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Hawkenlye Mysteries #3
The Tavern in the Morning
A man from London has taken over the tavern on the main London to Hastings highway to the south of Tonbridge. He is not what he appears, and his arrival ushers in a sequence of apparently unrelated but disturbing events, whose escalating violence culminates in murder.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
24 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Alys Clare
46 books222 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 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 11, 2018
More romance in this book than I liked, and foolish decisions by Josse d'Acquin which weren't in character so two stars less, but I still thoroughly enjoy the style of writing and how I'm drawn into each story.
January 28, 2018
I've been reading a lot of mystery series in the last few years; my criteria for choosing one to try include a) woman protagonist; b) woman writer; and c) interesting setting. I've read plenty of male writers but I just find that a woman's voice is a better fit for the one in my own head as I'm reading. So, the Abbess Helewise (and she IS hella wise!) of 12th century Hawkenlye Abbey pretty much ticks all my boxes.
As for this particular book, it actually features Helewise's partner-in-crime-solving, Sir Josse d'Acquin, more than the Abbess, but he's a likeable fellow, too. It builds quite a lot on the previous two books in the series (I always read them in order if at all possible) and is less of a Crime Mystery than almost a Romance, but I'm really more interested in characters than complex plots so I enjoyed it.
It's fun to read these medieval mysteries peppered amongst modern ones -- sometimes you want them to just be able to do a DNA test on that blood! -- but it makes them have to solve more by reasoning than science and that can be very thought-provoking. So, all in all I'd recommend this book, and this whole series, for folks who choose based on criteria overlapping with mine.
As for this particular book, it actually features Helewise's partner-in-crime-solving, Sir Josse d'Acquin, more than the Abbess, but he's a likeable fellow, too. It builds quite a lot on the previous two books in the series (I always read them in order if at all possible) and is less of a Crime Mystery than almost a Romance, but I'm really more interested in characters than complex plots so I enjoyed it.
It's fun to read these medieval mysteries peppered amongst modern ones -- sometimes you want them to just be able to do a DNA test on that blood! -- but it makes them have to solve more by reasoning than science and that can be very thought-provoking. So, all in all I'd recommend this book, and this whole series, for folks who choose based on criteria overlapping with mine.
June 18, 2016
Enjoyable light mystery of the Abbess Helowise and Sir Josse duo sleuthing team. A man in Goody Anne's tavern is poisoned--turns out he was not the intended victim--then later an old wise woman/healer is found drowned. Will a woman and her son who Sir Josse meets in the course of his investigation change his life? Very fast reading. I am becoming fond of these characters. To me this series is one of the best medieval mystery series around.
September 28, 2018
Terzo capitolo della serie dedicata ai Misteri di Hawkenlye Abbey. Questa volta la storia è più concentrata sulla figura di Josse e la badessa Helewise fa solo qualche breve comparsata, assieme a tutte le varie consorelle e ai frati che, ormai, sono diventati parte integrante delle vicende. Si è ormai raggiunto quel livello di familiarità che ti fa godere di ogni piccolo dettaglio, grazie alla conoscenza del carattere e del passato (mai ricordato nel dettaglio ma solo accennato) di chi viene citato. Questa volta il tema portante è il solito intrigo politico e, per la prima volta, nella famiglia dei Plantageneti fa la sua comparsa il povero Principe Giovanni. La parte storica è descritta come sempre con semplicità, ma con correttezza, raccontando fatti che non sempre - vista la popolarità di Riccardo su tutti - vengono ricordati in altre opere che trattano dello stesso periodo.
November 28, 2017
I think there is actually a blurb on the dust jacket that says: in the same vein as Brother Cadfael. Well, no not even close. I kinda felt like there wasn't even a mystery. The main characters decide it must be this guy and then all the clues add up to to being that guy. So good historical accuracy. Weak on mystery. AND Ellis Peters would never have raunchy sex scenes in her books.
May 5, 2022
Good story I hope the author continues with the new character in the next book.
February 16, 2017
Poison with your pie, my dearie?
A sad and winding take that starts with a poisoned pie in Goody Anne's tavern. Now, having had the tavern for many years and serving hundreds,, maybe thousands of people and none dying of poisoned food, of course Goody Anne is quite upset. Sir Josse sets his mind to clear Anne and ensure her tavern continues serving Tonbridge and patrons passing through.
