The Faithful Dead

Hawkenlye Mysteries #5

by Alys Clare, Elizabeth Harris

An elderly pilgrim dies in Hawkenlye Vale. It is nothing suspicious, for he was gravely ill when he arrived. Meanwhile, Josse d’Acquin has a visit from Prince John, seeking news of a stranger, Galbertius Sidonius. Hurrying to Hawkenlye Abbey to enlist the help of Abbess Helewise, Josse finds she has a problem of her own—a decomposing body has been discovered, naked and killed by an expert hand. When Josse’s brother, Yves, arrives, the three are hurled into a mystery with roots that reach back further than the Second Crusade.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Medieval, Fiction, Historical Mystery, British Literature

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

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 5 out of 5]

I'm becoming predictable... Another lovely story which I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Geles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volvemos de nuevo a la Inglaterra medieval de la mano de Alys Clare. Un relato en el que se recrea tanto la belleza como la violencia de la época. Ficción y realidad se unen para hacernos pasar un buen rato.

En esta ocasión Josse, su hermano Yves y la abadesa se introducirán en un misterio que les llevará más allá de la segunda cruzada, donde Geoffroi, padre de Josse, participó a las órdenes del rey Juan y la reina Leonor.

El caballero Josse d´Acquiin recibe la inesperada visita del príncipe Juan, acompañado de su mago y consejero, quienes buscan información sobre un extranjero llamado Galbertius Sidonius.

La búsqueda del misterioso extranjero y la causa por la que desea hablar con Josse acaparará todo el protagonismo, relegando a un segundo plano la investigación del asesinato que se produce en la abadía. El relato de la vida del padre de Josse cobrará especial importancia a la hora de desentrañar el misterio.

[Overbooked ✎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

A light mystery read, but I was hoping for something better. The period of the second Crusades has been dealt with in a superficial manner and due to the presence of several magical elements like the magic amulet, John Dee, living in the 12h century, sort of a Merlin figure etc it seemed more a fairy tale than a work of historical fiction.
2.5 stars.

[Heather McCloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Perhaps my favorite thus far!! Perfect book to be reading on International Women's Day, too!!

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE FAITHFUL DEAD (Hist. Mys-Sir Josse D’Acquin-England-1192) – VG+
Clare, Alys – 5th in series
Hodder & Stoughton, 2002, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0340793295

First Sentence: Josse d’Acquin stood with his manservant, Will, looking gloomily out over the meadow which, last night, had contained the household cow and her calf.

Two travelers come to the healing waters of the Vale at Hawkenlye Abby; an old man and his young servant. The old man dies and the young man disappears.

Several months later, skeletal remains are found on the Abby grounds. Meanwhile, Sir Josse d’Acquin received a visit from Prince John and his sorcerer, John Dee, wanting to know whether Josse has received a visit from Galbertius Sidonius. The name is unknown to Josse but his search leads him home to France and back into his father’s time with the Crusades.

I like this series better with each book. The relationship between the Abbess and Josse has such respect and caring of dear friendship. Josse’s returning home and our learning of his family adds to his dimensionality. The members of the Abby and Josse’s household provide reality and depth.

I enjoy that the books are set, and take advantage, of a time when people both believed in the Church, yet the old faith still played an important role. There is just enough mysticism to appeal to those of us who enjoy it but not so much to cross the story into the absolute realm of woo-woo.

The history is fascinating, although I question the role of John Dee about whom I found reference in the 1500-1600s, but not earlier. Still, as a character, he adds a wonderful element to the story.

This is my favorite book of the series thus far and I’m looking forward to reading the next.

[Susan in NC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 stars, as in I really liked some parts. I'm not sure what to say about this installment in the Hawkenlye series featuring Abbess Helewise and Sir Josse d'Acquin; it wasn't the traditional mystery set in the environs of Hawkenlye Abbey we've come to expect. Well, the decomposed body of a murdered man is found hidden in the bracken along the road near the Abbey and the Abbess enlists Josse's help to identify the victim, but a large chunk of the book is taken up with Josse's family history as he tries to figure out why Prince John has descended on him unexpectedly demanding to know if he has had any mysterious visitors lately. Slowly and rather laboriously Josse, Helewise and Josse's brother Yves work to bring the two mysterious events together and it all fits with a nice mystical touch reminiscent for me of the author's Aelf Fen series - not a bad thing, considering the time period and the strong remnants of paganism still present in England. For a fan of the series like me, this was a nice way to fill in the blanks of Josse's past life and gain further insight into his character, and to see the further strengthening of the strong bond between him and Helewise; for fans of medieval mysteries unfamiliar with the series, I'd start with one of the earlier books.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story. Made me look up some historical facts.

[Cecily · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual book in the series in that it is told mostly in flashback and involves events concerning his father before Josse is born. I liked the change in pace and focus of this instalment (there is a credible limit to how many people can be found murdered just off the path to the Abbey). It also links forward to the action in books ahead where we will, I suspect, return to the forest and those who live amongst it. But - in the meantime - a welcome change from the usual preoccupations of the main characters and a bit more background filled in.

