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Hawkenlye Mysteries #7
Whiter Than the Lily
The young, beautiful Galena and her husband, the much older Ambrose are trying for a child but to no avail. When Josse d'Acquin tells her of the healing waters of Hawkenlye, she is overjoyed and sets off with her escort. But she arrives alone, and a few days after her husband joins her she dies in agony on the infirmary floor. On examination it appears she was poisoned and that she was pregnant after all. Josse and Helewise are determined to solve the riddle of her death—even if it leads them into danger as well.
359 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
Alys Clare
54 books241 followersAlys 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 7, 2018
4.5 stars Again a good story which I enjoyed very much. There was mory fantasy than history in it and I'm not very keen on fantasy in general, but in this case I gladly make an exception.
November 11, 2023
A good story but I didn’t like the way the pagan characters were portrayed.
Read
December 9, 2013I am seriously concerned about the star rating system because of the misuse it is open to with some readers.
A 'One star because I hate it!' is not good reviewing but at least it is a personal opinion.
a 'One star because the writer is a louse.' is not only poor reviewing it has nothing to do with the book.
I've held off reviewing this year because of this problem. As a writer I know how a low star review can actually stop sales. And I've seen how some readers seem aware of this and use reviews as a power weapon.
So I am not adding stars until we can have a two teir system where one can rate a book personally as I like or did not like the book becausse... and also rate a book from the writing point of view.
Alys Clare writes a good Mediaeval hist-myst. She doesn't often slip in her research and she can plot a nice twisty story to keep you guessing to the end.
Here we have Josse d'Acquin finding himself involved in the puzzle of a neighbour which turns out to be deeply mysterious. Once again he becomes a partner in investigation with Abbess Hilda.
Readers of hist mysts will enjoy this story esspecially if they like spooky elements.
A 'One star because I hate it!' is not good reviewing but at least it is a personal opinion.
a 'One star because the writer is a louse.' is not only poor reviewing it has nothing to do with the book.
I've held off reviewing this year because of this problem. As a writer I know how a low star review can actually stop sales. And I've seen how some readers seem aware of this and use reviews as a power weapon.
So I am not adding stars until we can have a two teir system where one can rate a book personally as I like or did not like the book becausse... and also rate a book from the writing point of view.
Alys Clare writes a good Mediaeval hist-myst. She doesn't often slip in her research and she can plot a nice twisty story to keep you guessing to the end.
Here we have Josse d'Acquin finding himself involved in the puzzle of a neighbour which turns out to be deeply mysterious. Once again he becomes a partner in investigation with Abbess Hilda.
Readers of hist mysts will enjoy this story esspecially if they like spooky elements.
August 26, 2016
Number 7 in the series. The young, beautiful Galena and her husband, the much older Ambrose are trying for a child but to no avail. When Josse d'Acquin tells her of the healing waters of Hawkenlye, she is overjoyed and sets off with her escort. But she arrives alone, and a few days after her husband joins her she dies in agony on the infirmary floor. Of course, not everything is as it seems. This series is not quite up to Brother Cadfael standards, but is thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.
April 5, 2013
A strong addition to the Hawkenlye series. Love Abbess Helewise.
August 19, 2024
This outing for Sir Josse and Sister Helewise has quite the twist in the tail at the end and is well worth reading for that.
Again we have the clash between the older religious and the new( well relatively new). though I felt that the author was a little harsh towards the older ways in this book than she has been.
Some of Sir Josse's reactions and behaviours were a bit "off" in this one.
I am enjoying this series which I started many years ago and aim to read the 17 books in it.
Again we have the clash between the older religious and the new( well relatively new). though I felt that the author was a little harsh towards the older ways in this book than she has been.
Some of Sir Josse's reactions and behaviours were a bit "off" in this one.
I am enjoying this series which I started many years ago and aim to read the 17 books in it.
March 23, 2019
The mysteries are getting better with each addition to this series. This one had me completely fooled. Be prepared for a ending with a twist. More and more paranormal experiences are being added to these stories. However, I do think spiritual experiences and practices were more open during medieval times as compared with current times. Still recommending.
September 5, 2023
Beautiful young Galena wants for nothing more than to have a child with her older husband Ambrose. Josse recommends the Abbey. But things do not go as planned and Josse and Helewise try to solve the mystery.
April 21, 2018
Enjoy this series because of the historical aspect as well as the characters. Look forwward to the next one.
September 7, 2018
Having started the series you kind of have to be in it for the long run with Josse and Hellewise. The plots seem to be (thankfully) getting a bit less convoluted. Familiar and comfortable read.
November 17, 2020
Great story with some surprising plot twists.
February 16, 2026
I have no other words
I know I keep saying the same thing,but I absolutely love this series. I can find no fault with these stories.
I know I keep saying the same thing,but I absolutely love this series. I can find no fault with these stories.
July 7, 2010
First Sentence: The walled garden lay as if stunned under the hot May sunshine.
Josse d’Acquin is taken to the Isle of Oxney where he meets an older man and his young wife who despair of having a child. When asked, Josse supports their idea of the wife traveling to The Abbey of Hawkenlye where Josse’s friend, Abbess Helewise, and her nuns might help the young wife. Once there, the woman keep refuses examination and keeps herself sequestered. The husband arrives later, much addled and unwell. But for Josse, who comes to the Abbey, something doesn’t add up, particularly when the woman dies and is found to have been pregnant.
