Dark Deceit (Anarchy Trilogy, #1) by Cathie Dunn

Dark Deceit (Anarchy Trilogy, #1) Reviews

• 
  Laurie Clayton

  If you like Historical Novels with believable characters, settings, conflicts and a touch of romance, I readily recommend this book.
  
  
  This is the first book in what promises to be a memorable trilogy.
  
  
  In Dark Deceit, Cathie Dunn has incorporated all the necessary characters, settings, conflicts and resolutions required to ensure a captivating and easy to read historical novel.
  
  Set amidst the unrest of an a civil war c.1140's, the throne of England is up for grabs. King Stephen has been imprisoned Empress Matilda seeks to be crowned Queen in his place.
  
  Following a battle at Lincoln, Geoffrey de Mortagne, under-sheriff of Gloucester is on route to join the Empress on her route to London to secure the thrown. En-route, he and his men happen upon a knight under ambush. They enter the fray and rescue the stricken knight, but not before the final throw of an axe lands, striking what would become a fatal blow.
  
  Geoffrey and his men are convinced that this was no ordinary ambush. He suspects the attackers to have been mercenaries, but who had ordered the attack and why?
  
  Leaving the gravely injured knight in capable hands, Geoffrey sets out with his Sergent Guy to carry the news to the knights Daughter, Alleyne de Bellac, and to fulfil his promise to protect her and his estate until his return.
  
  Expecting a damsel in distress, Geoffrey is captivated by the strength and beauty of the young woman he finds awaiting her fathers return. Alleyne is also captivated by the man who brings news of her fathers attack.
  
  When news of her father's death arrives just days after Geoffrey, Alleyne is faced with an uncertain future. Un-married, she has no protector for her or her estates. Aware that Geoffrey is eager to join with the Empress on her procession to London and convinced that her neighbouring Lord is behind her fathers death, Alleyne sends word to the only man she feels she can trust, Will d’Arques. Alleyne had always considered him to be her fathers closest friend and secretly held thoughts of him becoming the perfect suitor.
  
  ***
  
  Dark Deceit is a well written and captivating read that draws you in the the plot of civil war, murder, confusion, intrigue and a sprinkling of romance, just for good measure.
  
  An easy and enjoyable read...roll on book #2.
• 
  Irène Wadowski uliasz

  Malgré une heroine très énervante, l'histoire est très intéressante. je suis curieuse de lire la suite.
• 
  BlackTulip

  Reviewed By BlackTulip for
  Booked Up
  
  I had great expectations for this book and I wasn't disappointed in the least. This novel is set in medieval England and Normandy where two rival branches of the same tree fight for power. King Stephen is captured at the battle of Lincoln by Robert of Gloucester. The rivalry for the throne will lead to years of discord and civil war in England, that have been called the Anarchy.
  
  It is in this atmosphere of chaos, constant danger, and uncertainty that this story takes place.
  
  One morning Alleyne de Bellac has a loving parent in her life, the morning after she finds herself all alone, her father having succumbed to his injuries after he was savagely attacked by some outlaws. Her fragile world collapses and suddenly she's nobody's daughter!
  
  Alleyne is an intelligent and spirited young woman but she is also very naive. Her lack of experience in the ways of the world makes her ill-equipped to make the right decisions. She is not familiar at all with intrigue, subterfuge, and scheming. she has no idea what greed and lust for power does to a man and that he won't hesitate to sell his soul to the devil. It's a man's world and she is like a lamb that goes to the slaughter.
  
  In the middle of that tragedy, two men are there to help her. Geoffrey de Mortagne, under-sheriff of Gloucester and his men rescued her father when he was brutally assailed. He is an honorable but determined man and he gave his oath to Alleyne's father and for him a promise given is a promise kept. He had to take care of the Lady.
  
  Then there is Will d'Arques, a man her father and herself have known a good part of their lives, a man she knows she can trust to help her, a man she likes very much ... Both men have their own private agenda which are poles apart.
  
  Because of her inexperience she will put her trust in the wrong man and find herself, more than once in a perilous situation. She will need all the courage she can muster and luck to get by, but she will also have some help.
  
  I'm not going to spoil the story by telling more here, you'll just have to pick up a copy to find out!
  
  There are a few betrayals and twist and turns still to come and things will get worse before they get better. Hardship will only make Alleyne a stronger and a wiser woman and so she will be better prepared for what is yet to come.
  
  I love Cathie Dunn's book for its captivating characters and vivid descriptions of these harsh and tumultuous times. I love it for its very well researched storyline and its crafty mix of fiction and history. The result is an engrossing read that I highly recommend. The hardest part now will be to wait for book 2 to be released! I give 5 stars.
  
