I really enjoyed this, it’s your typical historical murder mystery but written beautifully and with a compelling pace. Onto book 3! ( )

Justin de Quincy is The Queen's Man, working for Eleanor of Aquitane while Richard is imprisoned and John is trying to take over. It seemed like Penman inserted every scrap of medieval research into this novel. And every female beyond toddler age was called a whore at some point. I enjoyed the first in this series but this one was mediocre to say the least. Disappointing. ( )

This is the second mystery starring Justin de Quincy by Sharon, Penman. The blend of fictional and "real life" characters is seamless,and they are fleshed by a writer who has a gift for captivating the essence of both so well that they all arouse the interest of the reader from the first page and hold it throughout. The plot is well woven, and keeps the suspense going to virtually the final word - just what is needed in a good mystery, with red herrings, romance and intrigue throughout. An excellent read. ( )

I'd actually rate this three and a half stars if I could--I enjoyed it more than I did the first book in the series, "The King's Man." Part of that might have been because I had just finished Penman's trilogy dealing with Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine and was loathe to leave that world. On the other hand, if this isn't rated higher it's because it suffers in comparison to both other historical mysteries and Penman's straight historical fiction. I love her "Sunne in Splendor" and "Here Be Dragons" and this just isn't in the same category. Penman even confessed in an author's note that she wasn't at first very comfortable with pure fiction with created characters and I think it shows in particular in the first two books in this series (I feel different about the third and last book and am rather sorry to see the series end) I do like her protagonist detective, Justin de Quincy "the Queen's Man." But I thought the solution to the first two books far too predictable--again something I thought improved in the next book--and I did enjoy all three. ( )

In the sequel to “The Queen's Man” Justin de Quincy, bastard son of a highly placed clergyman, continues his job working as an agent for Eleanor of Aquitaine. Her favorite son, Richard the Lionheart, is still held captive by the Holy Roman Emperor as she struggles to keep her youngest son, John, from mounting a rebellion to take over the realm. In a second story line, Justin is asked by his landlady to investigate the murder of a Welsh peddler's daughter. The author does a great job of linking these two stories and I think that's one of the best parts of the series. Justin works for the queen but he also lives and works among the ordinary citizens of 12th century London which gives the reader a perspective of both the royal and commoner characters.

The characters are filled with rich detail and Sharon Kay Penman uses her vast historical knowledge to detail the London time period. Justin is loyal and compassionate and many of the secondary characters are coming together as we move further into the series. While I still prefer the longer historical novels written by Penman this book delivers great plotting and atmosphere. I find the mystery elements compelling and plan to continue the four book series. In my opinion, “Cruel as the Grave” will be much more enjoyable for those who have already read “The Queen's Man” since book two starts immediately after book one.
( )