[SKX]∎ Libro Free A Parliament of Spies A Mystery Abbess Hildegard of Meaux Cassandra Clark 9780312595746 Books

A Parliament of Spies A Mystery Abbess Hildegard of Meaux Cassandra Clark 9780312595746 Books

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A Parliament of Spies A Mystery Abbess Hildegard of Meaux Cassandra Clark 9780312595746 Books

The 4th book in the Abbess of Meaux series. Hildegard has been asked to go to London with the Archbishop to discretely spy on the possible enemies of the King. Tensions are high, with a possible invasion from France, and the loud rumblings of a rebellion. Prior to their journey, a young man is found drowned in a vat under mysterious circumstances. More odd events occur along the way, and Hildegard tries to puzzle out the connections. Key items and persons from her past appear, including the holy relic that she brought back from Italy, and an unwelcome visitation from a person she thought she would never see again.

While the historical details and the actual mystery were interesting, I was quite disappointed in this one as the main character, Hildegard behaves so differently from the prior books. Before she was a strong, thoughtful woman with deep convictions and while having deep feelings, her intellect and religious vocation reigned over her heart. Instead, here she appears weak and throws herself into a bizarre relationship with someone she barely knows. I wanted the "old" Hildegard back, along with her friends. This was a very sad way to end what was an intriguing series.


Tags : A Parliament of Spies: A Mystery (Abbess Hildegard of Meaux) [Cassandra Clark] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <DIV><DIV><P>All the danger and intrigue of 14th-century England spring to life in this compelling (<I>Publishers Weekly</I>) series about the brave,Cassandra Clark,A Parliament of Spies: A Mystery (Abbess Hildegard of Meaux),Minotaur Books,0312595743,Great Britain;History;Richard II, 1377-1399;Fiction.,Hildegard, Abbess (Fictitious character);Fiction.,Nuns;Fiction.,English Historical Fiction,English Mystery & Suspense Fiction,Fiction,Fiction - Mystery Detective,Fiction Mystery & Detective Historical,Hildegard, Abbess (Fictitious character),Mystery & Detective - Historical,Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths,Mystery & DetectiveWomen Sleuths,Mystery fiction,MysterySuspense,Nuns

A Parliament of Spies A Mystery Abbess Hildegard of Meaux Cassandra Clark 9780312595746 Books Reviews

There was too much emphasis on "this is historical, notice it" and "don't I throw in medieval tidbits well" to make this book keep my interest. The characters seemed superficial
and did not seem to have reasons for what little they did.
I got caught up in figuring out why having 41 people in the entourage was a clue. Supposedly the murderer was the extra but wasn't the victim included in the original count? So with the victim out of the picture, the murderer would have taken his place and there would still have been only 40.
I kept waiting for this clue to be important but it seems to be only another loose end or filler to make the book longer.
There are much better medieval mysteries to read, including the first book in this series.
These are chaotic times in England under the unsteady rule of King Richard II and the viable threat of a French invasion. In these dangerous times, Abbess Hildegard prefers to rusticate in prayer.

However, though she insists she has no skills, York Archbishop Alexander Neville orders the nun to come with him to the Parliament meeting at Westminster in London, where she will be his spy; a role she is extremely uncomfortable with. Before they leave York, Neville assigns her a short clock to investigate the murder of Martin his saucier drowned in a wine vat filled with water and barley. The road to London is filled with violence as Hildegard thinks no place not even near the monarch is safe in these dangerous divisive partisan times.

This is a great medieval historical thriller as murder, mayhem and politics converge in fourteenth century England. The storyline is fast-paced as a power struggle that makes Machiavelli seems like an amateur manipulator. Timely, readers will relish Cassandra Clark's strong entertaining Abbess Hildegard tale (see The Law of Angels).

Harriet Klausner
A good light read. It is not something I would normally read but I did enjoy it on a cold snowy day!
I like Cassandra Clark's writing. Enough truth to make it "real" and enough added mystery to make it interesting.
I have not read this book yet but if it is anything like the previous one I know I will enjoy it.
What a tangled web of spies and counter-spies who meet at Westminster for a Parliament called by King Richard to authorize funding to defend the kingdom against possible French invasion. Hildegard is again involved in the machinations and intrigue surrounding the young King and his devious, power-hungry uncles, John of Gaunt and the Duke of Gloucester. While Hildegard is loyal to the young King, she questions the loyalty of Abbot de Courcy and her entire French order of Cistercians. Murder overrules justice and the rule of Law claiming innocent victims with no one to speak out for them. Hildegard's persistent pursuit of justice for the innocent victims brings her into frequent personal danger. Hildegard must remain "on her toes" at all times to solve the crimes and escape death herself.
The 4th book in the Abbess of Meaux series. Hildegard has been asked to go to London with the Archbishop to discretely spy on the possible enemies of the King. Tensions are high, with a possible invasion from France, and the loud rumblings of a rebellion. Prior to their journey, a young man is found drowned in a vat under mysterious circumstances. More odd events occur along the way, and Hildegard tries to puzzle out the connections. Key items and persons from her past appear, including the holy relic that she brought back from Italy, and an unwelcome visitation from a person she thought she would never see again.

While the historical details and the actual mystery were interesting, I was quite disappointed in this one as the main character, Hildegard behaves so differently from the prior books. Before she was a strong, thoughtful woman with deep convictions and while having deep feelings, her intellect and religious vocation reigned over her heart. Instead, here she appears weak and throws herself into a bizarre relationship with someone she barely knows. I wanted the "old" Hildegard back, along with her friends. This was a very sad way to end what was an intriguing series.