Vivid descriptions are a hallmark of Ms. Clare’s writing whether it is of the area in spring, thunderstorms, or of dreams. That, along with a lovely, gentle humor to the author’s voice and a touch of the paranormal to the story, although much less than in some of the previous books, are some of the reasons why I so enjoyed this book.
English history is an interest of mine. Ms. Clare goes beyond providing interesting information and facts. She views those facts in terms of their impact on the lives of the people such as the strain on people to raise money for King Richard’s ransom… “Although Helewise understood why such an expensive campaign had been necessary, a port of her could not help wondering whether knights, lords and kings with the passion and the thrill of holy war filling their heads ought to pause just for a moment to wonder if it was all worth it.”
As always, I read for interesting, realistic characters. I love that, in spite of being Abbess, Helowise had a full life prior to becoming Abbess. I appreciate Josse’s uncertainties and frustration at the realization of how little he knows and how few facts he has in trying to learn what happened. However, it’s the relationship between Helewise and Jose; one of friendship, respect and support but with the affection always contained, that is the central focus of the stories.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am pleased I’ve many more books ahead of me. I do recommend the series and suggest reading it in order.
WHITER THAN THE LILY (Hist. Mys-Josse d’Acquin/Abbess Helewise-England-1190s) – G+
Clare, Alys – 7th in series
Hodder & Stoughton, ©2004, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0340831111
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Josse d’Acquin is taken to the Isle of Oxney where he meets an older man and his young wife who despair of having a child. When asked, Josse supports their idea of the wife traveling to The Abbey of Hawkenlye where Josse’s friend, Abbess Helewise, and her nuns might help the young wife. Once there, the woman keep refuses examination and keeps herself sequestered. The husband arrives later, much addled and unwell. But for Josse, who comes to the Abbey, something doesn’t add up, particularly when the woman dies and is found to have been pregnant.
Vivid descriptions are a hallmark of Ms. Clare’s writing whether it is of the area in spring, thunderstorms, or of dreams. That, along with a lovely, gentle humor to the author’s voice and a touch of the paranormal to the story, although much less than in some of the previous books, are some of the reasons why I so enjoyed this book.
English history is an interest of mine. Ms. Clare goes beyond providing interesting information and facts. She views those facts in terms of their impact on the lives of the people such as the strain on people to raise money for King Richard’s ransom… “Although Helewise understood why such an expensive campaign had been necessary, a port of her could not help wondering whether knights, lords and kings with the passion and the thrill of holy war filling their heads ought to pause just for a moment to wonder if it was all worth it.”
As always, I read for interesting, realistic characters. I love that, in spite of being Abbess, Helowise had a full life prior to becoming Abbess. I appreciate Josse’s uncertainties and frustration at the realization of how little he knows and how few facts he has in trying to learn what happened. However, it’s the relationship between Helewise and Jose; one of friendship, respect and support but with the affection always contained, that is the central focus of the stories.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am pleased I’ve many more books ahead of me. I do recommend the series and suggest reading it in order.
WHITER THAN THE LILY (Hist. Mys-Josse d’Acquin/Abbess Helewise-England-1190s) – G+
Clare, Alys – 7th in series
Hodder & Stoughton, ©2004, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0340831111
[image error]
November 6, 2017
Josse’s neighbor Brice of Rotherbridge invites him to dinner and after they eat, Brice indicates there is someone he’d like Joss to meet – Ambrose Ryemarsh. It seems that Ambrose’s wife has been unable to conceive and, with Josse’s connection to Hawkenlye, asks if he feels the nuns could help. It is agreed that they could help Galiena and she arrives at the Abbey a few days later. When she dies a few days later, Josse undertakes to tell the family and what he learns there takes him on a journey to a remote settlement of people who do not like outsiders. Can Josse deliver his message?
Not as enjoyable, in my opinion, as others in the series, yet I can't really pinpoint why I feel that way. Perhaps it was that having read that Josse was uncomfortable with the stories about the Deadfall / Saltwych community, I took that on as I read through that extended section. Characters from earlier books are included and I wished I could remember the context from before. But it's a good series and I intend to go on.
Not as enjoyable, in my opinion, as others in the series, yet I can't really pinpoint why I feel that way. Perhaps it was that having read that Josse was uncomfortable with the stories about the Deadfall / Saltwych community, I took that on as I read through that extended section. Characters from earlier books are included and I wished I could remember the context from before. But it's a good series and I intend to go on.
August 16, 2012
As I work my way through the Hawkenlye series of medieval mysteries, I am enjoying the character development of the lead characters and the new ones being drawn into the stories. While the center of the action is Hawkenlye Abbey, a double monastery under the leadership of Abbess Helewise, Josse d'Aquin is drawn into wild areas of England where a group of people are clinging to the old religion before Christianity.
May 23, 2010
Another complex mystery in the Hawkenlye series. Alys Clare's plots are always fascinating with lots of medieval details.
April 1, 2011
This book was kindly sent by Gundula. What to say about the plot? Unbelievable well written, a real page tuner book, should be not missed.
August 2, 2011
c2004. Damn- another review lost because of the app. Life is too short to do it again but memo toself - enjoyable read but not too much depth. Will be looking for next one.
January 15, 2012
As always, terrific! Held my attention, couldn't put it down!
Read
April 11, 2013Continuing to enjoy this series of mysteries set in 12th century England
March 3, 2014
My favorite Hawkenlye book that I've read to date.
Read
January 18, 2019Very good
Another good story set around Hawkenlye Abbey. If you are a fan of medieval mysteries, then you will enjoy this book.
Another good story set around Hawkenlye Abbey. If you are a fan of medieval mysteries, then you will enjoy this book.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews