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Anglo-Norman Mysteries #2
The King's Riddle
It is the summer of 1089 and, in the communal hall of the village of Maidstone, in Kent, the marriage of a Norman knight and the daughter of a prosperous local miller is being celebrated. The newlywed pair is gloriously happy, but the same cannot be said of their guests, for although it has been twenty-three years since the Battle of Hastings, wedlock between Englishwomen and men of the hated race that conquered their land is still not looked on with favour by the native populace.
When the bride drinks from her mead cup and is struck down dead by poison, the distraught groom claims that one of the villagers is responsible, but the king, Rufus, is not so certain the charge is merited. In an attempt to uncover the truth he appoints Estrid Thunorsdohter—an Englishwoman who possesses a talent for solving riddles—to conduct an enquiry into the crime.
Estrid, although reluctant to be used as a cats-paw by the monarch, has no choice other than to obey the royal dictate and, not long after her arrival in Maidstone, discovers that many of its inhabitants felt some degree of malice towards the murdered bride. A few were jealous of her beauty, others contemptuous of her for agreeing to wed a Norman, and some simply resentful of her father’s affluence, but which one, if any, was filled with enough hateful passion to kill her remains unclear. Finally, Estrid realises that the only way in which she can reveal the killer's identity is to place her own life in danger.
When the bride drinks from her mead cup and is struck down dead by poison, the distraught groom claims that one of the villagers is responsible, but the king, Rufus, is not so certain the charge is merited. In an attempt to uncover the truth he appoints Estrid Thunorsdohter—an Englishwoman who possesses a talent for solving riddles—to conduct an enquiry into the crime.
Estrid, although reluctant to be used as a cats-paw by the monarch, has no choice other than to obey the royal dictate and, not long after her arrival in Maidstone, discovers that many of its inhabitants felt some degree of malice towards the murdered bride. A few were jealous of her beauty, others contemptuous of her for agreeing to wed a Norman, and some simply resentful of her father’s affluence, but which one, if any, was filled with enough hateful passion to kill her remains unclear. Finally, Estrid realises that the only way in which she can reveal the killer's identity is to place her own life in danger.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2018
144 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Ash
28 books123 followersMaureen Ash was born in London, England, and has had a lifelong interest in British medieval history. Visits to castle ruins and old churches have provided the inspiration for her novels. She enjoys Celtic music, browsing in bookstores and Belgian chocolate. Maureen now lives on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 15, 2022
This second book of the series featuring Estrid and her puzzle solving abilities requires her to discover who poisoned a young bride. The king has confidence in Estrid's ability to investigate and find who was behind the murder. It is a methodical, careful investigation that she once again successfully performs.
The interest lies in the social challenges of the times (1089) as English vs Norman values feature along with general suspicion and lack of trust, one with the other.
Estrid normally runs a cooperative of "women who sew" and is making progress in learning language and writing.
Kindle Unlimited
The interest lies in the social challenges of the times (1089) as English vs Norman values feature along with general suspicion and lack of trust, one with the other.
Estrid normally runs a cooperative of "women who sew" and is making progress in learning language and writing.
Kindle Unlimited
August 13, 2019
4.25 stars for this second book in a new series.
July 11, 2019
This is one of my favorite eras for historical mysteries, it's a nice setting with a lot of tension between the Normans (who just invaded) and the Saxons (who had invaded 500 years before and considered themselves "English")
As a fan of the author's Templar stories, I was not surprised this was well written, but what I did find surprising is that most of the unraveling of the mystery was done by legwork, finding clues and following them up. All too often in mysteries, there's basically a jumble of clues and at the end the detective just pulls out a solution from thin air.
As a fan of the author's Templar stories, I was not surprised this was well written, but what I did find surprising is that most of the unraveling of the mystery was done by legwork, finding clues and following them up. All too often in mysteries, there's basically a jumble of clues and at the end the detective just pulls out a solution from thin air.
May 24, 2024
In the summer of 1089, Alfreda, an English young woman, dies during her wedding feast to Tristan fitzRanulf, a Norman knight. King William Rufus asks Estrid Thunorsdohter to help solve this mystery. Rufus had met Estrid the previous year in Rochester, Kent where she had solved a murder falsely attributed to her son. Estrid sets out for Maidstone Village with some trepidation. Maureen Ash's plots are complex and fascinating.
March 21, 2020
The King’s Riddle by MaureenAsh
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although somewhat repetitious in various descriptive passages, it was none the less entertaining. The plot was cleverly devised and brought to fruition.
For those who enjoy a good medieval mystery I would certainly recommend it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although somewhat repetitious in various descriptive passages, it was none the less entertaining. The plot was cleverly devised and brought to fruition.
For those who enjoy a good medieval mystery I would certainly recommend it.
June 18, 2018
Very entertaining
A very good mix of real life and fictional characters with a very well written story. Just the type of mystery book that I love to read, medival history mysteries.
A very good mix of real life and fictional characters with a very well written story. Just the type of mystery book that I love to read, medival history mysteries.
October 26, 2018
A good new series
This was even better than the first in the series. Sometimes female sleuths are made bitchy and unlikable. Estrid is a sleuth to admire. All the supporting characters are good, too. I look forward to the next case at the nunnery.
This was even better than the first in the series. Sometimes female sleuths are made bitchy and unlikable. Estrid is a sleuth to admire. All the supporting characters are good, too. I look forward to the next case at the nunnery.
June 3, 2019
Another great mystery for Estrid our heroine.
Estrid solves the mystery of the poisoned bride. A fascinating tale, with characters who work together to solve the crime. Quite an enjoyable book.
Estrid solves the mystery of the poisoned bride. A fascinating tale, with characters who work together to solve the crime. Quite an enjoyable book.
February 1, 2023
I find these books to be OK to read but the writing style feels a little clumsy to me. There is the persistent use of ‘lightening’ instead of ‘lightning’ and on at least two occasions the character’s names are used incorrectly (Edith and Estrid are interchanged).
June 27, 2023
Equally gripping as the last
Having thoroughly enjoyed the first in this series, I looked forward to reading The King’s Riddle. I was not disappointed; it was equally well-written, and perfectly reflected the period. Again, clever plotting made the story skip along very enjoyably.
Having thoroughly enjoyed the first in this series, I looked forward to reading The King’s Riddle. I was not disappointed; it was equally well-written, and perfectly reflected the period. Again, clever plotting made the story skip along very enjoyably.
July 22, 2024
A most excellent historical fiction / 'whodunit'. With interesting characters .. I love the talents of Estrid and her cohorts .. from crime solving to stitching and lots of local village life and people filling the pages it is refreshing to read and, it appears, well researched.
May 28, 2025
Reluctant heroine
Wonderful play on the place of women in ancient times. Always please to see worthy women climb out of "their place." As far as I can tell, they were always in every place, so that was their place. Celebrate that things have gotten better.
Wonderful play on the place of women in ancient times. Always please to see worthy women climb out of "their place." As far as I can tell, they were always in every place, so that was their place. Celebrate that things have gotten better.
August 19, 2018
3.5 Stars It was a good enough mystery but a bit ponderous to read. The history is always good with Maureen Ash's books, but the Templar series is more enjoyable. I love the period
December 11, 2018
Enjoyable read
As a lover of historical fiction I am always on a quest to find well written series. Thank you for sharing your gift of storytelling.
As a lover of historical fiction I am always on a quest to find well written series. Thank you for sharing your gift of storytelling.
January 7, 2019
Excellent
The author's knowledge about the early Norman period makes the story come alive. She weaves a clever 'cloth', with many possible solutions.
The author's knowledge about the early Norman period makes the story come alive. She weaves a clever 'cloth', with many possible solutions.
January 7, 2019
Getting better
After being confused y the first in the series, this one flows much better. Looking forward to the next one.
After being confused y the first in the series, this one flows much better. Looking forward to the next one.
January 10, 2019
Lady detective
I like this series. They are very interesting and enjoyable reading, not exciting or quick but clever and insightful. Enjoy!
I like this series. They are very interesting and enjoyable reading, not exciting or quick but clever and insightful. Enjoy!
June 15, 2019
I enjoy reading about the period of transition between Anglo and Norman rule in England.
August 9, 2019
Very good
Made an interesting idea of a lady investigator in medieval times. And also an interesting array of characters so l can look forward to the next adventure!
Made an interesting idea of a lady investigator in medieval times. And also an interesting array of characters so l can look forward to the next adventure!
November 25, 2019
Great Read
Again greed is the forefront for this novel and as usual it comes to a bad end. One must pay for their deeds and sometimes the outcome is not nice.
Again greed is the forefront for this novel and as usual it comes to a bad end. One must pay for their deeds and sometimes the outcome is not nice.
May 31, 2020
I enjoyed the necessary cooperation between Estrid and William Rufus' representative in this mystery that revolves around both Norman and Anglo-Saxon folkways.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews