What do you think?
Rate this book
Historical Mysteries Collection #5
Satin Cinnabar
An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here.
Perfect for fans of C J Sansom, S W Perry and Denise Domning
“It paints views and pictures, it makes history spring alive, immersing the reader in the distant past.”
The battle is over, but now he’s the son of a traitor…
England 1485. The new Court of Henry VII is a dangerous time – Now the son of a traitor, Alex must hide his identity. But discovering the near decapitated body of his cousin could have even more catastrophic consequences. No one can be trusted, not even those closest to you.
Danger it seems, is never far away…
Without the brave soldier who led her to safety, Lady Katherine would have joined the fallen bodies. Returning home to find the enemy’s pennant flying overhead and an unfamiliar lord demanding her hand in marriage. Impulsive and hot headed, she must find a way back to her new friend, but where is he? And is she safer staying where she is?
Guilty or not?
After yet another murder, Alex’s discoveries could lead him to the killer or the gallows. While Lady Katherine has to make an impossible choice to retreat behind the safety of castle walls or risk more than her reputation to help solve these final riddles and catch the culprit.
Medieval London comes alive with suspense in this historical mystery set in 15th century England.
Perfect for fans of C J Sansom, S W Perry and Denise Domning
“It paints views and pictures, it makes history spring alive, immersing the reader in the distant past.”
The battle is over, but now he’s the son of a traitor…
England 1485. The new Court of Henry VII is a dangerous time – Now the son of a traitor, Alex must hide his identity. But discovering the near decapitated body of his cousin could have even more catastrophic consequences. No one can be trusted, not even those closest to you.
Danger it seems, is never far away…
Without the brave soldier who led her to safety, Lady Katherine would have joined the fallen bodies. Returning home to find the enemy’s pennant flying overhead and an unfamiliar lord demanding her hand in marriage. Impulsive and hot headed, she must find a way back to her new friend, but where is he? And is she safer staying where she is?
Guilty or not?
After yet another murder, Alex’s discoveries could lead him to the killer or the gallows. While Lady Katherine has to make an impossible choice to retreat behind the safety of castle walls or risk more than her reputation to help solve these final riddles and catch the culprit.
Medieval London comes alive with suspense in this historical mystery set in 15th century England.
Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2020
171 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Gaskell Denvil
43 books63 followersI was born approximately two hundred years ago (It sometimes feels that way) in Gloucestershire, England, right in the heart of the Cotswolds. After a few years, I moved to London and fell in love with the history which oozes through the old stones, and the medieval atmosphere leaks from the beautiful old buildings. For many years, I walked the old cobbled lanes and researched the 15th century from original sources, and the books in the British Museum. I worked there in the Department of Ancient Documents, a place which I adored, full of scrolls illuminated by medieval monks, and hordes of informative parchments.
My father was an academic and playwright, my mother was a retired teacher, and my sister was an author of fantasy. I had no other passion except the arts, and books
Already a passionate reader half-crazed by the avid consumption of literature, I had grown out of Enid Blyton when I was about six. Next came a passion for Georgette Heyer, although far too young to understand romance. Once again it was the historical details I loved and I moved quickly onto Shakespeare, Dorothy Dunnett, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and a host of others.
I started writing. Nonsense naturally! But I kept it up and eventually write articles and short stories for current magazines and newspapers. I was also a tutor for scriptwriting, and a reviewer for Books and Bookmen. That kept me busy until I married. A husband and three little girls (including identical twins) were a full-time job, and for most of the time I also worked at secretarial jobs, keeping the threat of starvation at bay and paying for the baked beans.
After leaving my husband, I started writing again but this time I was distracted by something different, as I had a wonderful 18-year romance with a man who lived on his yacht in the Mediterranean, sailing during spring, summer, and autumn, and exploring Europe by car in winter.
My partner died, and I was bereft, deciding to come to Australia for a change instead of sitting around in stagnant tears. Writing again, and seriously this time, I wrote full length books in all my favourite genres. I was accepted by one of the big top 5 publishers, and two of my historical crime/mysteries were published in the traditional manner. However, although I was reasonably well paid and sold reasonably well, I also found myself disliking the control system. I had to write as commanded, insert bucket loads more romance, accept covers I hated, and generally do as I was told.
