The major attraction for me with this work was Christine de Pizan. Christine was basically Europe's first professional female author way back in the 15th century, and I read her 'Book of the City of the Ladies' a few years ago.

A mystery series featuring her could have been great. It turned out to be just good, but not exceptional. There were several things which grated on on with this story. First of all, Christine's refusal to believe in 'signs' and 'superstitions' like demons in mandrakes.
Now, when I encounter a character in Historical Fiction who rejects the social mores, values or common beliefs of the time period, I think there needs to be a reason for it. Some logical basis to make it credible in the historical context.
There isn't with Christine. Her attitude seems rather anachronistically modern. (Judging from the works of hers I've read, and just that she was a 15th century woman).

In the Presence of Evil was well written as mysteries go, but there were few other historical details that did not seem totally accurate. Others were interesting though, especially those surrounding the French court at the turn of the fourteenth century.

Its certainly no Cadfael, despite some of the details about the uses and abuses of plants and herbs., but I would be happy to read the rest of the books in this series and 'see' some of the characters return.

I have always been fascinated with Christine de Pizan, and I was intrigued by the fact that they made her a female detective. However, it was very slow moving for me. It took a while for the murder to begin. However, I hope that the next few novels will be a vast improvement.

I was drawn to this cozy-mystery as it featured one of medieval Frances' better known women - Christise de Pizan.

Set in France in 1392 during the reign of mad King Charles VI, recently widowed Christine, is employed as a scribe for the French Queen, Isabeau of Bavaria. The French Court in this period was a hot-bed of political and sexual intrigue, with the various factions fighting for control of both the government and the King (think Wars of the Roses). Into this, Christine, who grew up at the Court, insinuates herself and embarks on an investigation into the death of one of the King's favourites, the Chamberlain, Hugues, whose 16yo wife Alix stands accused.

"... when women set out to do something, they are smarter and shrewder than men .."

What is the link between a young local prostitute, a mysterious book, a hooded figure, and the mad King's brother, Louis Duke of Orleans. At the French Court no-one is whom they appear to be - it is a place haunted by intrigue, secrets, magic and superstition. Bear in mind, the miracle of Joan of Arc is only a few decades away!

As a first novel, this make a nice change from most historical mysteries which have been predominantly set on the other side of the English Channel. I would be interested to read the next in the series to see how the characters develop and the storyline tightens up - sometimes less is more in storytelling.

I know enough about Christine de Pizan to be interested in her as a woman who spoke her mind, traveled, and wrote in medieval France. I'm up for some feminist historical fiction/mystery.

What I'd say about this one is that the author is still learning her craft. It was hard for me to feel that the characters were real, although some effort was taken to bring them to life. The plot felt a bit like video game informational encounters, with people giving clues without being prompted directly or not, because that was what the plot called for at the time. I might have enjoyed this more without the mystery, honestly, just learning more about Christine and her family. The author has clearly researched the period and that shows, but it feels a bit more like a stage set than a lived in setting. I'd give the author a try again later, though.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I have tried reading this book on 2 separate occasions and during this 2nd attempt, I have only managed to make it halfway through so I'd rather stop here and state that this book just wasn't for me.
I wish the author, publisher, and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

This book is set in 1393 Paris and follows the story of Christine who is working as a scribe in order to support her family and is currently working for the Queen of France. However, a string of murders have been taking place and when another woman of the court’s husband is found dead she is accused of the murder Christine sets out to prove her innocence. While this book sounds interesting it just wasn’t for me and I DNFed it at 25%. I couldn’t seem to get invested in the story and the characters felt quite bland and I couldn’t connect to them.

Tania Bayard introduces Christine, widow and scribe, who was brought up in the French court of Charles the Mad,, king of France. Christine is scribe for Queen Ysabeau and other court figures. She defends a friend, Alix de Clery, accused of husband murder, and is threatened by court figures and unknown dangerous people. In the Presence of Evil conveys the overwhelming menace of being a woman in medieval France and the decadence of the French court. Good medieval mystery.

