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Alys Clare
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Out of the Dawn Light (An Aelf Fen Mystery, 1) Paperback – July 1, 2010

by Alys Clare (Author)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 253 ratings
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'a well-crafted plot that builds to a chilling climax' - Publishers Weekly Starred Review

A medieval mystery from the author of the Hawkenlye series

It is 1087 and William Rufus has just ascended the throne; England lies under a harsh new militaristic regime. Rebellion is in the air and, in the shadows, secrets are muttered that men will kill for. On her sister’s wedding day, Lassair meets an attractive and enigmatic stranger who brings a breath of the glamorous and fascinating outside world to her backwater Fenland village.

Young and confident, when Lassair is asked to use her unique talents to help locate a mysterious treasure she accepts with barely a hesitation – despite the grave consequences should the mission be discovered. But after a night-time march across East Anglia, Lassair begins to understand the danger she is in. For this is no ordinary treasure hunt; the object of the perilous search is five hundred years old and has a terrifying power of its own . . .
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 10
    An Aelf Fen Mystery
  2. Print length
    224 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Severn House
  5. Publication date
    July 1, 2010
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.69 x 8.56 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1847511384
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1847511386
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This cleverly plotted blend of historical mystery and romance provides a charged atmosphere, high-spirited adventure, and a charismatic cast of characters" ― Booklist

"A treat that's full of the mysticism, period detail and mystery Clare's reader have to come to expect" ― Kirkus Reviews

"Clare (The Joys of My Life and 11 other Hawkenlye mysteries) brings the people of the period to vivid life with close attention to such matters as food, clothes and religious belief. Engaging characters, like Lassair's obnoxious sister and her storytelling grandmother, enhance a well-crafted plot that builds to a chilling climax" ― Publishers Weekly Starred Review

About the Author

Alys Clare divides her time between Tonbridge, England-in the area where ""Tavern in the Morning"" is set--and her ancient stone cottage in Brittany. The author of two previous Hawkenlye mysteries, ""Fortune Like the Moon"" and ""Ashes of the Elements,"" she has also studied archaeology at the University of Kent at Canterbury.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Severn House; Reprint edition (July 1, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1847511384
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1847511386
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.69 x 8.56 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 253 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Alys Clare

    Alys Clare

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  2. Alys Clare

    Alys Clare

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    Alys Clare writes historical murder mysteries. There are 17 titles in the now-completed Hawkenlye series, set in and around the Wealden Forest during the reigns of Richard I and John: in order they are Fortune like the Moon, Ashes of the Elements, The Tavern in the Morning, The Chatter of the Maidens, The Faithful Dead, A Dark Night Hidden, Whiter than the Lily, Girl in a Red Tunic, Heart of Ice, The Enchanter's Forest, The Paths of the Air, The Joys of my Life, The Rose of the World, The Song of the Nightingale, The Winter King, A Shadowed Evil and The Devil's Cup.

    The Aelf Fen books are set in the fenlands of East Anglia in the reign of William Rufus. The 9 titles so far are Out of the Dawn Light, Mist over the Water, Music of the Distant Stars, The Way between the Worlds, Land of the Silver Dragon, Blood of the South, The Night Wanderer, The Rufus Spy and City of Pearl.

    The Gabriel Taverner books are set in Devon in the early 1600s. Queen Elizabeth is dead and the throne of England is now occupied by the very different character of James I. The main character in the series is a former ship's physician, and there are three titles so far: A Rustle of Silk, The Angel in the Glass and The Indigo Ghosts.

    The World's End Bureau series is set in Victorian London, where a young woman called Lily Raynor is struggling to set up a private enquiry agency. The two titles to date are The Woman who Spoke to Spirits and The Outcast Girls.

    Alys has also written books under her own name, Elizabeth Harris, and these include a series of time-slip mysteries and some roughly contemporary stories. These are available in e-book form. The titles are The Herb Gatherers, The Egyptian Years, The Sun Worshippers, Time of the Wolf, The Quiet Earth, The Sacrifice Stone, The Twilight Child, A Good Man's Love, Singing in the Wilderness, The Simple Life and My Turn Now.

    Alys has been writing professionally for more than 30 years

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
253 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

J. Bell
5.0 out of 5 stars Keeps your attention!
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2014
Verified Purchase
Very well written, fun, interesting. I have already ordered the next book. It is a real pleasure to books about ancient European customs and beliefs, especially as fiction. The characters and situations are easy to understand. But I would love a pronunciation key for the proper nouns...even a short lesson on prefixes and suffixes. Great job!
One person found this helpful
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NC Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars A Spirited New Heroine from Alys Clare
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2012
I really enjoyed this first book in Alys Clare's new medieval series; I hesitate to call it a mystery, it seemed more historical fiction or even young adult/adventure, as the heroine is Lassair, a 14-year-old girl on a treasure quest with two young men. One is her friend Sibert from her village, the other is Romain, a handsome, obviously well-born young Norman who seeks out our heroine and Sibert because he needs their knowledge and gifts to find a mysterious treasure. Lassair is flattered at the attention and half in love with Romain; Sibert, a moody, quiet boy, has his own reasons for agreeing to go along, but of course things become more complicated as the adventure unfolds . . . No spoilers, but there is a murder eventually and it becomes apparent who the villain in the piece is; the fun is tagging along with Lassair as she attempts to prove the innocence of a friend.

Lassair is a great character; Clare has given her great spirit, strength, intelligence and healing and spiritual gifts, but also a sense of humor and she is very likable. Her personality and youthful energy and strength remind me of an early Catherine LeVendeur, the heroine of Sharan Newman's wonderful medieval mystery series set in Paris. Lassair, however, lives in a tiny village in the Fens with her large and loving family; the book opens in 1087 with two momentous events, one local and one with national consequences. Lassair's family is celebrating the wedding of her cranky, obnoxious eldest sister Goda; our young heroine quite humorously explains to the reader that it took several visits to the market where such peasant matches are made, but Goda finally got a proposal and the family was anxious to see the happy young couple off before the gullible groom looked past Goda's large breasts and noticed her personality!

Clare had me from there, as I love historical mystery series with wonderful, rich characters that can draw me into a world so different from our modern times. Then she adds this interesting event to the mix - William the Conqueror has just died, and the villagers are bracing themselves for whatever conflict may come from their harsh Norman overlords as the two heirs, William Rufus and Robert, Duke of Normandy plot, plan and battle for control of England. Who can resist that combination? I love Clare's strong female characters, especially with this historical setting: Lassair comes from a long line of healers and storytellers that can trace their ancestral line back to the old gods of Britain, and the Church thus far has a tentative hold (at best) on the greater population, so strong women still have sway in villages for their wisdom and healing powers. We history buffs know this pleasant state of affairs won't last for long, but it's a fascinating period I haven't read widely about; I look forward to reading the rest of this series and Clare's other popular Hawkenlye series. Highly recommended to medieval mystery fans, especially those like me that have read the outstanding series like Brother Cadfael, Dame Frevisse and Catherine LeVendeur set in the later medieval period when the Church wielded great power, but haven't read as much about this England where the old gods still held the hearts and imagination of the people.
4 people found this helpful
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Rupert Waite
3.0 out of 5 stars Out of the Dawn Light
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2014
This book moved slowly in the beginning. The characters were hard to remember but I am sure that goes with the time. I enjoyed the second half of the book and I will read book two.
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ever evolving
5.0 out of 5 stars Enraptured
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2020
As always the characters take me on a journey through the time of William the Conqueror! Alys manages to spin a wonderful story of courage and build a time and place that you can almost taste,see and smell!!
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ActuallyAutisticBookReviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Solid. Unique. Interesting.
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2017
This book got me out of my book hangover - I️ started 4 in a row and just couldn’t get hooked after the Outlander series. I’m curious how this will become a series. If you like historical fiction you will enjoy this.
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Carol F Kelley
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2017
I love this author! She spins a spell binding tale of ancient England. It was very hard to put down.
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CCC
3.0 out of 5 stars CCC
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2014
A bit disconnected. There could have been so much more, but instead this book just resorted to hints and suggestions. The only exception was Hrype's account. But even that was a bit vague and unsubstantial.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A very fine historic mystery
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2014
I almost quick reading this book a couple of times but hanging in there was worth the time. A very will written historic novel mystery with well developed interesting characters, history and fiction mixed for non-stop action, and a very good ending. I would recommend this book too anyone who enjoys mysteries. Enjoy reading
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Top reviews from other countries

michelle girard
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Historical Mystery
Reviewed in Canada on April 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
The main character is a young apprentice healer of the fend One of the people at the bottom of early Norman England. When she sets out with two very different young men on a mysterious treasure hunt by the sea, she has no idea that one of these young men will end up dead and the other accused of murder.
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The Keen Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good start to a new eleventh century historical series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2012
Verified Purchase
I have read several of this author's `Hawkenlye' series of books, and found them enjoyable, light historical mystery novels. This is the first in a new series by the author, set in an intriguing period of English history, 1087 when William the Conqueror has died, and his second surviving son William Rufus has taken the throne. The threat of his other brother Robert taking action against him, and the uncertainty of the Norman succession immediately casts a shadow over an uncertain population. Militarism and rebellion are whispers in the air over England.

Lassair, a young woman who is part of a large family long-established in the Fens is sent to stay with her older sister during Goda's pregnancy. Lassair's not too happy about this, as Goda has a sharp tongue and a good aim, but dutifully goes to live with Goda and her husband Cerdic. At Goda's wedding, she had met a handsome man by the name of Romain. Are their paths about to cross again? And what could it mean for Lassair and her family?

Definitely a good start to what hopefully will be a great series of books; it's nice to read a series set earlier than the usual `medieval' times, and in an historical period of turbulence and cultural and military strife. Highly recommended.
3 people found this helpful
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Wendy
4.0 out of 5 stars I recommend this great read
Reviewed in Canada on April 26, 2019
Verified Purchase
When I started to read this book I had no idea where it would lead. I really enjoyed it and recommend it
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SylvAB
4.0 out of 5 stars Another heroine to relish
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2018
Verified Purchase
My first journey with Lissair - certainly a roller coaster - I think I'll enjoy the next one too! Looking forward to it!
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val
3.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps start the series with Mist on the Water( book 2) instead
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2019
Verified Purchase
I started with Mist on the water years ago and now after having read all the Aelf Fen books I have finally got round to reading this one (Book 1).
I hadn't missed much by starting with book 2 and Lassair is a year older and the action is more suitable for her age. In this book I think she is very young for the things she had to do. I know there is very much more to her than meets the eye which comes out in later books but in this she is 'punching above her weight' as another reviewer has said.
Leaving all the above aside, I think this series is wonderful and just gets better as Lassair becomes older and more experienced. This is a very unusual time period in which to set an historical novel (the Conqueror's son William Rufus is king, circa 1088) and the Fens give a magical (in more than one way) setting for the story.
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