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Christine de Pizan Mystery #3
In the Company of Fools
A baby abandoned in the palace gardens leads scribe sleuth Christine de Pizan into a mystery involving murder, superstition and scandal in fourteenth-century France.
Paris, 1396. Scribe Christine de Pizan is shocked when the Duke of Orleans' fools find a baby, wrapped in rags and covered in sores, abandoned in the palace gardens. Was there really a wicked plan to substitute the child for the queen's own baby daughter and blame the Duchess of Orleans, Valentina Visconti? Who would commit such an evil act, and why?
Accused of being a sorceress, Valentina is the victim of much slander and has powerful enemies at the palace, where rumours of witchcraft and superstition run riot. Convinced of the duchess's innocence, Christine is determined to uncover the truth, and soon makes a number of disturbing discoveries. Could the palace fools be the key to unlocking the mystery?
Paris, 1396. Scribe Christine de Pizan is shocked when the Duke of Orleans' fools find a baby, wrapped in rags and covered in sores, abandoned in the palace gardens. Was there really a wicked plan to substitute the child for the queen's own baby daughter and blame the Duchess of Orleans, Valentina Visconti? Who would commit such an evil act, and why?
Accused of being a sorceress, Valentina is the victim of much slander and has powerful enemies at the palace, where rumours of witchcraft and superstition run riot. Convinced of the duchess's innocence, Christine is determined to uncover the truth, and soon makes a number of disturbing discoveries. Could the palace fools be the key to unlocking the mystery?
224 pages, Hardcover
Published May 5, 2020
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54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 22, 2020
Quite an enjoyable 3rd installment in the Christine de Pizan mysteries series. This is meant to be set in the late 14th century, sometime before Christine began writing professionally. Oh, did I not mention de Pizan was Europe's first professional female author? Way back in the 1400s.
I think I enjoyed the last book more personally, but this was a good continuation of the series in which Christine now has something of a reputation for solving crimes. Christine is again assisted by friends old and some new, this time a literally company of 'fools'. What we might call jesters. The Queen of France's entertainers, who are far from foolish.
All the books in this series (3 so far) revolve around the French royal court in some way, and so the characters get caught up with royal intrigues and scandals which adds an interesting flavour to each story. This one concerns the controversial Duchess of Orleans Valentina Visconti. An Italian family who were something like early forbears of the Medici. Lionel of Clarence, second son of Edward III of England also married into the family and died shortly afterwards. (Some rumours say he was poisoned by her family.)
The mystery is complicated with plenty of twists and turns, but I sort of felt a little short changed at the end when the culprit was revealed. I feel it's one of the rules of mysteries that the murderer has to be a character who is known or at least, that he sleuth (and so therefore the reader) has met.
Finally, I felt that this novel had one other weakness that came out in the first novel. Christine feels rather too modern for the late 14th century setting. Yes, she was a professional author, and yes she did defend women in some of her books. but not all of her attitudes are related to that. She totally rejects all beliefs in witchcraft/alchemy etc, and there is no real reason for her to believe as such. I'm surprised she isn't an atheist as well, but I suppose that would be kind of stretching historical credibility a bit too far.
It's also very difficult to believe that she would not have had any interest whatsoever in domestic pursuits. If you read her works she clearly believed women should know how to run a household. Yes, she was unconventional in many ways, but not as much as she is in this book. At times our heroine just feels like a modern person in fancy dress.
Thanks to Severn House for allowing me to read this title through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
I think I enjoyed the last book more personally, but this was a good continuation of the series in which Christine now has something of a reputation for solving crimes. Christine is again assisted by friends old and some new, this time a literally company of 'fools'. What we might call jesters. The Queen of France's entertainers, who are far from foolish.
All the books in this series (3 so far) revolve around the French royal court in some way, and so the characters get caught up with royal intrigues and scandals which adds an interesting flavour to each story. This one concerns the controversial Duchess of Orleans Valentina Visconti. An Italian family who were something like early forbears of the Medici. Lionel of Clarence, second son of Edward III of England also married into the family and died shortly afterwards. (Some rumours say he was poisoned by her family.)