Now, happy and free, I self-publish, and enjoy every minute of my writing. I live in Australia, adore the weather, the birds and the wildlife, and live a placid life during the day and a wonderfully exciting one in my dreams at night.
I have written fantasy and historical fiction. Very different genres, but all are crime mysteries in one way or another. I have almost finished my children’s series (Bannister’s Muster series, for middle-grade children), no crime here, but a vibrant mixture of history and fantasy. After this is complete I am moving onto a series of modern crime mysteries, and I’m looking forward to that.
Writing is and always has been my passion, now that I am able to do this full time, I am in my element and life couldn’t be better (a little more sunshine might help though).
My father was an academic and playwright, my mother was a retired teacher, and my sister was an author of fantasy. I had no other passion except the arts, and books
Already a passionate reader half-crazed by the avid consumption of literature, I had grown out of Enid Blyton when I was about six. Next came a passion for Georgette Heyer, although far too young to understand romance. Once again it was the historical details I loved and I moved quickly onto Shakespeare, Dorothy Dunnett, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and a host of others.
I started writing. Nonsense naturally! But I kept it up and eventually write articles and short stories for current magazines and newspapers. I was also a tutor for scriptwriting, and a reviewer for Books and Bookmen. That kept me busy until I married. A husband and three little girls (including identical twins) were a full-time job, and for most of the time I also worked at secretarial jobs, keeping the threat of starvation at bay and paying for the baked beans.
After leaving my husband, I started writing again but this time I was distracted by something different, as I had a wonderful 18-year romance with a man who lived on his yacht in the Mediterranean, sailing during spring, summer, and autumn, and exploring Europe by car in winter.
My partner died, and I was bereft, deciding to come to Australia for a change instead of sitting around in stagnant tears. Writing again, and seriously this time, I wrote full length books in all my favourite genres. I was accepted by one of the big top 5 publishers, and two of my historical crime/mysteries were published in the traditional manner. However, although I was reasonably well paid and sold reasonably well, I also found myself disliking the control system. I had to write as commanded, insert bucket loads more romance, accept covers I hated, and generally do as I was told.
Now, happy and free, I self-publish, and enjoy every minute of my writing. I live in Australia, adore the weather, the birds and the wildlife, and live a placid life during the day and a wonderfully exciting one in my dreams at night.
I have written fantasy and historical fiction. Very different genres, but all are crime mysteries in one way or another. I have almost finished my children’s series (Bannister’s Muster series, for middle-grade children), no crime here, but a vibrant mixture of history and fantasy. After this is complete I am moving onto a series of modern crime mysteries, and I’m looking forward to that.
Writing is and always has been my passion, now that I am able to do this full time, I am in my element and life couldn’t be better (a little more sunshine might help though).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 5, 2017
Great story!
Loved the writing style if this author, and what a great plot! The main male character, Alex, is so well formed and evolves as the plot progresses....the female lead here is a bit naive a d childish but very suited to this story. There is so much action and so many situations that it is very hard to put the book down for even a moment. It held my interest from the first paragraph until the last. The medieval England setting just after King Henry I takes the throne, usurping King Richard is an extremely chaotic time period in the country's history and a very useful background for this plot.
I found the book charming, funny, interesting, easy to read, romantic and very entertaining.
Needless to say, I highly recommend it to readers of historical fiction. I'm so thankful to be a woman born in the 20th century! Ignorance is not bliss!
I'm currently looking for other books written by Denvil. Well done!
Loved the writing style if this author, and what a great plot! The main male character, Alex, is so well formed and evolves as the plot progresses....the female lead here is a bit naive a d childish but very suited to this story. There is so much action and so many situations that it is very hard to put the book down for even a moment. It held my interest from the first paragraph until the last. The medieval England setting just after King Henry I takes the throne, usurping King Richard is an extremely chaotic time period in the country's history and a very useful background for this plot.
I found the book charming, funny, interesting, easy to read, romantic and very entertaining.
Needless to say, I highly recommend it to readers of historical fiction. I'm so thankful to be a woman born in the 20th century! Ignorance is not bliss!
I'm currently looking for other books written by Denvil. Well done!
August 14, 2014
Written with obvious knowledge of subject and skill, Gaskell gives us a meager portion of her talents with this work.
Read full review in the 2012 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2012 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.
March 7, 2019
A wondrous adventure to Medieval England. Romance, war, murder, deception, intrigue. The author paints a vivid picture of the time and place of 1485.
