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While this anthology has been interesting and entertaining, there were some weaker stories, notably the contribution by Anne Perry, where the story seemed oddly incomplete (what happened to the villain? What did the hint about the villain profiting from the letters mean exactly?). On the other hand, the story about Mrs Hudson as a sleuth-cum-social worker was delightful - and it was rather fun to see Sherlock Holmes get his comeuppance. The story about the Salem witchcraft trials was interesting to me, given my study of the patterns of accusation at some point in my college career.
The reason I assign this collection only four stars (about 4.4) is because some of the stories seem incomplete or hastily written. Some of the historical settings seemed unconvincing, while others were simply brilliant. Compared to the second volume CRIME THROUGH TIME II (which I read first), this collection comes off badly. If possible, I would recommend reading the volumes in order. On the whole, this is a good introduction to many interesting authors.
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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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This is a sincere and touching story which must have been difficult for the author to write. The description of life in India and Britain is vivid and adds both interest and contrast for the reader. In particular, the difference in cultures and personal values is highlighted and leaves the reader with much to ponder upon well after finishing the book.
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However, plotting and characterization sometimes leave a lot to be desired. The male members of Edgar's family were so one-dimensional and melodramatic that I lost interest in what would probably have been a pretty good story. There were two exceptions: one is a brother who is gay, which at least is one of the nicer stereotypes about homosexuals; and his uncle who belongs in a sword and sorcery novel. I didn't much care for the ending. I think Newman may be getting herself into a corner, but I don't imagine that I'll read any more of the series, so I'll never know.
In this novel, Catherine, her husband Edgar, and the rest of her family trek the miles to distant Germany to save her sister, Agnes, from an undetermined fate, as she was accused of the murder of her new husband. The conflicts are understandable and believable as we see her struggles to hold a family together in a time and place of racial anger and missunderstanding with the various culture clashes.
Sharan Newman's views and enterpretation of the time peroid are amazing and fantastic to see, but some of the plot becomes rediculous and confusing, as well as Catherine's strange newly-found, docile sense of motherhood. It seems that she is no longer taking on the mysteries of this novel, but leaving it to her husband. I enjoy this series very much. It is a must read! Take it from me, you should pick up this series, but don't be dissapointed if the attitude changes from book to book. The years do go by swiftly, and Catherine is, and always will be a little too headstrong for her family, no matter how any children she has! Try it out for yourself!
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I will not rehash the plot as several reviewers have already done that in detail. I found the story, and the ending in particular, worthy of a daytime soap opera. All that was lacking was an amnesiac.
Try any one of these alternatives:
PC Doherty (Hugh Corbett; 14th century England)
Peter Tremayne (Sister Fidelma; 7th Century Ireland)
Ellis Peters
That said, Heresy is not Newman's best book (but the level she sets is really high so a weak book by Sharan Newman is the equivalent of a great book by other historical murder mystery writers). I love the characters Newman has created. Catherine, her heroine, is the daughter of a devout Catholic woman and a Jewish convert. Rampant anti-Semitism means that Catherine keeps her Jewish roots hidden'but she has close ties to her Jewish relatives. For me, this is one of the most fascinating parts of Newman's works'the inter-play between the Christian and Jewish worlds of medieval France.
Newman's primary interests tho' are with the range of Christian belief in medieval France and her murder mysteries often deal with heresy, the threat of heresy or heretical groups. This book is no exception'the lead character is the son of Heloise and Abelard. Suspected of murder after consorting with a group of heretics, Astrolabe is on the run and he turns to Catherine and her family for help.
The tensions in this mystery were not as strong as they could have been (I was less interested in Astrolabe than I was in the other characters). If you've read Newman's other books, you'll probably enjoy this one but if you are new to her work, try reading A Difficult Saint or any of her earlier works first.
This was the crusade that the fascinating Eleanor of Aquitaine went on with her first husband, before her divorce and marriage to Henry ( the one who had Thomas Beckett disposed of).
The mystery revolves around Astrolabe, the son of Heloise and Abelard, and whether or not he will be accused of Heresy, as was his famous father. Abelard, Astrolabe's father, was the influential and charismatic leader of a particular approach to theocracy that was challenged through the Heresy trial of the Bishop of Poitiers during the council of Reims.
This book is part of a series of novels about Catherine LeVendeur, a devout Catholic, whose family's Jewish roots, put her in peril. Catherine is a well-educated middle-class wife, whose family is dependent upon their hidden Jewish connections in order to conduct business in silks and spices. Catherine at one time, was attracted to convent life, and was well educated (for her time, and for a woman) in Latin and Church doctrine. She is instrumental in resolving the mystery due to her background and her ability to be overlooked by clerics who feel that discussing things in Latin protects them from eavesdroppers.
I liked this book because the heroine was effective without violating the standards of female conduct for the time and place of the setting. Sharan Newman is a consummate author and historian who makes history go down smoothly and as a pleasurable read.