The Gleemaiden by Sylvian Hamilton (Review, £12.99)

HERE is an intriguing tale of dark suspense, comedy, historical adventure and mystery.

I had not read any of Hamilton's tales of Sir Richard Straccan before, but soon warmed to her colourful and highly imaginative style and became hooked on both the tale and the characters.

Set in the time of "bad" King John, our hero Straccan, a former Crusader, sets out on the tiresome task of escorting a giant bell, Gaudete, to its final destination in Durham.

On the way, accompanied by a motley gaggle of pilgrims, strolling players and animal drovers - not to mention a stray dog - he meets an assortment of monks, priests, spies, assassins, gleemen, beggars and Templars.

The story fairly ducks and dives in and around a general plot - the guarding of a mysterious child against three knights of the sinister White Brotherhood, who are pursuing them. Several other sinister storylines are interwoven into this tale of a nightmare journey of many weeks, accidents and incidents.

With a little magic thrown in for good measure, this is an impressive and absorbing historical crime novel, once you've overcome the initial shock of something rather different from the norm. It's a gripping tale with a fantastic finale.

Beverly Abbs

n The Gleemaiden by Sylvian Hamilton (Review, £12.99)

HERE is an intriguing tale of dark suspense, comedy, historical adventure and mystery.

I had not read any of Hamilton's tales of Sir Richard Straccan before, but soon warmed to her colourful and highly imaginative style and became hooked on both the tale and the characters.

Set in the time of "bad" King John, our hero Straccan, a former Crusader, sets out on the tiresome task of escorting a giant bell, Gaudete, to its final destination in Durham.

On the way, accompanied by a motley gaggle of pilgrims, strolling players and animal drovers - not to mention a stray dog - he meets an assortment of monks, priests, spies, assassins, gleemen, beggars and Templars.

The story fairly ducks and dives in and around a general plot - the guarding of a mysterious child against three knights of the sinister White Brotherhood, who are pursuing them. Several other sinister storylines are interwoven into this tale of a nightmare journey of many weeks, accidents and incidents.

With a little magic thrown in for good measure, this is an impressive and absorbing historical crime novel, once you've overcome the initial shock of something rather different from the norm. It's a gripping tale with a fantastic finale.

Beverly Abbs