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The Bones of Avalon (John Dee Papers #1)

3.54 of 5 stars 3.54 · rating details · 462 ratings · 89 reviews

Religious strife, Glastonbury legends, the bones of King Arthur and the curse of the Tudors...can Renaissance man John Dee help the young Queen Elizabeth to avoid it? It is 1560. Elizabeth Tudor has been on the throne for a year, the date for her coronation having been chosen by her astrologer, Dr John Dee, at just 32 already famous throughout Europe as a mathematician and...more

Hardcover, 445 pages

Published 2010 by Corvus

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Apr 27, 2012 Ruth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime-historical

c2010. I agree with the Daily Mail's comments that "Its high time we praised Phil Rickman". Mr Rickman is able to blend magic and mystery into the world without any seeming effort and yet his protagonist manages to calmly investigate these on goings with a scientific air. I think this is the first novel to feature Dr Dee where I actually quite liked him! I like the author's use of dialogue to move the story along and to impart information without feeling bombarded with facts or that it is contri...more

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Nov 10, 2012 Bettie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: published-2010, autumn-2011, tudor, mystery-thriller, historical-fiction, fraudio, medical-eew, plague-disease

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Read By: Sean Barrett
Total Duration: 13:57:18
Unabridged

walsingham
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wool-sorter's disease n. A pulmonary form of anthrax that results from the inhalation of spores of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis in the wool

recommend to laura, wanda, pat, susanna. Having given up on the Merrily Watkins series but still liking Rickman's oeuvre, I embarked on this John Dee story with anticipatory relish.

blurbs - It is 1560. Elizabeth Tudor has been on the throne for a year, the date for her coronat...more

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Mar 25, 2013 Malla rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book had all the right ingredients for an excellent historical thriller - but my feeling is that the author simply didn't deliver what was to hand. Writers use padding when they either don't have enough good ideas to keep the story going or when publishers are forcing them to stretch a perfectly good 70,000 words to 120,000. At least that's what this book felt like to me. I believe the author's heavy padding and slow pace killed what could have been a superb story. There was some beautiful...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Jim rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the story of Dr. John Dee, Queen Elizabeth's astrologer (and general know it all), as he travels (with Rober Dudley) on a mission for William Cecil. His job: to bring the bones of King Arthur back to London in an attempt to cement Elizabeth's hold on the crown in a time of religious unheaval. The logic behind his mission being that everyone knows the Arthurian legend, and if Arthur's linked to Elizabeth, she gets some reflected glory.

The bones were in Glastonbury Abbey, which was sacked...more

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Nov 03, 2012 Mieczyslaw Kasprzyk rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: english, historical-fiction, fiction, tudor

I read this book on Kindle and therein hangs an important detail... I don't read my Kindle except when I'm travelling (I like the feel of a good book). I don't read when we're taking off, landing, eating... sometimes I don't read whilst I'm just looking out of the window. I rarely read when I'm actually on holiday because I'm too busy exploring, looking, eating, drinking, chatting.... So this book had been being read for some time (in calendar terms) in a very sporadic way. The fact that I manag...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Dieleserin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dr. John Dee – Wissenschaftler und vertrauter von Elizabeth I. – wird an einem regnerischen Morgen zu einem mysteriösen Vorfall gerufen. Passanten haben am Ufer der Themse einen Sarg gefunden, der eine verkrüppelte, aus Wachs gefertigte, Leiche enthält. Es wird vermutet, dass es sich dabei um eine Anspielung auf die Königin handelt – ein böses Omen.
Wenig später wird Dee damit beauftragt mit seinem langjährigen Freund und Schüler Robert Dudley nach Glastonbury aufzubrechen, um die Gebeine des leg...more Dr. John Dee – Wissenschaftler und vertrauter von Elizabeth I. – wird an einem regnerischen Morgen zu einem mysteriösen Vorfall gerufen. Passanten haben am Ufer der Themse einen Sarg gefunden, der eine verkrüppelte, aus Wachs gefertigte, Leiche enthält. Es wird vermutet, dass es sich dabei um eine Anspielung auf die Königin handelt – ein böses Omen.
Wenig später wird Dee damit beauftragt mit seinem langjährigen Freund und Schüler Robert Dudley nach Glastonbury aufzubrechen, um die Gebeine des legendären König Artus ausfindig zu machen. Grund dafür sind Visionen der Königin. Kurz nach ihrer Ankunft in Glastonbury kommt es zu einem entsetzlichen Vorfall. Dr. John findet in den Ruinen der alten Abtei den ausgeweideten Leichnam eines Dieners seines Freundes Robert. Doch wer ist für diesen grausamen Mord verantwortlich? Wird es John Dee und Robert Dudley nach diesem grausamen Zwischenfall noch gelingen die Gebeine von Artus, dem Schöpfer der Tafelrunde, zu finden?

