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The Canterbury Papers
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Plot Summary of The Canterbury Papers
"

Morrow, Dec 2003, 24.95, 368 pp.
ISBN: 0060525355

In 1200 though an octogenarian, the former Queen of both France and England Eleanor remains a wily influence in state affairs. Through an intermediary, Eleanor asks her former ward Princess Alais to travel from France to Canterbury Cathedral to retrieve some letters she hid there that if revealed could doom King John's reign. Though angry with Eleanor for her part in denying her the chance to marry Richard, Alais travels with escort Sir Owain of Cardwyd, a knight of King Harry.

Though Alais expected some danger, she thought overall the mission would be rather easy especially with her being sister to the King of France, Philippe. However, instead of the smooth completion of her quest, someone abducts Alais before she can accomplish the mission. Barely staying ahead of her unknown enemies, Alais joins with the Knights Templar to begin to uncover a conspiracy by powerful and evil people wanting to take over two kingdoms.

THE CANTERBURY PAPERS is a strong historical fiction mystery that enables the audience to see an era filled with treachery that makes the Democrat and Republicans parties look like choirs. The story line is loaded with action, but it is the powerful characterizations especially Alais the forgotten princess that make the plot a must read for fans of medieval tales.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of The Canterbury Papers
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%




Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story: - middle ages
Spying/Terrorism Thriller Yes
Cloak & Dagger Plotlets: - power struggle within govt between two factions
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status: - Prince/Nobleman/King
Age: - 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use? - a little
Ethnicity/Race - French
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist - money/treasure
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths? - 0 (not a murder mystery)
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
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