What's the Name of That Book??? discussion
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ABANDONED. A modern day historian believes she's on a quest to solve riddles left by Eleanor of Aquitaine, but in reality, Eleanor has laid a trap to lure potential victims into a deadly experiment.
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The Spirit and the Flesh by Douglas Boyd? Though, this doesn't seem old enough. The description is compelling. I wonder if it was re-released.
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I read this book around 30 years ago; borrowed from a library in Cornwall. The main character is a modern day (late 20th century) female historian. She begins to realise that medieval graffiti scratched into castle walls etc are poems written by Eleanor of Aquitaine.
The woman convinces her colleagues to join her in a quest to track down all the poems, which lead them all over Europe & the Middle East. The woman believes Eleanor is trying to communicate with her. The group become aware that another group are shadowing them with sinister motives. The woman might have been in or perhaps started a romantic relationship with a male colleague; who becomes increasingly concerned for the woman's safety (and can't quite remember, but also may have been concerned about her sanity).
Since Eleanor's death, the sinister group have, generation after generation, been the guardians of Eleanor's spirit. Either they were waiting for the right woman (she might have had some (very) distant relationship to Eleanor) or they have only now perfected the technique, (memory's vague) to transfer Eleanor's spirit into a living human. I do clearly recall Eleanor still bore a massive grudge against her husband, Henry II, and refers to him as "The King of Thieves".
Despite the fact I can't recall the title or author - the story made quite the impression on me! I'm really hopeful someone can recognise it from the ramblings above. Thanks in advance.
eta. I'm so grateful for all the interest in this book - it's been bugging me for decades, on & off! Thank you all, fellow book detectives. Thanks too for the suggestion of "Mortal Love", which proved equally elusive to track down, but from the very brief synopsis given, I'm positive "Mortal Love" is a great read, but it's not the story I remember. I've remembered a few more details, which I've added in the comments. I'm overwhelmed by the support, and if this story can't be tracked down, it won't be for lack of trying!
Also, way past time for me to start keeping a book diary!