The queen's man : a medieval mystery

by Sharon Kay Penman

Hardcover, 1996

Status

Available

Publication

New York : H. Holt, 1996.

Description

The 12th Century sleuth, Justin de Quincy, investigates a murder which could shed light on a plot to usurp the crown of England. Prince John is scheming to unseat his brother, King Richard the Lionheart, who went missing as he was returning from a crusade.

Media reviews

"The accomplished author of historical novels employs some stereotypical characters (if he sneers, he's a villain) and much cliched prose (""...her mouth as soft and ripe as Summer strawberries""), yet Justin is so beguiling and, the action so lively and unpredictable, that readers will cheer
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Justin's return in further adventures."
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1 more
"A graceful style, plus a plot rich in local color, puts this among the most attractive by far of the recent spate of mysteries set in medieval times."

User reviews

LibraryThing member Joycepa
First in the Justin de Quincy medieval mystery series, set in 1193 England.

Justin, the illegitimate son of the Bishop of Chester, after confronting his father over his birth, starts on his way from Winchester to London hoping to be able to find a way to make a living there. But a short way out of
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the city, he comes to the aid of a goldsmith and his groom who are attacked by robbers. Justin drives them f, but the goldsmith is mortally wounded. Before he dies, he entrusts to Justin an important letter, to be delivered to Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who is ruling in her son Richard I’s absence; Richard has been missing for 3 months upon returning from a crusade and his younger brother John is scheming to take the crown. Justin makes good on his promise. The letter’s news is not good; Richard has been captured and imprisoned by the Duke of Austria who, along with Phillip of France, is Richard’s enemy. Eleanor hires Justin to find out who was behind the murder of the goldsmith in hopes of foiling a plot against Richard’s crown.

This book was a major disappointment after reading Penman’s outstanding historical fiction of the same era, of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. In those books, Penman made the characters of Henry, Eleanor and other historical figures come alive; her fictional characters were so well done that they were indistinguishable from the historical ones. She did a remarkable job of staying within the bounds of historical accuracy while telling an excellent, absorbing story.

She falls far short of that standard in The Queen’s Man. Her writing is rather wooden, and the characters are pretty much stock, one-dimensional ones. There’s Justin, the bastard; Luke, the under-sheriff; a kind-hearted prostitute; Nell, the feisty inn keeper, and so on. There is nothing remarkable about any of them; you meet them in the plots of dozens of books. Eleanor, whom Penman portrayed so well in her other books, is pretty pallid. They walk, they talk, they fight and it’s all a little boring. You’ve read it all before.

Perhaps Penman does better within a more restricted framework of having to stick closely to historical fact than she does in a more free-wheeling genre such as the medieval mystery.

While there are parts of the plot that are well-written, and there is a nice twist at the end, on the whole I’d have to rate this book as interesting if you have nothing else to read. If I had access to a library, I might have gone on with the series; since I have to buy all my books, I won’t waste money or bookcase space on the others.
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LibraryThing member cathyskye
Protagonist: Justin de Quincy
Setting: Winchester and London, England, 1193
Series: #1

First Line: "Do you think the king is dead?"

Justin de Quincy didn't take well to the knowledge that he's the illegitimate, albeit well-educated, son of a bishop. Starting life anew, he's on the road one very snowy
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day and witnesses the murder of a goldsmith. As the goldsmith lay dying, he entrusts some very important letters to Justin for delivery to the queen. Justin delivers the letters to a very worried Eleanor of Acquitaine. Her son, King Richard the Lionheart, has been missing for two months, and her youngest son, John, is already plotting to take the throne. It is imperative for her to know the identity of the goldsmith's killer, and she charges Justin with the task. Eleanor is a shrewd judge of character, because Justin turns out to be the very person needed to solve the mystery.

