Ashes of the Elements (Hawkenlye Mysteries)

Alys Clare's novels are like a breath of fresh air. I love medieval murder mysteries and there are certainly a lot of them about (thank goodness), but the authors books breathe new life into the period and her will they won't they situation that started with a strong friendship between Helewise and Sir Josse, holds the reader's attention as well. Don't be swayed into thinking that these books are written with the female reader in mind. They are for everybody, young and old, male or female. Alys Clare lives in Kent where the Hawkenlye mysteries are set.

A grove of oaks has been felled in the Wealden forest, but the man who felled them has met a violent end. People think back to the old ways and the days of the druids, when the oak was the one tree in all England that was sacred. Had the tree feller been cursed by the old magic of the Forest People.

Josse and Helewise enter the forest and are witness to strange events , but will these happening bring them any closer to solving the murder. Christianity is now the religion of England, but there are many who have not left the old ways behind.

The story continues, and delves into a world that sweeps us up and carries us into that past.

THE ALYS CLARE SERIES OF HAWKENEYE MEDIEVAL MYSTERIES CONTINUES TO IMPROVE. ONE LEADS TO ANOTHER, BUT CAN EASILY BE READ ON IT'S OWN. THE LIFE OF AN ABBESS AND HER NUNS AND MONKS WAS NEW TO ME AND FASCINATING. I'VE ORDERED THE NEW ONE. HER MALE CHARACTERS ARE AS WELL DRAWN AS THE WOMEN. THE HISTORY INVOLVED IS ANOTHER PLUS FOR THIS SERIES.