Hugh De Luc, a poor innkeeper, returns home from the First Crusade wearied from battle and disillusioned by carnage. After journeying from the Holy Land back to his own small village, he finds his nightmare is just beginning.In his absence, Hugh's son has been killed and his beloved wife, Sophie, abducted by a ruthless duke in search of a priceless relic dating back to the Crucifixion. Taking on the role of a jester, Hugh infiltrates the court where he believes Sophie is held captive. There he confronts men more evil than he ever imagined and embarks on an epic battle to restore his broken life.
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"The Jester is a story about a man who fights in the crusades. He comes back to find his son has been murdered and wife was kidnapped and eventually found dead. This guy hits rock bottom in life and vows to find and kill the person who has destroyed his life. The main character "Hugh" trains with an old man and becomes a Jester. It's his plan to sneak into the palace and kill the man who murdered his wife & son. There is a lot more to the story and the cast of characters Hugh meets along the way are profound. The struggles he goes through on his journey will keep you up reading until you finish the book."
— Jon (5 out of 5 stars)
“This really is an uplifting tale. Patterson steps out of his comfort zone for this title and yet manages to nail the characters and the plot perfectly…This book enriches the imagination of the adult mind…If you truly want to step into a new world but still retain Patterson’s sense of humor and mystery, then France is going to be your next stop.”
— Examiner.com“Once again, plot master James Patterson proves that a radical departure need not be a wrong turn. Readers will find plenty of Patterson’s trademark suspense, in addition to a healthy dose of wit.”
— Barnes&Noble.com“In another departure from his high-suspense detective novels, James Patterson tries his hand at historical fiction and comes up a winner…As fast-paced as any thriller, and just as exciting, The Jester is a colorful picture of the eleventh century and of the types of men and women who survived the often harsh times. It’s a good-against-evil story that readers will relish.”
— RT Book Reviews (4 ½ stars, Top Pick!)“From start to finish, this is supersmart popular fiction, slick yet stirring, packed with colorful details of medieval life, bursting with unforgettable characters and clever tropes and themes. Patterson’s fans will adore this one.”
— Publishers Weekly“Replete with his trademark short chapters and surprising twists and turns, Patterson, along with coauthor Gross, keeps the excitement levels high in this rousing adventure tale.”
— Booklist“Patterson, along with coauthor Gross, keeps the excitement levels high in this rousing adventure tale.”
— Booklist“Dickson’s fast-paced reading is sensitive to both the action scenes and the character-driven side of the story. Characters come alive through his attention to their dreams and their failings…Dickson’s voice reveals ruthless, corrupt men for what they are.”
— Booklist (audio review)“Neil Dickson reads the story of Hugh with passion and panache.”
— AudioFile" I've read over 20 James Patterson books, and this one was easily the best of the bunch so far. I expected crime & suspense, but instead I got transported back to the time of the Crusades, and was completely transfixed. Has elements of Dan Brown, and intersperses history with fiction. A wonderful story! "
— Donna, 2/13/2014" Probably my favorite Patterson. "
— Toby, 2/9/2014" This is probably a good read, but I couldn't get into it at my first try. "
— Donna, 1/26/2014" Not your most conventional medieval novel or James Patterson novel for that matter, but without a doubt my favorite book. I cannot explain it other than when I am in between books & need something to read I always come back to this one. It's a great tale of fantasy that allows you get away from "true life" and have a little fun w/ your imagination, but doesn't cross into sci-fi. "
— Nick, 1/10/2014" eh, so so, fighting a cold so mindless wasn't as bad as all that; used some modern day expressions which were kind of weird in 1098 "
— Carol, 1/9/2014" Weird, not like other Patterson books. "
— Elizabeth, 1/4/2014" I loved this book! Patterson embarks on a new direction in writing his first historical thriller. I was completely captivated from the first page and could not put it down until I finished it. I wasn't too impressed with the ending but the ride there was amazing. "
— Shiela, 12/19/2013" This isn't the type of book I would normally read but a friend recommended it. It is set in medieval times and was a pretty good read. "
— Jessica, 12/18/2013" One of the worst books I have ever read. "
— Allison, 12/12/2013" i really enjoyed this Patterson book. A throw back to a different time. "
— Threem94, 12/12/2013" Different for James Patterson. "
— Carol, 12/5/2013James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Effing Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Princess Diana, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson, and received an Edgar Award, nine Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Andrew Gross is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Blue Zone and The Dark Tide and coauthor with James Patterson of five number-one bestsellers. He has degrees from Middlebury College and Columbia University and lives in Westchester County, New York, with his wife Lynn. They have three children.
Neil Dickson is an actor and audiobook narrator who was a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award in 2011 for Best Audio Drama narration. His extensive acting roles in television and film include Sons of Liberty and the role of King Richard in Lionheart.