„Die Gebeine von Avalon“ ist der erste historische Roman von Phil Rickman und ein durchaus gelungenes Werk. Obwohl die Haupthandlung der Fantasie des Autors entsprungen ist, ist der Roman unheimlich reich an historisch belegten Fakten. Rickman zeichnet ein lebendiges und in meinen Augen sehr glaubwürdiges Bild der damaligen Zeit. Es sind gerade die kleinen und dezenten Hinweise auf die historischen Gegebenheiten, die dieses Buch so lesenswert machen.
Hinzu kommt ein dichter spannungsgeladener Handlungsablauf, der den Leser nicht zur Ruhe kommen lässt. Durch den dramatischen Todesfall und die daraufhin beginnenden Ermittlungen erhält der Roman die Note eines Kriminalromans. Dass diese Vermutung nicht ganz abwegig ist, lässt sich durch die literarische Vorgeschichte des Autoren belegen.

Besonders gelungen empfinde ich die Schilderung des Verhältnisses von Kirche und Wissenschaft. Obwohl John Dee ein gottesfürchtiger Mann ist, lebt er für die Wissenschaft. Für ihn bildet diese Tatsache keinen Widerspruch. Für viele seiner Mitmenschen schon. Hinter seinem Rücken munkelt man, er sei ein Zauberer und Wahrsager. Auf Londons Straßen werden sogar Pamphlete über ihn verbreitet, die seine angeblichen Visionen propagieren. Auslöser für diese Verdachtsmomente sind vor allem seine mechanischen Basteleien und Erfindungen. Für den einfachen Bürger scheint Magie dahinter zu stecken, dabei ist es nichts weiter als reine Logik. Hier wird ganz deutlich, wie Unvereinbar zu dieser Zeit Wissenschaft und Kirche waren und wie tief sich diese Auffassung in die Köpfe der Bevölkerung gebrannt hat. Ein weiteres Beispiel dafür ist die junge Heilerin Helen. Sie kommt Robert Dudley in Glastonbury zu Hilfe, als dieser einem schweren Fieber zu erliegen droht. Viele Menschen aus dem Dorf nehmen ihre Hilfe in Anspruch, doch eigentlich heißt es, dass sie eine Hexe ist – genau wie ihre Mutter. Alles Unerklärliche wird sofort mit Magie und Zauberei in Verbindung gebracht.

Einen weiteren Pluspunkt erhält die Aufmachung des Werkes von mir. Es handelt sich um ein Hardcover mit wunderschönem Einband. Obwohl das Buch mit knapp 700 Seiten eher zu den dicken Wälzern gehört, liest es sich durch die kurzen Kapitel und die angenehme Setzung sehr flüssig. Dazu tragen auch die vielen Dialoge bei, was in meinen Augen überhaupt nicht negativ ist. Denn gerade durch sie lernen wir die Protagonisten erst richtig kennen.

Das Ende des Romans mündet in ein historisches Ereignis, das bis heute nicht wohl ganz geklärt ist. Ist es nur ein offenes Ende oder deutet sich hier eine Fortsetzung an? Über letzteres würde ich mich sehr freuen.

