The d'Albiac Inheritance: An Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mystery

Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mysteries, Book 9

De: J. G. Lewis

Narrado por: Madeleine Brolly

Salisbury, 1231
A violent encounter at a tournament thrusts Ela into a tug of war over an ancient manor. A young knight wants to wrest the family estates from his mother and Ela finds her own roles as countess and castellan challenged as accusations of murder ring in the air.

The Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mystery Series
This series features a real historical figure—the formidable Ela Longespée. The young Countess of Salisbury was chosen to marry King Henry II’s illegitimate son William. After her husband’s untimely death, Ela served as High Sheriff of Wiltshire, castellan of Salisbury Castle, and ultimately founder and abbess of Lacock Abbey.

Book 1: Cathedral of Bones
Book 2: Breach of Faith
Book 3: The Lost Child
Book 4: Forest of Souls
Book 5: The Bone Chess Set
Book 6: Cloister of Whispers
Book 7: Palace of Thorns
Book 8: A Surfeit of Miracles
Book 9: The d'Albiac Inheritance

©2012 J. G. Lewis (P)2023 J. G. Lewis

Perfect gem! Historical fiction at its best!

This installment in the formidable and highly principled Ela of Salisbury's story is magnificently written. The plotting alone makes it first class. So many superbly conceived twists! I was completely engrossed from start to finish. The author is amazingly skilled at conveying the brutal, raw reality of the human race in its morally nuanced sense. She presents issues of morality in a stark way, but one that is palatable to read (mostly) for even the most sensitive readers. She handles this so much better than most writers of modern tales focused on deplorable behaviors. I was fiercely concerned for Ela, both in solving a series of crimes, and in dealing with her oldest son, as well as her arch enemy. Fiercely recommended! However--read the whole series! The author provides a critical conclusion regarding Ela's son, in the prologue, who is part of a few highly memorable scenes in this novel. Well-done! The narrator, Madeleine Brolly, is perfect. I enjoyed her reading to me immensely and didn't think about it, so engrossed was I. That is how it should be.

excellent addition to the series

good story. insight into the lives and thinking of 13th Century people. smart, compassionate heroine

Very enjoyable, minor issues

I very much enjoy the series. The modern language “shortcuts,” while understandable, do break the spell somewhat. While I don’t expect it to listen to a tale in Middle English, some of the modern contractions and phrases in the dialogue seem out of place. It’s as though the language is halfway between the past and the present depending on the expediency of the story.

Excellence

These tales are well written and expertly performed. I am hoping the author continues her excellent work. Her mysteries are well plotted, and the historical details are both accurate and well described.