The hero Alex, of course does not start out to be a hero. He is just trying to survive, being on the losing side of the war. King Richard is dead and the Tudor Henry VI is now King. Alex was easy to fall in love with.
The female lead Katherine, she is naive and childish and there were times she got on my last nerve! All I can say is if this is how parents raised their daughters in Medieval times, it was a damn awful shame!
The murder mystery kept my attention and had me guessing until the very end and the villain was a delight to hate. A little bit of everything and a joy to read!
The hero Alex, of course does not start out to be a hero. He is just trying to survive, being on the losing side of the war. King Richard is dead and the Tudor Henry VI is now King. Alex was easy to fall in love with.
The female lead Katherine, she is naive and childish and there were times she got on my last nerve! All I can say is if this is how parents raised their daughters in Medieval times, it was a damn awful shame!
The murder mystery kept my attention and had me guessing until the very end and the villain was a delight to hate. A little bit of everything and a joy to read!
February 13, 2025
No!
Possibly one of the worst books I've ever slogged through.
For someone who seems to have a solid knowledge of 1400's history, how this gut wrenching misery manages to fall completely apart is puzzling and a bit upsetting.
I simply cannot grasp why this author insists on making her characters one dimensional and especially her female protagonists utterly stupid.
I read one other book and decided I would try just one more before removing the material from my feed. I'd rather read sales ads for donkeys than force feed this dreck into my tired brain.
Hundreds of pages of teenager tripe. I just can't.
Perhaps these pokey little dagger menacing heroines appeal to some but they are not for me.
Reality TV is less painful.
Possibly one of the worst books I've ever slogged through.
For someone who seems to have a solid knowledge of 1400's history, how this gut wrenching misery manages to fall completely apart is puzzling and a bit upsetting.
I simply cannot grasp why this author insists on making her characters one dimensional and especially her female protagonists utterly stupid.
I read one other book and decided I would try just one more before removing the material from my feed. I'd rather read sales ads for donkeys than force feed this dreck into my tired brain.
Hundreds of pages of teenager tripe. I just can't.
Perhaps these pokey little dagger menacing heroines appeal to some but they are not for me.
Reality TV is less painful.
March 22, 2018
Satin Cinnabar by Barbara Gaskell Denvil has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com
"I just couldn’t put it down, I love this author, she manages to combine history with a good mystery, has obviously done her research."
"Wonderful book!"
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
www.chillwithabook.com
"I just couldn’t put it down, I love this author, she manages to combine history with a good mystery, has obviously done her research."
"Wonderful book!"
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
April 5, 2022
Lots of Action
I found that reading this in the series was most interesting. Not much of the historical period but an interesting plot and interesting characters although I found the central female to be rather insipid and would have liked to know more about the other females.
I found that reading this in the series was most interesting. Not much of the historical period but an interesting plot and interesting characters although I found the central female to be rather insipid and would have liked to know more about the other females.
September 9, 2022
Fabulous
I love these books, each of them similar but each has its own story. This one is about Alex and his family in the new reign of Henry VII. How he meets Kate, a young innocent girl, and their adventures. These adventures are always gripping.
I love these books, each of them similar but each has its own story. This one is about Alex and his family in the new reign of Henry VII. How he meets Kate, a young innocent girl, and their adventures. These adventures are always gripping.
June 12, 2025
Strange
This is one of the strangest books of its type I have ever encountered. But, it works. I was surprised that it did it and did it so well. Very glad I took the time to read it.
This is one of the strangest books of its type I have ever encountered. But, it works. I was surprised that it did it and did it so well. Very glad I took the time to read it.
July 31, 2017
"...for the portrayal of detail of life in early Tudor London, Ms Denvil is among the very best of writers."
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
October 4, 2014
Reviewed by Calantha
Book provided by the author for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
As I started reading Satin Cinnabar, I was feeling very graphic images of battle scenes in my mind and thought at first I was watching a Mel Gibson Gladiator movie. The introduction of the main hero and his situation was very well written as it takes you into the scene of the battle. Next, Barbara introduces you to the heroine and explains a bit of her background using some friction of both characters. I really felt intrigued and wanted to continue reading as the imagery was flowing. I picked this book to read and review as I enjoy historical romances however, I was mystified of how the novel was going to turn out as I continues reading this book.
