- Hardcover: 350 pages
- Publisher: St Martin's Press; First edition (20 Jan 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312870000
- ISBN-13: 978-0312870003
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 15 x 3.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 826,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"A superb storyteller of extraordinary talent." --John Jakes
"A master storyteller." --"Romantic Times"
"Brother Cadfael, move over and make room for Magdalene. "A Mortal Bane" vibrates with sharp, witty, memorable characters; Magdalene and company are uniquely qualified as historical detectives, and as always, Roberta Gellis is incomparable! This one's a page-turner. I couldn't put it down." --Amanda Scott, author of "Dangerous Lady"
"In Gellis's new series, she has created a superb female medieval sleuth with a sexy knight for a sidekick. You'll love every minute of this tightly woven mystery." --Catherine Coulter, author of "The Countess"
"Roberta Gellis has crafted a superb story of passion, betrayal, and mystery. Entwined in the ingenious ploy is an honest, emotional thread that tugs at the heartstrings." --Susan Wiggs, author of "The Charm school"
"In "A Mortal Bane, " Roberta Gellis has created a medieval cozy with a wonderfully unique cast of characters. Lif
"A master storyteller." --"Romantic Times"
"Brother Cadfael, move over and make room for Magdalene. "A Mortal Bane" vibrates with sharp, witty, memorable characters; Magdalene and company are uniquely qualified as historical detectives, and as always, Roberta Gellis is incomparable! This one's a page-turner. I couldn't put it down." --Amanda Scott, author of "Dangerous Lady"
"In Gellis's new series, she has created a superb female medieval sleuth with a sexy knight for a sidekick. You'll love every minute of this tightly woven mystery." --Catherine Coulter, author of "The Countess"
"Roberta Gellis has crafted a superb story of passion, betrayal, and mystery. Entwined in the ingenious ploy is an honest, emotional thread that tugs at the heartstrings." --Susan Wiggs, author of "The Charm school"
"In "A Mortal Bane, " Roberta Gellis has created a medieval cozy with a wonderfully unique cast of characters. Lif
Product Description
Roberta Gellis, acclaimed author of "The Roselynde Chronicles, " brings medieval London to life--and death--with her latest tale of splendor and squalor. Magdalene la Bâtarde is the madam of the Old Priory Guesthouse in Southwark. She and her women are expected to engage in a number of sinful delights, but bloody murder isn't one of them--until Baldassare, the messenger, dies.
Though Baldassare wasn't a regular client of the Old Priory Guesthouse, Magdalene and her women refuse to allow his death to go unavenged. Of course, their efforts aren't completely altruistic. Chances are if they don't find the killer, they will be assumed guilty because they are whores, and they will be gutted and hanged.
Into this sea of intrigue steps the handsome Sir Bellamy of Itchen. The bishop of Winchester, who was served for many years by Baldassare, orders Bellamy, his most trusted knight, to investigate the murder and tells him that Magdalene has been accused of the crime. Bellamy is instantly captivated by his chief suspect but is also convinced that she is hiding something. Sure that she is involved in the messenger's death right up to her beautiful eyebrows but unable to believe she's a killer, Bellamy must find out how and why Baldassare died--or watch the mysterious Magdalene meet her fate on the gallows.
Though Baldassare wasn't a regular client of the Old Priory Guesthouse, Magdalene and her women refuse to allow his death to go unavenged. Of course, their efforts aren't completely altruistic. Chances are if they don't find the killer, they will be assumed guilty because they are whores, and they will be gutted and hanged.
Into this sea of intrigue steps the handsome Sir Bellamy of Itchen. The bishop of Winchester, who was served for many years by Baldassare, orders Bellamy, his most trusted knight, to investigate the murder and tells him that Magdalene has been accused of the crime. Bellamy is instantly captivated by his chief suspect but is also convinced that she is hiding something. Sure that she is involved in the messenger's death right up to her beautiful eyebrows but unable to believe she's a killer, Bellamy must find out how and why Baldassare died--or watch the mysterious Magdalene meet her fate on the gallows.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Mortal Bane has everything that Gellis's readers have come to expect: intricate ploting, wonderful sense of period, in-depth characters, lively action. Medieval mystery lovers have waited for a sleuth who is not a nun, or a herbalist, and Magdalene la Batarde provides a refreshing change. This mystery moves through ingenious twists and turns as Magdalene and her ladies, one blind, on deaf, and one "dumb," put on a five star investigation that solves the mysteries and saves their business. It's full of the period detail that makes historial mysteries such fun. Don't miss this one. It's a great read.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In 1139 Madam Magdalena la Batarde runs the most discreet whorehouse in Southwark, England. Her aristocratic patrons enjoy the pleasures of Magdalena's girls in utter confidence. William of Ypres, leader of King Stephen's forces in the civil war against Maude, serves as Magdalena's protector. Her landlord turns out to be the king's brother, the Bishop of Winchester, irate with the monarch for not naming him the Archbishop of Canterbury. Winchester expects the pope to name him a papal legate.
A wealthy stranger visits Magdalena's house. When he departs to keep his appointment at St. Mary Overy, a prostitute finds his corpse. The ladies of the night find his pouch that he hid in their home. Inside the pouch is a papal bull that proves the pope named Winchester as a legate. Magdalena knows that if the pouch is found in their possession, they will be accused of the dead man's murder. She delivers it to St. Mary's and waits for its discovery. Winchester orders his most trusted knight Sir Bellamy of Itchen to locate the pouch and uncover the identity of the murderer. Bellamy's work necessitates him working close with Magdalena whom he does not trust in spite of their growing attraction for each other. They continue to place their lives on the line to see that justice is served.
Readers who enjoy a powerful historical mystery will be utterly be thrilled once they discover the works of Roberta Gellis, renowned for her historical novels. The story line of A MORTAL BANE shows how much research the author must have conducted so that readers can have a true feel for the Medieval era. The mystery contains a mystery within it that the audience will realize is well executed and fascinating to follow. Ms. Gellis has provided fans of Medieval mysteries with the first of what is certain to be a best-selling series.
Harriet Klausner
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Roberta Gellis of the Roselynde Chronicles in a different guise! This is a mystery rather than a romance, but such a good mystery that I didn't care! I am reminded of the Brother Cadfael series on PBS with Derek Jacobi - I guess because of the setting. The book wasn't what I expected, but so very very good that I can recommend it anyway.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Five star doo-doo
This book is shockingly bad. From the cod Pre Raphaelite illustration on the front cover to the last full stop, it oozes anachronism on every page. Read more
Published on 3 July 2005 by El Loro
VINTAGE GELLIS!!!!!!!!!
Being a long time fan of Roberta Gellis, I will read anything, absolutely anything with her name on it. Read more
Published on 4 Sep 1999
Can't wait for the next one
OK I'm a BIG Roberta Gellis fan. She does it again. Real characters in real places and situations instead of cartoon characters and contrived plots. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 1999
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
