The Rose of the World

Hawkenlye Mysteries #13

by Alys Clare

The new novel in the ever-popular ‘Hawkenlye’ series - Autumn, 1210. A year ago, King John was excommunicated – and now his men have come to Hawkenlye Abbey to take it over. Abbess Caliste, Helewise’s successor, worries how she is to feed the nuns under her care, let alone conduct her usual good works. Meanwhile, Helewise has moved into Hawkenlye Manor with Josse, and their lives are full of family and warmth. But after a visit to St Edmund’s Chapel, Helewise’s eleven-year-old granddaughter, Rosamund, goes missing – and soon all that they hold dear is threatened . . .

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Medieval, Historical Mystery, Fantasy, Politics

240 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2011

About the author

Alys Clare is the pen name used by Elizabeth Harris for the Hawkenlye series of historical mysteries.

Alys Clare is the pseudonym of a novelist with some 20 published works to her name. Brought up in the countryside close to where the Hawkenlye Novels are set, she went to school in Tonbridge and later studied archaeology at the University of Kent. She lives for part of the year in Brittany, in a remote cottage deep in an ancient landscape where many past inhabitants have left their mark; on her doorstep are relics that date from the stone circles and dolmens of the Neolithic to the commanderies, chapels and ancient tracks of those infamous warrior monks, the Knights Templar. In England, Alys's study overlooks a stretch of parkland which includes a valley with a little spring. The waters of this spring are similar in colour and taste to Tunbridge Wells's famous Chalybeat Spring, and it was this that prompted Alys's setting of her fictional Hawkenlye Abbey in the very spot where her own house now stands.

Reviews

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read the last one in this series. I was looking forward to reading no. 13, but I'm slightly disappointed. It was an mediocre story. I need to find out if it's just a one off as can happen in a long series or if I have just read enough.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Hawkenlye medieval mystery; the whole series doesn't feel to me like the "usual" mystery, there is a dollop of fantasy thrown in. Helewise's granddaughter is abducted. How does this fit in with a murdered man discovered by Helewise, who is no longer Abbess of Hawkenlye Abbey? Ninian is accused of the murder and flees the country across the Channel to France; Sir Josse must prove his innocence before he can return home. I have to get used to this format--the extended community living in Sir Josse's home--not just a straight mystery. I was blindsided by the twists, which left me with a cliffhanger.

Not as good as some of the others in the series. Each seems to get more fantastical; but these characters are endearing so I'll keep on reading.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pope and King John are at odds and a war against the Church has ensued. Helewise has moved to the House in the Woods with Josse and his family. Helewise's granddaughter Rosamund is visiting. When it is learned that she is missing, the search begins. But the search leads to even greater concerns for the family. Will the family be reunited?
A good installment. I'd wondered at the end of the last one when it was evident that Helewise was stepping down as Abbess, if it was going to mean a stepping down in the quality of the series. I needn't have been concerned. If anything, there is more development to the characters I've so come to enjoy.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series, I like the on-going story, I like the settings, & I like the characters.

The book was very well written & held my interest. I know I read this out-of-order, but it was because I had lost the Library's copy & replaced it, only to find it in my TBR.... meanwhile reading the others I had borrowed first.

Autumn 1210, King John & his men have returned from exile.... Two brothers in the King's coterie; Hugh is found dead & the other, Olivier, has kidnapped 11 year old Rosamund and presents her as a gift to the King.

King John has other ideas, he has plans for Meggie.... Meggie & Ninian, the King's 1/2 brother, are out searching for Rosamund and when they find her w/ the King & Olivier (not knowing who the two men are) they attack King John & Olivier, which is a treasonable offense & punishable by slow painful death.

Ninian's step-father, Josse, & his amour, former Abbess Helewise solve the murder of Hugh (which Ninian has been accused of by Olivier) & take his plight to King John who grudgingly absolves Ninian of all wrong doing. Too late, for Ninian has fled England & France, where he was staying w/ Josse's family and has taken refuge w/ the Cathers in the Pyrenees.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, following the travails and Helewise, Josse and Joanna as their lives were woven together with love and tolerance of their different faiths. In this installment, we jump forward again in time, with Josse and Helewise at least living in the house, though not sharing a bed yet. We see more of the children and grandchildren of Helewise in this rather complicated plot that involves King John and Joanna's children Meggie and Ninian.
Much of the plot revolves around the kidnapping and rescue of granddaughter Little Helewise by someone close to the King and how this leads to Ninian long trip. While the plot came together well, the ending was quite odd and did not meld with rest of the story.

[Bonsai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was happy the series continues after all.

Helewise and Josse face another crime but several years after the last book and still adjusting to the new life.

The story still has the fantasy elements, either you accept that and it's a good book or it's not your toying and then it wouldn't make much sense to read the books.

