“Readers will enjoy the nicely constructed mystery as well as the well-researched trip to fourteenth-century France, highlighted by an interesting backstory concerning the contents of the royal library”

“Immersive … Fans of well-researched historical mysteries will be rewarded”

“Bayard vividly immerses the reader in the complex and perilous world of medieval France”

“The liberal sprinkling of quotations, many from the real de Pizan's own works, lend this intriguing tale an air of historical authenticity”

“Well-researched … History fans will enjoy this one”

“Historical details drive this period puzzle, whose heroine provides a steady presence against a backdrop of characters constantly fighting against their time and stations”

“Bayard excels at describing people and places and puts her knowledge of the period to good use in crafting an engrossing whodunit”

“This richly detailed and atmospheric historical mystery will draw readers into a fascinating medieval world that devotees of Ellis Peters and Ariana Franklin will savor”

“An intriguing premise and a dexterously executed story”