• 
  Nancy

  If asked which character I identified most with in Dark Deceit I would have to say it was with Geoffrey de Mortagne. What a patient man! Being rejected is not something that puts Geoffrey down for long. He is a strong character, a leader of men, true to his oaths, but has flaws-Alleyne de Bellac is his biggest. The fact that he is steadfast in protecting Alleyne through thick and thin is wonderful to read. Cathie Dunn portrays a very human hero in Goeffrey, and yet there is an aloofness that is totally in keeping for the hero in the Historical genre. As to the heroine I found her shallow-at first. She is a young woman who has a lot to learn about the harsh world of medieval times. From the outset her mind is made up about who carries blame and who is trustworthy- not easily swayed to change her mind. She makes some poor choices, especially in her trust of Will d’Arques, BUT she does learn as the story unfolds. Physical and moral support are not only given by Geoffrey, I look forward to the next book to see if supporting characters, Guy for example, has a story to tell. Dark Deceit is great read.
  
  
• 
  Suzanne Rogers

  Layered with authentic detail that will delight any historian, Dark Deceit is a well-written tale of romance, intrigue and dastardly machinations. At its core is Lady Alleyne, a knight's daughter. When her father is mysteriously murdered, she inherits his manor--but in uncertain times will she manage to keep it? Gallant Geoffrey steps in to offer his assistance, but despite her attraction to the under-sheriff, Alleyne is determined to seek help from an old flame, Will d'Arques. As the first of a series, Dark Deceit sets up the conflict well. The backdrop of war-torn England and Normandy provides ample drama going forward. The ending of the novel breaks at a good spot, and lets the reader know the happy ending is only happy-for-now. I enjoyed watching Alleyne blunder her way to love. Equally satisfying was Geoffrey's quest to set his own personal demons to rest. I'll be looking for the next book in the series.
• 
  June

  Travel back in time to the 1140's in Medieval England. A civil war is in progress between Empress Matilda and her cousin, Maude, for the Queen-ship of England. Allegiances are changing almost as much as the weather.
  
  Throw into this situation an under-sheriff (Geoffrey de Mortange), a recently bereaved rich young heiress (Alleyne de Bellac), and an altogether "bad egg" (Will D'Arques), a murder, a siege, an escape, a spattering of romance and some reunions and you have a fast-paced, addictive, captivating and well-written insight into the tensions of one group of people fighting to restore a lost inheritance.
  
  I don't give five star reviews away easily, but this book by Cathie deserves every one of them. I absolutely loved it and cannot wait for part 2 of the Trilogy to be released. I would highly recommend "Dark Deceit" to all historical fiction fans - I know you will not regret reading it.
  
  
• 
  Mark Patton

  Cathie Dunn is a writer of historical fiction in the tradition established by Sir Walter Scott, except that, reflecting the way in which historical fiction has evolved in the 21st Century, it is far more meticulously researched. It is set against the somewhat obscure period of Anglo-Norman history (perhaps a little less obscure now than it was a few years ago, as a result of Helen Castor’s TV series, The She-Wolves of England) dominated by civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda for the crown of England and the Duchy of Normandy (1139-1154). It is not a novel of the great events or the most powerful figures of the age. The reader is not an eye-witness to the Battle of Lincoln, and does not meet Stephen or Matilda, or other key figures such as Robert of Gloucester or Waleron de Beaumont, although they are very much in the background. Instead, Dunn presents a credible picture of a land that is both ungoverned and ungovernable, in which appointed law officers have no law to keep, in which mercenaries roam the land raping and plundering at will, and in which nobody knows who they can trust. At its heart is a beautiful heiress, courted by several men, but unsure of their true intentions; a bitter rivalry between former friends; and jealousy between two brothers. The main characters all belong to the minor nobility, and we are invited to explore the impact of total political chaos on the personal lives of these people, whose concerns, ordinarily, would be with the administration of their estates, and of justice on a very local level. It is fast-paced, with plenty of action, realistically portrayed, and a fair amount of romance, though always with an edge. The descriptions of place are faultless. A thoroughly good read.
• 
  Emily Davies

  A bit disappointed with this. I liked the hero, but not the heroine, and I found their back-and-forth relationship more irritating than tantalizing. I never truly rooted for them to get together. I think I'll still try the next book in the series, as I'd like to see the villain put in his place, and hopefully will enjoy the main characters' relationship more now that they've finally settled.
• 
  Nik Morton

  Dunn thrusts us straight into the action and provides both depth of character and splendid sense of place.
  
  Following the battle of Lincoln, Geoffrey de Mortagne is en route to link up with the Empress but interrupts the ambush of a local nobleman, Raymond. The mortally wounded Lord Raymond is father to Alleyne de Bellac. Geoffrey vows to the dying knight that he will protect Alleyne and her estate.
  
  With her father dead, Alleyne’s future looks bleak. Despite his good intentions, Geoffrey is a stranger to her. She must fall back on the old friendship of Will d’Arques. She was vulnerable, as a prospective bride and as a landowner.
  
  Told alternately from Geoffrey’s and Alleyne’s viewpoint, this historical romance never flags. A story needs conflict and we have that – between Geoffrey and Alleyne, and Alleyne and Will, and between Will and Geoffrey.
  
  Wounded in love many years ago, Geoffrey is reluctant to be ensnared again. ‘Her large eyes stared into the fire and he knew she floated miles away, perhaps even as far back as her childhood. Memories were prone to attack you in moments of grief, rendering you helpless. Swiftly, he shrugged off unwanted memories of his own.’
  
  Geoffrey is very patient with Alleyne’s vacillations of heart, one of several traits that endear him to the reader. And, gradually, her character changes, mellowing with time and experience. But before that can happen, we have the pair jousting with their emotions: ‘Her dark glance down her nose assessed him coolly. She was too haughty, too dismissive. He felt like a piece of untreated meat, left in the heat to rot…’ They’re well-drawn characters, and we’re happy to be acquainted with them.
  
  Stephen’s reign is often called ‘The Anarchy’ as it seemed that royal power was at its lowest while baronial power was at its height. Dark Deceit is the first in ‘The Anarchy Trilogy’.
  
  I for one want to carry on with Alleyne and Geoffrey’s journey.
  
• 
  James Gault

  Does anyone remember the racy Angelique and Catherine historical romance novels which were so loved in the 70s and 80s? Nowadays, they have sadly lost favour to sexy fantasy tales of violence and intrigue in imaginary kingdoms. But Cathie Dunn takes up the baton from the Golons and Juliette Benzoni with this perfect example of the genre.
  Set in twelfth century England and Normandy during the civil war between Matilda and Stephen, ‘Dark Deceit’ has all the essential elements: historical accuracy, political intrigue, the atmosphere of the times, a virtuous lady under threat from ruthless villains, a noble knight to protect her and defend her honour. The blood flows as it did in those violent times; the heroine Alleyne resists unwanted, or sometimes secretly desired, attentions in steamy encounters; true love is rejected and then found again. In a fast-moving plot we are swept through the South of England and on into the Norman forests, breathlessly trying to keep up with every twist and turn in the intrigue. The writing is tight and economic and keeps us turning the pages. The doubts, fears, prejudices and misconceptions of the characters bring them vividly to life.
  There is one problem with this novel: it ends too soon. Though the couple eventually find each other, there is some unfinished business waiting to be resolved. Everything is set up for the sequel, but where is it? Come on Cathie, don’t keep us in suspense. Get the quill out and start scratching!
• 
  J.L.

  A historical romance in true tradition – complete with a knight of valour, a fair lady, and some devilish political intrigues - enough to satisfy the taste of any lover of this genre. With a faithful stallion to save the day for his master, a mystery of identity and delicious romantic rivalry to keep the pages turning.
  Event stumbles after event in quick succession, and as the plot develops, its ingredients untangle: deception, violence, brutality, dramatic flight and poignant emotion.
  And all the while Alleyne the heiress changes her agendas with subtlety, causing delightful misunderstandings.
  An unimportant niggle for this reader was what Alleyne looked like – my fault. Although I became well aware of her striking eyes and seductive figure, somewhere in the middle of the book I’d forgotten the colour of her hair and that bothered me. But I was so absorbed in the story I didn’t want to break off and look back. It was a relief to be reminded again towards the end.
  The quaint English is but one example of the accuracy and attention to detail in this story. Yet it does not distract a reader unfamiliar with the language of the times. And there is a satisfying circularity about the ending.
  
• 
  Ann Noell

  A Medieval tale of mystery, deceit, and love - there is civil war in England, the king is captured and Alleyne de Bellac's father is dead. Chaos, constant danger, and uncertainty is her world now. Who is friend and who is foe?
  
  Geoffrey de Mortagne, he and his men tried to save her father, and Geoffrey gave his oath to the knight to take care of her.
  Then there is Will d'Arques, a man she has known a good part of her life, a man she can trust, a man she likes very much.
  
  There is betrayal and twist and turns, a wonderful mix of fiction and history.
• 
  Katharine Johnson

  An engrossing read and a lovely bit of escapism for me into the 12th century after all the contemporary books I’ve been reading. Cathie Dunn really brings the period to life. The novel is very well researched but the historical details are delivered subtly so I didn’t feel bombarded by facts or as if I was being given a history lesson. The story is skilfully teased out so the reader is kept guessing until the end.
• 
  Lezlie

  
  
  I loved the setting and story of DARK DECEIT. The characters are believable (circumstances, action, etc), and the time period is accurately depicted as very unstable. The dialogue and storytelling lacked a bit of sophistication that brought it from 4 to 3 stars for me. I will read the next book because I care about the characters...the mark of a good story!
• 
  Jacqueline Driggers

  The heroine in this book is pathetically dismal and spineless, always choosing the wrong guy. The hero is the only reason that I skimmed through the book at all. And he's not anything to write home about. I mean, he's okay, but nothing special. The story isn't all that great either. And be forewarned, the book starts out with a rather gruesome scene.
• 
  Karen

  Medieval drama
  
  Headstrong & bad character judge, young heiress puts her own life, her people lives & her fathers legacy in jeopardy.
  I want to shake the female lead as she is continues to make bad decisions & is ungrateful. Though saving grace chivalry is not dead.
• 
  Liz Hoy

  Couldn’t get past the thin characters in the first 20 pages.
• 
  Lisa C.

  The heroine is too stupid and goes for whatever guy can help her. You have to read the next one book to find out what happens to them.
• 
  Suzanne

  The book was an easy read. Didn’t care for the heroine, self centered teenager.
• 
  Steph

  A decent light read. The female character, Alleyne got a bit taxing after a bit.