I liked the way historical moments are added into the plot, the war against the Cathar in France for example.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have entered the 'King John' era. Therefore, it is kind of depressing. However, the characters make the best of it. There is some intrigue, but mainly the search for Rosamund is the focus. Josse and Helewise are trying to figure out how to become a love match instead of 'just friends'. Then, the story heads off in a new direction.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice continuation of the series. Nice story. Not readable on its own, though.
The mystical/magic elements are not too intrusive.
The characters move around a lot in the setting. Often the book says someone rode north, or turned right at the road, or camped by the river ... A map would really help. There is a map in the next book of the series, which would be useful.

[Kelly Callaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow I seem to have missed a few episodes in this series. And to be honest I did not enjoy this one as much as the others I have read.

Rosamund is kidnapped. Everyone is out looking for her. A body is found and Ninian, Josse’s son, is accused. Along with attacking the King, the unpopular King John.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book picks up ten years after the previous book. Many favorite characters at the abbey have passed on or retired but replacements fill their roles. Many familiar characters are still active in the story. It is an interesting premise and the story is fast paced and engaging.

[Kim Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh golly!

Blimey this is good. I had forgotten just how good it is. I sit here living my humdrum little life but I also have some of the greatest adventures through books like this. Oh the joy of reading!

[Kathy Moberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to love this medieval mystery series but lately the "new age-y", paranormal aspect has become too pronounced and that just isn't my thing. I'm done. I'll miss a couple of the characters, tho.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, but feels less of an investigation and more of a exploration of the changing lives of Josse and Helewise.

[Heather McCloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course these books just keep getting better!!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The year is 1210 A.D. and John is the king of England. It is a time of social upheaval as the king plays a game of wits with the Catholic Pope which results in his excommunication. In retaliation, he strips the religious houses of their wealth and locks the doors of their churches. Now nuns, priests and monks are slowly starving and the common people no longer have the solace of their faith to support them in their hard lives.

Helewise, the former Abbess of Hawkenlye Abbey, has stepped down from her position, renounced her nun's vows, and moved into the home of her good friend, Sir Josse. He loves her and she loves him but her former life as a nun still causes them heartache and they have not, as yet, consummated their love physically.

And in the midst of all this turmoil, Helewise's young granddaughter disappears in broad daylight!

I rated this at only 3 stars because, while it started well and moved concisely through the plot, the conclusion left me hanging. Since not every book written is a "classic", the reader should expect this from time to time but after so many previous Hawkenlye stories I expected better. It was almost as if the author couldn't decide until the last minute whether or not she wanted to continue this book series. Will, however, keep my eye out for future titles so that some loose threads may be resolved in the series. It didn't help, either, that several of the previous titles were not carried by either of my local libraries (one of which is the #1 rated library in the U.S.!). I'm on a fixed income and therefore unable to purchase books so if it's not at my library I have to do without. Hope to see some of the missing titles eventually picked up by one or the other of the libraries but since these books are written sequentially, it really puts a barrier to keeping up with all the sub-plots and characters :(

[Anne Louise Bannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my seriously fave series - even among all my fave Medieval nun series (Fidelma, Priscilla Royal's series, etc.). While I thought The Joys of My Life was a worthy ending to the series, I am so glad Ms. Clare decided to continue it after all.

In the ongoing adventures of Helewise and Joss, King John has ascended the throne and is behaving the jerk he was. But the real problem is a body and Helewise's granddaughter, who is kidnapped. It's not got the traditional murder mystery structure, but it doesn't need it.

[Phair · Rating 2 out of 5]

My second foray into this series. Perhaps 2.5 stars. Very hard to figure out all the relationships & history of the many characters in this 13th entry not having read any of the previous except #3 and that a long while ago. I would very much have liked a character list and a map would have improved the reading experience as well. Also felt let down by the ending which was undoubtedly a preview of the next volume and was anticlimactic to the mystery in hand. Good feeling of the period but hard to feel engaged with the story.

[Ma'lis Wendt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Hawkenlye mysteries have now moved ten years into the future with Josse and his extended family living in the House in the Woods (Hawkenlye Manor) including the former Abbess Helewise. King John is collecting more unbearable taxes and then Helewise's granddaughter Rosamund disappears. There isn't as much action in this story and some if felt rather forced. but I always enjoy these medieval mysteries.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay novel although I found it slow at the beginning and the characters were confusing. On the whole it was easy to read and the author left the major plot solved although the minor plot was left open perhaps for the next book.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I needed to read the four books that came before it in the series to fully understand
what was going on. However, it was well written and kept my interest through out the whole
book.

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

So convoluted, so plodding, no chemistry between characters... Makes me wonder if the same person who wrote the earlier books really wrote this one.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe would have been better if I would have read some of the others in the series first.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abbess Caliste has succeeded Helewise.
Helewise blended family--Hawkenlye Manor.
child abduction.
France. politics.

[Abcdarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took awhile to get into and ended on a to-be-continued note. I liked the Hawkenlye series better before the supernatural element became so strong, but it was ok.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Janet Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different series but just as good. A gripping read.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of the first 13 Hawkenlye Mysteries! There were several unexpected twists and I couldn't put it down.

[Andrea Beaudin]

slow moving but acceptable new-agey mystery.