The Jester

FROM OUR EDITORS

A disillusioned warrior returning home from the Crusades discovers to his horror that the peaceful village he left has been ransacked and plundered, and his beloved wife is missing, abducted by knights in pursuit of a great treasure. To retrieve his mate, the warrior must infiltrate the enemy's castle. To do so, he dons the cap and bells of a jester. Once again, plot master James Patterson proves that a radical departure need not be a wrong turn. Readers will find plenty of Patterson's trademark suspense, in addition to a healthy dose of wit.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Hugh De Luc, a poor innkeeper, returns home from the First Crusade wearied from battle and disillusioned by carnage. After journeying from the Holy Land back to his own small village, he finds his nightmare is just beginning." In his absence, Hugh's son has been killed and his beloved wife, Sophie, abducted by a ruthless duke in search of a priceless relic dating back to the Crucifixion. Taking on the role of a jester, Hugh infiltrates the court where he believes Sophie is held captive. There he confronts men more evil than he ever imagined and embarks on an epic battle to restore his broken life.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

From start to finish, this is supersmart popular fiction, slick yet stirring...unforgettable characters...Patterson's fans will ove this one.

Publishers Weekly

Just who is writing the coauthored Patterson novels makes for interesting water-cooler chat, but whether the majority of words are contributed by Patterson or Gross, this terrific new novel is prime Patterson all the way, another step in the author's application of his patented storytelling style to a multitude of genres-in this case, historicals. The title character is, when introduced in 1096, an unassuming innkeeper in a French village oppressed by the local nobleman. To earn his freedom, Hugh de Luc joins the Crusades for a torturous, bloody march toward Jerusalem that occupies the book's first third and ends with him escaping the madness around him by deserting back to France, in possession of some minor treasures-or so he thinks. Back home, he finds that his beloved wife has been taken captive by the odious nobleman, and his infant son slain. Seeking his wife and revenge, Hugh adopts the guise of a jester in order to enter to the nobleman's castle, where he begins to fall in love with a young noblewoman, and she with him. In time, Hugh finds his wife, only to experience tragedy, and learns that the nobleman is searching for him, as he is believed to have carried back from the Crusades the greatest holy relic of all. Returning to his village, which has been destroyed during the nobleman's hunt for him, Hugh persuades his townspeople, then surrounding towns, to rise up in revolt against the corrupt nobleman and his henchmen. From start to finish, this is supersmart popular fiction, slick yet stirring, packed with colorful details of medieval life, bursting with unforgettable characters and clever tropes and themes. Patterson's fans will adore this one. (Mar. 3) Forecast: More than any Patterson since Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas, this book has the potential to expand the author's already huge fan base. Its tag line alone ("Every thousand years or so, a great adventure comes along...") will draw in browsers, as will a fabulous cover featuring a gold castle and the title in bold red; anyone who reads one page will be hooked. Expect this to hit #1 with ease. Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Hugh De Luc, a French innkeeper, feels compelled to join a Crusade in order to win his freedom from his liege, Lord Baldwin. When his disillusionment with the Crusade is complete, he deserts his post and returns home, finding that his wife has been kidnapped and the infant son he never met killed. Hugh vows revenge and begins a journey that places him in the roles of jester, spy, lover, general, and noble. Throughout the saga a mysterious group of black knights terrorize the countryside, searching for a holy relic brought back from the Crusades. When Hugh finally discovers the relic, he begins a crusade of his own to rid France of its unfair customs and practices toward the poor. Patterson's story is rich with the history of 1098. He does not neglect the realities of dirt, disease, battle, death, blood, gore, or poverty, and the relentless description of the carnage of battle becomes almost tedious. Both readers (Cary Elwes for the abridged version; Neil Dickson for unabridged cassettes and CDs) have British accents, which seems odd for a book that takes place in France. Recommended for most libraries.-Joanna M. Burkhardt, Coll. of Continuing Education Lib., Univ. of Rhode Island, Providence Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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