production values.

Series: The Teifi Valley Coroner historical crime series, featuring Harry Probert Lloyd and John Davies. Published by Freight Books 2017, due for reissue by The Dome Press October 2018

Trilogy: The first of the Black Death trilogy, The Black and The White, coming soon from Sapere Books (summer 2018).

Standalone: Testament – previously published by PanMacmillan, soon for reissue by Sapere Books (summer 2018).

You can find more on Alis and her writing on her website (see link below) on Facebook - Alis Hawkins Author - and on Twitter (see link below)

Reviews

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Hidden only until those who are looking come.’

This novel is the story of the fictional medieval college of Kineton and Dacre, told in two different timelines. The first timeline commences in 1385, when the college was being built. The second timeline is in 2019, when the college is facing financial problems and is under threat.

In 1385, master mason Simon of Kineton is building a great college. But the building is threatened by the Bishop of Salster: the established church seeks to control all such building. And two things threaten this building: the hint of Lollardy, and rumours that the mason’s son is cursed.

In 2019, Damia Miller has been employed to manage marketing and publicity for the college. A series of paintings has been uncovered during recent renovations, and Damia is keen to learn more about the history of this painting: what does it mean, and who does it represent?

As the story moves between past and present, we learn about the people involved and the issues faced. Simon is married to Gwyneth, a master carpenter. They have a son, Tobias, who is physically disabled. Aspects of Tobias’s disability cause some people to consider that he is cursed.

In the present, Damia has some challenges of her own. She and her partner are struggling to find balance, to enable each of their needs to be met.

While my main interest was in the fourteenth century part of the story, I was fascinated by Damia’s search to find out the truth behind the paintings. In both stories, there is an issue about the land on which the college is built. In both stories, there are political realities to be acknowledged and dealt with. I kept reading, wanting to know if Damia’s research would lead her the truth. Can the truth save the college? Will Damia find what she is searching for personally?

While a couple of details had me wondering (no spoilers here), the story moved at such a fast pace that I kept moving with it. I enjoyed the story.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two time frame story is becoming very popular. I've seen it so many times and every time it works like a charm.

Here too we go to medieval England to Salster to 1385 and to a master mason Simon and more unusually his wife a master craftsman too. The building of any place is in this time a massive achievement. A lifetime honor for a craftsmen and from the details found in this story, obviously a massive undertaking. Stones were chiselled and part of a building as a labour of love, of much pride for not just the master but also for his workmen. The story of this couple and their unusual child and the complications of local politics and pride is one story.

Fast forward to 2019 and we have Dalmia taking over as Marketing Manager of the college Kinetton and Dacre. The college is bankrupt and is left vulnerable to take over bids where the main concern is turning over a fast buck. Whilst undergoing renovations, a grotesque series of paintings is uncovered. Will this be the saving of the college? but first the story has to be uncovered as to what it signifies.

Two stories of history in two separate time frames, two personal stories one of Simon and his wife and son and then we have Dalmia and her partner trying to find a balance between career and love.

I loved the detail in both time frames. The procedure of building, of architecture in the 14th century and the machinations and marketing of a college which is behind the facade of a well run institution in the 21st century.

[Stephanie Dagg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fresh, clever book. We have two timelines – 1385 and 2019. Although six and a half centuries separate them, there is so much that’s similar: rivalry, the importance of education, strong personalities, families that are a little different from normal, intolerance and commitment. These elements and the apparently separate plots link begin to entwine firmly as the story progresses and the mystery of that painting is slowly solved.
Simon and Damia are the lead characters, one in each timeline. It is they who hold the action together in their sections of the book, but Damia is the overall lynchpin. It’s she who brings everything to fulfilment. She’s a very interesting heroine. Like Simon she’s unconventional in her outlook, opinionated and dedicated. We become very interested in seeing her at work and watching how her character develops.
The background to the historical element of the book has clearly been very carefully researched and we get a convincing sense of the period and the beliefs and politics of the time. The modern era is just as vibrantly and realistically portrayed.
The author has a clear, direct style that is easy and enjoyable to read. The plot is interesting and well constructed. All in all this is an absorbing and satisfying book.

[Karen Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent little time-shift medieval/historical story that tells the story of master mason Simon Kineton and his carpenter wife Gwyneth. Simon is building a great College in the township of Salster, and his wife is to use her skills to fashion a lantern roof - one of the first glass cupolas. But the Bishop of Salster and his church want to control the building.
Simon and Gwyneth have a son, Tobias, who is disabled and seen as a curse by most in the village, and consequently complicates Simon's progress in building the College.

Fast forward to modern day and meet Damia Miller, hired to help keep Kineton and Dacre College afloat.
When a strange painting is uncovered on a wall after a minor fire in the College, Damia realises that the mystery of the Kineton's and their son may hold the key to saving the College.
This is NOT a thriller as I've seen it classified as, but a really interesting little mystery.
I found the historical/medieval side of the story much more captivating than the modern narrative - the story of the Kineton's and their son was quite heartbreaking.
The modern narrative did not engage me as much, and I found the characters less interesting, but overall, a good read.

[Jeraviz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bastante decepcionante. Empieza bien, la dos historias paralelas te plantean una trama interesante pero a partir de ahí se estanca y no evoluciona hasta el final. Un final que ya anticipas desde el principio.

[Carole Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ya'lls know how much I love my books that jump from the past to current. They are sooo fun.


This story follows Damia Miller in modern day. She is hired to help save Kineton and Darcre college. Meanwhile in the 14th century we follow Simon who is the master mason who simply wants to help give education to everyone.


A rare moment happened in this book for me....I was actually more intrigued with the modern story over the historical one! Whaaaaaaaaaaa? I know! Normally I just breeze through the modern tale but this time I wanted more of Damia and her story. SHOCKING!


I liked Damia a lot and I loathed Simon. Simon was a big jerkface to his wife and kid. Yesss, he is battling the Bishop and trying to help the people of England get education at the same time of being in charge of building these colleges. Lots of stress for sure. BUT I wanted to kick him. He was so terrible to them. Sure at the end he has a change of heart and regrets being so mean to his poor disabled son....but ugh. It made it hard to want to care about him and his struggles.


Now...I did like Simon's wife. I am glad we got a lot of her POV so it saved that part of the story for me.


Poor Damia. She has this hard task ahead of her and she is also trying to keep her relationship from crumbling as well. I felt for her. Lots of stress for her.


The writing was great. It did capture my interest from page one. There was a lull there in the middle, but after getting over that lull I was hooked again. Just to try and finish this I stayed up til nearly 3 am. I couldn't keep my eyes open so I went to sleep and finished this first thing when I woke up. I had to know what was going to happen next! Eeee


The ending did not disappoint.


I wouldn't classify this as a thriller. It was a nice historical and modern fiction for me. It had mystery for sure and I had no idea how everyone was going to fix and save their relationships/plans. It did worry me.


Overall, I did really enjoy this story. There was a lull there and Simon was a hard man to want to follow, but I was hooked for sure. Simon DOES get better, but what do you expect from a 14th century man? The ending did not disappoint at all. Great writing and a good story. I'll give this 4 stars.

[Katy Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Testament follows the story of Simon and Gwyneth, the master mason and carpenter (respectively) who are currently trying to build Toby college in Salter. The novel is dual timeline and therefore it flicks between the medieval building of the college and the modern day life of Damia who is trying to save it.

Damia is employed by the college as PR/damage control when documents go missing and the tenants come out on rent strike. In an effort to raise money from the alumni, Damia needs to spice up life at Salter when an original medieval wall painting is discovered. Like most medieval wall paintings, what the painting is of, and what it is meant to mean are seemingly lost in time. Enter Damia's ex Neil, an archivist and local historian who can help clear up this mystery at least.

But as always, once a question is answered, another one simply pops up in its place, or a thousand more questions: why was the college built here? How did it gets its name and nickname?

Trying to answer these questions leads Damia and Neil through a trail of rent strikers, stolen statues, pilfering gardeners, wayward youths, ambitious deans and the collective student population of the college. All the time, flicking back to the building of the college (a la Ken Follett) and the descriptions of medieval life and building.

Alis deserves a massive round of applause for her beautiful portrayal of disability during the medieval era although sometimes it definitely feels like not much has changed.

A very good and easy read, it took me a while to read the book as I was travelling while doing so but it is a good book to pick up and be sucked in, before putting down again when life gets in the way.

[Quinn Ellory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not thrilling, but very enjoyable.

This book is not a thriller. There is very little mystery that can't be easily figured out, and there is little tension or peril to keep pages turning. But. It is a beautifully written story of family, sacrifice, conflict between powerful struggling factors, and a glimpse into the interworkings and politics of both modern day colleges and medieval trade guilds, masons in particular.

At the heart of the story are two women who long for a child. One gains a son, whom she loses in a tremendous act of sacrifice. The other realizes if she is to fulfill that need, she must end a deep relationship with a volatile artist and put her ghosts to rest. There are a lot of ghosts in this book, figuratively speaking, but they all find a way to be at peace.

If you choose to read this book you will learn a great deal about the workings and machinations of a modern college in England, and about the working and machinations of the master mason and his patron who built it as they outwit the Catholic church. You will also learn a bit about Lollards, early reformers, and about midieval art. The author does a good job weaving the modern story with the medieval one, even if it is not laden with intrigue and puzzles to be solved. This book will appeal to lovers of history as well as those who enjoy reading about women trying to maneuver a man's world.

If you like these subjects, and wish to while away a few hours, pick up a copy of Testament. It won't keep you up late, but it might spark a few tears and leave you with a pleasant feeling at the end.

[Vanessa Wild · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging dual timeframe story set in the present day and the late 14thC revolving around a college and the discovery of an unusual wall painting.

It took me a little while to get into the flow of this book, but once I did I enjoyed it. It’s definitely worth persevering with. Timeslip novels are my favourite genre and I thought this one was a well written and constructed tale. Both inter-connecting stories are interestingly told and linked. I liked the characters, they were realistic and well rounded. The historical aspects were fascinating and the descriptions of the college being built, the political intrigue it caused and the religious beliefs it offended were very vividly depicted.

All in all a cleverly woven and researched tale which should appeal to those historical fiction fans who enjoy something a little different to the norm.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in dual timelines Testament traces the history of Kineton and Dacre College in Salster. The first timeline set in 1385 deals with the building of the college and centers around master mason, Simon Kineton and his seemingly cursed project of constructing his crowning showpiece. The second timeline takes place in 2019 and follows new marketing manager, Damia Miller as she attempts to save a college on the brink of bankruptcy. Simon struggles to build the college, Damia struggles to retain it. Both stories intertwine around the disabled son Toby Kineton whose effigy Simon installs within the college. How does this boy play into the creation and resurrection of this hallowed institution?

From the description Testament held the possibility of an engaging plot however, for me it did not deliver. The overall pace of the book was slow and the detailed description of building mechanics just did not resonate. I enjoyed the cultural insight to the 14th century and there were moments of intrigue when historical mysteries came to light but, I had a hard time relating to either of the protagonists.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Nancy Valentino]

This one took me a while to get into. The story didn't grab me from the start. But within a couple of chapters, I was hooked and devoured the last of it in one sitting! The way the historical & modern plots were linked was done skilfully, with the mysteries being slowly revealed in the modern age not long after they were revealed in the past. I really liked that, it kept me excited, wondering when the characters would uncover the next piece of information in the puzzle. It was quite a sad story really but ultimately the ending was pretty happy. A good book.

[Alis Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I wanted to re-read, I love the way Alis Hawkins writes. I picked this book up initially because I thought it was a story with characters regressing from one period to another. However, it is a book about two eras, and I thoroughly enjoyed it although I found it a little wordy to start with, I'm pleased I persevered. As the two time periods developed I enjoyed reading about both the current time and 13th century. A great historical time piece mixed with the current it was fascinating to read about what happened in one time era and the impacts in another.

[J Wiltshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. An absolute joy.

Beautifully written. An absolute joy. Thoroughly enjoyed. Not my usual read, but can definitely recommend. Now to find something else by this author.

[Kev Neylon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was really good, right up to the last couple of chapters and then it seemed like a damp squib to me which was a shame and knocked it down from 4 stars to 3.

[Hannah Mc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and bittersweet ending but did find the book quite hard to get into at places and quite drawn out

[Ineta Berkova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vienīgā grāmata ko lasīju, noliku nost, tad atkal lasīju. Un tā tikai ar trīs piegājieniem izlasīju. Interesanta, sižets neparasts, bet nelasījās.

[Philippe Kraus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it my type of book forever grateful to the Teaspoon who let me read it

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great read if you like sagas. It flits from past to present. Well written

[Uguntiņa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Labi uzrakstīta.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had rather high hopes for this book. Both story lines started out good but after a few chapters it became rather boring and wordy. It became a struggle to keep reading, maybe it’s just me

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fictional story of the medieval college of Kineton and Dacre as told in two different time lines. The time of 1385 onwards when the building was first conceived and built. The story of the people involved and the troubles they faced. With the present time line when the college is established but facing financial problems but coupled with the discovery of old wall paintings. And what do these picture represent and what does that say about the history of the college.
I enjoyed the historical story, with its much more interesting events and people. But not so much the present time line story. Though it was a well-written tale.
A NetGalley Book

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel has some truly beautiful and touching prose passages, and the dialogues are masterfully written. Its structure, with chapters alternating between timelines, each throwing light upon the other, works very well. I found the scenes set in the late 14th century more affecting and the characters better developed, perhaps owing to the more sober tone adopted by the author. By contrast, the modern-day sections are weighed down by what feel like superfluous side-plots and the irksomely busybodyish protagonist's life suffers from an overabundance of drama, making for a sluggish narrative. Despite these minor qualms, I believe this reissue (the novel was originally published in 2008) acts as a timely reminder of the power of community in facing conflicts and differences.

[I received an electronic copy of this novel from the publisher, Sapere Books, in exchange for my honest opinion.]

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

slightly disappointed with this after reading reviews for it. The author has attempted to weave together two strands of story, one set in the present day, one 600 years ago. Both plots centred on the university town of Salster and one of its colleges. It's not the first time this has been tried but I don't think it works well here.The two plot lines remained separate, merely taking turns to be told, rather than interweaving to make a whole story.The "historical" section of plot felt lacking in atmosphere; there was no conjuring up of a place and time 600 years ago. In the "present day" tale, the characters seemed lacking; a lot of background facts were given but these did not create living, breathing people.

[Ruthiella · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ambitious historical novel that suffers from trying to incorporate too much in to one book. Once I let go of my insistence of how I thought the book should be and just accepted it for what it was, I mostly enjoyed it, flaws and all. The story switches between the present day, where a strange mural dating from the 14th century has been discovered behind the Great Hall paneling of the financially beleaguered Kineton and Dacre college, to the 1300’s and the college’s tenuous establishment as an institution free of the confines of the Catholic Church.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not an historical thriller, but a well written book that will please fans of dual timeline novels.

[Ernesto Ron]

que estarias dispuesto a sacrificar para que tu nombre quedase grabado en la historia?esa es la portada del libro,buena novela.

[Garry]

DNF

[Dāvis Dakša · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took me a month to finish it, which already says a bit. It was from series called “New age thrillers” which confuses me, as this was completely thrilless book. Both, past and present, were empty and lacking of life. Neither had the big mystery, nor the hook, or anything, really. I’m not sure why i even finished the book. I mean, I can say I’m disappointed in book, but I guess I should be most disappointed in myself, due to fact that I kept on reading. Uh.