Fazit:
„Die Gebeine von Avalon“ von Phil Rickman ist ein absolut empfehlenswertes Buch – vor allem für alle Freunde des historischen Romans und insbesondere für die Liebhaber der Tudors. Spannend, dramatisch und gut recherchiert – so wird mir dieses Werk in Erinnerung bleiben.(less)

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Jan 19, 2012 Themistokeles rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Inhalt: Dr. John Dee, in England bekannt als Zauberer und Hofastrologe der Königin Elisabeth, wird im Auftrag eben dieser nach Glastonbury geschickt, denn dort soll einst das legendäre Avalon gewesen sein. Der Grund seines Auftrags liegt darin begründet, dass die König unbedingt die Gebeine ihres vermeintlichen Ahnherren Artus aus Glastonbury, nach London bringen möchte, denn einst sollen dort dessen Gebeine gefunden worden sein und eine Prophezeihung, die mit diesen in Zusammenhang steht, sagt...more Inhalt: Dr. John Dee, in England bekannt als Zauberer und Hofastrologe der Königin Elisabeth, wird im Auftrag eben dieser nach Glastonbury geschickt, denn dort soll einst das legendäre Avalon gewesen sein. Der Grund seines Auftrags liegt darin begründet, dass die König unbedingt die Gebeine ihres vermeintlichen Ahnherren Artus aus Glastonbury, nach London bringen möchte, denn einst sollen dort dessen Gebeine gefunden worden sein und eine Prophezeihung, die mit diesen in Zusammenhang steht, sagt der Königin großes Unheil voraus.
Nun soll Dr. John Dee, getarnt als einfacher Staatsmann, in Avalon diese Gebeine suchen, denn nachdem die Abtei in Glastonbury unter Elisabeths Vorgängern zerstört wurde, ist deren Aufanthaltsort unbekannt. Dort jedoch angekommen befällt seine Belgeleitung ein schlimmes Fieber und der Arzt muss gerufen werden. An dessen Tocher find John Dee schnell gefallen und muss, nachdem plötzlich schreckliche Morde in Glastonbury stattfinden, feststellen, dass ihre Mutter einst als Hexe verbrannt wurde und nun wieder ein Schuldiger bzw. eine Schuldige gesucht wird. Und alles hängt mit Glastonburys eigener mystischer Atmosphäre bedingt durch seine Geschichte als ehemaliges Avalon zusammen.

Stil: Die Geschichte wird durchgängig aus der Perspektive John Dee's erzählt und ist in fünf Abschnitte unterteilt. Insgesamt erfährt der Leser sehr viel über John Dee und dieser schweift während seiner Erzählungen auch häufig ab und beginnt zu philospohieren. Zudem ist die Erzählung teils mit rethorischen Fragen gespickt, die sich John Dee selbst stellt in den gegebenen Situationen. Durch diese Art der Erzählung weiß der Leser in vielen Fällen jedoch nur, was auch John Dee zu dem gewissen Zeitpunkt weiß. In manchen Fällen jedoch, wird man jedoch dezent auf Dinge von ihm hingewiesen, die später stattfinden, wodurch deutlich wird, dass er diese Geschichte erst nach den Geschehnissen wiedergibt und schon zu Beginn der Erzählung weiß, wie sie ausgehen wird und wann er eventuell Fehler gemacht hat.

