The Quest for the Crown of Thorns
(The Long-Hair Saga)
By Cynthia Ripley Miller
Publication Date: October 29th, 2018
Publisher: BookLocker
Pages: 211
Genre: Romantic Historical Mystery
AD 454. Three years after the Roman victory over Attila the Hun at Catalaunum, Arria Felix and Garic the Frank are married and enjoying life on Garic’s farm in northern Gaul (France). Their happy life is interrupted when a cryptic message arrives from Arria’s father, the esteemed Senator Felix, calling them to Rome. At Arria’s insistence, but against Garic’s better judgment, they leave at once.
On their arrival at Villa Solis, they are confronted with a brutal murder and a dangerous mission. The fate of a profound and sacred object—Christ’s Crown of Thorns—rests in their hands. They must carry the holy relic to the safety of Constantinople, away from a corrupt emperor and old enemies determined to steal it for their own gain. But a greater force arises against them—a secret cult who will commit any atrocity to capture the Crown. All the while, the gruesome murder and the conspiracy behind it haunt Arria’s thoughts.
Arria and Garic’s marital bonds are tested but forged as they partner together to fulfill one of history’s most challenging missions, The Quest for the Crown of Thorns.
Review
Five Stars
I picked this up without having read the first book in the series, and I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to settle into the story. The author gives enough background to explain what's gone before without slowing the pace, so I never felt as though I was missing anything important.
I was drawn in almost straight away by the mystery surrounding the Crown of Thorns. Arria returns home after receiving an urgent message from her father, only to discover he's been murdered and has left her with an extraordinary responsibility. From there, the story becomes a race against time, with enemies lurking around every corner and plenty of twists to keep things interesting.
What really stood out for me was the setting. You can tell Cynthia Ripley Miller has done her homework, but it never feels like you're being given a history lesson. Instead, the world simply feels real. Whether the characters are travelling across Italy or navigating the politics of a crumbling Roman Empire, I felt completely immersed in the period.
I also liked that this wasn't just an adventure story. There are moments of romance, plenty of intrigue, and a cast of characters who all seem to have their own reasons for doing what they do. I did find myself wishing there had been a little more focus on what carrying such an important Christian relic meant to Arria and Garic personally, but it didn't stop me enjoying the journey.
All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. If you like historical fiction with plenty of action, political intrigue and a touch of romance, I'd definitely recommend giving it a try.
Praise for The Quest for the Crown of Thorns:
"Research, writing, characterization and plot combine to make Quest for the Crown of Thorns a page turner. This is a must-read book for fans of history and romance. Don’t miss it!"
~ Amazon 5* Review
"This expertly researched saga reveals an era that rarely appears in historical fiction: AD 454 Rome. Ms. Ripley-Miller skillfully weaves the food, clothes, and over-all living environment into a unique plot."
~ Amazon 5* Review
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Cynthia Ripley Miller
Cynthia Ripley Miller is a first-generation Italian-American writer with a love for history, languages, and books. She has lived in Europe and traveled worldwide, holds two degrees, and taught history and English. Her short fiction has appeared in the anthology Summer Tapestry, at Orchard Press Mysteries.com, and The Scriptor.
She is a Chanticleer International Chatelaine Award finalist with awards from Circle of Books: Rings of Honor and The Coffee Pot Book Club. She has reviewed for UNRV Roman History, and blogs at Historical Happenings and Oddities: A Distant Focus and on her website, www.cynthiaripleymiller.com.
Cynthia is the author of On the Edge of Sunrise, The Quest for the Crown of Thorns, and A Sword Among Ravens, books 1-3 in her Long-Hair Saga series set in Late Ancient Rome, France, and Jerusalem.
Cynthia lives outside of Chicago with her family and a cute but bossy cat.
Connect with Cynthia:
Website • Twitter / X • Facebook • Instagram
Amazon Author Page • Pinterest • Goodreads
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