Everything is gone, everything except my memories of a life where I was loved, where I was someone with a future, instead of someone with only a past.
A tragic loss. A desperate journey. A mother seeks the truth.
In December of 1377, four children were burned to death in a house
fire. Villagers traveled hundreds of miles across England to demand
justice for their children’s deaths.
Sinful Folk is the story of this terrible mid-winter journey as seen
by Mear, a former nun who has lived for a decade disguised as a mute
man, raising her son quietly in this isolated village. For years, she
has concealed herself and all her history. But on this journey, she will
find the strength to redeem the promise of her past. Mear begins her
journey in terror and heartache, and ends in triumph and transcendence.
The remarkable new novel by Ned Hayes, illustrated by New York Times
bestselling author/illustrator Nikki McClure, Sinful Folk illuminates
the medieval era with profound insight and compassion.
Publication Date: January 22, 2014
Campanile Press
Formats: eBook, Hardcover, Audiobook
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery/Medieval
****
I love historical fiction, there really isn't any sub-genre that I haven't tried and enjoyed, except one. That would be, gender role reversals. I love it when the author writes in such a fashion that I can be drawn in to the story and creates a world that I believe whatever is taking place. But I seriously had something in my little ole brain that makes it hard for me to believe that a woman can get away with pretending to be a man and have the story work. It's not that I haven't tried, because I did and it didn't work out too well.
With Sinful Folk the cover was what grabbed my attention as well as the first 2 sentences of the synopsis, I really didn't pay too much attention to the rest, which clearly stated that Mear, a former nun disguised as a mute man. By the time I realized this I'd already read the first chapter and was totally hooked.
If there is one word that I could use to sum up this book it would be 'secrets'. Everyone seems to be hiding something, with Mear leading the pack. The plot of Sinful Folk was intriguing with all these secrets and subplots lingering around one would think it to be confusing and overwhelming. It wasn't at all. There was dept to this story, between the suspicion characters, unsavory knights, fowl weather and much more the journey Mear and the fathers took was vividly described and realistic. The author definitely knows this time period well, to take a historical truth, the fire that killed 5 boys, and write this book was amazing and I loved the ending, it just finished this book off perfectly.
Ned Hayes has changed my view on gender reversal roles, he made Mear's character easy to follow and believable, with the way she told this story had me empathizing with her and her situation.
Praise for Sinful Folk
In December of 1377, five children are burned in a suspicious house
fire. Awash in paranoia and prejudice, the fathers suspect it is the
work of Jews and set out to seek justice from the king, loading the
charred bodies of their boys onto a cart. Unbeknownst to them, among
them is a woman, Mear, who has been hiding out in the town for the past
10 years posing as a mute man. It is a treacherous journey, for their
rations are spare and the weather is brutal. And always, they are
haunted by the question, Why were their boys in Benedict the weaver’s
house, and who would do this to them? Mear, ever resourceful, not only
watches for clues to unravel the mystery but also provides invaluable
aid in finding their way, for she has traveled this way before and is
the only literate one among them. The reason for her false identity is
slowly revealed as the villagers are chased by bandits and must overcome
numerous obstacles, hunger and fear among them. Brilliantly conceived
and beautifully executed, Hayes’ novel is woven through with a deep
knowledge of medieval history, all conveyed in mesmerizing prose. At the
center of the novel is Mear, a brave and heartbreaking character whose
story of triumph over adversity is a joy to read. –Joanne Wilkinson,
Booklist *Starred Review*
“A pilgrim tale worthy of Chaucer, evocative, compelling and peopled
with unforgettable characters artfully delivered by a master
storyteller.” – Brenda Rickman Vantrease, bestselling author of The
Illuminator and The Mercy Seller
“Brilliant, insightful, unflinching and wise. This spellbinding
mystery will keep readers turning pages until the last sentence.
Remarkable.” – Ella March Chase, bestselling author of The Virgin
Queen’s Daughter and Three Maids for a Crown
“Suspenseful, page-turning mystery of a mother pursuing the truth…
Every reader will come to love the brave and intrepid Mear, a most
memorable character in a most memorable story.” – Jim Heynen,
award-winning author of The Fall of Alice K.
“Sinful Folk is a work of art. Miriam’s story is a raw and brutal and
passionate tale, but her story touches the reader because it’s a
timeless story – a wonderful portrayal of medieval life. Highly
recommended.” – Kathryn Le Veque, bestselling author of The Dark Lord
and The Warrior Poet
“A suspenseful and mesmerizing tale full of rich and vital
characters. Ned Hayes crafts a narrative that shows a devotion to craft
in each word.” – Renée Miller, editor of On Fiction and author of In the
Bones
Buy the Book
Amazon (Kindle)Amazon (Hardcover)
Audible.com
Barnes & Noble (Nook)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover)
Books-a-Million
iBooks
Booknote Interview with Ned Hayes
Ned Hayes is the author of the Amazon best-selling historical novel
SINFUL FOLK. He is also the author of Coeur d’Alene Waters, a noir
mystery set in the Pacific Northwest. He is now at work on a new novel,
Garden of Earthly Delights, also set in the Middle Ages.
Ned Hayes is a candidate for an MFA from the Rainier Writer’s
Workshop, and holds graduate degrees in English and Theology from
Western Washington University and Seattle University.
Born in China, he grew up bi-lingually, speaking both Mandarin and
English. He now lives in Olympia, Washington with his wife and two
children.
For more information please visit www.sinfulfolk.com and www.nednotes.com. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Booklikes, YouTube, Google+, and Goodreads.
Sinful Folk Blog Tour Schedule
Wednesday, October 22
Spotlight at What is That Book About
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Spotlight at What is That Book About
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Monday, October 27
Review at Just One More Chapter
Spotlight & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Connection
Review at Just One More Chapter
Spotlight & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Connection
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