Meinung: John Dee ist mir während seiner Erzählung irgendwie sympathisch geworden, da er nicht nur seine positiven Eigenschaften zu sehen scheint, sondern auch seine ganzen negativen. Auch die vielen kleineren Abschweifungen und Einwürfe in seiner Erzählung sind oft sehr interessant gestaltet. Jedoch werden sie gegen mitte des Buches ein wenig zu viel und man hat irgendwann das Gefühl, dass sich die Geschichte ein bisschen anfängt zu ziehen. Das liegt unter anderem auch daran, dass in dieser Passage ein wenig die Geschwindigkeit raus genommen wird und eher wenig passiert. Was ich wiederum sehr positiv fand, waren die Beschreibungen von Johns Gefühlen, die sehr einprägsam waren und zudem auch die Sicht auf die Geschichte auf eine interessante Art beeinflusst haben.
Des Weiteren fand ich den Satzbau recht interessant, der zum einen in einem Stil verfasst war, dass man den Eindruck bekam, es wäre wirklich um die Zeit rum geschrieben, zu der die Geschichte spielt, auch wenn dort ab und an kleinere sprachliche Fehler vorhanden waren. Zum anderen war er aber auch so, dass man sich sehr gut vorstellen konnte, dass es sich um die gedanklichen Ergüsse des Protagonisten handelt. Außerdem fand ich auch, dass die Erzählung in vielen Fällen sehr bildhaft war, was natürlich alles deutlich lebhafter machte.
Auch haben mir die vielen historischen Fakten gefallen, die durch das Einstreuen von mysteriösen Ideen, die ganze Sache noch ein wenig angereichert und verändert wurden. Hingegen ich sagen muss, dass man in diesem Roman wieder das Interesse das Autors in die Geisterwelt bemerkt, und mir da ich schon einen seiner Marrily Watkins Romane gelesen habe, doch ein wenig stuzen musst, als mir Dinge entgegensprangen, die mir daraus schon sehr bekannt vorkamen. Ich bin jedoch froh, dass übersinnliche Erscheinungen und ähnliches in diesem Roman deutlich weniger Platz einnehmen, als in anderen Romanen des Autors, die nicht im Mysterie Genre liegen sollen, denn zwischendurch hatte ich schon die Befürchtung, dass es sehr stark in diese Richtung gehen würde und da ich jedoch einen historischen Krimi erwartet hatte, wäre mir wahre mystische Gegebenheiten, dann doch etwas unpassend vorgekommen.
Alles in allem fand ich die Geschichte aber ganz solide, auch wenn sie zwischendrin leicht schwächelte und ich auch zeitweise zweifelte, ob es sich wirklich um einen historischen Roman handelt, da es doch zeitweilig sehr mystrielastig wurde.(less)

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Oct 10, 2011 C_ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, deutsch, historisch, lies, mysterioes

'Die Gebeine von Avalon' konnten mich Stunden über Stunden in ihren Bann ziehen. Der Einstieg ins Buch ist meiner Meinung nach im Vergleich zu den restlichen Kapiteln nicht so gut gelungen, doch es dauert nicht lange, da gewinnt die Geschichte an Fahrt. Rickman zeichnet die unterschiedlichen Charaktere klar und mit einer gewissen Detailverliebtheit, die mir sehr gut gefallen hat. In Glastonbury übersteigen sie sich gegenseitig in ihrer Skurrilität; ein einziger Jahrmarkt: Da ist zum einen ein fa...more

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Dec 12, 2010 Julia Phillips rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Phil Rickman is one of my favourite authors - I particularly like his series about Merrily Watkins, the Christian Deliverance Minister (Diocesan Exorcist) with the pagan daughter. Rickman writes about liminal places with an insight and sensitivity rarely seen.

The Bones of Avalon features one of England's most sacred places - whether Christian or pagan - and the central character is the fascinating Dr John Dee, Elizabethan mathematician, astrologer, scientist and magus. Also in a leading role is...more

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Apr 03, 2012 Jodi rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Not sure

Shelves: books-about-england, historical-fiction

Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres - especially Tudor England but I found this book to be rather dry. Basically, Elizabeth Tudor has Dr. John Dee (whom I had never heard of until this book), her astrologer, help her. Dee has to go to Glastonbury to find the missing bones of King Arthur to prove Elizabeth as the rightful heir to the throne of England(read the book and don't understand why these ancient bones would prove it - oh well). I'd have to go look in my photo album, but I thin...more

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Feb 03, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2012, historical-fiction, kindle, mystery-detective

I had never heard of Phil Rickman before picking this up - for no particular reason I'm not a big Thriller or Mystery reader. However, I saw this listed in the Kindle chart, and could not resist the lure of a story about a mathematician in Tudor England on the hunt for King Arthur's bones.

From the perspective of court 'conjurer' (scientist, astrologer and mathematician) John Dee, we are taken to Glastonbury on the orders of Queen Elizabeth I of England, to hunt for the bones of King Arthur. I'm...more

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Nov 18, 2011 Judith Arnopp rated it 5 of 5 stars

I had never heard of Phil Rickman before I stumbled, quite accidentally, upon this book. As a writer and historian myself, I am a harsh critic and have grown weary of predictable, run of the mill historical novels. Most are unconvincing both in characterisation and plot and when I picked up The Bones of Avalon I did not expect it to be any different. But I was wrong; Phil had me at the first line.

