The Season of the Beast : The First Agnes De Souarcy Mystery

In the first 'Agnes de Souarcy mystery' , Andrea Japp offers the reader a multi layered mystery within a richly imagined portrait of Medieval France.Set in 1304 in the Normandy countryside, young widow Agnes de Souarcy, the beautiful lady of the manor, is fighting to retain her independent way of life, aware that her spiteful half-brother will do anything to destroy her.Meanwhile the King of France and the Church are locked in a battle for power that will decide the fate of the Knights Templar and Hospitaller. These two different worlds collide in the forest near Souarcy , where a terrifying creature begins to kill and mutilate a succession of monks on their way to deliver a secret message of momentous importance. Adapted for television in France, the first of the Nicolas Le Floch mysteries tells the story of murder against the backdrop of the glittering court of Louis XV.'Has all the twists, turns and surprises the genre demands'Independent on Sunday It's France, 1761. Beyond the glittering court of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour at Versailles, lies Paris, a capital in the grip of crime and immorality... A police officer disappears and Nicolas Le Floch, a young recruit to the force, is instructed to find him. When unidentified human remains suddenly come to light, he seems to have a murder investigation on his hands. As the city descends into Carnival debauchery, Le Floch will need all his skill, courage and integrity to unravel a mystery which threatens to implicate the highest in the land. This is the first in a series of six historical crime novels which has sold in excess of 400,000 copies in French. The author brings eighteenth-century Paris vividly to life and the story features real-life characters Madame de Pompadour and Louis XV as well as engaging hero Nicolas le Floch. 1304, Normandy. As the world reels from the Popes sudden and suspicious death, a poisoner is at work amongst the nuns at Clairets Abbey, and the Inquisition at Alenon continues its cruel campaign of imprisonment and torture. Young gentlewoman, Agns de Souarcy, is in the hands of the sadistic Grand Inquisitor. Widowed and innocent of any crime, she has only her strength of character to draw on as she fights for her life. An ancient quest of immense significance, its followers must act in secret and overcome the enemies of their cause. Francesco de Leone, Knight Hospitaller and one os the quests number, comes to Normandy in search of a hidden holy text. . . . In this sequel to The Season of the Beast Andrea Japp uses her remarkable knowledge of French history and daily life in the medieval world to tell an intricate and spellbinding story. The Breath of the Rose was previously published in France as La Dame sans terre 2: Le Souffle de la rose (Calmann-Lvy, 2006). In the first 'Agnes de Souarcy mystery', Andrea Japp offers the reader a multi layered mystery within a richly imagined portrait of Medieval France. Set in 1304 in the Normandy countryside, young widow Agnes de Souarcy, the beautiful lady of the manor, is fighting to retain her independent way of life, aware that her spiteful half-brother will do anything to destroy her. Meanwhile the King of France and the Church are locked in a battle for power that will decide the fate of the Knights Templar and Hospitaller. These two different worlds collide in the forest near Souarcy, where a terrifying c "June 1812. Napoleon begins his invasion of Russia leading the largest army Europe has ever seen. But amongst the troops of the Grande Armee is a savage murderer whose bloodlust is not satisfied in battle. When an innocent Polish woman is brutally murdered, Captain Quentin Margont of the 84th regiment is put in charge of a secret investigation to unmask the perpetrator. Armed with the sole fact that the killer is an officer, Margont knows that he faces a near-impossible task and the greatest challenge of his military career."--Book jacket In June 1812, Napoleon begins his invasion of Russia leading the largest army the world has ever seen. But amongst the troops of the Grande Armee is a savage murderer whose bloodlust is not satisfied in battle. When an innocent Polish woman is fatally stabbed, Captain Quentin Margont of the 84th regiment is put in charge of a secret investigation to unmask the perpetrator. Armed with the sole fact that the killer is an officer, Margont knows that he faces a near-impossible task and the greatest challenge of his military career. France 1761. Beyond the glittering court of Louis XV at Versailles lies Paris, a capital in the grip of crime and immorality. A police officer disappears and Nicolas Le Floch, a young recruit to the force, is instructed to find him. When unidentified human remains suddenly come to light, he seems to have a murder investigation on his hands. Le Floch will need all his skill, courage, and integrity to unravel a mystery that threatens to implicate the king and Madame de Pompadour In this sequel to'The Season of the beast', Andrea Japp uses her remarkable knowledge of French history and daily life in the medieval world to tell an intricate and spellbinding story.Imprisoned by the Inquisition, Agnes de Souarcy faces interrogation and torture. At the same time, the religious community of Clarets Abbey is shaken to the core when a nun is horrifically poisoned by a murderer hidden in its midst. October 1761 finds newly promoted Commissioner Le Floch on duty at a royal performance of Jean-Philippe Rameau's latest work. Events take a dramatic turn and Nicolas is soon embarked on his second major investigation when the body of a courtier's son is found. The initial evidence points to suicide, but Le Floch's instincts tell him he is dealing with murder of the most gruesome kind In 1809, the forces of Napoleon's Grande Armée are in Austria. For young Lieutenant Lukas Relmyer, it is hard to return to the place where he and fellow orphan Franz were kidnapped four years previously. Franz was brutally murdered and Lukas as vowed to avenge his death. Then the body of another orphan is found on the battlefield 1661 Is A Year Of Destiny For France And Its Young King, Louis Xiv. Cardinal Mazarin, The Prime Minister Who Has Governed Throughout The King's Early Years, Lies Dying. As A Fierce Power Struggle Develops To Succeed Him, A Religious Brotherhood, Guardian Of A Centuries Old Secret, Also Sees Its Chance To Influence Events. 1661 is a year of destiny for France and its young King, Louis XIV. Cardinal Mazarin, the prime minister who has reigned throughout the king's early years, lies dying. As a fierce power struggle develops to succeed him, a religious brotherhood, guardian of a centuries old secret, also sees its chance to influence events. Alencon, September 1304. Imprisoned by the Inquisition, Agnes de Souarcy faces interrogation and torture at the hands of Nicolas Florin, the sadistic Grand Inquisitor. At the same time, the religious community of Clairets Abbey is shaken to the core when a nun is horrifically poisoned by a murderer hidden in its midst. October 1761 finds the newly-promoted Commissioner Le Floch on duty at a Royal performance of Rameau's latest work. Events take a dramatic turn and Nicolas is soon embarked on his second major investigation when the body of a prominent courtier's son is found. 1304. The King of France and the Church are locked in a battle for power. Meanwhile, a terrifying creature begins to kill and mutilate a succession of monks... 2nd Nicolas Le Floch investigation - a sinister death at the opera reveals something rotten at the French court. By Andrea H Japp ; Translated By Lorenza Garcia. Translated From The French.