The Canterbury Papers: A Novel (Alais Capet, 1)

by Judith Koll Healey

Book Overview

The only thing I felt was a strong hand around my neck, another around my waist, and -- before I could cry out -- I smelled the thick, sweet scent of a mandrake-soaked cloth. Unforgiving hands clapped... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060773324
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.8" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

The Canterbury Papers

Princess Alais of France on a mission for Eleanor of Aquitaine. This is life after King Henry, after Richard the lionhearted, and during the reign of King John. Alais is sent on an errand to Canterbury to retrieve Eleanor's letters, which could affect the fate of the kingdom. They might also contain information about the fate of Alais's son. Who might have been a potential heir to the throne. This makes the matter of interest to the Knights Templar. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I think that you will too. If you find you like this book, and would like to know more about the family. I can recommend the video (Becket), its sequel, the Lion in Winter (with peter O' Tool and Katharine Hepburn) that's on DVD.

A very enjoyable read

My mom, who has loved reading about Eleanor of Aquitane, etc. since before I was born, recommended this book to me, knowing I was a mystery (not Medieval history) fan. Although the book is a mystery (and one that drew me in), it took me to the times, people and culture of central-character, Alais. Since we have to wait for a new book from Judith Healey, I'm busy reading others of the genre in the meantime. Needless to say, this book made a new fan. Please hurry and write another!

Medieval Adventure

Princess Alais is bored and disillusioned with life in the court of her brother the King of France. When Eleanor of Aquitaine dangles the promise of information that Alais desperately wants, Alais agrees to travel to Canterbury to retrieve a packet of Eleanor's potentially embarrassing letters. Her simple quest turns into something more dangerous as her rooms are ransacked and she is snatched away from the protection of her attendant knights. How can she gain possession of the elusive letters and why are so many people suddenly interested in her jeweled pendant? Alais has to figure out whom she can trust as her path collides with King John, mysterious monks, and the Knights of Templar. Dangerous secrets about her stormy past with the royal family of England just might hold the key. You don't have to be an expert on medieval times to appreciate The Canterbury Papers, but Healey thoughtfully includes a brief overview of royal politics of the time and a summary at the end separating the fiction from the facts. The book has a historically accurate feel, and it is obvious that Healey put a lot of time into her settings and characterizations. This charming mystery surprised me - I didn't expect to be as captivated as I was. Alais is a strong character with wit and passion. Healey throws in a charming romance, which does a great job of lightening the tone set by endless court intrigue and family betrayals.

strong historical fiction mystery

In 1200 though an octogenarian, the former Queen of both France and England Eleanor remains a wily influence in state affairs. Through an intermediary, Eleanor asks her former ward Princess Alais to travel from France to Canterbury Cathedral to retrieve some letters she hid there that if revealed could doom King John's reign. Though angry with Eleanor for her part in denying her the chance to marry Richard, Alais travels with escort Sir Owain of Cardwyd, a knight of King Harry.Though Alais expected some danger, she thought overall the mission would be rather easy especially with her being sister to the King of France, Philippe. However, instead of the smooth completion of her quest, someone abducts Alais before she can accomplish the mission. Barely staying ahead of her unknown enemies, Alais joins with the Knights Templar to begin to uncover a conspiracy by powerful and evil people wanting to take over two kingdoms.THE CANTERBURY PAPERS is a strong historical fiction mystery that enables the audience to see an era filled with treachery that makes the Democrat and Republicans parties look like choirs. The story line is loaded with action, but it is the powerful characterizations especially Alais the forgotten princess that make the plot a must read for fans of medieval tales.Harriet Klausner

a compelling first novel

Whether or not your familiar with the history of France and England during the twelfth century and all the power plays and intrigue that went on then, and the Plantagenets and the Capets, you have to read Judith Koll Healey's thrilling and engaging novel, "The Canterbury Papers." Cleverly mixing fact with fiction, Ms Healey gives a compelling new novel about Princess Alais Capet, once destined to be Richard the Lionheart's wife, but who instead returned to France unwed, and who spent many years of her life in obscurity.Bitter and angry about her current status in life -- unmarried and gossiped about -- Princess Alais Capet is in no mood to feel festive about her nephew's upcoming marriage. So that when her stepmother, Queen Eleanor of Acquitaine, writes to Alais, asking her to retrieve a few letters hidden in the cathedral at Canterbury, Alais is in the mood to entertain Eleanor's proposition. More important to Alais though is Eleanor's promise to divulge all that she knows about a child that was born in secrecy many years ago if Alais agrees to help her. Desperate to be away from the court and to learn all that Eleanor knows, Alais agrees to help Eleanor, little expecting that the journey would be fraught with so much memories and danger. For not only is journey to England bringing back many memories, both happy and sad, and reuniting Alais with many friends from her past, but people seem to be following her. But are they following her intending to harm or protect..."The Canterbury Papers" were a terrifically engrossing and engaging read. Judith Koll Healey is a brilliant storyteller, and her grasp on the history of the period and the personalities concerned is evident for all to see. Although I was fairly familiar with the history of the period, Ms Healey told her tale in such a winning manner and created such a wonderfully vibrant and taking heroine in Alais Capet, that I had to finish the book in one go. Thrilling from start to finish, "The Canterbury Papers" is one novel that should not be missed!