During his investigation, Sir Joss discovers the victim wasn't the intended victim, just an accidental one. The intended victim turns out to be someone who is not quite nice, searching for someone who is and causes a lot of problems and pain for Sir Joss, Abbess Helewise and many other people.
A very good book, with a few eye-raising and brow-furling surprises. This book made me angry, sad, and happy. I wept, I laughed, and I sighed. There was one part that made me so mad, I wanted to throw the book at someone, but then I wouldn't get to finish it. No, I won't spoil it for anyone, you'll have to read it for yourself. But if it doesn't make you angry, too, then please let me know what does.
A sad and winding take that starts with a poisoned pie in Goody Anne's tavern. Now, having had the tavern for many years and serving hundreds,, maybe thousands of people and none dying of poisoned food, of course Goody Anne is quite upset. Sir Josse sets his mind to clear Anne and ensure her tavern continues serving Tonbridge and patrons passing through.
During his investigation, Sir Joss discovers the victim wasn't the intended victim, just an accidental one. The intended victim turns out to be someone who is not quite nice, searching for someone who is and causes a lot of problems and pain for Sir Joss, Abbess Helewise and many other people.
A very good book, with a few eye-raising and brow-furling surprises. This book made me angry, sad, and happy. I wept, I laughed, and I sighed. There was one part that made me so mad, I wanted to throw the book at someone, but then I wouldn't get to finish it. No, I won't spoil it for anyone, you'll have to read it for yourself. But if it doesn't make you angry, too, then please let me know what does.
May 22, 2016
More of a romance than a mystery, honestly. I enjoyed it because I'd read the first two books and was invested in the characters, but it definitely wouldn't work as an introduction to the series. Mostly focuses on Josse, with Helewise in the background, as he deals with a couple incidental deaths and a sudden love interest.
I didn't mind it as a change of pace, but hopefully it's a one-off and we return to more involved mysteries in the next book. :)
I didn't mind it as a change of pace, but hopefully it's a one-off and we return to more involved mysteries in the next book. :)
August 19, 2009
Picked this up because of the cover art- I like ravens/crows! Unfortunately this was rather forgettable as far a medieval mysteries go. This is #3 so maybe you need to start at the beginning to really get into the characters. Writing was OK .
February 22, 2019
This is a good mystery and I really like the characters. I see that the 'Publishers Weekly' said "A worthy successor to Ellis Peters/Brother Cadfael. I agree. I especially like that the story is all about the mystery. At the first of the story there is a brief tie-in to the last story. There is very little filler. When there is filler, it subtle so you aren't taken away from the story to learn about the scenery/how to play a game/how to plant a garden. The main background that is covered is the history of the immediate past (King Henry) and the present history that is developing (his son Richard the Lionheart and the Crusades). Recommend
August 25, 2019
Tercera entrega de Los Misterios de la Abadía, donde nuestra pareja protagonista tendrán que desvelar un nuevo misterio, en un momento en que los tejemanejes por la sucesión al trono de Inglaterra se encuentran a la orden del día, ya que Ricardo I sigue en las cruzadas y sin descendencia.
Además de todos los personajes secundarios que rodean a nuestros protagonistas, el bosque en sí se convierte en una parte importante de las historias donde, aparte de ser el escondite de furtivos, también acoge a personas que no comulgan con las enseñanzas y normas de la sociedad.
Una nueva y entretenida aventura en la Inglaterra medieval.
Además de todos los personajes secundarios que rodean a nuestros protagonistas, el bosque en sí se convierte en una parte importante de las historias donde, aparte de ser el escondite de furtivos, también acoge a personas que no comulgan con las enseñanzas y normas de la sociedad.
Una nueva y entretenida aventura en la Inglaterra medieval.
December 6, 2021
I love the characters of Josse and Helewise and this book had some nice writing with strong dramatic moments. I also thought that Joanna was a complex and interesting character but the villain's plans didn't seem terribly realistic to me. This book also marked the point in the series where fantasy element entered the story telling. While I enjoy reading historical fantasy from time to time, this element never really gelled for me with the lives and mystery solving adventures of the main protagonists, Helewise and Josse, and was often a distraction from their story. A nice re-read and catch up with old fictional friends but maybe not the best in the series for me.
