Sharan Newman

There are several medieval mystery series that I like a lot, but this book does not entice me to read any further in this one. Overly complex and not happily resolved plot, somewhat unsympathetic main character, far too much screaming and yelling, and creepy sexual innuendoes.

enjoyed reading this book

What interested me about this book was not just the history of Melisende the queen but more rather where she came from, the Crusader County of Edessa. The majority of histories of the Crusades do not cover Edessa in any detail and usually just with the comment that it was the first Crusader state to fall. This book however goes into much more detail so we can better understand how Melisende became who she was thus providing a perspective not often seen.

Meh. 2 and a half stars. [a:Margaret Frazer|57428|Margaret Frazer|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1356051263p2/57428.jpg] does it better in her Dame Frevisse mysteries.

The elements of medieval religious life were not very well integrated, and the key character and plot turns happened so quickly that it felt rather superficial to me.

Disappointing overall.