The Sinner's Tale

by Will Davenport

This is the US edition of The Perfect Sinner , published under the pseudonym 'Will Davenport.' From the acclaimed author of The Painter comes a mesmerizing novel of war, redemption, and love, as the timeless legacy of a medieval knight reaches across the centuries to help an embattled young woman discover that she can go home again....

THE SINNER'S TALE   Raised in a remote English village, Beth Battock is now a beautiful and ambitious rising star in British politics and a champion of America's call to arms. But when a tawdry scandal threatens to destroy her career, Beth is forced to return to the one place no one will find Slapton, the provincial hometown she's kept secret-and to the relatives she's claimed are dead. There, sheltered by a constancy that both comforts and repels her, she discovers the enchanting tale of Sir Guy de Bryan. More than six hundred years later, his sweeping epic of the havoc wrought by war becomes a story for the present day. His love for a woman becomes the story of love itself. And as Beth becomes absorbed by his passions, his pain-and the mystery behind his fervent last wish-the shadows of the past begin shifting around her. From them will emerge the key to her restless spirit, the astounding truth of her own ancestry-and the powerful message a repentant knight once left behind that will challenge her deepest views.

Drawing from tantalizing historical fact, and echoing our most enduring classic tales of adventure and romance, this richly textured novel brilliantly blends history with current events, and offers unforgettable insights into the complexities of the human condition. The central character of James's popular novel Ferney makes a cameo appearance - and that same incident involving Sir Guy de Bryan plays an important part in James's Ferney sequel, The Lives She Left Behind  published by Quercus. James Long is the author of many books,  historical fiction, non-fiction and thrillers. You can read more about James's books on his website, jameslongbooks.com

Genres: Historical Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2005

About the author

Pseudonym used by James Long
(James William Davenport Long)

Reviews

[Kathryn]

I seem to remember reading this novel many years ago and would like to give it another go, as the main medieval character is Sir Guy Brian (or Bryan or Brien), who married Elizabeth Montacute (d. 1359), widow of Giles Badlesmere (d. 1338) and, far more importantly to me, Hugh Despenser the Even Younger (d. 1349). Hugh is one of those people I feel both immensely affectionate and immensely protective towards.

[Madelyne]

I love books that weave the past with the present. This novel is no different. The author did a great job of slowly drawing me in by starting in the 1300s with a knight. I was eager to know more about this righteous knight who thought himself so lowly and sinful. The book also made me more curious about Catholics and their beliefs. It had just enough mystery to it, to keep me picking it back up. I also want to know more about the time period now. Davenport cleverly had Chaucer as one of the characters and I kept thinking throughout the book that it was him. I was happy with the modern day setting, but didn't enjoy it as much as the past. Beth (modern day main character) was kind of annoying and mean. I kept wanting to take her by the shoulders and give her a good shake. The author does give a little background history from World War 2 as well. The ending message about war is particularly good. I'd recommend this book to people who like historical fiction, mystery, twists, and the movie A Knight's Tale!

[Gordon]

An interesting read. Good interplay between the medieval story line and the present day story line. The conclusion, unfortunately, while tying things together, seemed somewhat weak to me. I would consider another book by this author.