Review
The mysterious tone of this medieval mystery is set by a cabalistic Prologue that promises to rivet the reader into an embroiling political intrigue.
Geoffrey Chaucer is cast in the role of the protagonist in this historical murder mystery. He is induced by his friend Agatha to leave London behind for a spell and accompany her and her husband Robert and other pilgrims on a Pilgrimage to Canterbury. Agatha sets the who-done-it stage of this mystery with a prelude introduction of a motley crew of Pilgrims, including Sophia.--a lovely Gypsy girl. She also provides clues which suggest there are tension among some of the pilgrims--and a thief.
Chaucer, a man of many talents in life and in fiction, a season soldier and diplomatic affairs, an accountant, he plied his trade in service of King Richard II. He also has a keen interest in poetry and astrology, and the investigative skills of a latter day criminologist. He uses his astrological skills to predict the future with the clairvoyance of his astrological charts. Even before departing on the Pilgrimage, Chaucer suspects the journey will be hurdled with "strange goings on" and the future lives up to his speculative assumptions
This novel employs intriguing elements of facts to weave a work of fiction of political intrigue with deadly motives and its offspring; murder. As a historical fan, this author's ability to transform me into the medieval era is the element that certainly pulled this reader in. As a- who-done-it fan, I loved getting into Chaucer's mind as he stirred the suspects with the stick of his suspicions. And there was something very endearing about this character's ability to admit his own human fallible of prejudices while he questions his suspects.
This is a mystery that keep a reader guessing and doesn't unravel itself till the end. A good read, I would certainly recommend Murder on the Canterbury Pilgrimage to both historical mystery and who-done-it-fans.
VERY GOOD
Kolette J. Wilson
A.L.R. Reviews