June 18, 2019
Emotionally complex compared to most mysteries. Much of the book is about the relationships between the characters, and what might have been, but (sadly) will not be. The knight will finally find his love, the wronged woman will find happiness... Or not. This is more straight novel than mystery. There is a death or two, but most of the book is about the circumstances that lead to the deaths. The supernatural element dominant in the previous novel (Ashes) is much less present here (good!) The novel assumes you are already familiar with the central characters and their history.
April 9, 2019
When a character in the 12th Century claims that he is not a sadist, some 600 years before the notorious Marquis, I have a dilemma. Do I forgive the anachronism and continue with a series I otherwise find well-written and enjoy for the mystery-solving? I’ll try one more and hope there’s more mystery than romance and better editing.
July 28, 2024
Enjoyable plotline, as we are given different perspective of the main characters Sir Josse D'Acquin and Abbess Helewise.
It is mainly Josse who is involved in the action as Helewise is ill through much of the story.
Love the peek at other characters who are appearing as regulars in this series.
It is mainly Josse who is involved in the action as Helewise is ill through much of the story.
Love the peek at other characters who are appearing as regulars in this series.
December 11, 2017
There are other historical series much better than this one but it is grammatically well written so I have now read the first three. I won't be getting any more though. The writer left several loose ends and this spoilt it for me.
November 12, 2018
Puzzled about the synopsis given here for this book which bears little relation to what I've just read, although the early action does take place in the Tavern. Is this the synopsis from a later volume?
August 14, 2022
A man lies dying in Goody Anne’s inn. He has eaten poisoned food. But was it meant for him? Jose d’Acquin decides to investigate and discovers that a charming nobleman was at the inn at the same time. Jose discusses the case with Abbess Helewise and together they discover a terrible web of lies.
July 9, 2017
2.5 stars
October 22, 2017
I really like the descriptions in this book. The characters are coming more alive. Looking forward to the next one.
January 29, 2020
This is my favorite in the series thus far!!
March 11, 2020
Engaging story. The plot twist didn't go in the direction I expected.
July 28, 2022
Very enjoyable, interesting book.
December 3, 2022
3.85
Buena lectura, ligera y refrescante.
Buena lectura, ligera y refrescante.
October 14, 2025
This is the first time I've read anything by this author and it was an enjoyable read with a realistic ending. I will definitely look for more of this author's work.
May 7, 2013
A poisoning gone awry reunites Sir Josse d'Acquin and Abbess Helewise to follow a trail of blood that leads through the ancient Wealden Forest to the throne of England itself.
A dreary February market day closes upon the tavern run by Goody Anne, a place famed for its cordial ambience and wholesome food. But the ambience turns as frigid as the weather when a farmer is found dead in his own vomit, and all indications point to a slice of meat pie made by the tavernkeeper herself.
Josse, friend and frequent customer of Mistress Anne's, hates to think of either her or her fine cooking falling under suspicion of the deed. When Josse discovers wolf's bane in the remnants of the pie, he knows that someone must have slipped it in. Then Josse learns that a charming, handsome nobleman also ordered a slice of that very same pie. Josse becomes convinced that someone intended to poison the upper-class visitor, not the poor stranger who died alone in Anne's guest chamber.
After failing to persuade the wood-witted sheriff of the death's suspicious nature, Josse turns to his old friend and ally, the formidable Abbess Helewise. Though illness prevents her from participating in the necessary "field work," she provides the thread of common sense Josse needs to unravel this mystery. But the "damsel in distress" that Josse finds at the mystery's core promises to change his life forever.
With The Tavern in the Morning, Clare delivers an engaging story that bridges the reader's gap from possessing a purely intellectual interest in discovering "whodunit" to caring about the fates of the main characters themselves. Excellent background research and vivid (yet not overwhelming) descriptions immerse the reader in late 12th-century England. I also awarded a bonus to Clare for avoiding any anachronisms that might propel her readers out of the story.
I deducted a half-point for the one plot element didn't quite ring true in this otherwise intelligently plotted story. To avoid divulging any spoilers, I will only identify this element as the event in the damsel's backstory that got her into distress in the first place -- an event which occurred several years prior to the opening of The Tavern in the Morning.
