Heart of Ice

Hawkenlye Mysteries #9

by Alys Clare

February 1194. A very sick man is making for Hawkenlye Abbey in the desperate hope of a miracle cure. In his delirium he sees the Virgin Mary, the same miraculous vision that led to the foundation of the Abbey. He watches the beautiful woman approach and, sinking to his knees, he begins to pray. She is the last person he will ever see.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Medieval, Historical Mystery, Fiction, British Literature, Historical

368 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

Alys Clare is the pen name used by Elizabeth Harris for the Hawkenlye series of historical mysteries.

Alys Clare is the pseudonym of a novelist with some 20 published works to her name. Brought up in the countryside close to where the Hawkenlye Novels are set, she went to school in Tonbridge and later studied archaeology at the University of Kent. She lives for part of the year in Brittany, in a remote cottage deep in an ancient landscape where many past inhabitants have left their mark; on her doorstep are relics that date from the stone circles and dolmens of the Neolithic to the commanderies, chapels and ancient tracks of those infamous warrior monks, the Knights Templar. In England, Alys's study overlooks a stretch of parkland which includes a valley with a little spring. The waters of this spring are similar in colour and taste to Tunbridge Wells's famous Chalybeat Spring, and it was this that prompted Alys's setting of her fictional Hawkenlye Abbey in the very spot where her own house now stands.

Reviews

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

And again I just loved this book, was even so engrossed in it that it moved me at times.
I don't care much for fantasy but I can see how it weaves the story together, it wouldn't be the same without it. So happy to have more books to read in this series!

[Natalie aka Tannat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much woo-woo forest people stuff.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Sentence: In the port of Boulogne, the enemy lay hidden.

A sick man travels to take the healing waters of Hawkenlye Abby but is murdered and thrown into the pond which turns to ice. When the monks discovered his body, it is also discovered he carried apothecary herbs. While Sir Josse d’Acquin, at the request of the Abbess, searches for the young man’s identity and murderer, more sick arrive at the Abbey. The plague has come to Hawkenlye and the only help may come from Joanna of the Forest People and the powers of the old religion.

Despite my normal distain for prologues, this one was fascinating and a compelling lead into the story. And this was, for me, a story that had highs and lows.

Among the highs was Clare’s description of how the plague traveled from Africa to England. I felt that was exceptionally well done. She also conveyed the limitations of medical knowledge, described care given during the period, although I suspect the Abbey was more advanced in their practices than common; and the devastating impact of a contagion.

I return to Clare’s series for the characters as well. Helewise and Josse are central to the story and the respect and non-spoken, non-physical love between the two characters is beautifully drawn. However, Clare doesn’t leave the rest of the characters standing in the shadows; she brings them forward, fully-drawn and important so that we are affected when things happen to them.

While I enjoy an element of the paranormal and appreciated learning what had happened to Joanna, Josse’s former love and mother of his child, the time spent with her did, for me, slow the pace of the story and take me away from my main interest. But that’s just me.

I very much enjoyed the book. Clare always manages to touch me emotionally and draw me back into this world. I am delighted to have many more books ahead of me in this series.

HEART OF ICE (Hist Mys-Abbess Helewise/Josse d’Acquin-England-1194) – G+
Clare, Alys – 9th in series
Hodder & Stoughton, ©2006, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0340831162

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good story. Written in 2006 describes the plague of 1200. The description of how it happened reminds of Covid.

[Spuddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

#9 in the Hawkenlye Abbey historical mystery series set in 1194 England. A young man seeks care at the healing waters of Hawkenlye Abbey, but before he reaches them, he is struck on the head and killed by an unknown assailant and shoved into a pond that freezes over. A couple of days later, his body is discovered and at first he's believed to be the victim of some type of wasting disease--until the wound on his head is discovered.

Soon, more sick people arrive at Hawkenlye and Abbess Helewise and the sisters and brothers have a full-fledged plague on their hands. Sir Josse d'Acquin is off to Tonbridge and even further afield trying to find out the young man's identity and where he had traveled to try to locate the source of the illness or at least the path so it can be contained and stopped.

Meanwhile, Abbess Helewise is troubled and as she watches people die and even some of her beloved sisters and brothers fall ill, considers making a journey into the forest to find the Pagan healer Joanna, one-time lover of Sir Josse. The story then swtiches to Joanna's story, telling of the last few months and how she is brought to an island to learn the healing ways and learn the true identity of her mother and other mysteries.

I enjoy this series, although the continued romantic tension between Josse and Helewise does get old after awhile. The author does a good job of incorporating historical events and people into the plots of the books and this one was no exception, although I'm not sure how well the overly-long section about Joanna worked here. Don't get me wrong--as a Pagan myself, I found it quite interesting and a good story in and of itself, but I think an abbreviated version of it would have worked better for the purpose of this book. All in all, a satisfying read and I look forward to continuing on in the series.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it mainly because I like the characters. I don't particularly like the the mystical story that has been added to the story. There is a number of pages devoted to the mystical initiation of Joanne-way too much information. The mystery seemed to take second place to Joanne's part in this story. Still recommending.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the thaw following a hard freeze, the body of a man is found face down in the pond. Investigation shows that he was killed by a blow to the head. The pouch of herbs found with him seemed to indicate that he had been on the way to the Abbey. Who is he and why was he killed? About the same time, groups of travelers arrive in the vale suffering from what seems to be the plague. Will the healing waters work as they have other times? Is there a connection between the dead body and the sick travelers and can Joss and the Abbess figure it out?
There's a lengthy section in the middle featuring Joanna's training that at first seemed to have no connection at all but then it dawned on me. Overall, I enjoyed it and it will be interesting to see where one part of this story line goes in future books. Gave it 4 stars but it's a 3 and a half for the English history that I can't seem to keep straight.

[Jazzysmum · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this outing for Sir Josse and Abbess Helewise - a plague has come to Hawkenlye, bought by travellers from Europe.
The Abbey must fight to provide for the sick and try to find a cure. It is noted that some get and recover, some get very ill and die and some aren't affected at all. A tale that has emerged during recorded history.

The Infirmary and the infirmarer Sister Euphemia are hard put as some of the abbey's inhabitants become ill as well as those arriving ill, hoping for a cure from the Hawkenlye waters.

Sir Josse must be the man of action here as the Abbess becomes ill and is indeed knocking on heaven's door.
We also have lengthy part devoted to Joanna who has become a healer among her people- i found this dragged a bit for me and perhaps could have been a novella read attached to this one.

All in all a solid read.

[Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm starting to wonder whether the author wants to be writing fantasy novels with the mysterious 'forest people' or actually base her novels in and around a Medieval abbey. Because at the moment we seem to flit between the two and it just seems to be getting rather confused. When I started reading this author, I thought the books would be more Margaret Frazer or Ellis Peters, now I'm not sure at all. In fact, my ratings are going down, the more I read. Unfortunately, I've actually purchased several more books and feel it's a waste of money to not read them, but they're becoming a chore rather than pleasure.

[Kelly Callaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Plague has come to Hawkenlye and the nuns will do anything to save the sick. Meanwhile a young man is found dead outside the gates to the Abbey. Josse investigations, while doing what he can to help the nuns and brothers.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning more about the characters throughtout the story is very satisfying. Along with the pestilence and murder, this book is a good continuation of the story of the abbey.

[Heather McCloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful installment! Though definitely odd that this is the second book I've read--in a row, at this time (Covid-19) that deals with a plague/mystery quick spreading illness!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Well written and well plotted. A pandemic arrives at Hawkenlye with the discovery of a murder victim. Quite timely under the circumstances although the book was published 14 years ago.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

c2006. Much more mystical than the previous books. I have preferred the previous books and this seemed somewhat laboured. At least we now have it in black and white that Josse loves Helewise. The story line is good, the characters grow in dimension but ..... I don't know why this didn't gel with me this time. I love fantasy so the Celtic mystery bit should be right up my alley - but it just did not gel with me this time. Perhaps the 9th book was just too much of an effort? Alys Clare is a pseudonym of Elizabeth Harris (born 1944) and she has also published books under this name as well. interestingly, the blurb on the back cover either relate to her earlier titles or on Ms Clare in general so perhaps this book was generally not well received. FWFTB: forest: pagan: detecting, partners, gripping.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was kindly loaned by Gundula.

The story is about a desperate ill man who is making his way to Hawkenlye Abbey believing that he will be cured by taking the Holy Water at the Abbey. But before he found the Abbey he is murdered and thrown into the punt which turn to ice.

Another good mystery story written by Alys Clare.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great by Alys Clare! While the mystery was a bit weak, not providing adequate clues for the reader to solve, the storyline and history was absolutely riveting! The character development and real life events bring so much depth to the storytelling! Alys Clare gets better with every book on the Hawkenlye series, can't wait for the next book!

[MBP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series, and it keeps getting better as the author integrates the mystery elements with the main characters' histories, the conflict (or lack of?) between the "old" and "new" religions, and the history of the era.

[Kathy Moberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery is weak, but the writing is excellent and I enjoyed the book very much.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series after reading 2 will now go back and start at the beginning to read all 12 titles. Excellent medieval characters, mysteries and problems of the day!

[Abcdarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started slower & less inviting than most of the series, but after a bit it improved & by the end was excellent.

[Ma'lis Wendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Alys Clare Hawkenlye mystery with a focus on the Black Plague's impact on the Abbey.

I just reread Heart of Ice in the midst of our pandemic--perfect timing to reread. June 2021

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in series set in 1200 England at an abbey. Mysterious murders and illness.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was okay. Some of the historical context was really off but didn't really detract too much from the story.

[Alissa McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series, the Hawkenlye Mysteries, gets better as it goes along. The characters get richer and more complex and the stories more compelling. Historical fiction that is quite good.

[Annette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read, unhurried story and plot, believeable plague contagion spread.

[ricky]

Very good

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these books and the mix of fact and fiction. Very well created characters and an excellent story.