Christine de Pisan is the latest historical figure to be tapped to serve as a crime solver in a mystery series. This 14-15th century Italian lady of letters lived in France and wrote for the court of King Charles VI. The intermittent madness of the king and resulting instability of the kingdom forms the basis of the plot. A mysterious, evil book of magic has been brought to court, ostensibly to cure the king, but the courier is murdered and the book stolen. Misfortunes in the king’s circle increase and it seems no one is safe. When one of the queen’s ladies is arrested for poisoning her husband, Christine sets out to prove her innocence and is drawn more deeply into the mystery surrounding the book. Christine’s friends, a monk and a prostitute, are sympathetic characters who do much of the heavy lifting of solving the mystery. However, it is Christine’s determination to do the right thing that helps bring about the conclusion. The various elements making up the plot are rather scattered, so although the different conflicts are resolved in the end, the connections seemed cobbled together. For a murder mystery, the pace was fairly slow, but this may be because I was not particularly drawn in by Christine. I had higher expectations for the fictional character development of this brilliant historical woman. But this is the first book in a series and her sleuthing skills may develop more in subsequent stories.

Paris 1393 and scribe Christine de Pizan discovers a body, one that has been stabbed. Later Hugues de Precy, is found murdered, poisoned, and his wife is accused. But Christine believes her innocent.
Unfortunately I struggled to finish this as I do enjoy historical mysteries of various kinds. I found it difficult to engage with the characters and therefore the story.
A NetGalley Book

Not really my cup of tea. I just didn't enjoy this one overall and had to force myself to read all of it. It's just wasn't to my tastes but I'm sure other people will enjoy it.

The book was really great and it gripped me from the beginning. I also wasn't spoiled, as I did not know much about the characters and the setting so it was something different than the other historical books I've read before.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Severne House and Tania Bayard for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel.
I enjoyed reading this historical novel. The narrative was so good, the book seemed to come alive. The plot was gripping and keeps the reader entertained. Definitely a book well worth reading.

A Medieval French Murder Mystery.

Paris 1393. Christine is a Scribe for the Queen, forced to work as her husband is dead and she must now feed her family.

People still believed in magic and sought to use this magic to cure the King’s mysterious madness. Then a man carrying a book of magic is murdered, followed by the death of Hugues De Precy. His beautiful new wife is accused of both murders and taken to jail. Christine believes Alix has been set up and vows to save her from burning.

With her friends and family, she begins to uncover the intrigues and love lives of the French Court and save Alix from certain death.

I admit I didn’t want to read this book, and it was with a big sigh that I began it. However, I got to page 10 and forgot my negativity and from then really enjoyed the book. I couldn’t guess the culprits which are a big bonus for me as real mysteries are hard to come by. The characters are good and likeable, and the Mother is particularly witty with her old wife’s tales.

A thoroughly entertaining book. I would recommend it and I, for one, am looking forward to her next book in the series.

Shesat

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.

Although I can't claim exhaustive knowledge of Christine de Pizan, I have at least heard of her, and that, combined with my love of medieval mysteries, drew me to this title. Ms. Bayard seems to be sticking pretty close to what is actually known of this late medieval author, a widow who wrote to support herself and her family, although in this novel Pizan is a scribe and not yet an author. When another young woman at the French court is accused of murder, Pizan seeks to clear her name. I found the beginning of this mystery rather slow, but enjoyed some of the supporting cast (especially Marion), and found the end satisfying. This is listed as first in a series, and I will be interested to see how Ms. Bayard develops the character in following books.

Many thanks to Severn House and NetGalley, who provided a digital ARC in exchanged for an honest opinion.

I've never read a historical novel featuring Christine de Pizan, so I was really happy to see her featured here. I thought the details of the time were very well done and realistic, the plot was gripping, and I would love to read more by this author.