I also didn't agree with the story's ending -- but, then, this is Clare's series, not mine. I leave the reader to decide, for The Tavern in the Morning definitely deserves a visit. Just make sure someone else samples the pie first.
(Reprinted from Crescent Blues e-zine. Used with permission.)
A dreary February market day closes upon the tavern run by Goody Anne, a place famed for its cordial ambience and wholesome food. But the ambience turns as frigid as the weather when a farmer is found dead in his own vomit, and all indications point to a slice of meat pie made by the tavernkeeper herself.
Josse, friend and frequent customer of Mistress Anne's, hates to think of either her or her fine cooking falling under suspicion of the deed. When Josse discovers wolf's bane in the remnants of the pie, he knows that someone must have slipped it in. Then Josse learns that a charming, handsome nobleman also ordered a slice of that very same pie. Josse becomes convinced that someone intended to poison the upper-class visitor, not the poor stranger who died alone in Anne's guest chamber.
After failing to persuade the wood-witted sheriff of the death's suspicious nature, Josse turns to his old friend and ally, the formidable Abbess Helewise. Though illness prevents her from participating in the necessary "field work," she provides the thread of common sense Josse needs to unravel this mystery. But the "damsel in distress" that Josse finds at the mystery's core promises to change his life forever.
With The Tavern in the Morning, Clare delivers an engaging story that bridges the reader's gap from possessing a purely intellectual interest in discovering "whodunit" to caring about the fates of the main characters themselves. Excellent background research and vivid (yet not overwhelming) descriptions immerse the reader in late 12th-century England. I also awarded a bonus to Clare for avoiding any anachronisms that might propel her readers out of the story.
I deducted a half-point for the one plot element didn't quite ring true in this otherwise intelligently plotted story. To avoid divulging any spoilers, I will only identify this element as the event in the damsel's backstory that got her into distress in the first place -- an event which occurred several years prior to the opening of The Tavern in the Morning.
I also didn't agree with the story's ending -- but, then, this is Clare's series, not mine. I leave the reader to decide, for The Tavern in the Morning definitely deserves a visit. Just make sure someone else samples the pie first.
(Reprinted from Crescent Blues e-zine. Used with permission.)
March 12, 2008
THE TAVERN IN THE MORNING (Mystery-Josse d’Acquin-England-1190s) – G+
Clare, Alys – 3rd in series
Hodder & Stoughton, 2000, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0340739355
First Sentence: A night of the dark moon, the bright stars concealed behind dense, low cloud heavy with chill moisture.
A man dies by poison at a local tavern and Josse d’Acquin suspects the wrong man was poisoned. He suspects a handsome nobleman may have been the intended victim. In searching out the man, Josse is rendered unconscious. He is rescued and nursed by a young boy Ninian and, eventually, his mother Joanna who blindfolds Josse and takes him to where they are living. Joanna and Ninian are on the run from the nobleman who will stop at nothing to find them. Josse asks the help of his friend, Abbess Helewise, in keeping Ninian safe while he unravels the motives behind the mystery.
The strength of the book is the very interesting characters--although it would be best to read the series in order to understand the relationship of the two major protagonists-- the plot and the suspense. The author does create a very good send of place, which is important to me. The story certainly doesn’t go where you expect. Clare is accurate in the major events of history, but misses on some of the more minor details. Because the plot in this, and in each of the books I’ve read in the series so far, tend not to be the expected or usual, I very much enjoyed it.
Clare, Alys – 3rd in series
Hodder & Stoughton, 2000, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0340739355
First Sentence: A night of the dark moon, the bright stars concealed behind dense, low cloud heavy with chill moisture.
A man dies by poison at a local tavern and Josse d’Acquin suspects the wrong man was poisoned. He suspects a handsome nobleman may have been the intended victim. In searching out the man, Josse is rendered unconscious. He is rescued and nursed by a young boy Ninian and, eventually, his mother Joanna who blindfolds Josse and takes him to where they are living. Joanna and Ninian are on the run from the nobleman who will stop at nothing to find them. Josse asks the help of his friend, Abbess Helewise, in keeping Ninian safe while he unravels the motives behind the mystery.
