Guest Author - Helen B. Wharton

The title of this book is part of a quote by Sir Walter Raleigh, "A Poysoned Serpent Covered All With Flowers," which appears on one of several front pages and perfectly describes the antagonist. Also included in the introductory pages is a Cast of Characters, some of them real, historical figures and some of them fictitious.

I found it helpful to understand some of the background of English History and the time period that the novel is set in. The book takes place from December, 1139 to February, 1140. The King of England, Stephen, had taken the throne in 1135, upon the death of the previous King, Henry I.

Henry I had died with only one legitimate heir, his daughter, Matilda, also known as Empress Matilda and Maude. Stephen, cousin to Matilda, nephew of Henry, had been raised at Henry's Court and had pledged to support Matilda's ascension to the throne upon Henry's death; as had the majority of English nobles.

Matilda's first marriage was to Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor, hence her title of Empress. After eleven years of marriage, Henry died, and three years later her father arranged another marriage for Matilda, to Geoffrey of Anjou, in France. So it was that when her father died in England, Matilda was in France.

Stephen wasted no time in taking the throne of England, with the support of many of the barons. There had never been a woman on the throne and the idea was unpopular.

By 1139 Matilda, with the assistance of Robert, Earl of Gloucester, her half brother and eldest illegitimate son of Henry, was able to gather enough military strength to challenge Stephen. From 1139 until 1141 a civil war raged, known as The Anarchy, across England. Stephen, the last Norman King, maintained the rule but upon his death was succeeded by Henry II, Matilda's son and the first Plantagenet King of England.

Into this world of shifting loyalties and distrust Joan Wolf has set a murder mystery, with a bit of romance as well. In this book we are reintroduced to Hugh de Leon, a character first met in an earlier book by Ms. Wolf, No Dark Place. A murder has taken place in the town of Lincoln and a trusted friend of Hugh's is accused. Hugh takes it upon himself to prove that the accused is innocent.

As a fan of modern crime shows I found it fascinating to see how a murder could be investigated without the benefit of today's forensics. The plot held my interest to the very last chapter.

There is also a romantic aspect in Cristen Haslin, Hugh's love interest, but the course of their love is not an easy one. A short, one page, romantic interlude might make this book inappropriate for young readers, but even middle school students who are advanced readers and at least 13 would enjoy it.

The descriptions of homes, scenery and clothing are quite accurate and add to the Medieval atmosphere. I recommend the book for mystery and romance fans as well as fans of the Medieval.

Details
The poisoned Serpent, a Medieval Mystery by Joan Wolf
2000 by Harper Collins Publishers
ISBN 0-06-019239-9