About this item
All the danger and intrigue of 14th-century England spring to life in this "compelling" (Publishers Weekly) series about the brave, incorruptible Abbess of Meaux.Abbess Hildegard may consider herself “just a nun with no useful skills or connections,” yet her loyalty and intelligence have brought her to the attention of King Richard II himself—not the safest place to be, when the king has enemies on all sides. As Hildegard wrestles with her role as a spy in the parliament that is hastily gathering at Westminster, Cassandra Clark's A Parliament of Spies shows us the human side of history, giving readers new reason to follow Publishers Weekly’s rallying cry: “Medievalists rejoice!” .
About the Author
Cassandra Clark has written award-winning scripts for theatre, radio and television and now writes the medieval mystery series starring nun sleuth Hildegard of Meaux set in the time of Richard II. Intrepid, problem-solving Hildegard and the enigmatic and sexy Abbot Hubert de Courcy are accompanied much of the time by the abbot's two monks militant, Gregory and Egbert or by the innocent and love-smitten Brother Thomas.Starting with Hangman Blind when Hildegard first sets out on a quest to establish her own priory, the dark side of England in the 1380's soon threatens everything she holds most dear. Books in order after Hangman are: The Velvet Turnshoe, The Law of Angels,The Parliament of Spies, The Dragon of Handale, The Butcher of Avignon, The Scandal of the Skulls, The Alchemist of Netley Abbey, Murder at Meaux, Murder at Whitby Abbey and to come on 31st March 2021, Murder at Beaulieu Abbey. The Bookseller called it 'this stellar series.' I hope you think so too. If you wonder why Hildegard, a feisty independent young widow, decided to become a nun read the short prequel Ten Weeks That Changed England Forever. Free on Kindle Prime.This is history with a criminal twist. Hildegard, regardless of danger, tracks down the weirdly savage medieval murderers that disturb the peace and destroy the innocent. Meanhile King Richard II fights to save his throne and his life.Hildegard herself is not averse to being led astray by passing love-lorn knights but it is the charismatic Abbot of Meaux who wins her heart. Vowed to celibacy, will they ever get it together, or are they destined to sleep alone forever? Gothic towns, remote and sinister abbeys and the mysterious uncharted woodlands of medieval England are the background for Hildegard's sleuthing into the brutal conflicts of the time. Cassandra says: don't read this is if you want magic swords and unrealistic characters with strange eyes. I'm fascinated by real people striving to live as we might have done. Ordinary people in extraordinary times. Ambitious, greedy, sexy and above all human, they tell a far stranger story than any fantasy, so if you like authentic history read the series and follow Hildegard down the dangerous byways of medieval England if you dare!A new series featuring cult follower Brother Rodric Chandler begins with THE HOUR OF THE FOX, out now. Rodric has a dilemma. Sworn to the House of Lancaster and his master Henry Bolingbroke, should he further his master's evil intention to destroy the king or follow the path of loyalty to King Richard? Either way means death.
