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33rd out of 162 books
—
261 voters
Dragon's Lair (Justin de Quincy #3)
by
Sharon Kay Penman (Goodreads Author)
July 1193. King Richard Lionheart lies in a German prison, held for ransom by the emperor. His mother, Dowager Queen Eleanor, ransacks England for gold to buy his freedom, while his younger brother, John, plots with King Philippe of France to ensure that he rots and dies in chains.
When a ransom payment vanishes, Eleanor hastily dispatches young Justin de Quincy to investig...more
When a ransom payment vanishes, Eleanor hastily dispatches young Justin de Quincy to investig...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
November 23rd 2004
by Ballantine Books
(first published 2003)
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"Dragon's Lair" is a mystery set in 1193 in England and Wales. This novel was the third book in the series, but you don't need to have read the first two in order to understand this one. I haven't read the first two (yet), and it didn't appear that reading the books out of order spoiled the previous mysteries.
The historical detail was woven into the story and was accurate was far as I know, though the author occasionally had the characters use a modern turn of phrase. The political situation was...more
The historical detail was woven into the story and was accurate was far as I know, though the author occasionally had the characters use a modern turn of phrase. The political situation was...more
I read Falls the Shadow years ago and hoped this would be as engaging. Didn't make it. It's hard to say what makes this weak. Some ideas:
It's a mystery, so it has to be carefully plotted. But there are too many conversations in which we readers are too carefully informed of the logic of the sleuth, how all the holes are being filled in; it's like a documentary on carpentry that spends too long on spackle.
We are told too self-consciously about twelfth-century things. The research should not be so...more
It's a mystery, so it has to be carefully plotted. But there are too many conversations in which we readers are too carefully informed of the logic of the sleuth, how all the holes are being filled in; it's like a documentary on carpentry that spends too long on spackle.
We are told too self-consciously about twelfth-century things. The research should not be so...more
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The book is about another adventure of Justin de Quincy. He is a special assistant to Eleanor of Aquitaine who is trying to raise a ransom to pay for the release of her son Richard who has been taken prisoner in Germany on his way back from the Holy Land. A large amount of wool from the Cistercian monks is stolen in Wales and so Justin is sent to recover the lost property. Along the way, he meets Llewelyn ab Iorwerth who is being set up as the thief by his uncle Davydd. But others are potentiall...more
Great historical fiction mystery! This is the third in a series that I did not read the first two for. Consequently, I was pretty confused at the beginning, I had no idea who anyone was or what was going on. But, by the time he left to go to Scotland to investigate, it jumped into the actual story instead of the background stuff and that made sense. I loved the book! It's about a young guy who apparently very recently somehow became the queen's man, someone who she sends to research things and l...more
Intricate, historically accurate, well written historical mystery surrounding the fascinating Eleanor of Aquitane, stolen ransom for the imprisoned Richard the Lionhearted. Peniman is masterful at creating the world of England and Wales in the 12th C--where the nobility speaks French, the commoners English, and the Welsh, Welsh, where sacks of wool are worth more than their weight in gold. The protagonist, Justin deQuincy, the "Queen's Man", is nuanced, resourceful, and a worthy addition to "det...more
Wish I could have made it 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the story quite a bit. I particularly liked the depth of the characters. They seemed to have entire lives and histories informing their actions, but the author didn't shove all that legwork up my nose.
It was beautifully researched, which leads to my minor quibble with the book. The spackle marks from including all the research did show a bit.
My major quibble with the book comes down to this - with all that research and all that genuine depiction of...more
It was beautifully researched, which leads to my minor quibble with the book. The spackle marks from including all the research did show a bit.
My major quibble with the book comes down to this - with all that research and all that genuine depiction of...more
Love books that tell about King Richard the Lionheart, Prince John, and their mother Eleanor of Aquitaine. In this one the queen's man, Justin has to outwit John, and other villains who are trying to find the stolen ransom that will bring King Richard home. It is hard to know who is friend or foe in this adventure which mainly takes place in Wales. The author is careful to say what characters are invented (at the end of the story)as she always tries to make much historically accurate. All of her...more
Prince John attempts to sabotage his mother's, Queen Eleanor's, work as she tries to assemble a ransom to free her elder son,King Richard, from Germany, where he is being held as a hostage after the crusades. I've disliked Prince John since I first read Robin Hood and this story did nothing to change my opinion of him.
It was refreshing to see good old detective work done in the Queen's service and the plot was sufficiently twisty to keep me interested. This was a good way to pass the time. Stil...more
It was refreshing to see good old detective work done in the Queen's service and the plot was sufficiently twisty to keep me interested. This was a good way to pass the time. Stil...more
Passed to me by Ray (who enjoys historical fiction about British monarchs)(esp. Hilary Mantell)(me, too) via Mona who is a big fan of this author. Dragon's Lair features Eleanor of Aquitaine and her sons Richard and John jockeying for the crown but they're only the launching point for a murder mystery with a young not-quite-knight investigating. It's entertaining but the writing is a bit sophomoric; I kept thinking I should be a 16 year old girl to really enjoy it. I give the author credit for m...more
This is the third in a series of "medieval mysteries", with the character Justin de Quincy (The Queen's Man) as our hero. With each book, we learn a little more of his background, fill in a little more of his character. Penman's adeptness as a historical writer, filling in the "gaps" in history with a rich imagination moves well into the realm of fiction as she adds some of the same to her invented characters.
I have to say I enjoy the author's notes as much as I do the stories themselves, as she...more
I have to say I enjoy the author's notes as much as I do the stories themselves, as she...more
Third in the series, so I can't decide if I'd missed something by not having read book 2. However, it was still pretty good. Justin de Quincy is a likeable lad who workd for the Queen, doing all sorts of odd jobs that require a bit of brains. This time he's in Wales, trying to retrieve some of the ransom collected for Richard, which has accidentally gone missing. The prime suspect is a Welsh rebel, but the obvious answer isn;t always the right one. A good little read.
