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A BLOODLINE OF KINGS
Thomas Sundell, Crow Woods, 2002, $28.50, 484pp, hb, ISBN 0-9665871-8-9
It is unusual - and daunting - to take on a novel from a small press that arrives complete with glowing commentary from novelists such as Bernard Cornwell and Cecelia Holland. At its conclusion, I was relieved to find myself in complete agreement. In this epic novel of Philip of Macedon, the story begins with one birth (that of Philip himself) and ends with another (his son Alexander, later “the Great”). In the intervening pages, Sundell takes us through the life of an extraordinary man, Philippos of the Makedones, whose brilliant military career during the 4th century BC was overshadowed by that of his more famous son. It is Philippos who earns Macedon a place on the political playing field of the ancient Hellenes and makes it the equal of powerful city-states such as Athens and Thebes. This is not only a military saga, however, for the women are as strong and ambitious as the men. In fact, some of the most emotional moments occur as Kleopatra, former Queen of the Makedones and Philippos’ great-grandmother, secretly trains her young charge to be a future leader, not knowing that his older brothers’ early deaths will make her wishes come true. The author’s research is well evident - its thoroughness is, in fact, astonishing. As the novel does not always wear its research lightly, newcomers to the period may find it intellectually challenging, but the education they receive as a result will make their efforts worthwhile. 

CECILIA’S VISION 
T.J. Armstrong, Headline Review, 2001, £6.99, pb, 341pp, ISBN 0747267383
In 1235 Canterbury, two monks are asked to investigate into the past deeds and religious beliefs of Domna Cecilia, an elderly widow from southern Germany with possible ties to the Cathar sect. Expecting resistance, they are pleasantly surprised to be greeted by an attractive matron with elegant manners who seems to welcome the opportunity to speak of her old life. As she recounts her tale of passion, betrayal, faith, and mysticism, the monks unexpectedly find their sympathies torn. At the same time, they gradually become caught up in the intrigue surrounding several recent murders, ones possibly involving the Church. Is there any connection between the crimes and Cecilia’s current presence in England? While the author conveys a good sense of place and period in this literary mystery, much is told about rather than shown, and dialogue is fairly minimal. And while Cecilia’s life story is fascinating, the author’s decision to have her speak about herself in retrospect, rather than place us directly into the action, was a letdown. For all of the dramatic buildup, Cecilia’s final revelations are completely unsurprising, and the novel’s conclusion left me puzzled. Was there meant to be something more?  

A DEATH IN THE VENETIAN QUARTER
Alan Gordon, St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2002, $23.95/C$33.95, 288pp, hb, ISBN 0-312-24267-0
Feste the Fool and his jester-wife, Aglaia, are back in this new adventure, third in a series, which finds them in Constantinople at the time of the Fourth Crusade, circa 1204 AD. Although the Crusaders’ supposed destination is Jerusalem, their true objective may be the downfall of the Byzantine Empire. The power behind this effort is that of Venice, Byzantium’s trading rival, and it’s in the Venetian Quarter of the city that a minor silk merchant meets his deadly fate. It’s up to members of the Fools’ Guild to discover the connection between these two events, if any.           Gordon is one of a few authors skillful at juggling history, mystery, and humor. The Peter Principle is alive and well in Constantinople, with various rivals to the Purple-- all equally incompetent--offing each other right and left so that they might one day ascend the throne. In fact, they’re more foolish than the Fools themselves. Gordon’s latest entry in this series is a fast-paced read, one that I thoroughly enjoyed. More, please!

CERIDWEN OF KILTON
Octavia Randolph, Xlibris, 2002, $22.99 (£14), pb, 318pp, ISBN 1401032966
Ceridwen, daughter of a Mercian ealdorman, is sixteen years old in the year 872, a time when King Ælfred ruled England. Twice blessed, Ceridwen is the beloved wife of Gyric of Kilton and the mother of his newborn son. However, all is far from perfect. Gyric is discontented, as he cannot come to terms with the blindness he has suffered at the hands of the Danes. Ceridwen also becomes unexpectedly caught up in issues much larger than herself, such as her sister-in-law's barrenness, the struggle to survive in a time of brutality and violence, and her own divided loyalties.
Despite the historical detail prevalent throughout the book, and the obvious effort of the author in making her language seem authentic, the novel is not weighed down in the least. It is a pleasantly smooth read that will give readers an excellent feel for the era. Though the pacing is uneven at times, my main complaint is that this novel is too much a sequel; we learn little about why Ceridwen is so strongly desired by three very different men. Still, this novel will satisfy those seeking fiction set in a sadly under-used historical period. (The first volume of the series, The Circle of Ceridwen, is available in full via the author's web site, www.octavia.net.)