As there was interesting background characters such as Mary, Elizabeth and Alex’s cousin. I enjoyed reading about the different spices and about the science Alex would learn from the Spiceman of the different herbs. I am wondering if the author had a background in herbs and spices as I would not think to make herbs and spices a murder weapon.
I was shocked as there was a bit of sex scenes in this novel as it was more of survival than of romance which many romance tend to not do. However, if Barbara had incorporated a lot of sex scenes, I believe, it would not fit in this story line, so this was impressive. I really enjoyed the romance story combined with a murder/mystery plotline made this a novelty for someone who reads a lot of romance suspense.
Warning: I’d suggest that anyone who is not much for reading about graphic violence, this story has a lot of graphic battle scenes and images. As I started reading it, the violence stood out as Alex’s cousin dies. If someone was sensitive to reading about murder and blood, I would recommend that they do not read this novel as the murder and the enemies were nasty. I had a hard time reading this book in one sitting as I enjoyed reading carefully of the chapters so I could figure out who was harming some of the characters. I would want to read another novel of this author, but probably want a less depressing murder story, however it did make you sit on the edge, hoping to figure out the killer. I believe a story exploring more of Alex and Katherine’s romance and maybe a continuation of their potential offspring would be interesting to read.
Book provided by the author for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
As I started reading Satin Cinnabar, I was feeling very graphic images of battle scenes in my mind and thought at first I was watching a Mel Gibson Gladiator movie. The introduction of the main hero and his situation was very well written as it takes you into the scene of the battle. Next, Barbara introduces you to the heroine and explains a bit of her background using some friction of both characters. I really felt intrigued and wanted to continue reading as the imagery was flowing. I picked this book to read and review as I enjoy historical romances however, I was mystified of how the novel was going to turn out as I continues reading this book.
As there was interesting background characters such as Mary, Elizabeth and Alex’s cousin. I enjoyed reading about the different spices and about the science Alex would learn from the Spiceman of the different herbs. I am wondering if the author had a background in herbs and spices as I would not think to make herbs and spices a murder weapon.
I was shocked as there was a bit of sex scenes in this novel as it was more of survival than of romance which many romance tend to not do. However, if Barbara had incorporated a lot of sex scenes, I believe, it would not fit in this story line, so this was impressive. I really enjoyed the romance story combined with a murder/mystery plotline made this a novelty for someone who reads a lot of romance suspense.
Warning: I’d suggest that anyone who is not much for reading about graphic violence, this story has a lot of graphic battle scenes and images. As I started reading it, the violence stood out as Alex’s cousin dies. If someone was sensitive to reading about murder and blood, I would recommend that they do not read this novel as the murder and the enemies were nasty. I had a hard time reading this book in one sitting as I enjoyed reading carefully of the chapters so I could figure out who was harming some of the characters. I would want to read another novel of this author, but probably want a less depressing murder story, however it did make you sit on the edge, hoping to figure out the killer. I believe a story exploring more of Alex and Katherine’s romance and maybe a continuation of their potential offspring would be interesting to read.
November 6, 2018
A bit long~winding but her graphic and no~holds~barred description of that historical battle and how the capital city of London smelt and felt to the characters were both nauseatingly real plus I got to know more about history during that timeline so I can not really complain. The ruthless way that Henry Tudor dealt with his enemies and pre~dating his victory and reign in order to justify his destruction of his opposition was truly shockingly appalling ~ but that was the business of kings. There was also the humiliating way he allowed the traitors to ensue that King Richard was well and truly dead and his body hacked into pieces by the traitorous Stanleys and stripping Richard's body of his armor and garments and denying him his dignity even in death. This is a good mix of history, mystery, and romance though I could do with out the bad language ~ not even for the sake of authenticity and historical probability. It is already raw and bleeding, no need to rub salt by disrupting the flow of the story (i.e. ~ by the distracting foul language, at least for me).
October 21, 2015
Interesting historical novel set immediately after the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 and the defeat of the Yorkist king Richard III. The hero Alex and his cousins lose their titles and lands, and he must go into hiding from the triumphant Tudors. This novel combines both a romance and a murder mystery; the best parts are the detailed graphic descriptions of 15th century London--the living conditions, the affect of drastic political change upon the country, disease and death, clothing, prison conditions, food and medicine, architecture. The hero is likable, the heroine is a twit, and the other women in the story are very intriguing.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews