The Darkest Red

Galeran de Lesneven #5

by Viviane Moore, Adriana Hunter (Translator)

In France in 1145, the Normandy coast is bracing itself against the impending gales of the autumn equinox. Other storm clouds gather when Galeran, the courtly knight, is sent by the Bishop of Lisieux to investigate the Normandy Abbey of Jumièges. There have been rumors of corruption in the Church. But Galeran arrives in the town to bloodshed when a beautiful young bride is brutally slain on the eve of her wedding. Investigating both this crime and the Abbey, Galeran soon discovers that the town is riddled with theft, corruption, black magic—and plenty of motives for murder.

Genres: Mystery

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Viviane Moore was born in 1960 in Hong Kong where her father was an architect and her mother a stained-glass artist. At 19 she became a photographer and worked as a journalist for Paris Match. Her main area of interest has always been the Middle Ages and for some time she has devoted herself to writing her novels featuring the Chevalier Galeran de Lesneven full-time. She lives in La Rochelle in France.

Reviews

[Ben Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Small type and historical detail on the back cover made me think this was quite an adult novel, so I picked it up - but my daughter looked at the design and said "That's a kid's book, isn't it?"

She wasn't entirely right - it is interesting for adults too (and includes brief references to sexual themes which might not suit younger readers), but I did feel teenage readers might enjoy it best. It's principally a mediæval detective story, with unexplained murders and thefts, along with some exciting action scenes and a little bit of romance too. It is rather formulaïc, with the tension building as a storm approaches, but it suits the formula well: the writing is atmospheric, and the English translation by Adriana Hunter flows absolutely naturally. A shame she wasn't credited on the cover, although there was perhaps a risk of confusion with the Canadian erotica author.

One slight gripe: if you've watched lots of video footage of the 2011 Japanese tsunami, as I did, the description of a tidal wave sounds rather false.

[Padgett Ratings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the drama involved.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging and exciting medieval period murder mystery.
When Galeran is asked to investigate an abbey in Normandy by the Bishop of Lisieux accused of corruption, he along with his traveling companion the sharp Brother Odon find more than they bargained for.
The mysterious death of one of the local monks, a young bride murdered on the eve of her secret wedding and many other unexplained things going are all ingredients for a great murder mystery.
Are the rumours of corruption just a veil for more sinister goings on at the abbey of Jumieges and with a murderer on the loose who could be next and can the Chevalier Galeran and the intrepid Brother Odon catch the culprit before he strikes again?
Fast paced and such a page turner I devoured this in just a few hours so is great for a single burst read.
Really loved this and well worth anyone's time reading especially if you are a fan of period murder mysteries.

[Alain]

Vols et meurtres dans une abbaye remplie de moines d?voy?s. Cette base n'est pas nouvelle et l'intrigue peu originale. Le r?cit est d?cousu, les "enqu?teurs", un moine et un chevalier, d?couvrent les solutions sans que l'on sache comment. Beaucoup de lieux communs.