THE WHITE CROW
Cynthia Peale, Doubleday, 2002, $24.95/C$37.95 (£14.72), hb, 324pp, ISBN 0385496389
The belief in spiritualism has found a ready audience amongst the upper echelons of society in late nineteenth century Boston. Having lost her mother several years prior, Caroline Ames, an attractive spinster of thirty-six, is hardly immune. At a séance conducted by Evangeline Sidgwick, the “best medium in Boston,” the elderly gentleman at Caroline’s left makes contact with his late wife--but when the lights come on, he has passed on to the next world. Regrettably for Caroline’s reputation, the cause of death is discovered not to be shock, but cold-blooded murder, and the medium’s next message reveals that an Ames may be the next victim. Peale’s Beacon Hill Mystery series, of which this is the third volume, keeps improving over time. The author has an excellent sense of time and place, particularly when it comes to evoking the atmosphere of a Boston that existed just over a hundred years ago. She does not neglect character development, either; in particular, readers are allowed greater insight into Caroline’s brother, the enigmatic Addington Ames, whose infatuation with the gorgeous, socially unacceptable actress Serena Vincent is finally allowed to run its course. The Ames siblings’ squabbling over that intrusive new invention, the telephone, is picturesque and delightful. Out of the flood of historical mysteries currently on the market, this is surely one of the best.

WHISPERS ON THE WATER
Audrey Howard, Hodder & Stoughton, 2002, £17.99, hb, 424pp, ISBN 0340769327
The only daughter of a working-class family in 1911 Liverpool, young Grace Tooley’s carefree life is brought to a halt when she falls in love with Rupert Bradley, her eldest brother’s handsome, well-to-do friend from university. Over the years, through much hardship and tragedy, Grace’s unrequited affection for Rupert becomes the driving force of her existence. In the end, it is up to her to prove to him that, despite circumstances that leave them both profoundly changed, he is still worthy of her love. This is a well-rounded coming of age story, centered on Grace but also, through the Tooleys, providing a detailed picture of how the Great War destroyed the lives of many while forcing strength to appear from unexpected avenues. The novel suffers from an overly abrupt conclusion, but perhaps this only serves to demonstrate the impact that this engrossing, emotionally intense page-turner had on me. I didn’t want it to end.

WILL’S WAR
Janice Woods Windle, Longstreet, 2002, $25/C$35.50 (£14.74), hb, 366pp, ISBN 1563526395
In 1917, at the height of anti-German sentiment in America, the German-American families of Seguin, Texas, are finding themselves the victims of prejudice, persecution, and even violence. This, despite the fact that these families have been loyal American citizens for many years. At this time of misplaced patriotism, Windle’s maternal grandfather Will Bergfeld is accused by the federal government of participating in a conspiracy to assassinate President Wilson. His real crime? No more than being a well-known union sympathizer with a German last name.  Unfortunately for his attorney, Will is a kind but exasperatingly hotheaded young man who would prefer to handle his own defense. His loving wife and family must draw on all their wisdom, strength, and patience as they fight an uphill battle to clear Will's name. As always, Windle's research is thoroughly documented, this time based on the lengthy original transcripts of her grandfather's trial as well as her mother's memories of the event. Although Will’s War is less nostalgic and action-oriented than the author's previous novels of her family history (True Women and Hill Country), it is nonetheless equally compelling. Windle does a superb job of dramatizing this historic event, and, as always, her belief in the strength of family shines through. Despite her close relationship to the Bergfelds, she doesn't allow sentimentality to get in the way of character development. Once again, the author has served both her chosen historical period and her family well indeed.

SOLOMON SPRING
Michelle Black, Forge, 2002, $24.95 (£14.23), hb, 304pp, ISBN 0-765-30465-1
This exciting sequel to An Uncommon Enemy picks up ten years later, in 1878, as Brad Randall takes leave from his position as Commissioner of Indian Affairs to return to Kansas. He has two missions: to help the starving Cheyenne when the federal government ignores their plight, and bring the news to Eden Murdoch, his former lover, that her firstborn son is still alive. He finds her locked in the county jail for civil disobedience, protesting the development of an exclusive spa at the sacred Solomon Spring. How Brad himself ends up on trial for murder, and whether he and Eden have a bright future together, is a complex story best left for the reader to enjoy. It’s said that historical novels can either depict past events with authenticity or make them accessible to the modern reader. Black’s novels do both. You can sense the dry setting of the Kansas prairie and feel the sorrow of the Cheyenne right along with Brad and Eden, and you can picture, equally well, the plainspoken dialogue rolling off the tongues of these disarmingly honest, three-dimensional characters. This novel can’t really be called a mystery, despite the publisher’s intent--but if you’re as gripped as I was by this combination of romance, suspense, and bona fide western action, you’ll ignore the genre label and keep on happily reading anyway.

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Questions or comments?  E-mail me at cfsln@eiu.edu.

Last updated: January 8, 2003