THE FRENCH EXECUTIONER

The pursuit of Anne Boleyn's severed, six-fingered hand, a talisman with magic power, spurs the action in this historical romance, set in the days of Henry VIII. The various warriors, corrupt church fathers, Vikings, alchemists, comic sidekicks, and sullied noblemen vie for the prize between carefully orchestrated orgies, sea battles, enslavements, brawls, hangings, chases, and liaisons. An actor as well as writer, the author reads well enough, though for this reviewer's taste his repetitious cadences are annoying. Y.R. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 04]