The mystery is complicated with plenty of twists and turns, but I sort of felt a little short changed at the end when the culprit was revealed. I feel it's one of the rules of mysteries that the murderer has to be a character who is known or at least, that he sleuth (and so therefore the reader) has met.
Finally, I felt that this novel had one other weakness that came out in the first novel. Christine feels rather too modern for the late 14th century setting. Yes, she was a professional author, and yes she did defend women in some of her books. but not all of her attitudes are related to that. She totally rejects all beliefs in witchcraft/alchemy etc, and there is no real reason for her to believe as such. I'm surprised she isn't an atheist as well, but I suppose that would be kind of stretching historical credibility a bit too far.
It's also very difficult to believe that she would not have had any interest whatsoever in domestic pursuits. If you read her works she clearly believed women should know how to run a household. Yes, she was unconventional in many ways, but not as much as she is in this book. At times our heroine just feels like a modern person in fancy dress.
Thanks to Severn House for allowing me to read this title through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
July 17, 2021
I can only say that this was an 'OK read'. A nice enough story but very simplistic writing and I can't really say I got very engaged with the characters. I borrowed this from the library as I thought it sounded interesting but I don't think I'll search out anything else by her.
April 28, 2020
This series sadly did not live up to its potential.
March 14, 2020
This is the third in the series featuring Christine de Pisan, and I would suggest starting from the beginning with In the Presence of Evil and In the Shadow of the Enemy and many of the characters in this instalment have their origins in the first two books, as does the historical background.
It is three years since the events in the previous books; the French court is still a hot bed of political intrigue, the King is still battling bouts of insanity, and witchcraft and sorcery are being touted as the causes for all that has befallen France.
Someone is out to blacken the name of Valentina Visconti, Duchess of Orleans, and it the Fools of the Duke, her husband, that provide both the impetus and clues that Christine will need to solve this mystery.
I am enjoying the series as the setting is medieval France and features Christine de Pisan. These would fall into the category of mystery; they are not particularly action driven though do provide us with an insider's view of the French Court. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
It is three years since the events in the previous books; the French court is still a hot bed of political intrigue, the King is still battling bouts of insanity, and witchcraft and sorcery are being touted as the causes for all that has befallen France.
Someone is out to blacken the name of Valentina Visconti, Duchess of Orleans, and it the Fools of the Duke, her husband, that provide both the impetus and clues that Christine will need to solve this mystery.
I am enjoying the series as the setting is medieval France and features Christine de Pisan. These would fall into the category of mystery; they are not particularly action driven though do provide us with an insider's view of the French Court. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
April 4, 2020
An abandoned baby, a murdered woman, a missing wife, slanderous talk against Valentina Visconti, Duchess of Orleans.......all of these things bombard Christine de Pizan at the palace in Paris. The Duke of Orleans' fools find the abandoned baby and beg Christine's help. They believe that the baby was to be exchanged for the Queen's baby and may be a plot of witchcraft against the Duchess. With their help, Christine begins to unravel the mystery and uncover more as things begin to fall into place.
This series of books by Tania Bayard has quickly become one of my favorites. I love the characters and the varied mysteries in which the main character becomes involved. Everything, in each book, has been realistic and well developed. I highly recommend this book, and the entire series, to anyone who likes a good mystery, French history, intriguing characters or just a darn good read.
This series of books by Tania Bayard has quickly become one of my favorites. I love the characters and the varied mysteries in which the main character becomes involved. Everything, in each book, has been realistic and well developed. I highly recommend this book, and the entire series, to anyone who likes a good mystery, French history, intriguing characters or just a darn good read.
April 25, 2020
An abandoned baby sets off a chain of events that surprise even Christine de Pizan. It's 1396 Paris and the French court is a hotbed of jealousy, plotting, and political maneuvering. Valentina, the Duchess of Orleans, has been the target of gossip and rumor mongering. The charge of sorcery or witchcraft meant something in those days. Now, the baby has charged up the rumor mill. Many of the characters were real people (including, btw, Christine herself) and there are a lot of them. You might find yourself looking for more info and, like me, learning something. This isn't the easiest of mysteries but it's a rewarding read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of the medieval mystery.
