Review: The Herb Knot by Jane Loftus
Today, I'm delighted to welcome author Jane Loftus to Ruins & Reading. I'm sharing my review of her fabulous novel, The Herb Knot. Read on!
The Herb Knot is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other fascinating tour stops HERE!

Review:
I was intrigued from the start when I first read about The Herb Knot, and what an exciting, intriguing adventure it turned out to be!
It begins with the pivotal scene that impacts on the whole plot. Near Crécy, in the aftermath of the brutal battle of 1346, young Raphael flees their humble home with his mother and cousin, Christophe. They dive deep into the forest to escape the rampaging mercenaries who terrorise the countryside. When Christophe slows down, and Raphael lets go of his hand, he and his mother wait in hiding for his cousin to catch them up. But when a mercenary passes by their hiding place at the very moment Christophe appears, the boy is quickly, brutally dispatched. When a second warrior appears to challenge the man, whom he seems to know, events take a turn for the worst. In his dying moments, he hands young Raphael part of a seal, the other part stuck beneath his gambeson. But the boy has to flee when he hears footsteps, and he is left with only a cut-off piece.
Fast forward fifteen years, and Rafi – now working for a rich wool merchant in affluent Ghent following a childhood in a nearby monastery – is seemingly content with his life. Unlike his boisterous, confident English friend, Adam, Rafi lacks confidence in himself, and doesn't want to rock the boat. But when he saves a rich merchant's wife from an attack, her reward provides him with the means to take up the search for the dead knight's family – in Winchester in England.
But the townspeople aren't all that friendly towards him, a French lad, and his quest is hampered everywhere.
Will he find the dying man's family and share the news of his passing? And will he – the proverbial anti-hero – get his revenge for his mother's cruel death? Read the novel!
Rafi is an interesting protagonist. Intelligent, well-versed in five languages, able to read and write, which works in his favour during his quest. But whilst he's not as tall and brave as impetuous Adam, he discovers a quiet, determined courage within himself.
The historical description of medieval Winchester is exceptional, and the author's in-depth research shows a city thriving in parts, but at the same time falling into disrepair in other areas, all under the governance of Hugh Le Cran – landowner, merchant, and handsome scoundrel. Rafi's almost childish jealousy of the other man's good looks is fun to read.
The Herb Knot takes you back to the turbulent days of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France, where suspicions were rife everywhere. It is an intriguing mystery, but with clever sub-plots and interesting secondary characters, such as Edith and young Agnes – who is a mystery herself.
It's not a straightforward revenge plot. Rafi is not a bloodthirsty hero. He's not sure what exactly he's after, but his quest to find out whose seal he was given, and the intrigue behind it, make for thrilling reading late into the night.
Rafi is endearing in his early naïvety, but he's learning on the go, using his wits (which sometimes still desert him). He is highly likeable, and you really want his quest to be successful.
Well-researched and compellingly told, The Herb Knot is a highly recommended read.
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Blurb:
The Hundred Years’ War comes to life in this spellbinding tale of love, betrayal and conspiracy…
A quest born on the battlefield will change a young boy’s destiny…
Rafi Dubois is five years old when his mother is murdered after the Battle of Crecy in 1346. Alone and lost, Rafi is given a token by the dying Englishman who tried to save his mother’s life: a half-broken family seal which he urges Rafi to return one day to Winchester.
Years later, when Rafi saves a wealthy merchant’s wife from a brutal robbery, he is rewarded with the chance to travel to England, taking the seal with him.
But when he reaches Winchester, Rafi finds himself in a turbulent world full of long-held allegiances, secrets and treachery. His path is fraught with danger and with powerful enemies working against him, Rafi falls in love with Edith, a market apothecary. But in doing so, Rafi unleashes a deadly chain of events which threatens to overwhelm them both…
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