August TBR challenge -- Chains of Folly

Although recently estranged, Magdalene la Batarde and her erstwhile lover, Sir Bellamy, once again team to solve the murder of one of Magdalene's sister prostitutes. Nelda Roundheel's death would be of little interest to anyone in twelfth-century London, but when her battered body is found in the bedchamber of Bellamy's patron, the bishop of Winchester, her killing takes on more sinister implications. Someone is clearly out to compromise the bishop, and the list of possible candidates runs the gamut from the king himself to the lowliest tavern denizen. A keen knowledge of medieval customs and political machinations, along with a sensitivity for character development, a sharp ear for dialogue, and an incisive attention to detail, elevate Gellis' historical mystery series beyond the standards of the subgenre. The interplay between Magdalene and Bellamy is as subtly nuanced and sensuous as any in contemporary settings, and Gellis' intricate plot twists and nose for intrigue should appeal to any mystery fan.

Blurb from Amazon, by Carol Haggas, Copyright © American Library Association.

Title: Chains of Folly, a Magdalene la Batarde mystery
Author: Roberta Gellis
Year Published: 2006

Have I read this author before or is she new to me? I've read Gellis' books before. This is the fourth book of a mystery series; I've read the first three books, as well as a couple of Gellis' other books. Gellis writes medievals (at least, those are the ones I've read) and is extremely detailed in her research and descriptions. I have enjoyed the mysteries more than the romance novels, to be honest. The idea of romantic love as we think about it today doesn't really fit into my image of 11th century England. Did people love? I'm sure they did, but marriage for love? Not so much.

Did I like the cover? Well, the color of most of the binding and the font are okay. But the illumination or woodcut in the middle is not attractive. Without any color, it wouldn't be too offensive, but the odd use of bits of green and purple are weird.

Why did I pick this book? It was on my reserve list at the library -- only one copy in the entire library system for the county! -- and it finally arrived.

Did I enjoy the book? Yes. It was a solid B read for me.

A dead whore is found in the bedchamber of the Bishop of Winchester, and his man, Bell, is set to learning who she is and how/why she ended up in his empty bedchamber. There is no question that he killed her -- he was on the road, miles away at the time -- but a letter found on her person could be a problem for him, given the political situation of the day. Bell must work with Magdalene, who as a whore-mistress has access and information to people plying the same trade and also connections to all sorts of tradespeople.

The mystery is very well done, I thought. Each question that is answered creates new questions, and Bell & Magdalene move in their separate spheres, inching toward the murder. Where the book did not work as well for me was the relationship between Magdalene and Bell. Well, not the relationship so much as their personalities/positions. Clearly they love each other and long for each other, but they both frustrated me immensely. Magdalene seems a little hypocritical to me -- she wants Bell's unconditional acceptance, love and loyalty, but is unwilling (and unable) to give him the same. Her history is a mystery that she is not inclined to share, and she told Bell things in the last book better left unsaid. She wants him to compromise but hasn't offered any compromise of her own. Bell, while outwardly accepting what Magdalene is (a retired whore who still occasionally entertains a single patron), hadn't really come to terms with it, and was confronted with an ugly truth -- Magdalene loves her patron, even if it isn't how she loves him. But he also misses his family, for that is what Magdalene and her ladies have become to him. While they are more or less reconciled by the end of the book, I have a hard time believing that the problem (and Magdalene's past) aren't going to be a recurring difficulty.

The only "knock" that I have, really, is that it is clearly part of a series. One needs to have read at least the last book in order to understand what it going on. And also to have an understanding of English history, and the family connections and politics of Henry I, Stephen, and Matilda. The politics are quite convoluted, and not ever explicitly explained in Chains of Folly.

Keep or return? It was a library book, so it'll be going back.

Will I read other books by Gellis? Sure. I hope this series continues, but even if it doesn't I'll still seek out her other romance and fantasy books.

Anything else? The first three books of this series were published by a different publisher. Due to poor sales (I believe), her contract was cancelled. After shopping this book around, it was picked up and published by Five Star in hard back. The print run was quite limited. I looked for a copy to buy when it was first released, could only find it for above cover price. If it is ever released in paperback, I'll buy a copy.