The Red Velvet Turnshoe

Abbess of Meaux #2

by Cassandra Clark

Black February in the year 1383: rain started to fall before Martinmas, sweeping through France, Flanders and Tuscany, and barely ceased all year. Floods brought famine. Famine brought disease. The Black Death bestowed its grace on town after town. Bodies were piled in open pits.
The lime was spread. Paris shut its gates; Cologne and Florence followed suit. Into this watery world, against a background of plague and the political turmoil of the Hundred Years War, the nun Hildegard is sent across Europe in search of a precious relic, the Cross of Constantine.
Strong-willed and independent, she will need remarkable skills to survive such a dangerous quest. For with the English Crown at stake there are many who want her mission to fail - and one, above all, who plans a deadly revenge . . .

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Medieval, Fiction, Crime

279 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

I'm mad about the middle ages and love writing this series of medieval whodunits featuring nun sleuth Hildegard of Meaux. When I started with Hangman Blind I thought Hildegard would become an abbess but then she joined the Cistercians who only allowed women to be prioresses so she's had to put up with that. It surprises me that I'm writing historical novels at all, especially ones involving crime, as before this I wrote contemporary plays and romance. I'm doubtful about putting too much violence in the stories as there is already so much in the world and I don't like the idea of adding to it, even if only in the imagination, but then, it's part of that world too so it cannot be avoided. I would love to write a book shadowing every year of Richard II's reign with a different, multi-layered mystery for Hildegard to solve. She's about 32 now, with two children living in different households as was the custom then, so by the time poor Richard is murdered, she's going to be quite old. I wonder if she and Hubert will ever be together? Who knows? It's a question readers often ask me but we'll have to wait and see.

Reviews

[Allie Riley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Abandoned halfway through when I realised I didn't even care who the murderer was. Something about this fell flat for me. The prose was smooth enough, but the characters were wooden and I didn't find it engaging at all. A pity, as a I think this could have been good. I suspect the author fancied Hildegard a female Cadfael, but I don't think it's as successful.

[Patricia Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in one of my favorite new series and is equal to or better than the first. The year is 1383 and a plot is afoot to surpress the story of what really happened to the leaders after the Peasant's Revolt (or Wat Tyler's Rebellion). John of Gaunt, King Richard II's uncle and chancellor, is not depicted in a good light at all here, which is different than in other historical fiction of the period that I have read. Sister Hildegard is sent on a journey to Italy to purchase a reliquary cross, there is murder and mayhem during her journey and when she returns; an excellent read for historical mystery fans!

[T · Rating 1 out of 5]

I normally enjoy historical fiction, but our dear sister just wasn't real to me. She's described as beautiful, and every man she meets seems to fall for her. She's a nun, but has no problems with a young man telling her he's been abused by priests, she seems to just accept it making no comment at all. She tells us that the young man is homosexual, though we've seen noting to lead us in this direction of thought. There are too many instances when she is left alone with a man, something that I don't believe would have been allowed at that time, and in fact she travels with a man as her escort. These things made the story seem too modern for me since it is set in the 1300's.

[Beka · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think I'm going to read anymore from this series. The mysteries are good, and I like the main character. But I feel like she tries to be too cryptic and subtle with her wrap-ups. I got to the epilogue in this book without feeling like the mystery was solved. Maybe I should have paid closer attention to details, but I feel like she could also have explained things a little better.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good medieval mystery series.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it's because it's a series, but it didn't end with a resolution. Some bits were kind of a slog. It didn't really persuade me to read the rest of the series.

[Pamela Mclaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good mystery with strong characters in realistic situations and enough action throughout to keep you glued to this story set during the period when the boy-king Richard II is beset by enemies and usurpers.

Hildegard of Beaux is sent on a secret mission to bring back the legendary Cross of Constantine to York. She is escorted part of the way and joined by a minstrel who may or may not have murdered a clerk. Reaching the Alps, her escort killed by an assassin who was out to kill her, Hildegard finds herself alone with only her wits to guide her in her quest for the cross.

A very good read.

[Heidi Kneale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the historical detail, enjoyed the mystery elements, but I simply couldn't get into the characters. I couldn't grok their motivations and emotions. This might be because I haven't read the first book in the series, and I missed out on a whole lot of character development.

I really wanted to love this book and couldn't.