Although all the villains of this piece are a tad cardboard, the "good guys" are all very well-drawn. Justin is a treat: young and naive, but with a ready wit and a true sense of honor and justice. The sense of place and time is excellent but never encumbers the story. Swords clang, snow flies, bodices are ripped, and all turns out well in the end. The Queen's Man was a delight to read, and I'll be looking for more books in this series.
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LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I dithered between a three and four star rating with this. Sharon Kay Penman is one of my favorite writers of historical fiction, up there with the likes of Mary Renault, Robert Graves, Dorothy Dunnett. Penman's The Sunne in Splendour and Here Be Dragons, set in Plantagenet times in England and
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Wales, are books I rated five stars and are among the most moving books I've ever read. The Queen's Man is not of that caliber, and it's probably unfair to compare them at all. The other two novels are sweeping doorstopper epics of over 700 pages spanning lifetimes and dealing with the reigns of princes. This 290-page book taking place over a few months beginning in December of 1192 is a very different animal--as stated in the subtitle it's a "medieval mystery." Think Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael books.

And by those terms this book compares well, and has many of the same pleasures, and compensations for the differences. No, Penman isn't going to give Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers or Josephine Tey a run for their money. The resolution wasn't clever and you'll find nothing deep here--this isn't Eco's The Name of the Rose by any means. But did I like this? Really like this? I did. I've been sick with a cold and really needed sleep and I can't tell you how hard it was to put this book down last night unfinished. Penman's sleuth Justin de Quincey isn't, at least at this point in the first book, as beguiling a character as Brother Cadfael, but if anything comes through it's Penman's love and thorough knowledge of this period, and she sweeps you in and out of a Queen's antechamber with as much aplomb as an alehouse or gaol, populating this book with people from all walks of medieval English life. And the "queen" of the title is Eleanor of Aquitaine--and whenever she appears in the pages--all too rarely and briefly--I'm riveted to the page. Penman draws her charisma well. And whether she's taking you into a Lazar house or a horse fair, I felt transported by a sure hand. So yes, this was fun. I relished it.

On a personal note, this was a Christmas gift by a friend who knew I admired Penman but had never read her Justin de Quincey mysteries. The book she got me is this hardcover edition with this lovely cover with an embossed seal and gilt lettering that reminded me of what a sensuous experience it can be to read a book. A real book between covers. No doubt that contributed to the enjoyment.
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LibraryThing member Jackleen
Having developed a strange addiction for historical mysteries, I can not tell you how happy I was to find that my favorite author of historical fiction, Sharon Kay Penman, had written a historical mystery series. This is a historical mystery with style; the historical details and medieval setting
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are perfectly drawn, as we can only expect from a writer of this quality.

The date is Epiphany, 1192, medieval England and Eleanor of Aquitaine is apprehensively awaiting word from her son, King Richard Lionheart, who has disappeared on route from Acres two months earlier. Eleanor, now in her seventies, controls England for Richard, for now. However, as the time passes with no word of Richard, even the most loyal begin to believe him dead. Her youngest son, Prince John wants to be King and is developing plans to clear his own road to the throne. And, Eleanor, with all her strength of will, may not be able to stop these mechanisms of John without assistance.

Justin de Quincey is raised and educated as a knight but unacknowledged, by his father the Bishop of Coventry, Aubrey de Quincey. When Justin confronts his father with regard to his bastardry, he realizes he can no longer continue in this circumstance and abandons his current life. Justin needs to find a new master and sets out to London in the midst of a snow storm. On the road past Winchester, Justin becomes involved in a robbery, a very suspicious robbery that has every appearance of a planned murder. Justin is in time to save the groom but unfortunately, Gervase the goldsmith dies in Justin’s arms. But not before, Gervase elicits a deathbed promise to deliver a blood stained letter. The recipient of this letter would be Queen Eleanor. As Justin is no fool, and is not about to march into the presence of royalty on the say so of man he only knew for mere moments, Justin opens and reads the letter. He is left in shock as he now possesses dangerous secret knowledge as to what had befallen the missing king.

