In the Shadow of the Enemy

Christine de Pizan Mystery #2

by Tania Bayard

Scribe sleuth Christine de Pizan must discover who wants to kill the king in the second installment of this richly imagined historical mystery series set in 14th Century France. Paris , 1393. A masquerade ball at the palace ends in tragedy, with four revelers burned to death. Was it an accident...or did someone deliberately hurl a flaming torch at the dancers? Convinced it was an act of murder and that the king himself was the real target, Queen Isabeau has asked Christine de Pizan to spend time at court to uncover the identity of the would-be assassin. With the king struck down by an illness no one can understand, Christine finds the palace to be a hotbed of rumor, suspicion, petty rivalries, and dark a place where no one can be trusted. Could the king’s ambitious brother, the Duke of Orleans, be responsible for the deaths? One of his embittered uncles? Or could the killer lie even closer to home…

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Medieval, Historical Mystery, France

224 pages, Paperback

Published November 5, 2019

Reviews

[JaNel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really want to love these books. The idea is so clever. The main events are historical and many of the details are accurate as well. Adding a fictionalized mystery and making Christine de Pizan the amateur sleuth is pure genius. But, the writing in this one is even choppier than the first book, and the characters are less interesting, especially Christine’s who is way too easily provoked by Henri and spends hardly any time working at her real job or with her children. She does spend a lot of time worrying about not working and feeling guilty for not spending time with her children though, which is just a waste of time and makes her annoying. Too many characters, “helping” with the mysteries, further muddy the storyline and dilute Christine’s individual impact. Yet, here I am, already looking forward to the next one.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christine De Pizan was a real person and she really was patronized by Queen Isabeau. If you, like me, are shaky on France in the 14th century, you might find yourself periodically checking wikipedia while reading this interesting mystery set in the French court. There was a lot of intrigue- and Christine is asked by the Queen to untangle some of it. She was a braver woman than I. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. An interesting character and a well done plot make this a must for fans of mysteries set in this time frame (or fans of historical mysteries all together!)

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
" I love it when real women from history are the stars in fiction in interesting new ways. "

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical mysteries are my favorite sub genre but most of the ones I have enjoyed have been set in England and America. To find a new - to me- series set in France got my attention. It was reading time very well spent. I realized that it was the second in the series but I had no problem reading it out of order. Because I have a large gap in my knowledge of the French courts of this period, I did stop to look up details of the life of Christine de Pizan. She was quite a woman with connections both within the court of King Charles VI and from the days when her father, Tommaso di Benvenuto da Pizzano - a Venitian physician and astrologer - moved his family from Italy to France. He joined the court of King Charles V but, upon the kings death, he fell out of favor and died a few years later. When this mystery starts, Christine, now a widow, is earning money as a scribe to the court, supporting her family. Her father encouraged her love of literature and she had access to a vast court library. After her husbands death she starts writing poetry and becomes a strong feminist.
With her knowledge and connections to the court, she is approached by Queen Isabeau to investigate the tragic deaths by fire during a wedding celebration - was the torch dropped by accident or was it an attempt to kill the King? Complete with back room scheming for power within the court and the sights, sounds and smells of daily life in 1393 France, 29 year old Christine has a dangerous task to undertake. As history tells us, she is up to the challenge. As I somehow missed reading the previous entry to this series, I can't wait to find a copy of it so I can learn more about this fascinating woman.
My thanks to the publisher Severn House and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hopeful about a new series of medieval mysteries, especially one set in France. Somehow I began this book before having read the first one, so with all the many references back to the first book, including who the murderer was, it seems pointless to go back and read it. That is not the author's fault, but if the book were really exciting I would go back and read the first book.

To me, the book was slow-moving and not very exciting, but rather ordinary, with a lot of time spent on mundane things like what her kids were doing, what went on in her kitchen, etc. I began to wonder if this were a book for young readers (no), or if it were written by a very young author (no). It seemed very childish, with the same actions by the characters repeated continuously, as if every adult, males included, spent a lot of time weeping, stamping their feet, or putting their arms around one another for comfort.

The relationships among the family members seemed very shallow and they were not very likeable characters. I had no idea how old the kids were, but they and the main character's mother all lived together, along with a cook/maid and various other people. Not one seemed likeable.

The mystery was hardly a mystery at all, and the guilty culprit was not a big surprise. Maybe I am being picky, but after reading really well-written medieval mysteries by other authors, I guess I am spoiled. Hopefully this author will mature as she continues to write and one day I may give her books another read.

[Anne Szlachcic · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great to find an historical mystery set in another country - France , giving a different perspective
on the politics , life and times in 1393 .
This is not the first book in the series but in my view can be read as a standalone .

Four French courtiers are set alight with a torch ......... the main suspect is the King's brother .
Scribe Christine de Pizan , who through her father has close ties to the Court , is commissioned
by Queen Isabeau to find out who is responsible for the atrocity.
Just who is responsible ? Is it just Court intrigue ? ' or, is there a link to a previous massacre
of villagers ?
Can Christine navigate the potential pitfalls whilst keeping herself safe , all he while satisfying
the Queen ?

This is an entertaining book showing another view of the sights and sounds of this troubling era '
which I have thoroughly enjoyed .

I was given an arc of the book by NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Melisende · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Christine de Pizan mysteries.

For those unfamiliar with the period, Christine de Pizan was a court writer during the reign of Charles VI. She was indeed patronised by both the Queen, Isabeau of Bavaria, and the king's brother, Louis, Duke of Orleans. Her books of advice to princesses, princes and knights remained in print until the 16th century. And this second outing is littered with references to this.

This story follows directly on from the first - in facts, for the characters, the events are imprinted on their memories so much so this forms one of the plots - the other being the search for a missing husband. As always, the secret lies buried in the past, and Christine must use what skills she possesses as well as relying on others, to solve both mysteries.

An enjoyable read - and love the fact that this series is set at the French Court rather than the English. Another historical mystery solved with a new twist added ... can't wait for the next in the series.

Full review @ Melisende's Library

[Nance Roepke · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5. It is nice to have a mystery set in France instead of England or Ireland. The depiction of the Court and the town seemed realistic and well done. As I've said before about the first book, I wish that the Title Character hadn't been based on a real life person. That person seems much more interesting than the fictionalized character nor are the facts of their lives not the same. After reading two books in the series I am uncertain if I will read another.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Severn House allowed me a review copy in exchange for honest review.

This 2nd addition to the series reads more confidently and fluently than the 1st. The since of being in Charles XI court and all the dirtiness of the times comes through clearly. Loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter from the real Christine de Pizan. Hope to read more in the future.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The author creates an interesting mystery based on actual historical events, with Christine de Pizan as her "detective" character. The story moves quickly, and is a fascinating view of the time period; however, some chapters, not from Christine's viewpoint, that are more explanatory seem rather bland.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love books about Paris. Nice historical fiction.

[Ralynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, I just felt like you started in the middle of a story then it ended.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Heather Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good historical mystery and can be read as a standalone even though it is the second in this series. Well written and great characters.