The strength of the book is the very interesting characters--although it would be best to read the series in order to understand the relationship of the two major protagonists-- the plot and the suspense. The author does create a very good send of place, which is important to me. The story certainly doesn’t go where you expect. Clare is accurate in the major events of history, but misses on some of the more minor details. Because the plot in this, and in each of the books I’ve read in the series so far, tend not to be the expected or usual, I very much enjoyed it.
September 1, 2011
A poisoned meat pie and a dead customer in medieval England. Sir Josse d'Acquin, a knight with a knack for solving mysteries, is a friend to Goody Anne--the local tavern owner. When one of her customers dies from a wolf bane-laced meal, Josse knows that the food was tampered with and he enlists the help of the young Abbess Helewise from Hawkenlye Abbey who has worked with him on a previous case. An old woman becomes murder victim #2 but her's was not an easy death. Her body is found at the edge of a frozen stream. Her head and shoulders lie underwater and the water has frozen around them. But there's a dirty footprint on the back of her head scarf. And Josse also finds that two of her fingers have been broken.
NOT for young readers (graphic violence)!
Note: By this point in the series, I have to accept that the author either is a practitioner, or knows a lot about, the Pagan or Earth religions. References to "respect" for the forest, the male god, herbal lore, those who do worship the Christian G*d, etc., is what alerted me to this. I respect the author's beliefs (they mesh with my own) but if you're one of those who believes in only ONE religion to the exclusion of all others you may not enjoy this book.
NOT for young readers (graphic violence)!
Note: By this point in the series, I have to accept that the author either is a practitioner, or knows a lot about, the Pagan or Earth religions. References to "respect" for the forest, the male god, herbal lore, those who do worship the Christian G*d, etc., is what alerted me to this. I respect the author's beliefs (they mesh with my own) but if you're one of those who believes in only ONE religion to the exclusion of all others you may not enjoy this book.
June 20, 2016
Well, you know I am a "roo" (Reads Out of Order).... Mainly due to the fact that COLAPL no longer keeps books in a series (no matter how good) if the person weeding doesn't know the author/series.
I have no idea where in the series this falls, except to say somewhere in the middle....
A farmer died in a tavern from wolfsbane poisoning, which was meant for the stranger, but the stupid barmaid, trying to flirt w/ the stranger, switched orders so that the farmer ate the poisoned food.
Josse spied the stranger & attempted to follow him, which led to Josse being attacked from behind and being rescued by Joanna & her son Ninian...
Joanna, terrified of the stranger allowed Josse to take Ninian to the safety of the Abbess Helewise, where the stranger showed up and searched to no avail.
Romance, intrigue, murder, mystery..... This book was easier to follow than the others I've read.
So now I know where Joanna & Ninian fit in!
I have no idea where in the series this falls, except to say somewhere in the middle....
A farmer died in a tavern from wolfsbane poisoning, which was meant for the stranger, but the stupid barmaid, trying to flirt w/ the stranger, switched orders so that the farmer ate the poisoned food.
Josse spied the stranger & attempted to follow him, which led to Josse being attacked from behind and being rescued by Joanna & her son Ninian...
Joanna, terrified of the stranger allowed Josse to take Ninian to the safety of the Abbess Helewise, where the stranger showed up and searched to no avail.
Romance, intrigue, murder, mystery..... This book was easier to follow than the others I've read.
So now I know where Joanna & Ninian fit in!
January 5, 2019
Josse D’Acquin learns from a local tinker that a traveler had recently died at the inn operated by Goody Anne, seemingly poisoned by her food. Josse had spent time there himself in the past and found the story very hard to believe. Josse traveled to the inn to begin his own investigation. He found that yes, someone had been poisoned by contaminated food but that Goody Anne was in the clear. He also learned that the victim was not the intended individual. So then who, and why?
I'm enjoying this series more with each installment. With the first one, I was making too many comparisons to Brother Cadfael. Now I'm able to read these and have them stand on their own merit. There are some passing comments made in this one that hint at things it would be interesting to see developed. Definitely a series I want to continue reading.
I'm enjoying this series more with each installment. With the first one, I was making too many comparisons to Brother Cadfael. Now I'm able to read these and have them stand on their own merit. There are some passing comments made in this one that hint at things it would be interesting to see developed. Definitely a series I want to continue reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews