Helpful Score: 2
Joliffe the player's life takes an unexpected turn as the powerful Bishop Beaufort, whom he agreed to serve, sends him to France as a spy in the household of Duchess Jacquetta, the Duke of Bedford's widow. War is brewing and Paris may not hold. As well, Joliffe is to be trained in skills useful to a spy, and though he welcomes lessons in wrestling and defense, he is discomfited to be taught how to kill as well. When one of Lady Jacquetta's ladies in waiting is murdered, Joliffe must solve the mystery before scandal erupts and war overtakes them all.
Although I missed the presence of the other players, Joliffe's transformation into a real spy is no less fascinating than his previous adventures. As usual, Frazer steeps the reader in historical facts and figures, weaving her characters and story around them with her usual skill. And we can expect more, as the story ends with war about to erupt and Joliffe being sent into the thick of the turmoil for his next assignment. I'm getting antsy for the next book!
Although I missed the presence of the other players, Joliffe's transformation into a real spy is no less fascinating than his previous adventures. As usual, Frazer steeps the reader in historical facts and figures, weaving her characters and story around them with her usual skill. And we can expect more, as the story ends with war about to erupt and Joliffe being sent into the thick of the turmoil for his next assignment. I'm getting antsy for the next book!