I'd been putting off reading this and another of Penman's for a long time, because I liked Edith Pargeter's Brothers of Gwennyd Quartet so much, and expected this to be an alternative and lesser history of Llewelyn. But this book is primarily a mystery; it's just set in those times so it can use the backdrop of history and characters. And it's very enjoyable. I wish I'd started with the first Justin de Quincey mystery, and will have to go back now.
What I've learned, I'm starting to enjoy medevil England more then I thought I would! I liked how Penman brought in one of her later characters (Llywelyn ab Iorwerth -Here Be Dragons) and the personality was the same! I did think some of the trail was obvious who took the missing wool. I did enjoy this book more then Prince of Darkness (the next book in the series).
To that, I'm looking forward to reading more of her novels.
To that, I'm looking forward to reading more of her novels.
Easy and intriguing. I wish I had had more time to read and savor this story but as it was, I had to make due with a few moments here and there and then a fast finish for the end to get the book back to the library. This book is a continuation (not a series) of the other Medieval Mysteries by Penman. She brings old characters back and introduces the reader to new friends and foes. A great in-between book…I recommend it!
Medieval murder mysteries, written by one of the most respected historical novelists of this era – I settled down with a sigh of anticipation from the very first word. I wish I had started with Book 1 – the early chapters talked a lot about characters I didn’t know – but once the action moved to Wales, it was excellent. Ordering Book 1 now.
Love her books! New approach to historical fiction. This book was not gripping in the way that prevents one from putting the book down until finished; but is interesting in that I find myself thinking about the story and feeling the atmosphere at random moments. It is easy to slip in and out of her stories, without losing the experience.
As fantastic as Penman books always are. I particularly liked this one because it features my favorite Welsh prince. I also liked that the mystery Justin was solving was actually part of the bigger John and Richard plot. I may have to ration the next one--it's my last unread Penman book, at least until A King's Ransom comes out in 2014.
Liked this one better than #2. Probably because Llewelyn ab Iorwerth plays such a nice role--and I first liked Penman's portrayal of him in HERE BE DRAGONS. Also a better spy/politics/double-cross plot. (Not too much of Queen Eleanor, either, who gets on my nerves. And the dreadful Claudine is tucked safely away in a convent.)
Apr 04, 2011
Dolly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Mystery fans
Shelves:
2011,
austria,
english,
france-french,
germany,
mystery,
ocean-seashore,
historical-fiction
This is another exciting installment in the Justin de Quincy series of mysteries by Sharon Kay Penman. I have really enjoyed these tales and I look forward to the next (and last?) one. The historical background is fascinating and the characters are interesting. The mystery wasn't all that hard to figure out, but the story was suspenseful and kept my interest the whole way through.
new words: raillery, cresset, cupshotten, cistern, prevarication, Angevin, pillion, assoil, desmesnes, garrulous
new words: raillery, cresset, cupshotten, cistern, prevarication, Angevin, pillion, assoil, desmesnes, garrulous
Another in the series of mystery novels set in 12th C England and Wales. The historical detail is convincing, and the characters interesting. The plot in not completely convincing, and not always smoothly developed, but this was a good page-turner.
I'll want to read more of this author.
I'll want to read more of this author.
Sharon Kay Penman's Justin de Quincy series continues to turn pages and bring the Middle Ages to life. The plots are not complex, and neither are the characters, but it's a great, breezy read. I especially love Eleanor of Aquitaine's voice in this series: feisty and fiery, just as I have always imagined her.
I enjoyed this book because the story line is good but the historical value is great. It gave me a feel for England at the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine and her sons Richard the Lion Hearted and John. Ms. Penman is noted for her historical accuracy.
Jul 23, 2011
Mary Newcomb
added it
Justin de Quincy is sent to Wales by Dowager Queen Eleanor to investigate the loss of ransom for King Richard. Things are not as they seem but he is able to retrieve the wool and set the record straight (more or less).
I really enjoy this series. Lots of historical tidbits and plenty of adventure and murder. Penman includes a great deal of contemporary political intrigue in her plot and manages to give her protagonist a great deal of grief with it. A good book to read while winter keeps you house-bound.
I love Sharon Kay Penman's historical novels. My favourite genre of books is mystery so a medieval mystery by Penman sounded like it would fit my criteria. I didn't enjoy this as much as her historical novels. This has nothing to do with the writing, just not my thing.
I love all of Sharon Kay Penman's historical fiction books. I especially enjoyed the Justin de Quincy books as they are mysteries, completely fiction, altho set in the late 1100s while Eleanor is ruling England.
I really enjoyed all of SKP's books on Medieval England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, so I thought I'd give her mysteries a try. Overall an enjoyable read, a bit predictable at times, but it did keep my interest.
An enjoyable and entertaining read. I might have rated it higher, but have just finished a re-read of Dorothy Dunnett's 'Game of Kings', and next to that everything else seems a little pale.
Penman keeps delivering great stories as Justin's life becomes more complex. (This is the last one on the local library's shelf, and I was very disappointed.)
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Penman received her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, she majored in history, and also received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Rutgers University School of Law, and later worked as a tax lawyer. Penman suffered from an eighteen month bout with mononucleosis.
The Sunne in Splendour, a novel about Richard III of England is one of the most popular books on the Historical Nov...more
More about Sharon Kay Penman...
The Sunne in Splendour, a novel about Richard III of England is one of the most popular books on the Historical Nov...more
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