THE POISONED SERPENT
Joan Wolf
Avon Mystery
June 2001
ISBN: 0-061-09746-2

Hugh de Leon loves and wants to marry Lady Cristen Haslin, but his Uncle is about to start proceedings for Hugh to marry Elizabeth de Beautè, despite Hugh's objections. Hugh will not stand idly by and marry a woman he doesn't love, so he makes plans with Lady Cristen to run off and elope. Fate, however, seems to have other plans.

Hugh's friend is accused of murdering Elizabeth's father, Gilbert de Beautè, the Earl of Lincoln. Believing his friend innocent, Hugh puts his elopement plans on hold and goes to Lincoln to find the real murderer. Amid plenty of suspects, a boyhood rivalry, dying witnesses, and with time running out, Hugh must find the murderer before his friend is put to death and his chance to marry the woman he loves is gone.

THE POISONED SERPENT is a medieval mystery that hooks you from start to finish. I read it in one sitting, long into the night. Not only do you want to learn who the murderer is, you want to make sure that true love will prevail. There were a lot of characters in the story and I found myself starting to lose track of them, but that was easily remedied with a "Cast of Characters" page that I found most helpful.

Hugh is the perfect hero; handsome, kind, smart, and commanding. There is no doubt that he loves Lady Cristen or that he will overcome any obstacles. Introducing new characters and suspects keeps a steady, suspenseful pace for the mystery lovers. Showing Hugh's honorable and caring side will melt the hearts of the romance readers. Ms. Wolf has given us a fine mixture that gives the reader the best of both worlds. Hugh's story begins with Ms. Wolf's first medieval mystery, NO DARK PLACE.

 

Reviewed by Thea Candee

Rating: 

 

 

For your convenience click below on one of the icons if you would like to order a book.