Justin presents himself to the Queen who is impressed with his honesty and sincerity. Eleanor, fearing that John is involved in this mysterious robbery cum murder, makes Justin a Queen’s man and demands that he quietly investigates this murder and determines the persons involved. The investigation takes him back to Winchester where Justin finds too many potential murder suspects, including the goldsmiths own family, as well as, a very real violent murderer, well known in the local community. As Justin approaches the solution to this crime, he is joined by a colourful well drawn cast of characters, Sheriffs, butchers, grooms, barmaids and the Queens own cousin and lady in waiting, providing a romantic interest for Justin. However, one of these new friends is spying for John and as he is followed about in his investigation, Justin wonders who he can trust.

Penman twists and turns this mystery and keeps you guessing right up to the end, an excellent mystery novel. But what makes this a true gem is the fine historical detail that Penman brings to the story. If you are looking for an excellent historical mystery, you need look no further than Sharon Kay Penman. I am eagerly awaiting the next in this series, Cruel as the Grave.
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LibraryThing member goth_marionette
Quite a good read. After starting When Christ and his Saints Slept I set it aside and have not picked it back up yet however, this book was quite enjoyable. I found the characters to be believable, likable and interesting and the plot kept my interest.
LibraryThing member npl
In this book set between December 1192 and March 1193, the main question on everyone’s mind is: "Where is Richard the Lionheart?" Justin de Quincy fulfills a dying man’s request to deliver a letter to Queen Eleanor and soon finds himself caught in royal politics between Eleanor and Richard’s
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younger brother John. Justin becomes the Queen’s man and is sent to investigate the death of the original messenger. This is great historical fiction, and the first in the de Quincy mystery series.
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LibraryThing member brownsica
Historical mystery. Good detail but not a riveting story.
LibraryThing member emmylee04
I thought this was a good book, but it definitely pales in comparison to The Sunne in Splendor and other of Penman's works. I didn't have as many issues with other reviewers with the fictional main character; in fact, I enjoyed seeing him interact with historical figures of the time. That said, I
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thought the story itself was pretty predictable and didn't provide as much mystery as I would have liked. I will likely give other books in this series a chance, though.
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LibraryThing member turtlesleap
The book opens as Justin learns that he is the bastard son of Aubrey de Quincy. He leaves his natural father's home in a rage and stumbles into a series of adventures that culminate in an appointment to the Queen's service--the queen in this case being Katherine of Aragon, mother of Richard the
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Lion Heart. As Justin seeks to solve a mystery, the reader is treated to Penman's perspective on the history of the era, seamlessly and flawlessly integrated into the story. This book was Penman's first venture into the mystery genre. She has done a superb job.
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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Hmmm. I'm really not sure if I liked it. The mystery was well-done, of a type I usually don't like. The setting is one I enjoy (I've been a Robin Hood fan since I could read, so Richard and John is always fun), and reasonably well-done, though there was one big hole - the only time Justin was
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mentioned as going to Mass was a Monday, to pray for a dead man. If he was going to church every Sunday, it should have been mentioned as something taking his time; if he wasn't, that would have been curious and noticeable in that time, and might well have gotten him accused of heresy or the like. I don't know if she has the same hole in her pure historical fiction - she mentions at the end that this book was a departure for her, being a made-up mystery with a preponderance of fictional characters. Well, guess I need to read some others by her and see... The book also had very well-drawn characters - Justin himself is great, I can see him growing up as the book progresses. Several of the others are well and realistically drawn and very unpleasant characters, or utterly twisty-minded plotters (including, historically accurately, Queen Eleanor) - the sort of people I don't really enjoy reading about. But they're not one-note characters - they all have breadth and depth to them. Yes. I'm still not sure the book was entirely enjoyable, but it was definitely worth reading, and I want to read more - both more of Justin's story (there's two more books) and more of Penman's works.
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LibraryThing member Helenliz
Read this one before, but it's worth a revisit. Young Justin de Quincy is down on his luck and about to head to London to find employment when he rides to the rescue in a roadside ambush. The dying man is carrying a letter for Queen Eleanor and Justin makes good a rash promise to deliver the
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letter. He does so and the news it contains has wide reaching implications - so much so that the Queen then tasks him with finding out who killed the original messenger and why. Justin is not necessarily the most well equipped person to do this, but he gets there in the end.
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LibraryThing member astrologerjenny
This is a good beach read for those who like historical mysteries. Accurately researched, fun, active, not deep. The book is set in a tense period, when Richard the Lionhearted is off on his crusade and is missing from the throne. He should be back by now, his ship should have docked a while ago,
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but nobody knows where he is. Penman does a good job of depicting the tension and the strategic struggles around the throne. I also like the way she draws Eleanor of Aquitaine, making her both subtle and strong.
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LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
Justin de Quincy is the well-educated but illegitimate son of a cleric who is trying to find his place in the world. While traveling to a nearby village, he narrowly avoids an ambush and discovers the dying victim is carrying a letter for Queen Eleanor. The letter contains information regarding the
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whereabouts of her son, King Richard the Lionheart, who has gone missing during his return from the Crusades. Eleanor is impressed with Justin's courage and honesty and asks him to investigate the man's murder. She wants to know if the killing was ordered by her youngest son, John, or another of the enemies of England. As Justin investigates the murder, he finds that several of the victim's family also had motives for his death. Justin finds himself more embroiled in the intrigues of court politics as his investigation expands. Along the way he finds friendship, love, and betrayal from some unlikely sources.

