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Title: A Personal Devil

Subtitle: A Magdalene la Bâtarde Mystery

Author: Roberta Gellis

Narrator: Nadia May

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-15-06

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 165 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

However, when it seems that Mainard will be charged with Bertrild's murder, because no one accepts the oath of a whore that he is innocent, Magdalene, with her handsome friend, Sir Bellamy, decides to investigate.

Critic Reviews:

"In addition to a well-crafted plot, moments of heart-stopping suspense, and a dramatic conclusion, the author provides poignant glimpses into the humanity of her characters, particularly the women of the guesthouse." (Publishers Weekly)

"Yet another authentically detailed medieval mystery featuring a proactive feminist as the detective." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

A life medieval

The Gellis' books have brought to life the many details of a 12th century life that are often overlooked by the academic accounts. And again, she brings to life the people who make life in King Stephen's reign seem real and believable. This tale, however, is the weakest of the three about Madeleine and her knight Sir Belamy. Although the resolution of the mystery is a stretch, it does not dilute the rich flow of the tapestry formed by the complex relationships that were part of human life then, and even now.

Wonderful Period Who Dunnit!

If you like historical mysteries, this one is a delight. The premise is unique, and the characters are so well written that I find myself thinking about them long after the book is done. (I have a total crush on Bell.) There are 3 of the series available here, but the 4th is out -- "Chains of Folly." Once you finish the last book, do what I did, and write to Audible and ask for the 4th. (Roberta Gellis is writing the 5th, "Bishop to King, Check!" even as I write this. By the way -- Nadia May is brilliant! Her various characters voices linger in my mind even now. Great Book!

Another Triumph

This is one of the best historical mystery series.

This book has both great characters who are wonderfully brought to life by Nadia May and a plot that really is a mystery. Excellent!

Better than Ellis Peters

There are only four books in the "Magdal??ne la B??tarde" series of medieval whodunnits. Dammit. This is the fourth and last. Magdal??ne is the mistress of the Old Priory Guesthouse, in Southwark. A brothel. High class, and gentle with the employees... but a brothel all the same. Magdal??ne's relations with all other people are systematically defined by her status: known or unknown, and client or not client. She gets involved in murders. But she has friends, some in high places.

The mysteries are well plotted, but they are primarily backdrops for portraits and landscapes af great talent.

Highly recommended.

Answers Several Unanswered Questions

To me, the plot of this book was not nearly as engaging as the first book in the series was. The mystery wasn't particularly mysterious and it did not capture and hold my attention. However, I appreciated the background information about Magdalena included in this installment. It made her character far more understandable. I also liked the additional information included about her co-workers.

These are not, edge of your seat nail-biting mysteries to me. Rather the author does a great job (I think) of capturing a time and place, giving the reader a better understanding of each, along with those that inhabit it ...