A Flight of Arrows (The Hundred Years’ War)
In the summer of 1346, King Edward III is determined to make a breakthrough in the endless war by invading Brittany, where a handful of Norman potentates seem ready to join the English against France. Only things don’t go as planned, with enemies, doubtful allies, and the King’s own squabbling captains all getting in the way. A good thing that Edward can count on Merrivale. Simon Merrivale is a commoner – but, as a herald, he enjoys an unusual degree of freedom and influence. When he sets out to investigate the suspicious death of a young knight, he soon begins to uncover threads that seem to explain why the French are always a step ahead. Is there conspiracy afoot? Was Edmund Bray killed because of it? How does it all tie back to the murder of the King’s father, Edward II, twenty years ago? A. J. MacKenzie’s new series starts with an intricate tale of war and espionage, and a likeable, interesting hero. Although a couple of things failed to convince me (especially Merrivale’s role in the resolution), I very much enjoyed the jaunty pace, vivid descriptions, and interesting characters.