I'm a huge fan of Sharon Kay Penman but have never read any of this mystery series featuring Justin de Quincy. If I had gone into this looking for another Sunne in Splendour or When Christ and His Saints Slept I might have been very disappointed. This is much lighter in tone but is nevertheless, quite good if you happen to enjoy medieval mysteries. The characters and the wealth of medieval atmosphere is very intriguing. The plot is interesting, the dialogue is authentic without being heavy-handed, and the characters are realistic in their histories and actions. While not as deep or complex as her straight historical fiction work, you're going to enjoy this book if you are a medieval fan. Currently there are four Justin de Quincy mysteries and I'm definitely planning to read them all, starting with the next one, Cruel as the Grave.
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LibraryThing member astrologerjenny
This is a good beach read for those who like historical mysteries. Accurately researched, fun, active, not deep. The book is set in a tense period, when Richard the Lionhearted is off on his crusade and is missing from the throne. He should be back by now, his ship should have docked a while ago,
Show More
but nobody knows where he is. Penman does a good job of depicting the tension and the strategic struggles around the throne. I also like the way she draws Eleanor of Aquitaine, making her both subtle and strong.
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LibraryThing member mamzel
Justin de Qujincy is a young man who has been raised by a bishop. When he learns that his mother was a prostitute and the bishop was his father, he erupts and is thrown out of the house. On his way to finding his way in the world, he tries to rescue a man and his servant who had been set upon by
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highway robbers. Before the wealthy man dies he charges Justin with delivering a letter to the Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. She sees a loyalty and intelligence in the young man and charges him with discovering who murdered the letter carrier and why. Justin falls pretty easily into London life and makes new friends quickly. He fearlessly dives into the search.

I was not quite as taken up by this situation as I was with other medieval mysteries but It kept my interest to the end.
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LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I dithered between a three and four star rating with this. Sharon Kay Penman is one of my favorite writers of historical fiction, up there with the likes of Mary Renault, Robert Graves, Dorothy Dunnett. Penman's The Sunne in Splendour and Here Be Dragons, set in Plantagenet times in England and
Show More
Wales, are books I rated five stars and are among the most moving books I've ever read. The Queen's Man is not of that caliber, and it's probably unfair to compare them at all. The other two novels are sweeping doorstopper epics of over 700 pages spanning lifetimes and dealing with the reigns of princes. This 290-page book taking place over a few months beginning in December of 1192 is a very different animal--as stated in the subtitle it's a "medieval mystery." Think Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael books.

