Jester Leaps In : A Medieval Mystery

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Summary: Can the Jester's Guild stop a terrible crime?
Review: In JESTER LEAPS IN, Alan Gordon posits a medieval Jester's Guild responsible for bringing some sort of sanity to a world in trouble. Now a Crusade, dominated by Venice, is under weigh and all of the Jesters in Constantinople have vanished. Trouble-shooting fool Theophilos, along with his beautiful new wife (and Duchess and apprentice Jester) Viola are sent to find out what has happened and what it means.

What has happened is murder. Someone has killed all of the Jesters in Constantinople in an attempt to hide a plot to kill the Emperor. Theophilos has to find out who, why, and then decide if the world would be better off with a new Emperor.

Gordon does a wonderful job describing Medieval Europe and the role played by the Byzantine Empire at this time. The concept of a Jesters' Guild is wonderful and just believable enough to make the plot more enjoyable. Better is Gordon's character development. Both Theophilos and Viola are fully characterized, likable, and motivated. They may be fools, but they're no dummies and they're a joy to see in action...

Rating:
Summary: Great Medieval Mystery
Review: In the thirteenth century, The Fool's Guild feels their underlying mission beyond entertainment is to quietly keep the political balance in a unreliable world. In that regard, the Guild sends Theophilas also known as Feste to Byzantium serendipitously to investigate two matters of concern to the peace of the continent. Theo is to look into the recent disappearance of six guild members. Additionally, he is to check into rumors that have spread across Europe (at least among the Fool's Guild members) that Crusaders will invade Byzantium not Jerusalem.

Only a fool would undertake this treacherous mission, but Theo, accompanied by his wife and fellow Fool Viola, still travels to Byzantium. As Theo and Viola begin to investigate both matters, they conclude that involvement begins at the highest levels of the Emperor's government. However, neither one of them knows that an unknown assailant plans to add Theo and Viola to the list of vanished Fools.

The second Fool medieval mystery (see the entertaining Thirteenth Night) is an exciting historical tale that makes the thirteenth century vividly come to life. The story line employs an enjoyable who-done-it accompanied by a high level conspiracy, starring two likable charcaters who define Fool as genius and athletic. However, sub-genre fans will devour this tale and its predecessor because Alan Gordon's picturesque descriptive plot turns back the clock seven hundred years.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: As Good as Thirteenth Night
Review: Jester Leaps In equals Gordon's Thirteenth Night in being an exceptionally entertaining and inventive story.

This is not because of what Gordon does with Shakespeare's characters from Twelfth Night, but because of how he uses history. Early thirteenth century Constantinople is brought to life, and the idea of a Jesters Guild continues to be a clever and original plot device.

I'll be eager to read the third book in the series, as the Fourth Crusade approaches Constantinople.

Rating:
Summary: Smart, sassy, suspenseful
Review: This book is great news for lovers of historical mysteries, but even better news for those who love books with a great setting, intriguing characters, crackling dialogue, and wit to spare. One of the best new series going.