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Summary: I'm an amature medievalists and I loved this book.
Review: I'm not necessarily a fan of mysteries but I am fond of the 12th century. The Catherine LeVedneur books are some of the most interesting and well researched fictional accounts of the Middle Ages that I've ever read. For instance, I have researched a great deal about Abbot Suger's chapel but it was only through these novels that it all "clicked" and I felt like I was there.
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Summary: A tedious, dilettantish foray in period mystery. Try again.
Review: Our heroine, the Nun (aka Catherine), stumbles into the death of a stone-cutter during the building of the Abbot Suger's cathedral in Medieval France. With the aid of an itinerant, Anglo-Saxon stonecutter/student/?, with whom the Nun surprisingly develops a relationship - I am being sarcastic here - Catherine sets out to solve the mystery - and, oh yeah, to discover the whereabouts and condition of a stolen psalter. Along the way she encounters the usual "colorful" characters. The chief conceit of this novel is the relationship and intellects of Abelard and Heloise. We, the readers, are supposed to believe that the Nun is smart and capable of solving mysteries somehow because the combined intellects of the tragic twosome has rubbed off on her. (Were Abelard and Heloise renowned as sleuths?) The problem is that the Nun is quite unconvincing as a detective. Indeed, most of the novel has her careening from one situation and revelation to another quite as! if she hasn't a clue. And she gets to go lots of extraordinary places quite without trouble - as we know young nuns did in the Middle Ages. In one instance, she finds herself alone in the hut and nearly in the clutches of a randy satanist! Shades of Harlequin romance! This is not a good mystery - nor is it a good read. The author seems intent on packing the odyssey of a young woman, whom she makes into a nun, with "color" without any real attention being paid to character and plot-development. But then again the "color" is not well-researched and we get modern impressions anachronized more than we get a sense of Medieval France. The author would do well to observe the ingredients of a Falconer or a Brother Caedfael, or perhaps, most pertinent of all, Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma. Context is good, but first come plot and characters. A half developed journey through the darkness of the Dark Ages framed by modern sensibilities just won't do. ! (Dr. Quinn in Cluny?) Very much not recommended.
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Summary: A sensational book from an author and woman I've known 24 ys
Review: Sharan Newman's skill as an author, especially in this particular genre is phenomenal. Again, Death Comes as Epiphany stands out as treasure to behold.
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Summary: A Charming Medieval Series.
Review: This is the first book in the Catherine LeVendeur series, and it appears to be a strong entry. I am certainly interested in reading this series further. It is set in 12th century France and Catherine is novice in a nunnery. When the book opens she has not taken her final vows. Catherine is asked by her Mother Superior to retrieve something that has been found near her home so she leaves the convent to do so. She gets embroiled in a nasty conspiracy that forces her to use all her wits to keep herself and an interesting scholar that she meets out of trouble. There's lots of excitement - dead bodies, stolen gems and more plots and counterplots within a great abby. Catherine manages to uncover all the mysteries, and finds love at the same time. This book has a bit more romance in it than I usually go for in mysteries, but it's fun all the same.
Rating:
Summary: A Charming Medieval Series.
Review: This is the first book in the Catherine LeVendeur series, and it appears to be a strong entry. I am certainly interested in reading this series further. It is set in 12th century France and Catherine is novice in a nunnery. When the book opens she has not taken her final vows. Catherine is asked by her Mother Superior to retrieve something that has been found near her home so she leaves the convent to do so. She gets embroiled in a nasty conspiracy that forces her to use all her wits to keep herself and an interesting scholar that she meets out of trouble. There's lots of excitement - dead bodies, stolen gems and more plots and counterplots within a great abby. Catherine manages to uncover all the mysteries, and finds love at the same time. This book has a bit more romance in it than I usually go for in mysteries, but it's fun all the same.
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Summary: a quiet treasure
Review: This was a great book. I had not heard of the author, but tried the first book in the series because I like medieval mysteries. I was very pleasantly surprised with the book. Ms. Emerson's portrayals of medieval life are well researched.
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Summary: Catherine Le Vendeur
Review: With 'Death comes as Epiphany'' author Sharan Newman launched the medieval Catherine Le Vendeur mystery series. Set in twelfth century France, the reader is introduced to its fictional,strong and engaging heroine Catherine, daughter of merchant Hubert Le Vendeur, she's a novice in the convent of Le Paraclete (and about to take her vows and renounce the world).When on an assignment for Abbess Heloise, Catherine faces many dark and confusing secrets. Such as for instance: Hubert's Jewish ancestry or the intense feelings of maternal uncle Roger for her own person. A thoroughly researched, three-dimensional novel, which doesn't shun the grittier and nastier aspects of medieval life. Catherine and her family intermingle effortlessly with historical characters like: Heloise, Abelard or the Abbot Suger. Further the author introduces us to the series other regulars: first of all Edgar, Catherine's future husband (a laird's son hailing from Scotland), with whom Catherine will form a sleuthing partnership, her father Hubert (a converted Jew), her younger sister Agnes, her Jewish aunt, uncle and cousin: Johannah, Eliazar and Solomon. With Catherine Ms. Newman portrays a strong and highly educated heroine who is nevertheless firmly rooted in her own time. The courtship and eventual marrriage of Catherine and Edgar is realistically and playfully developed. They certainly enjoy a true and wonderful chemistry. For me Catherine is a truly memorable heroine and everytime I read her adventures with pleasure. Sleuthing with Catherine and Edgar simply never bores.
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