[Jacqueline Seewald · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I've read of this series. Clark is incredibly knowledgeable regarding the medieval period. I wouldn't hesitate to read another in the series.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading the Magna large print edition, which doesn't appear to be listed on here. My local library doesn't have this book in standard print size.

It's an interesting one, with plenty of political subplot. It's easy to forget that abbeys and monasteries, for all their claims to be detached from the world, could easily get caught up in some serious wrangling with the nobility and royalty of their time. In this case, the late 14th century was also a time when there were two men claiming the title of Pope, so there's that argument going on too, as to which they view as the legitimate, actual Pope.

Some of those subplots don't seem to be entirely resolved by the end of the book, so it will be interesting to see if those are carried on into the next one. I also liked that Hildegard gets to travel in this book - again, we tend to think of everyone staying in their village back then, but some people - especially religious - could get to some quite interesting places, either on business or on pilgrimages, and it was good to have an idea of how such things were arranged and handled.

I will hopefully find the third one on my next trip to the library.

[Cynthia Raleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My hankering to get back to Hildegard of Meaux was amply rewarded in The Red Velvet Turnshoe. Cassandra Clark pens exemplary descriptions that swept me to the England of 1383 with all its history, starkness, finery, and social structures. Hildegard's abilities to think on her feet are sternly tested during a long pilgrimage to Italy but her critical thinking skills are as agile as ever. Her patience, foresight, and diplomacy see her through another tenuous murder investigation. The opulence of Florence against the simple and, at times, austere lifestyle of Hildegard and her fellow nuns provided a brilliant contrast. As a reader who loves factual history woven into fiction, the historical events around which part of the story revolved richly added to the 14th century atmosphere. I'm certainly invested in many of the main characters, both ally and foe, and will doubtless soon continue to #3 in this series.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner adventure I think this was number 2 in the series. You really do need to read in order to understand the storylines which run through them all. You also need understanding of Wat Tyler and I am glad I read Now is the Time/Melvin Bragg to understand the peasants revolution more. Will aim to read the rest of the series in order now as I did not read these first 4 in any order as the first one I bought by chance was no 4.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My reaction was the same with this book as with its predecessor in the series: I like the characters and the feel of 14th century Europe, but all of the complicated political, religious and economic situations and maneuvers are hard to follow. The author obviously has more in mind for Sister Hildegard because the book does end rather abruptly leaving some plot threads hanging.

[Karen Pirelli Appelbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading these books about Hildegard. They are easy reading but also spur me to research the places and events referenced in the stories.

[pamela titterington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just fab

One of the best reads ever thanks very much, I cannot wait to carry on reading more,great history as well

[Dagmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun second book in this series! Good mystery, well-researched history and interesting characters!

I'm on to book 3!

[Dian Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a little different. No giving in spoilers but on to book Three. Depending on how that one proceeds will determine if I finish the series.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the Abbess of Meaux series, set in the late 1300's, Hildegard is summoned to go on a secret mission to Italy to obtain a holy relic, the Cross of Constantine, to help protect the king. She is sent under the guise of a pilgrimage, with only her two dogs and a tournament knight as protection. Before she leaves, she is shocked and dismayed by the actions and appearance of the Abbott, for whom she has feelings that cannot be realized due to their respective positions. She joins a baggage train with a secondary mission to secure a marriage with a dowry that is being leveraged by financing trade. On their arrival in Bruges, a gruesome discovery of the dead body of a missing scribe, puts the unfortunate man's companion, a young minstrel, Pierrekyn, in jeopardy. Hildegard feels compassion for this young boy and helps to smuggle him out with the help of her knight, to continue their pilgrimage across the Alps. When weather separates the knight and Hildegard from the rest of their party, they come under attack and Hildegard must flee for her life. It becomes clear to Hildegard that there is more to the story of the minstrel and the clerk than initially meets the eye and the key is the small red velvet turnshoe in e possession. In addition, she finds that she is being pursued by an old adversary. Hildegard finds herself in the midst of political intrigue that may cause great upheaval in England. She must find a way to complete her many missions and solve the mystery of the shoe while staying alive. The book is filled with the historical turmoil and intrigue of the period.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