The Bones of Avalon is set in the 1560’s; a time of religious uncertainty, Popish plot and counterpl...more

I had never heard of Phil Rickman before I stumbled, quite accidentally, upon this book. As a writer and historian myself, I am a harsh critic and have grown weary of predictable, run of the mill historical novels. Most are unconvincing both in characterisation and plot and when I picked up The Bones of Avalon I did not expect it to be any different. But I was wrong; Phil had me at the first line.

The Bones of Avalon is set in the 1560’s; a time of religious uncertainty, Popish plot and counterplot. The people walk in fear, trusting no-one in an England still reeling from the heretical burnings and hangings of Mary Tudor’s Catholic reign. Now, she is dead and another Tudor takes the throne. Another queen, the bastard daughter of Anne Boleyn – Elizabeth.
Haunted by her mother’s death, uncertain if she will succeed or fail, the young Elizabeth allows herself to trust few men. Two of whom are Robert Dudley – mistrusted by the council, a wild card adventurer and rumoured to be the queen’s lover; and her consultant and astrologer, Dr Dee, a mild mannered scholar and dreamer.
They are sent to Glastonbury to discover the missing bones of King Arthur, lost during the dissolution in Henry VIII’s reign, so that Elizabeth might fulfil a prophecy. Without its abbey Glastonbury is desolate, the town decaying and as soon as Dudley and Dr Dee set foot there, mystery and superstition unfolds.
By the time I reached the end of the first chapter I knew I was in good hands. Mr Rickman’s first person narrative is authentic enough to make me forget I was actually reading. The fumbling investigative powers of Dr Dee endears him to the reader and the primitive, wary people of Glastonbury instil the plot with ambiguity. It was delightfully refreshing to find Robert Dudley illustrated, not as a broad shouldered, devil-may-care, wife killing braggart, but as an ordinary man, torn, confused, afflicted with sickness and, throughout it all, a stalwart friend to Dr Dee and loyal to his queen.
The author’s knowledge of the period is indisputable, his understanding of 16th century uncertainty is flawless but, for me, the best thing about this book has to be the atmosphere.
I am not a believer in the supernatural but Mr Rickman had me doubting my own sound good sense. He gave me goose bumps such as I have not experienced since childhood. An undercurrent of human evil runs through this book, illustrating mankind’s capacity to destroy that which they don’t understand as an evil far stronger than the supernatural. Although the author never infers that supernatural power truly exists, The Bones of Avalon is unsettling; it has you looking over your shoulder. It is a book to read with the doors and windows locked.

Phil Rickman has written an intelligent book. Some may find the length off putting, it certainly isn’t for lightweight readers but, if you have the ability to let go of disbelief and embrace the mindset of the late 16th century, then you will love it as much as I. A whopping five stars – brilliant.

(less)

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Apr 04, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dr John Dee has already experienced much in his life by the time Elizabeth I has gained the throne. By his early twenties he is one of Europe's leading mathmeticians and an expert in astrology. He was introduced to court in the reign of Edward VI, but was lucky to survive Mary - he still has dreams about escaping his fate and nightmares about the burnings... Elizabeth has encouraged his love of learning, but not financially, and others view what he does as sorcery. This is a very atmospheric and...more Dr John Dee has already experienced much in his life by the time Elizabeth I has gained the throne. By his early twenties he is one of Europe's leading mathmeticians and an expert in astrology. He was introduced to court in the reign of Edward VI, but was lucky to survive Mary - he still has dreams about escaping his fate and nightmares about the burnings... Elizabeth has encouraged his love of learning, but not financially, and others view what he does as sorcery. This is a very atmospheric and well written view of England during that time, where a young Elizabeth is attempting to implement religious tolerance and a scarred country is awash with Catholic plots and the rise of puritanism. France is still hoping Mary (future Queen of Scots) will replace Elizabeth and return England to the Catholic Church and there is a sense of unease about what anybody can, or should, say.

It is easy to sympathise with Dr Dee. He wants a quiet life of study, but is disturbed by his mother's disappointment in his lack of funds and status and by the malevolence aimed at the young Queen he loves for her tolerance. Add to this that Robert Dudley, currently the Queen's Master of the Horse, but aiming much higher, was his student and it is unlikely he is going to get much peace in which to retreat to his library. When Cecil wants to see him it is to inform him that he wants him to travel to Glastonbury, where Jesus himself was said to have travelled to as a boy and where the bones of King Arthur are said to lay. Cecil wants Dee ('her Merlin') to find the bones of Arthur. Dudley is to accompany him, although he believe it is because Cedil wants him away from court, and Elizabeth, more than because he can help. Meanwhile, Dudley's wife Amy is hidden in the country, rumoured to be near death and hoping to bring Dudley near to a marriage with his Queen which France fears and Dee is almost afraid to think about. It is true that, in this England, people guard their thoughts as well as their words.

Glastonbuy is a great portrait of what a city was once the Dissolution had ripped through it. A place where the Abbot had been killed and the monks scattered, leaving a town without a livelihood and a feeling of despair. Dee is unsure what is actually wanted of him and, as he uncovers secrets and plots, there is murder added into the mix. Dee is a delightful character, unworldly and bookish, sharply intelligent and yet shy and naive. This was the first Phil Rickman novel I have read, but I am sure it will not be the last. At times I found the plot a little confusing, but overall it was an excellent read and I loved the characters and the real sense of place and time the author painted. (less)

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Aug 26, 2011 Penny Shales rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is fiction set round the real life figure of John Dee, alchemist, perhaps conjurer, astrologer to Elizabeth I. The Elizabethan obsession with magic and superstition is vividly portrayed as Dee struggles to fullfil a brief from Cecil to find the bones of King Arthur in Glastonbury. There is a catholic plot and the smell of burning hangs over the entire book. England is still reeling from the bloody reign of Mary Tudor while Dee himself is haunted by dreams of being burned at the stake - a fa...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Tina Rath rated it 4 of 5 stars

An older book I know, but I have only just come across it, and a sequel, The Heresy of Dr Dee has just been published, so it is certainly worth a review.
Dr Dee ‘the Queen’s conjuror’ is a fascinating character. He was a noted mathematician, an alchemist, astronomer, and astrologer, amongst other things, and was consulted by Queen Elizabeth I. The author sends him to Glastonbury – with Robert Dudley – in search of the bones of King Arthur, lost during the dissolution of the Abbey and now require...more

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Apr 17, 2011 Judy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio-books

Now I need to do some research...it's been so long since I've delved into anything that even borders on Merlin and Arthur (this just overlaps a tad) that now I'm wondering if the legends promoted here are/were common...Was Joseph of Arimetia really Jesus' uncle -- wasn't he the one who provided the grave? Was it really believed that Jesus had been in Wales/England as a child? Were the contents of English abbeys sent to France for safekeeping? Did the law after Henry VIII fine countrymen for NOT...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Penny rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm so divided over this book. Let's get one thing straight, I didn't like it. I'm not sure whether it has something to do with my high expectations of a novel entitled 'The Bones of Avalon', or if it was simply boring.
It is well-written in so many ways, language, research, sentences that flow smoothly etc etc, which is why it gets two stars rather than one, but it just didn't ignite much of a spark. It seemed to take half the book to set up the story, about 40 pages of excitement (possibly, I h...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Louise Miller rated it 4 of 5 stars

An intriguing, well researched book.

The Queen’s ‘sorcerer’, her astrology, Dr John Dee is sent on a special mission. Accompanied by Sir Robert Dudley, a favourite of the Queen’s, and believed to be her lover, Dr Dee travels to Glastonbury to unravel the mysteries of the lost bones of King Arthur.

It is well written and a different sort of mystery to the thriller novels that usually line the shelves. Rickman has a fluid writing style and throws in some excellently written one liners that are evid...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Sue rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a medieval mystery thriller featuring real life characters John Dee, Queen Elizabeth I's astrologer, & the Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley, her (married) suitor.

I found the first half of the book really slow going as the scene was being set but once Dee and Dudley arrived in Glastonbury things speeded up and it turned into a good mysery with a credible plotline hidden amongst layers of superstition and possible sorcery. It was also an interesting look into how life was lived in Tudo...more

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Apr 13, 2012 Laura rated it 2 of 5 stars

A bit disappointed in this. The synopsis sounded so good! Dr John Dee searching for the bones of legendary King Arthur with Queen Elizabeth's fancy man Robert Dudley...witches, papist scandals, I thought it would be amazing! Unfortunately I just spent the whole time feeling confused about what was happening and kept on feeling like I must have missed chunks of the plot out. It was a dull outcome and the whole thing was just a bit dreary. Rickman does give a vivid idea of what Elizabethan England...more

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Sep 01, 2011 Albert rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another well written story set during the early reign of Queen Elizabeth. With the people of England torn between the Church of England and the Papal Church, comes the central character of John Dee, known throughout history as the Queen's Conjurer. A man of high education and a strong faith in the mystic, I first came across this true historical character in S J Parris' Prophecy.

In The Bones of Avalon a much younger John Dee must navigate his way through superstition, murder and greed to uneart...more

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Jan 14, 2013 Bob Dench rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very impressed with my first outing with Phil Rickman. Decided to read after an article in the Telegraph about him.
I chose this book as Dr Dee has always fascinated me since I read Ackroyds " The house of Dr Dee ".
The bones of Avalon was very well researched, I tend to find in this gender the closer to "true fact" ( if that can be said ) the more I enjoy the story ! Who can resist, a spooky, murder mystery, history? I will certain pick up another one in the series and probably try some of the ot...more

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Aug 18, 2012 MG Mason rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dr John Dee is a (real life) lawyer in Tudor England - the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I to be precise - and he likes to dabble in the occult and study apparent relics. He is highly sceptical of most of the artefacts that come across his path so when he is approached by an envoy of the Queen on a most unusual matter, he is intrigued but not really surprised that she is seeking a mystical object. In real life he was an occultist, astronomer, astrologer and alchemist who received patrona...more Dr John Dee is a (real life) lawyer in Tudor England - the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I to be precise - and he likes to dabble in the occult and study apparent relics. He is highly sceptical of most of the artefacts that come across his path so when he is approached by an envoy of the Queen on a most unusual matter, he is intrigued but not really surprised that she is seeking a mystical object. In real life he was an occultist, astronomer, astrologer and alchemist who received patronage from high society and was investigated by Bishop Bonner.

In this novel he is to travel to Glastonbury, locate the bones of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, acquire them by any means necessary and return them to London as a presentation for the Queen. Once this mission is complete, it is intended that the new monarchy would endow an English Protestant shrine in London to begin the new age of national supremacy. (These events did not actually take place).

Once he arrives in Glastonbury he is overloaded with tales of mysticism, stories of ancient powers that go back to a pre-Christian society, a power that the abbey (before its dissolution) had identified as an ancient one and had harnessed for the country for the religion and Dr Dee finds he has more than he bargained for. At this point, the book really becomes a genre-crossing thriller mixing up Da Vinci Code religious mystery, a dash of fantasy and a crime thriller all in one.

The tone is colourful, sometimes tongue-in-cheek with a large dose of humour at Dee's cynicism - and even more so that of his junior partner - as they believe they are on a wild goose chase, not just because they think that the discovery of the bones in Glastonbury was a fraud, but also because Morte d'Arthur is essentially "pot boiling twaddle" and that Geoffrey of Monmouth "made stuff up when he ran out of history to write about". The assistant declares that Glastonbury is the "arsehole of the west country". Modern visitors might disagree!

The story flows quite well and though not a page-turner in the way that typical Da Vinci Code clones tend to be, but it is an interesting tale that keeps you guessing. This flitting between three genres might frustrate some readers but for me it gelled well. The tone is bizarre at times and there are some odd word choices - use of "must" in unusual contexts, especially regular use of "must needs", "betwixt" and "afeared" throughout the text. This was perhaps to make it sound more archaic as it is written in the first person but for me it wasn't necessary; John Dee might have been a real person, but using a quasi-antiquated version of English adds nothing to the story. C.J. Sansom's Shardlake novels are also set in the Tudor years but feel just as vivid.

