The Falconer's Knot: A Story of Friars, Flirtation, and Foul Play by Mary Hoffman

Bibliographic information:

Hoffman, Mary The falconer’s knot: A story of friars, flirtation, and foul play. New York: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-1-59990-056-4

Plot Summary:

            This story takes place in Umbria, Italy in 1316.  Silvano,  the 16 year old son of a wealthy nobleman, is accused of the murder of a rich sheep merchant whose wife Silvano has been trying to woo.  Silvano is then spirited away to the Franciscan monastery of Giardenetto where he is to hide out until the real murderer can be found.  Chiara is an orphan whose brother puts her in the convent adjacent to the monastery.  The two find work in their separate religious houses as grinders for the pigment used in paints.  Murders start to take place at the monastery and people start suspecting Silvano.  The monks later suspect his mentor, Brother Anselmo who, in his youth had loved Isabella, the wife of one of the murdered men.  More murders occur and Silvano and Anselmo try to solve the mystery. 

            Chiara and Silvano slowly fall in love as neither want to stay in holy orders.  Silvio is cleared of the murder in his hometown, but stays at the monastery to ensure the investigation goes on.  There is a fear among the monks that the monastery might close because of the evil that is thought to exist there since the murders.  Silvio, Anselmo and Chiara try to figure out who is the real killer before they themselves become victims.       

Critical Evaluation:

            The writer really paints a good picture of Italian life during the early the 1300’s.  The book is reminiscent of the works of Umberto Eco, but is adjusted to suit a younger reading level than are the Eco books.  The story is a classic mystery with some very young and unlikely detectives.  There are not too many controversial issues, but there is a great plot, which unfolds at an even pace, and the story is just plain fun to read.  The identity of the killer is not very easy to predict and the outcome is a bit unlikely.  Altogether this is a good read which could be interesting for a number of age groups.

Reader’s Annotation:

Silvano is accused of murder and find sanctuary in a monastery.  Murders begin to take place shortly after he arrives and he must figure out who the killer is before he is accused or killed.

Information about the author:

Mary Hoffman is an English writer who also edits the British magazine Armadillo, which is a publication for children.  She was born in Hampshire, England in 1945.  She studied at Cambridge and at University College London taking degrees in English Literature and Linguistics.  She speaks Italian and is a student of Italian Literature at Oxford. 

Hoffman is a prolific writer and has written over 90 of books for the Children's and YA market.  She is best known for her Stravaganza  series. Hoffman currently lives just outside of Oxford and is married.  She has three daughters, all of whom are grown.  She has three Burmese cats.    

Genre:

Historical Fiction/Mystery/Romance

Curriculum Ties:

History

Booktalking Ideas:
1. Discuss the situation Silvano finds himself in and how he is the number one suspect for most of the story.
2. Focus on the constraints placed upon the Monks and Nuns.
3. Center the talk on how the murders have little relation to each other and how this confuses the characters about the identity of the killer.   

Reading Level/Interest Age:

14+

Challenge Issues:

Violence

Challenge Defense Ideas:

1.  Read the book.

2.  Be Familiar with the policy of the ALA and your institution.

3. Make a note of the contents of the work and how they fall in with the collection development policy of your institution and the standpoint of the ALA. 

4. Gain an awareness of the awards, reviews, and criticisms of the work, as well as other works by the same writer.

5. Know the process for materials challenges at your library.

Why did you include this book? :

I have read some of Umberto Eco’s works and thought that this might be something like The Name of the Rose.  I was not disappointed and I found it to be suitable for a younger audience and an easier read.

Author’s Website:

www.maryhoffman.co.uk/