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THE PARISIAN PRODIGAL
by Alan Gordon
Minotaur Books, January 2010
272 pages
$25.99
ISBN: 0312384149


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Oh, I love this series. The amazing conceit of it that jesters and fools in the 13th century could act as spies and peacemakers throughout the world just wows me. Gordon "teaches" so easily about the times and customs of his world. The skill with which the characters interact - Theo, his wife and fellow fool Claudia, their daughter and Helga, the wonderful apprentice who serves them but is really family is so enjoyable.

Theo comes from humble beginnings while Claudia, (if you know the first book in the series THIRTEENTH NIGHT) has upper class roots. Their interest and ability to go from castle to whorehouse and treat everyone equally really appeals to me. People in this book are often either not what they seem or more than what they seem. There is gentleness in the oddest places.

The strange little family works well as they perform both as jesters, amusing the crowds, keeping people happy, and distracted. This allows them, collectively or separately, to dig into the more important matters. Theo must help investigate whether a stranger who has appeared in Toulouse is truly the brother of the ruler of this region. The guild wants to keep Count Raimon happy, as he is an enlightened ruler and they support his rule as one that is considered humane and enlightened. But did Baudoin kill the prostitute he's found with? Is he really related to Raimon?

As the stories in this series have gone on, we've gotten to know Claudia better and better, so the fact that she shares the narrative chores in THE PARISIAN PRODIGAL, with her unique take on events, is welcome. As Helga grows and learns, I hope we see more of her as well. Alan Gordon continues to offer a most interesting mystery series, full of murders and intrigues, to be sure, but told in a wholly different way and with a truly unique voice. I hope he never tires of writing these books; I cannot imagine tiring of reading them.

Reviewed by Andi Shechter, April 2010

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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