Synopses & Reviews
England, 1141. The countryside is devastated by a long civil war that has left thousands dead. With no clear winner in the conflict, castles and villages change hands from month to month as the English king, Stephen, and his cousin, the empress Matilda, battle for the crown.
Emma is the eleven-year-old redheaded daughter of a peasant family. When mercenaries pass through their town, they bring with them a monk with a deadly interest in young redheaded girls. Left for dead in a burned-out church, Emma is one more victim in a winter of atrocities until another mercenary, Gwil, an archer, finds her by chance. Barely alive, she cannot remember her name or her life before the attack. Unable to simply abandon her, Gwil takes her with him, dressing her as a boy to avoid attention. Emma becomes Penda—and Penda turns out to have a killer instinct with a bow and arrow. But Gwil becomes uneasily aware that the monk who hurt his protégée is still out there, and that a scrap of a letter Emma was found clutching could be very valuable to the right person . . . or the wrong one.
Maud is the fifteen-year-old chatelaine of Kenniford, a small but strategically important castle she's determined to protect as the war rages around them. But when Maud provides refuge for the empress, Stephen's armies lay siege to Kenniford Castle and Maud must prove that she's every bit the leader her father was. Aided by a garrison of mercenaries— including Gwil and his odd, redheaded apprentice—they must survive a long winter under siege. It's a brutal season that brings everyone to Kenniford, from kings to soldiers to the sinister monk who has never stopped hunting the redheaded girl . . .
Review
“Vivid and engaging...succeeds brilliantly as both historical fiction and crime thriller. [A] terrific book...with a dozen twists.” Diana Gabaldon, Washington Post (on < i=""> Mistress of the Art of Death <> )
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“One of the most compelling, suspenseful mysteries Ive read in years.” New York Times bestselling author Sharon Kay Penman (on < i=""> Mistress of the Art of Death <> )
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Praise for Grave Goods: “Richly detailed, almost indecently thrilling.” Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review (on < i=""> Grave Goods <> )
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“An exhilarating whodunit and my favorite book of the year. Id like to crown Ariana Franklin Queen of the Historical Mystery.” New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen (on < i=""> A Murderous Procession <> )
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” Both harsh and lovely, this novel seizes you from the first page, heart and soul, and doesnt let go!” Nancy Bilyeau, author of < i=""> The Chalice <>
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“[A] thoroughly captivating tale.” Kirkus Reviews
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“Norman and Franklin excel . . . in this richly researched, female-driven historical mystery. ” Library Journal (starred review)
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“Readers will note Franklins hand in the storytelling and see the freshness Norman brings to the tale, filled with fascinating characters who drive the plot as much as the tempestuous backdrop. With its bit of intrigue, historical setting and lovely characters, readers will be captivated by this compelling tale.” Historical Novels Review
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“Medieval-mystery writing at its best.” NY Daily News
Synopsis
A powerful historical novel by the late Ariana Franklin and her daughter Samantha Norman,
The Siege Winter is a tour de force mystery and murder, adventure and intrigue, a battle for a crown, told by two courageous young women whose fates are intertwined in twelfth century Englands devastating civil war.
1141. England is engulfed in war as King Stephen and his cousin, the Empress Matilda, vie for the crown. In this dangerous world, not even Emma, an eleven-year-old peasant, is safe. A depraved monk obsessed with redheads kidnaps the ginger-haired girl from her village and leaves her for dead. When an archer for hire named Gwyl finds her, she has no memory of her previous life. Unable to abandon her, Gwyl takes the girl with him, dressing her as a boy, giving her a new name—Penda—and teaching her to use a bow. But Gwyn knows that the man who hurt Penda roams free, and that a scrap of evidence she possesses could be very valuable.
Gwyl and Penda make their way to Kenilworth, a small but strategically important fortress that belongs to fifteen-year-old Maud. Newly wedded to a boorish and much older husband after her fathers death, the fierce and determined young chatelaine tempts fate and Stephens murderous wrath when she gives shelter to the empress.
Aided by a garrison of mercenaries, including Gwyl and his odd red-headed apprentice, Maud will stave off Stephens siege for a long, brutal winter that will bring a host of visitors to Kenilworth—kings, soldiers . . . and a sinister monk with deadly business to finish.
About the Author
Ariana Franklin was the award-winning author of
Mistress of the Art of Death and the critically acclaimed, bestselling medieval thriller series of the same name, as well as the twentieth-century thriller
City of Shadows. She died in 2011, while writing
The Siege Winter.
Samantha Norman is Ariana Franklin's daughter. A successful feature writer, columnist, and film critic, she lives in London.