And by those terms this book compares well, and has many of the same pleasures, and compensations for the differences. No, Penman isn't going to give Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers or Josephine Tey a run for their money. The resolution wasn't clever and you'll find nothing deep here--this isn't Eco's The Name of the Rose by any means. But did I like this? Really like this? I did. I've been sick with a cold and really needed sleep and I can't tell you how hard it was to put this book down last night unfinished. Penman's sleuth Justin de Quincey isn't, at least at this point in the first book, as beguiling a character as Brother Cadfael, but if anything comes through it's Penman's love and thorough knowledge of this period, and she sweeps you in and out of a Queen's antechamber with as much aplomb as an alehouse or gaol, populating this book with people from all walks of medieval English life. And the "queen" of the title is Eleanor of Aquitaine--and whenever she appears in the pages--all too rarely and briefly--I'm riveted to the page. Penman draws her charisma well. And whether she's taking you into a Lazar house or a horse fair, I felt transported by a sure hand. So yes, this was fun. I relished it.

On a personal note, this was a Christmas gift by a friend who knew I admired Penman but had never read her Justin de Quincey mysteries. The book she got me is this hardcover edition with this lovely cover with an embossed seal and gilt lettering that reminded me of what a sensuous experience it can be to read a book. A real book between covers. No doubt that contributed to the enjoyment.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jguidry
I really enjoyed this historical mystery.  This is my first book by Sharon Kay Penman, but it won't be my last.  This was a good start to a series and I'd love to read more.  I wish John would have played more of a role in the book, but maybe he'll come later.  I loved Eleanor's character and
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the way she was portrayed--so unlike other historical fiction I've read about her. 
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LibraryThing member Neilsantos
Lousy mystery.
LibraryThing member JackMassa
Competent and entertaining historical mystery set at the time of Eleanor of Acquitaine and Richard the Lionheart. Penman is a good story teller and knows the details of daily life very well.

But as I often find with this genre mix, the interests of historical fiction clash with the contrived
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requirements of the mystery story. In this case, the early promise of court intrigue involving the kidnapped King Richard and his dastardly brother Prince John never come to anything. Instead we are served up a conventional murder mystery with some characters who would seem more at home in a 1940s B-movie mystery. Also, while the main characters are engaging and sympathetic, too often they do not seem to act or speak like people of their time.
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LibraryThing member goth_marionette
Quite a good read. After starting When Christ and his Saints Slept I set it aside and have not picked it back up yet however, this book was quite enjoyable. I found the characters to be believable, likable and interesting and the plot kept my interest.
LibraryThing member kenck4
Justin De Quincy is a young lost soul who is trying to find his place in the world. He is the unacknowledged bastard of a Church Bishop and has to find his way in a world that is comlicated and evil than he has imagined. He is smart, quick, loyal, and spots details that lead him to figure out
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mysteries and keep himself alive.
This is the start of very good series.
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LibraryThing member wishanem
This is one of the best of the few Mysteries I've read, entertaining and plausible without ever being tedious. The plot itself isn't historically accurate, but the setting, characters, and action feel period-appropriate and the important details of the time period are solid.

Words I learned from
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this book:
Alaunt - An extinct breed of dog, generally resembling a mastiff
Certes - Certainly, assuredly
Compline - Evening prayers
Cresset lamp - A lamp where the wick is contained in a cup or basket.
Lazar - A poor and diseased person, especially one afflicted by a feared, contagious disease such as leprosy.
Leman - A lover or sweetheart, most often a mistress.
Malmsey - A sweet fortified wine.
Rouncey - An ordinary, all-purpose horse.
Settle - (noun) A wooden bench with a high back and arms, typically incorporating a box under the seat.
Vituperative - Bitter and abusive.
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Awards

Edgar Award (Nominee — First Novel — 1997)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1998)

Language

Barcode

4530
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