February 2, 2023
As a fan of medieval mysteries and historical fiction, I was expecting to enjoy the three books in Tanya Bayard's Christine de Pizan series. I am halfway through the first one and am not disappointed in the plot but am continually distracted by the author's obnoxious repetitive use the characters' costume descriptions (houppelandes!!) throughout the text. A glossary of foreign words would have been preferable. I give it three stars for concept with the suggestion that hiring an editor would've earned a higher rating.
April 29, 2020
Thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book. I hadn't read the previous two books in this series, which was definitely to my detriment. I persevered and, while the storyline was interesting, I finished it feeling like I just came in at the wrong time. Will I go back and read the previous books? I'm not sure as there is so much historical mystery out there that I have enjoyed far more.
Being well-written and having an interesting protagonist gets this book 3 stars.
Being well-written and having an interesting protagonist gets this book 3 stars.
December 31, 2020
I read this for my "fun, light" book for Advent since it is kind of church-adjacent. I enjoy this Christine De Pizan character a LOT and I am interested in the historical figure too. The court of Charles was so sad with his mental illness and this gives a compassionate and realistic view of that situation. The mysteries seem appropriate to the setting.
There are three books in this series now and I hope there will be more. I enjoy checking these out at my local library.
There are three books in this series now and I hope there will be more. I enjoy checking these out at my local library.
May 5, 2020
This was an excellent read, gripping and entertaining.
I loved the well thought and interesting cast of characters, the well researched and vivid historical background and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
It's the first book I read in this series and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I loved the well thought and interesting cast of characters, the well researched and vivid historical background and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
It's the first book I read in this series and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
May 5, 2021
Not quite as enjoyable as the first two installments. Not only does Bayard retread the same old adages with Francesca not wanting Christine to work at the palace and Henri Picart looking down on Christine, but the fools in this story were just...annoying. Very annoying, badly written, and badly placed throughout the novel.
May 23, 2021
I wasn't sure if I would even read this book after reading the first two in the series but I did and I found this book better than the others. Or maybe I just got used to the characters. Whatever the reason it was not a bad book and I will probably read another in the series.
May 15, 2021
Great main character. Plot line had good potential but fell short at conclusion.
July 17, 2021
Maybe 3.5 stars. This should have been a gripping medieval mystery. But somehow none of the characters really connected with me, though I don't know why.
August 7, 2022
It reminded me of a show you might see on PBS. Like a British procedural but in medieval France.
I’m also a history buff so I appreciate that and it made me look stuff up that I didn’t know
I’m also a history buff so I appreciate that and it made me look stuff up that I didn’t know
October 2, 2023
I found this book in a sale in the library. I was excited to read it but unfortunately a promising plot using real historical figures was very badly executed.
February 12, 2020
Christine de Pizan is at work when the Duke of Orleans' fools bring her a babe found in the gardens. It isn't hard to see the mischief at hand to implicate the Duchess in witchcraft. Christine sets out to follow the thread to its source. Or will danger find her and her friends first?
Jumping into this series without reading the first two books was not a good idea. There are a lot of characters to keep track of. If it had stayed with Christine instead of jumping to her friends, I think I would have followed it better. Christine made an excellent heroine to follow as she balances her work with family.
I will give the book credit for giving the reader all the relevant information about who is who. There's just so many of them! I also didn't care for how the narrative jumped around from person to person as I found myself confused.
Overall, not a terrible read, Just not an immediate favorite for me. I received a free copy through NetGalley and am reviewing of my own choice. All opinions expressed are my own.
Jumping into this series without reading the first two books was not a good idea. There are a lot of characters to keep track of. If it had stayed with Christine instead of jumping to her friends, I think I would have followed it better. Christine made an excellent heroine to follow as she balances her work with family.
I will give the book credit for giving the reader all the relevant information about who is who. There's just so many of them! I also didn't care for how the narrative jumped around from person to person as I found myself confused.
Overall, not a terrible read, Just not an immediate favorite for me. I received a free copy through NetGalley and am reviewing of my own choice. All opinions expressed are my own.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews