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It was a good depiction of the time period with its caste system, hypocritical monks, etc. It is an interesting plot where the little details make all the difference - even the color of a woman's accessory or the translation of the name can mean more than one would expect. This is the second novel starring Halfdan and Winston, and I am thinking of reading the first novel.
Luckily, this novel does not give anything away from the first book all it mentions is that Winston and Halfdan solve a murder for King Cnut. In the prologue of this book, there is the telling of the slaughter of men who was given an oath of peace to meet with Cnut, but instead are killed. This is based on a true story that the author has cleverly used as a starting point to this story. And the author is actually Danish, and this book has been translated from Danish.
I won this copy from one of the Goodreads giveaways. It took me an unreasonable amount of time to read this book. Part of my problem was the extremely tiny font used in this book, but the primary roadblock was my ignorance. I know nothing about this period of history and I was flummoxed by the political intrigues, titles, hierarchies and names both Danish and Saxon.
The Author's Note at the end of the book wasn't much help.
I almost didn't make it past the prologue with its impenetrable names. One event described in the prologue becomes relevant It took me an unreasonable amount of time to read this book. One event described in the prologue becomes relevant at the end of the book, but I wish that it could have been woven into the story without making me read the prologue. Once I got into this book, I found it to be an entertaining mystery with colorful period details and touches of humor. I did not read the previous book in this series about the illuminator Winston and his assistant, the former nobleman Halfdan, but I liked these characters and I don't think I needed to have read the prior book in order to understand this one.
Winston and Halfdan spend most of the book investigating the murder of a monk. I was not crazy about Winston's girlfriend inserting herself into the investigation, but she was a very pushy woman and I expect that if there are future books in this series that there will be no way of getting rid of her.
While ultimately I enjoyed this story, I doubt that I will read any more books in this series.
It was just too much of a struggle for me. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. Mar 08, Dianne rated it really liked it Shelves: Second in the series featuring Halfdan and the Illuminator Winston. It is a most enjoyable read. The translation is excellent and the style light and humerous. Halfdan is the narrator, a dispossessed Thane living on his wits.
Although we have all heard of the Vikings and the Danelaw, it is not a period commonly used in historicak mysteries. But one is introduced to the world of Angles, Saxons, Danes, Vikings and all the complexities of pre-Norman Britain with a very light touch. Winston and Halfdan are sent to Mercia by King Cnut to assess the feelings in that part of the country controlled by the Saxon ealdorman Leofwine. They travel with the party of Prior Edmund of Peterborough under the pretext of Illuminating a book for him. On route they halt at Brixham where Edmund has a personal task to undertake, and shortly thereafter a monk is murdered.
So the two have two mysteries to solve, the murder of the monk and the integrity of Leofwine's sons. The prologue introduces the reader into the Killing of Uhtred of Northumbria and his followers by Thurbrand the Hold in Wiheal in , which is very relevant to the story although how does not become clear until the end.
Unfortunately this seems to be the last in the series at the moment. Okay, put me down as guilty. When, as a devote of monastery murders a la Ellis Peters Brother Cadfael , I learned the subject of this adventure, I had to drop other things over the weekend and zoom through Oathbreaker.
The "Common Knowledge" section now includes a "Series" field. Britannia Eagles of the Empire , book 14 Simon Scarrow. The character s belong in it they think the thoughts that would be thought in that setting, and their actions match it no one is looking for fingerprints in the late s. It truly was survival of the fittest. Want to Read saving…. I was kept guessing for the most part on the whodunit; I couldn't predict the murderer until it was revealed. Aug 30, Rachel Burke rated it really liked it Shelves:
This book also takes place in the time of King Cnut's unification of England. Our detective duo consists of a Saxon, Winston the Illuminator, and a Dane, Halfdan, who had been a landed English noble and now is in Winston's employ. Shortly after the events in Oxford see The King's Hounds , they are sent on a secret mission under the guise of Winston having to illuminate illustrate a Benedictine text.
A murder in a monastery gives Winston a chance to prove that "looking at the fine details can lead to seeing the bigger picture. A most enjoyable read. Martin Jenson has chosen a time period I knew little about as the setting for his historical mystery series. Oathbreaker is a translation from the Danish and Jenson uses , a time when the Danes ruled England, as the setting for his mystery. I do not know much about this time so as well as being a great mystery story it is also a history lesson. The story is based on an actual incident Jensen found when on a research trip to England.
From there he uses several historical sites. Once again Hal Martin Jenson has chosen a time period I knew little about as the setting for his historical mystery series. Once again Halfdan and Winston are on a mission for King Cnut. He needs to know if one of his men is really loyal. On the journey they have to solve the murder of one of the monks in the church where they are staying. That murder leads back to a broken oath, thus the title. Oathbreaker has some interesting new characters that add to the spice in the story.
Once again Halfdan is at the center of everything and Winston helps guide the investigation. I really like this series. Tara Chance did a great job with the translation and the story moves very smoothly. I loved how actual history and places are shown. It gives a very real feeling to both the characters and the setting. Jun 04, Kevin rated it really liked it Shelves: It's set in England during the reign of King Canute. The narrator is Halfdan, who is half Danish and half Saxon and also a nobleman who lost his property when his family backed the wrong side in the war.
Halfdan works for Winston, who was educated by monks but now views them very skeptically. Winston is an artist who primarily illuminates manuscripts for the church and royalty -- he's talented enough and smart enough to w This is the second book in "The King's Hounds" series, by Martin Jensen. Winston is an artist who primarily illuminates manuscripts for the church and royalty -- he's talented enough and smart enough to work whenever and wherever he wants.
In this story King Cnut as spelled in the book has sent Winston and Halfdan north to check on loyalties, when a monk is murdered in a church. The murder seems to be more than random. As with the first story in the series, The King's Hounds, the story involves the clergy, noblemen, outlaws and commoners. The story is well written and well translated. The setting seems to be well researched and accurate -- at least, as far as I could tell! To the best of my knowledge, these two are the only books in the series that have been translated so far.
I hope the rest aren't long in coming. Nov 04, Kathleen rated it really liked it. A very good sequel to The King's Hounds, although a bit slower and more complicated. I do love the period and the quite accurate historical details given by Martin Jensen. Halfdan has most of the action this time out,and does a fine job of it, with Winston the Illuminator being preoccupied with his romance with the alewife Alfilda. King Cnut again manages to tap the pair to solve a mystery as in The King's Hounds, although Winston was a bit reluctant to leave Oxford.
The storyline, based on actua A very good sequel to The King's Hounds, although a bit slower and more complicated. The storyline, based on actual historical persons and events, takes our characters to Northumberland. The Anglo Saxon chronicle says this happened or afterwards about Uhtred that "he gave hostages, he was nevertheless slain by the advice of Alderman Edric, and Thurkytel", which the storyline evolves from.
A violent time is written about in less stark language by the author and becomes enjoyable reading. Looking forward to the next book or translation of and existing one. Really loved much of this book - the setting, the casual conversations of the actors, the arguing monks, the voice of the narrator. Lost a star as there is no reason a book published in should still be so sexist in its poortrayal of women - I almost didn't keep reading, as every woman we encounter is rated and described according to her sexual attractiveness to a man - even a 12 year old girl is described this way.
Also some of the American slang in the translation jar Really loved much of this book - the setting, the casual conversations of the actors, the arguing monks, the voice of the narrator. Also some of the American slang in the translation jarred - dislike the word 'dumb' for stupid, and 'it had me beat' is just too American. A fine line between conveying that lovely human tone of conversation and slang too far. Author, pick up your game re the portrayal of women - I know you can, as the story and writing otherwise is warm, appealing, fun, pacy and very interesting.
I really enjoy this series - Halfdan particularly is so well written - he really does come over as a man of his time to me, whereas in many other historical novels there is a feeling that characters think, or behave, like modern people dropped into the historical setting. The opening scenes of this book really hold the imagination - and leave you wondering for quite a lot of the book.
What they leave you wondering would be a spoiler! This scene is a description of a real incident - an incident th I really enjoy this series - Halfdan particularly is so well written - he really does come over as a man of his time to me, whereas in many other historical novels there is a feeling that characters think, or behave, like modern people dropped into the historical setting.
This scene is a description of a real incident - an incident that tells us much about the period. The on-going disagreement between two monastic orders that is threaded throughout this book is very interesting - and I must say that the 'kindness' shown by the host order to their Benedictine guests, to comply with Benedictine dietary rules, really made me smile- and seemed very much in character. Jun 18, Catherine rated it liked it. A generous 3 stars. As with the first book in the series, this has a decent storyline although the conclusion could be spotted a mile off.
What particularly struck me about these books though is that although the setting is England, the translation is peppered with American spellings and phrases: Okay I am aware of the trend of thought that the last may have been used by the English at one time, but the book isn't written with any attempt to to lodge the languag A generous 3 stars.
Okay I am aware of the trend of thought that the last may have been used by the English at one time, but the book isn't written with any attempt to to lodge the language and sentence structures of the age of course. Therefore to modern British ears 'gotten' is grating. Maybe it's because I read the kindle version which perhaps has a universal AmericanEnglish translation.
I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads giveaway. I had not read the first book in the series so I immediately purchased a copy to read before beginning Oathbreaker. Oathbreaker paints an excellent picture of life during the time period. The author keeps very nice historical details intact in the world of fiction that he creates. Winston and Halfdan's relationship and interactions are very entertaining and move the novel along nicely. This book is a great medieval murder mystery tha I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads giveaway.
This book is a great medieval murder mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. Now, to patiently wait for additional stories to be translated to English. May 10, Val rated it liked it.
I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series. The historical background is not emphasised, but seems more firmly established than in the first book, although both would benefit from a more sensitive translation. Female characters get a more prominent role, not purely as bedfellows, I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series. Female characters get a more prominent role, not purely as bedfellows, which is an improvement.
Any interesting in Viking or English history. Allegiances are in place - but they are frail - and switching loyalites is still part of the country's intrigue. It's the perfect setting for a murder. Jensen set-up the perfect plot to capture the spirit of the times, including the key differences in status in various groups of people of the time.
Mysteries abound at every turn and Jensen's character could be right out Martin Jensen takes us back to when King Cnut has united the country now known as England from Vikings, Saxons and Danes. Mysteries abound at every turn and Jensen's character could be right out of TV mystery today. Thanks for another great read, Herr Jensen! Jul 23, Cheryl rated it really liked it Shelves: It wasn't as good as the 1st but I think that's pretty typical for me to like the 2nd of a series that is.
Halfdan and Winston have to figure out who killed the murder victim - this one killed in the church. These aren't just good mysteries they're funny too. I find myself laughing out loud quite a bit - mostly at Halfdan, but there are other funny moments as well. These are good solid historical mysteries. Can't wait for the next one! This was much better than the first book in the series! I did struggle with the political hierarchies - Danes, Saxons, Vikings, thanes, ealdormen, jarls, etc.
Oathbreaker (The King's Hounds) and millions of other books are available for instant access. view Kindle eBook . Book 2 of 3 in the King's Hounds Series. Start by marking “Oathbreaker (The King's Hounds #2)” as Want to Read: The second book in the Danish historical fiction mystery series by Martin Jensen. Martin Jensen debuterede i ned den historiske roman "Frit gennem Jylland", som er genudgivet i
I hope Elvina appears again the series. Though I've mentioned not liking the first book as much, I do think it provides excellent background on the main characters, Halfdan and Winston, and their relationship with King Cnut This was much better than the first book in the series! Though I've mentioned not liking the first book as much, I do think it provides excellent background on the main characters, Halfdan and Winston, and their relationship with King Cnut.
And honestly, it wasn't a bad book, it's just that this one is better. Jan 29, Mary Morris rated it it was amazing. I enjoyed this one better than the first as I feel that there is more development of the character of the young man. The history of the Danes, Vikings and Saxons was very enlightening.
The brutality of the warriors and even the church is quite well covered. How anyone survived the wars, and the filth in daily life is beyond me. It truly was survival of the fittest. The mystery was full of twists and turns but I found the resolution of the situation quite satisfactory. Nov 03, Rebecca rated it did not like it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here. The writing is confusing - how did the names fit into the murder? And I really dislike the main character. If you want to force a particular order, use the character to divide the number and the descriptor. So, " 0 prequel " sorts by 0 under the label "prequel. Series was designed to cover groups of books generally understood as such see Wikipedia: Like many concepts in the book world, "series" is a somewhat fluid and contested notion. A good rule of thumb is that series have a conventional name and are intentional creations , on the part of the author or publisher.
For now, avoid forcing the issue with mere "lists" of works possessing an arbitrary shared characteristic, such as relating to a particular place.
Avoid series that cross authors, unless the authors were or became aware of the series identification eg. Also avoid publisher series, unless the publisher has a true monopoly over the "works" in question. So, the Dummies guides are a series of works. But the Loeb Classical Library is a series of editions, not of works. Home Groups Talk Zeitgeist. The 12 Days of LT scavenger hunt is going on. Can you solve the clues? I Agree This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and if not signed in for advertising.