This is perfect summer reading for the Brit holidaying abroad or for those with an interest in new age mysticism and Arthurian legend. You may be tired of Da Vinci Code clones but if you ever decide to read one more, you could do a lot worse than this. The ending though, is a little too convoluted for my tastes.

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Sep 07, 2011 Monkey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Fun little historical (Elizabethan) who-dunnit. I enjoyed this book, it was a light read. I did find the historical accuracy of the language and character motivations (of real people) were a little off, so only three stars.
(Why can't I vote half stars? 3.5 really)

I didn't feel Rickman succeeded in tying up all the loose ends,
and the final "reveal" was a bit contrived, but books don't work without an ending so it gets a pass.

Enjoyable holiday read.

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Oct 11, 2012 Elijay rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love Phil Rickman for the Merrily Watkins stories. Snugglying up reading the ghost mysteries on a wintry evening is the best way to sepnd those long cold nights. However I started reading Rickman when I came across The Chalice, which I loved for his portrayal of life and characters in Glastonbury. In this novel he does even better, by exploring ledgends and deplicting life Totain the era of Queen Elizabeth I. Totally amazing!

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Dec 08, 2010 JackieB rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, fiction

Enjoyable historical mystery with lots of twists and turns and a hint of the supernatural thrown in. If I'm totally honest I think I slightly prefer Phil Rickman's Merrily Watson series but that may just be because I'm familiar with them and I really like the main characters in them. This is still a good enjoyable book though. If he decides to do any more historical books based on this one I'd definitely read them.

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Feb 09, 2012 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars

An excellent historical mystery, this book tells of the search for the bones of King Arthur.
Queen Elizabeth I has been on the throne for a year and wants the bones of King Arthur (who she believes is her ancestor) to be found and brought to London where they will be re-buried with deserving ceremony. A young Dr John Dee and his friend Lord Robert Dudley are sent to Glastonbury to find them. Plot twists that include witchcraft and religion kept me reading, and guessing, right to the last page. Hi...more

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Aug 13, 2011 Shana Kennedy rated it 2 of 5 stars

I can't say I loved this book. Though the setting (1560, England) is immensely appealing, the hard-to-follow plot and general fluffiness of the writing left me unimpressed. It was assumed, I think, that the reader is more familiar with the historical intricacies of the Church of England and the British royalty than I am, and yet the story read a bit like pop-fiction.

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Jan 13, 2013 Jo at Jaffareadstoo rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Bones of Avalon,starts the series with John Dee and Elizabeth's favourite courtier Robert Dudley sent to the town of Glastonbury to seek the truth behind the legend of King Arthur, who is believed to lie buried within the grounds of the ancient abbey. However, the abbey has been left derelict since Henry VIII's plunderers tore it to shreds, and the town of Glastonbury still harbours a grudge towards those who seek to disturb its peace.

The story is a well written mystery which combines histor...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Penny rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book, it reminded me of the C J Sansom books about Shardlake.
It was the first book that I have come across Dr John Dee, Queen Elizabeth I's astrologer, mathematician, scientist and all round guru. She sends him to Glastonbury to find the bones of King Arthur, which was meant to prove that she was in fact the rightful Queen of England. I may have missed something in the reading but I wasn't quite sure how or why! but the story was exciting and mysterious at the same time.
A g...more

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About Phil Rickman

aka Will Kingdom, Thom Madley.

Phil Rickman, born in Lancashire, has won awards for his TV and radio journalism. After five acclaimed novels, he introduced the fascinating Merrily Watkins series with The Wine of Angels. He is married and lives on the Welsh Border.

More about Phil Rickman...

Books by Phil Rickman

The Wine of Angels (Merrily Watkins, #1)

Midwinter of the Spirit (Merrily Watkins, #2)

The Lamp of the Wicked (Merrily Watkins, #5)

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The Bones of Avalon (John Dee Papers #1)

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