The Jester

ISBN: 1586215361

Author: Patterson, James

Condition: New

From AudioFile Step back to 1096, a time of castles, knights, and serfs. Hugh de Luc, a modest, young innkeeper, joins the Crusade to the Holy Land. Upon his return he finds that his village has been attacked and his beloved Sophie kidnapped by a cruel and barbaric knight. He assumes the persona of a court jester to gain access to the castle to search for his wife, and finds a new purpose for his life. Cary Elwes provides a flawless performance, successfully stretching and recasting his voice to create each character. The pace is intense, with added drama in the heat of battle, when local farmers and countrymen rally to confront trained soldiers. Occasional chamber music conveys the mood of the story, heightening the suspenseful moments and calming the intimate ones. F.L.F. AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright AudioFile, Portland, Maine Product Description Returning home from the Crusades, Hugh discovers that his wife has been abducted by relic-seeking knights, prompting him to pose as a court jester in order to infiltrate the castle where his wife is imprisoned. About the Author James B. Patterson (born March 22, 1947) is an award-winning American author. Formerly an advertising executive for J. W. Thompson in the early 1990s, Patterson came up with the slogan "Toys R Us Kid". Shortly after his success with Along Came A Spider he retired from the firm and devoted his time to writing. The novels featuring his character, Alex Cross, a black forensic psychologist formerly of the Washington, D.C. Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation, now working as a private psychologist and government consultant, are the most popular books among Patterson readers. James Patterson has been criticized by Stephen King, who called Patterson's books "dopey thrillers".[citation needed] Patterson shrugged off the comments, stating that he wants to be the "thrillingest thriller writer of all time".[citation needed] James Patterson has also been put as one of Forbes magazine's top 100 celebrities. Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. The JesterBy James PattersonWarner AdultCopyright 2003James PattersonAll right reserved.ISBN: 9781586215361PrologueWEARING A BROWN TWEED SUIT and his customary dark tortoiseshell sunglasses, Dr. Alberto Mazzini pushed through the crowd of loud and agitated reporters blocking the steps of the Musée d'Histoire in Boréée."Can you tell us about the artifact? Is it real? Is that why you're here?" a woman pressed, shoving a microphone marked CNN in his face. "Have tests been performed on the DNA?"Dr. Mazzini was already annoyed. How had the press jackals been alerted? Nothing had even been confirmed about the find. He waved off the reporters and camera operators. "This way, Docteur," one of the museum aides instructed. "Please, come inside."A tiny dark-haired woman in a black pantsuit was waiting for Mazzini inside. She looked to be in her mid-forties and appeared to almost curtsy in the presence of this prestigious guest."Thank you for coming. I am Renée Lacaze, the director of the museum. I tried to control the press, but . . ." she shrugged. "They smell a big story. It is as if we've found an atom bomb.""If the artifact you've found turns out to be authentic," Mazzini replied flatly, "you will have found something far greater than a bomb."As the national director of the Vatican Museum, Alberto Mazzini had lent the weight of his authority to every important find of religious significance that had been unearthed over the past thirty years. The etched tablets presumed to be from the disciple John dug up in western Syria. The first Vericotte Bible. Both now rested among the Vatican treasures. He had also been involved in the investigation of every hoax, hundreds of them.Renée Lacaze led Mazzini along the narrow fifteenth-century hall inlaid with heraldic tile."You say the relic was unearthed in a grave?" Mazzini asked."A shopping mall . . ." Lacaze