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Bezig met laden... A Confusion of Sinsdoor Roberta Gellis
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A Confusion of Sins is the 5th novel in the series of medieval mysteries featuring Sir Bellamy of Itchen and Magdalene la Bâtarde. It is 1139 and England is in turmoil. King Stephen has found an excuse to seize and imprison the elderly and powerful Bishop of Salisbury and his nephews, whom the King suspects of treason. Stephen's brother, Henry, is the Bishop of Winchester, and despite the love he has for elder brother, he has called an ecclesiastical convocation to consider the actions of the King. In the middle of this political crisis, the body of a monk, brutally murdered, is discovered in a house in London. The monk is Bernard of Rouen, a favorite of the Bishop of Rouen-an ally of the King who will be attending the convocation. Bernard, however, had a taste for gold and had offered to spy on his master for the Bishop of Winchester. Worse, the monk appears to have been murdered shortly after having been with a lover. And it gradually becomes clear that Bernard had other secrets, secrets that might have led someone to kill him. Bell must find out who is responsible for the murder, but must make certain that no one learns of the connection between Bernard and his master Winchester. Meanwhile, the ambitious son and deputy of the Sheriff of London is convinced that the easiest way to bring this matter to a close is to blame Magdalene la Bâtarde. With suspects ranging from prostitutes and merchants with secrets of their own to the great lords of the realm, and with Bell struggling with his feelings for Magdalene, A Confusion of Sins will certainly delight new and old fans of the series. Geen bibliotheekbeschrijvingen gevonden. |
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A Mortal Bane
A Personal Devil
Bone of Contention
Chains of Folly
A Confusion of Sins
The last book is not generally considered part of the series. It seems to have been completed by her son Mark, but is, in fact the last book.
Set in the early years of King Stephen's reign, Magdalene is a Southwark whoremistress running a very superior establishment (formerly a priory guesthouse), catering to a wealthy clientele. Given a farthing is the going rate for a session with a common drab, her price of 2 pennies (or 5 pennies to stay all night) is eye-watering. The 5 books are set around the events of 1139, starting with Henry of Winchester's appointment as Papal Legate.
There's a certain amount of insta-lust when Magdalene meets Sir Bellamy of Itchen, one of Winchester's knights, but it's not the focus of the books (although I shall avoid her historical romances set in the same time period). As a feme sole, Magdalene is keen to keep her independence, but suffers from the stigma of her profession in that she would automatically be deemed guilty of any crime.
The murders weren't graphic, although there was a certain amount of gore, and the motivations did seem in keeping with the period. To a certain extent, they compare with the Cadfael mysteries, in that they rely on wits not science to solve the murders. Sir Bellamy is familiar with the aftermath of violent death, although he relies on the local infirmarers to confirm his observations.
Historically speaking, they seem fairly accurate. Gellis held a degree in Medieval Literature, and unlike later authors was able to get into the medieval mindset.
Not bad, although fairly light and a little too much romance for my taste. I think I prefer Gellis' other mystery Lucretia Borgia and the Mother of Poisons (sadly not available in ebook).