Shadowed Evil, A

"Sir Josse d’Acquin and Helewise are summoned to Southfire Hall, where Josse’s elderly uncle, Hugh, lies dying, surrounded by his children. But the pair soon discovers that Hugh’s ill health is not the only cause of distress in the house"

I have read all of the Hawkenlye books that were available to me and this one is another unique one. Recently we have begun to see a familial relationship for Josse and Helewise.

This one was chilling, fast paced and so very intriguing.So glad that it got wrapped up so nicely at the end.

Recommended for all who appreciate a really good Medieval mystery which will hold your interest.

An evil is lurking in Southfire Hall. Josse and his wife, Helewise, return to his family home because his uncle Hugh's health is failing. They find most of the family welcoming and happy to see them. But Cyrille, wife to Josse's cousin Herbert, does not seem all that happy to meet them. When a young man who has fallen from his horse and is badly injured comes to the house mysterious happenings occur. There seems to be an evil spirit inhabiting the home. Who is the injured man who has a treasured artifact in his possession? What or who is the evil presence? Why does Cyrille act so strangely?

This is a wonderful installment in the Hawkenlye series. Full of plot twists and surprises. I thought I had things figured out, but I was incorrect in many of my theories. I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery.

Spooky. Psychological intrigue. Misadventure. Betrayal. What more can you ask for in a great read. A familial home is feeling evil to it's very depth. Who in the household of family kin could be responsible. What is terrifying an innocent child and causing death. A truly remarkable story of how greed and evil combined can turn a good home upside down. 5 Stars!

Interesting. I've read quite a few of the Hawkenlye books featuring Helewise and Josse d'Acquin over the years and in many ways find they defy categorisation. From the blurbs they seem to be straightforward mediaeval mysteries, but as the series has developed a strong element of mysticism/ghost/supernatural has entered. In this book Josse and Helewise travel to the home of Josse's dying uncle, a home where he spent time in his childhood. Delighted to be spending time with his relatives, Josse nevertheless senses something wrong in the house, something evil ...
I enjoyed this, and despite the otherworldly element of the house with a spirit/presence it was a more straightforward mystery than some of the others in the series.

First Sentence: He lay in his lonely little bed, curled up into the smallest shape he could contrive.

Sir Josse d’Acquin and Helewise travel to the home of Josse’s elderly uncle, a place where Josse always felt the house welcome and sheltered the family. However, his uncle Hugh appears to be dying, Hugh’s heir has married a woman who has disrupted the spirit of the house and who, in spite of the heir planning to adopt her son, she virtually ignores the boy. The unpleasant feelings only increase with the appearance of a badly injured stranger.

There is actually a wonderful prologue that perfectly describes a child’s fear, yet comfort derived by sensing the spirit of one’s surroundings. This provides a wonderful touch of mysticism to the story…or not…depending upon whether one believes that a structure can take on the energy of those who have lived there. This is followed by a very good introduction of Josse, the members of his family, and their--and his--history.

Claire is a very descriptive writer. One feels as though one is traveling with the characters, both out in the land or throughout the house. Yet, one does wish there were drawings and diagrams of the manor house. She also brings the characters to life. There are times where one may feel a bit frustrated with Helewise, but it is important to not judge her by our time, and to remember her past, which we learn, but the family never fully does. Again, this is in keeping with both the character and the time as pride and vanity would be out of her keeping.

“A Shadowed Evil” is filled with an appropriately nasty character just the right creepiness, lots of very good twists, and a satisfactory resolution.

A SHADOWED EVIL (Hist Mys/Para-Josse/Helewise-England-1212) – G+
Claire, Alys – 16th in series Severn House – Sept 2015

A Shadowed Evil...by Alys Clare. 5 stars

A murder with a difference

"A Shadowed Evil" is a murder mystery with a difference, as it is set in 13th century England. From the outset Alys Clare writes with such description, detail and mysticism that it is easy for the reader to immerse oneself in English rural life of 800 years ago.

The central characters are Sir Josse d'Acquin and his wife Helewise, who begin their journey to visit Josse's poorly and elderly Uncle Hugh, plus the extended family, all living together at Southfire Hall. It soon becomes apparent that there is an extremely dark force present within the very cold walls themselves.

Soon after Josse and Helewise had settled into Southfire Hall, a rather mysterious traveller on horseback turns up, having had an accident in the serious icy conditions. The tension mounts as the plot unfolds until all is revealed at the end.

I was gripped from the outset so I awarded five stars to 'A Shadowed Evil.' I will look out for other tales in this series.

By Peggy Sutton. AKA Galadriel

I didn't realize til after I'd finished reading this book, that it was the 16th!! in the series. I greatly enjoyed the mystery of the house and the story set in ancient England. I will be looking for the other books in the series.

Great book!