[Jazzysmum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a different book to the previous 4 as we spent about a third of the book learning about Josse's parentage and his father's adventures during the first crusade.

We are given 3 mysteries to resolve, a look at the use of relics and how different religions existed side by side in 11the century England, where the old ways marched with the new.

Slightly different to the preceding 4, but in opinion it's great to have a difference in a series of books.

Josse's and the Abbess's relationship grows and we see how they are developing as a team.

These are an easy read and your mind does not become bogged down in too much detail.

An interesting time in English history.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This the third Hawkenlye mystery I've read (Ashes of the Elements, Fortune like the Moon). I enjoyed this one best and I think that's because I've realised that the history bit is only background and therefore doesn't need to be 'accurate'. The actual story is about the supernatural and probably more akin to Phil Rickman's books rather than Philippa Gregory.

[Kelly Callaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A body is found in the bushes. No one know who he is. Six weeks earlier an old man died before taking the waters at Hawkenlye. Are they related? Meanwhile Prince John visits Josse asking about an unknown man. Is this the dead man? And why is he asking? The middle third of the book tells the story of Josse’s time in the Crusade and provides a reason for Prince John’s interest.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. A good mystery and history blended together. The middle of the story will go back to past history (the reason for the map). However, it will relate to the current story. Yves, Josse's brother appears in the book and I am not sure why. Still recommending.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the series and the characters but the plot of this story didn't gel too well for me. It seemed a bit too far-fetched. But I enjoyed the character of Yves, Josse's brother, and the way they worked together.

[Kim Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book

Having recently started rereading these stories I just want to keep reading the whole series. I know it is a totally fictional Abbey, but I almost feel like I am there and I just want to know what happens next.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this book the best due to historical family storyline. Gives us an insight to Josse and his family and what is to come.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. No swearing that I recall, or sex, but a birth scene that was icky.

[Natalie aka Tannat · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another interesting mystery solved by Josse and Helewise.

[Janey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing. A bit of magic but not too much.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Josse D’Acquin has a visit at his manor from Prince John and his seer urgently wanting to know if Josse had information on Galbertius Sidonius, a man Josse doesn’t know by name. Josse decides to travel to Hawkenlye thinking perhaps Abbess Helewise might know the name from all the visitors. What he finds when he arrives is word of an unidentified dead man. Might this be the unknown Galbertius and why was Prince John seeking him in the first place?
My least favorite of the series to this point, largely because of the lengthy section in the middle about the time Josse's father was part of the Crusades. While it's interesting to get some background on Josse's family and the section truly does apply to the rest of the story, I read it wishing it would move along and get back to the investigation. It seems from looking at other reviews, I'm not the only one distracted by the Crusades side-story. Also, I couldn't figure out what the postscript had to do with the story - unless it's setting up something in a future volume.

[Venetia Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very readable medieval murder mystery with some interesting characters. However the writing (especially in the central section, in which the hero's father's adventures during the Second Crusade are recounted) tends towards 'telling'. The relationships between and emotions of the major characters are just too warm-and-fuzzy to seem true. Finally, the plot hinges upon magic, a millenia-old mission and even, it is hinted, an immortal sorcerer. I'm afraid that, probable medieval belief in such things notwithstanding, these plot elements detracted from my enjoyment of what is generally a well-constructed and page-turning tale.

[Alissa McCarthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number 5 in the series, an elderly pilgrim dies in Hawkenlye Vale. It is nothing suspicious, for he was gravely ill when he arrived. Meanwhile, Josse d’Acquin has a visit from Prince John, seeking news of a stranger, Galbertius Sidonius. Hurrying to Hawkenlye Abbey to enlist the help of Abbess Helewise, Josse finds she has a problem of her own—a decomposing body has been discovered, naked and killed by an expert hand. When Josse’s brother, Yves, arrives, the three are hurled into a mystery with roots that reach back further than the Second Crusade. An easy, but delightful, read.

[Ann Mcelligott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine medieval historical mystery series is set in the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine and her sons Richard and John. It is an unsettled time in English history, and Hawkenlye Abbey under the direction of Abbess Helewise and her friend Josse d'Aquin are caught in the politics of the time. A fine addition to the series.

[Patricia Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read! Another brilliant story!

This is another fabulous story intricately told that grips the reader who is transported back through the centuries to find themselves in the quiet confines of the Abbey. One follows through the daily pattern of work and worship until its peace is broken by exciting events!

[Abcdarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read 2009; reread 2015

[Ma'lis Wendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of the Hawkenlye mysteries--I'm really enjoying all of them.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very happy to see this series recover to the promise of the earlier books - great period detail, interesting characters, well developed plotting.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was kindly sent by Gundula. The story is a quest about the search for the stone Eye of Jerusalem avidly owned by Prince John.. Another page turner book by Alys Clare.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Best of this series so far! I recommend this, but start from the beginning!

[ricky]

Very enjoyable

Stories set not so far ahead of the Cadfael stories and equally enjoyable. You can almost feel you are there in the description.