I much preferred this second book in the Abbess of Meaux series. Set in the 1300's, a time when England is being devastated by a power struggle between its current King and those who would like to replace him and the church has been divided between 2 rival popes, it tells the take of Hildegarde, a nun, who is sent from her home in the North of England to retrieve a relic in Italy. She is accompanied at various times in her journey by a tournament Knight, a minstrel, merchants, a group of mercenaries and assorted other characters. The beauty of having a heroine from a religious order is that she can mix with both the high and low born of the Mediaeval world and this series gives a wonderful depiction of both the splendour and the hardships of this time. I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of political and religious history and the descriptions of life at that time both for those in religious orders and for both rich and poor in the greater community. Sitting and reading this book by a warm fire, with a glass of wine and some mediaeval music playing in the background was bliss!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clark sends her Sister Hildegarde on a mission to Florence in this second outing. Same quality of historical research as her debut novel, Hangman Blind as well as intricately woven plots and sub-plots. Hildegarde is accompanied by a chivalrous knight, a trio of mercenaries, and an minstrel accused of murder. She is also shadowed by an enemy bent on revenge. Meanwhile, the nations rage and our nun plays her (not very) small part. Some series require a breath between volumes, but not this one. On to the next: The Law of Angels.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

second in series of medieval mysteries. Protagonist is an independent women--which is to say a nun who is also a widow with some resources. Historical element is strong. Political complexity from the first one (feuding popes, feuding local authorities, general social unrest) continues and it is slowly becoming more comprehensible. Suggests to me that reading in order is important. Mystery is fine but isn't really what drives it. New settings introduced (pilgrimage to the holy land) that I found very effective. On to the next.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to circle back to read this since I read the book that comes after it. I have not read any of the books in this series in proper order, but then...that's me. I tend to select cleanest books off shelf at library. This one had important things I needed to know to fit the puzzle together. Still, though, the very first book I read and reviewed remains true in that I find the "perilous" adventures the heroine nun throws herself into are outlandish. Still enjoyable reading if one is in the mood to suspend belief.

[Val Sanford · Rating 3 out of 5]

So it's true I read these books out of order, starting with the 3rd in the series, and then backing up and fitting in 1 and 2. I had a lot of problems with this book. The premise is super fun and the adventure across the Alps was interesting, but the bizarre interactions between Hildegard and the Abbot of Meaux was just not clear. Difficult to follow and a little head-shaking. If you can get over that, it's a fun read.

I loved book 1 and 3 so ...

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second in the series, actually found it to be a faster read than the first. However, at times the author leaves things too vague, and I just wish she'd get to the point or be a little more direct. I'll still continue on to the next, and either assume I'm not going to figure it all out [I actually felt like a whole chapter was missing towards the end which would have resolved plotlines better], or I hope that she's not as vague in the third book.

[Kathy]

History is my thing. The further back it is the more it grabs my attention. The book takes place in the 14th century. A time when having the wrong thought can be the end of your days. The Black Plague is ending its deadly reign through Europe, as a Nun tries to figure out the murder of a manor scribe. The down fall is that the book is 2nd in a series. Intrigued.....I'm going to order the 1st one from the Lib and then carry on with the series.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavens, a book about the anonimalle chronicle! I wrote a paper about the Peasants' Revolt for which that chronicle was the primary source. Would have appreciated an author's note to tell us whether there really was a base document, whether that is proved or conjecture, or whether the author made it up.

[BookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Abbess of Meaux tales are really are amazing. The mysteries are complicated and tied to historic occurrences of the day. The historical detail is intense. these are not lightweight cozies but rich historical fiction in the vein of CJ Sanson and Ariana Franklin. I can't wait to start the next one.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second installment in a trilogy featuring a nun named Hildegard. This book takes Hildegard on a perilous journey to Italy. Her prioress sends Hildegard on a secret mission that puts Hildegard in the path of a murderer.

Very enjoyable read! I loved the details of the journey across Europe and was intrigued by what happens when Hildegard returns at the Abbey of Meaux.

[Ann Boytim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intense reading story with twists and turns and not sure how it really ended. It was interesting to see how long it took for people to travel across Europe in the middle ages, intense conditions and slow going A nun is sent on a mission to retrieve a holy cross and there is murders along the way. Someone is falsely accused and she defends this young man and saves him from execution.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a complex murder mystery/story of political intrigue set in the aftermath of Wat Tyler's Rebellion. I still haven't figured out the allegiances of all the recurring characters in the series... The lead characters are appealing and I look forward to the next book in the series.