
The Lark's Lament
A Fools' Guild Mystery
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $19.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Reay Kaplan
-
Fleet Cooper
-
By:
-
Alan Gordon
About this listen
In 1204 A.D., the Fools' Guild is in hiding, under attack from the forces of Pope Innocent III.
Theophilos and Claudia, jesters with the Guild, are sent to enlist the help of a former guild member - the minstrel Folquet, now the abbot Folq at a Cistercian monastery - to intercede with the pope on their behalf.
But while they are at the abbey pleading their case, a gruesome murder takes place - a monk is killed in the librarium and a cryptic message written on the wall in his blood.
In the wake of the murder, Folqissues an ultimatum to Theophilos. If he learns the meaning of the message and finds the killer, Folq willhelp the Guild.But if the Jester fails, Folq will have the pope declare the Guild anathema. With the future of the Guild on the line, Theophilos, his wife, and their apprentice go off in search of Folquet's past and the meaning of the message, uncovering a long-ago series of events that were as deadly then as they are proving to be now.
©2007 Alan Gordon (P)2013 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Jester Leaps In
- A Medieval Mystery
- By: Alan Gordon
- Narrated by: Fleet Cooper
- Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 13th century Europe, political turmoil is the order of the day and the Fool's Guild and its agents - jesters, jugglers, and knaves to a man - works behind the scenes to manipulate events, trying to maintain a balance of power. Theophilos, a member of the Guild known by many names, is still recovering from his last mission during which he was severely wounded and nearly lost his life but, in the person of Viola, found himself an apprentice and a wife. But there is no rest for the wicked.
-
-
further entertainment
- By wylie smith on 09-16-24
By: Alan Gordon
-
The Good Wife of Bath
- A Novel
- By: Karen Brooks
- Narrated by: Fran Burgoyne
- Length: 19 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
England, 1364: When married off at aged twelve to an elderly farmer, brazen redheaded Eleanor quickly realizes it won’t matter what she says or does, God is not on her side—or any poor woman’s for that matter. But then again, Eleanor was born under the joint signs of Venus and Mars, making her both a lover and a fighter.
-
-
Interesting, funny and thought provoking
- By Dawn Umstot on 07-01-22
By: Karen Brooks
-
Murder at the Vicarage & The Mysterious Affair at Styles
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: Richard E. Grant, Hugh Fraser
- Length: 14 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Enjoy the first novels that brought the world two of Agatha Christies’ most enduring detectives: Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. The Murder at the Vicarage is the first Miss Marple mystery, one which tests all her powers of observation and deduction. In The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Captain Arthur Hastings, invalided in the Great War, is recuperating as a guest of John Cavendish at Styles Court, the "country-place" of John's autocratic old aunt, Emily Inglethorpe.
-
-
Strange choice for a narrator
- By Krystyn on 10-28-12
By: Agatha Christie
-
The Evening and the Morning
- Kingsbridge, Book 4
- By: Ken Follett
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 24 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns. In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined.
-
-
I was really waiting for this book!
- By Firebolt on 09-20-20
By: Ken Follett
-
The Crown Tower (Dramatized Adaptation)
- The Riyria Chronicles, Book 1
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Bradley Foster Smith, Chris Genebach, Danny Gavigan, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A warrior with nothing to fight for is paired with a thieving assassin with nothing to lose. Together they must steal a treasure that no one can reach. The Crown Tower is the impregnable remains of the grandest fortress ever built and home to the realm’s most valuable possessions. But it isn’t gold or jewels the old wizard is after, and this prize can only be obtained by the combined talents of two remarkable men. Now if Arcadius can just keep Hadrian and Royce from killing each other, they just might succeed.
-
-
Nope
- By Anonymous User on 10-01-22
-
Theft of Swords
- Riyria Revelations, Volume 1
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 22 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Acclaimed author Michael J. Sullivan created instant best sellers with his spellbinding Riyria Revelations series. This first volume introduces Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater, two enterprising thieves who end up running for their lives when they’re framed for the death of the king. Trapped in a conspiracy bigger than they can imagine, their only hope is unraveling an ancient mystery - before it’s too late.
-
-
Two books in one - keep listening!!
- By Magpie on 08-21-12
-
Jester Leaps In
- A Medieval Mystery
- By: Alan Gordon
- Narrated by: Fleet Cooper
- Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 13th century Europe, political turmoil is the order of the day and the Fool's Guild and its agents - jesters, jugglers, and knaves to a man - works behind the scenes to manipulate events, trying to maintain a balance of power. Theophilos, a member of the Guild known by many names, is still recovering from his last mission during which he was severely wounded and nearly lost his life but, in the person of Viola, found himself an apprentice and a wife. But there is no rest for the wicked.
-
-
further entertainment
- By wylie smith on 09-16-24
By: Alan Gordon
-
The Good Wife of Bath
- A Novel
- By: Karen Brooks
- Narrated by: Fran Burgoyne
- Length: 19 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
England, 1364: When married off at aged twelve to an elderly farmer, brazen redheaded Eleanor quickly realizes it won’t matter what she says or does, God is not on her side—or any poor woman’s for that matter. But then again, Eleanor was born under the joint signs of Venus and Mars, making her both a lover and a fighter.
-
-
Interesting, funny and thought provoking
- By Dawn Umstot on 07-01-22
By: Karen Brooks
-
Murder at the Vicarage & The Mysterious Affair at Styles
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: Richard E. Grant, Hugh Fraser
- Length: 14 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Enjoy the first novels that brought the world two of Agatha Christies’ most enduring detectives: Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. The Murder at the Vicarage is the first Miss Marple mystery, one which tests all her powers of observation and deduction. In The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Captain Arthur Hastings, invalided in the Great War, is recuperating as a guest of John Cavendish at Styles Court, the "country-place" of John's autocratic old aunt, Emily Inglethorpe.
-
-
Strange choice for a narrator
- By Krystyn on 10-28-12
By: Agatha Christie
-
The Evening and the Morning
- Kingsbridge, Book 4
- By: Ken Follett
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 24 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns. In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined.
-
-
I was really waiting for this book!
- By Firebolt on 09-20-20
By: Ken Follett
-
The Crown Tower (Dramatized Adaptation)
- The Riyria Chronicles, Book 1
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Bradley Foster Smith, Chris Genebach, Danny Gavigan, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A warrior with nothing to fight for is paired with a thieving assassin with nothing to lose. Together they must steal a treasure that no one can reach. The Crown Tower is the impregnable remains of the grandest fortress ever built and home to the realm’s most valuable possessions. But it isn’t gold or jewels the old wizard is after, and this prize can only be obtained by the combined talents of two remarkable men. Now if Arcadius can just keep Hadrian and Royce from killing each other, they just might succeed.
-
-
Nope
- By Anonymous User on 10-01-22
-
Theft of Swords
- Riyria Revelations, Volume 1
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 22 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Acclaimed author Michael J. Sullivan created instant best sellers with his spellbinding Riyria Revelations series. This first volume introduces Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater, two enterprising thieves who end up running for their lives when they’re framed for the death of the king. Trapped in a conspiracy bigger than they can imagine, their only hope is unraveling an ancient mystery - before it’s too late.
-
-
Two books in one - keep listening!!
- By Magpie on 08-21-12
-
Musashi
- By: Eiji Yoshikawa, Charles S. Terry - translator
- Narrated by: Brian Nishii
- Length: 53 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The classic samurai novel about the real exploits of the most famous swordsman. Miyamoto Musashi becomes a reluctant hero to a host of people whose lives he has touched and by whom he has been touched. Inevitably, he has to pit his skill against the naked blade of his greatest rival.
-
-
Good Historical Novel
- By The Walking Dude on 08-11-19
By: Eiji Yoshikawa, and others
-
Wolf Hall
- By: Hilary Mantel
- Narrated by: Simon Slater
- Length: 24 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the ruthless arena of King Henry VIII's court, only one man dares to gamble his life to win the king's favor and ascend to the heights of political powerEngland in the 1520s is a heartbeat from disaster. If the king dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of twenty years, and marry Anne Boleyn.
-
-
Divorced, beheaded, died...
- By Tim on 09-30-11
By: Hilary Mantel
-
Wicked
- The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
- By: Gregory Maguire
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 19 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Heralded as an instant classic of fantasy literature, Maguire has written a wonderfully imaginative retelling of The Wizard of Oz told from the Wicked Witch's point of view. More than just a fairy tale for adults, Wicked is a meditation on the nature of good and evil.
-
-
It's not easy being green
- By PangaeaReads on 07-30-08
By: Gregory Maguire
-
Crispin
- The Cross of Lead
- By: Avi
- Narrated by: Ron Keith
- Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the small 14th-century English village where he has lived his entire life, the boy has grown up with no name of his own, known only as "Asta's son". But when his mother dies, the boy receives both his rightful name, Crispin, and a lead cross, inscribed with a secret that soon has him fleeing for his life.
-
-
6th Grade Class Review
- By Rebecca on 05-09-08
By: Avi
-
Trickster's Choice
- By: Tamora Pierce
- Narrated by: Trini Alvarado
- Length: 11 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tamora Pierce brings readers another Tortall adventure! Alianne is the teenage daughter of the famed Alanna, the first lady knight in Tortall. Young Aly follows in the quieter footsteps of her father, however, delighting in the art of spying. When she is captured and sold as a slave to an exiled royal family in the faraway Copper Islands, it is this skill that makes a difference in a world filled with political intrigue, murderous conspiracy, and warring gods.
-
-
STOP! WAIT!
- By Benjamin on 05-16-05
By: Tamora Pierce
-
The Chosen (Revised and Expanded)
- I Have Called You by Name
- By: Jerry B. Jenkins
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Based on the acclaimed video series The Chosen, the most amazing story ever told—the life of Jesus—gets a fresh new telling from New York Times best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins. What was it like to encounter Jesus face-to-face? Journey to Galilee in the first century. See the difference he made in the lives of those he called to follow him and how they were forever transformed. Experience the life and power of the perfect Son of God as never before—through the eyes of everyday people just like you.
-
-
Delicious! Taste and see...
- By A Happy Sort Of OCD on 03-06-24
By: Jerry B. Jenkins
-
Raven's Shadow
- By: Patricia Briggs
- Narrated by: Jennifer James Bradshaw
- Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seraph is a Raven mage who left behind her responsibilities for the love of the ex-soldier Tier. But when Tier disappears, Seraph must use her magic - and fulfill her ancestors’ oath to protect humanity from destruction.
-
-
Book 1 of 2. Wishing for 3!
- By Skipper on 07-14-14
By: Patricia Briggs
-
The Wandering Harlot
- The Marie Series, Book 1
- By: Iny Lorentz, Lee Chadeayne - translator
- Narrated by: Kate Rudd
- Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Unfairly condemned and banished from her home, Marie is forced to become a wandering prostitute to survive. The clever and kind Hiltrud befriends Marie, and the strong-minded pair sets out on spirited adventures - bedding counts, meeting scoundrels, and tricking foes - as Marie plots the ultimate revenge on the men who stole her honor and her family's fortune.
-
-
Excellent historical fiction!!
- By Robin Rains on 11-11-16
By: Iny Lorentz, and others
-
The Sword-Edged Blonde
- By: Alex Bledsoe
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It should have been a case like any other: a missing princess, a king willing to pay in gold for her return. But before he realizes it, private investigator Eddie LaCrosse, a slightly shopworn sword jockey with a talent for discretion and detection, is swept up in a web of mystery and deceit involving a brutally murdered royal heir, a queen accused of an unspeakable crime, and the tragic past he thought he'd left behind.
-
-
No Redeeming Qualities
- By MightyMite68 on 09-27-20
By: Alex Bledsoe
-
Changeling
- Order of Darkness, Book 1
- By: Philippa Gregory
- Narrated by: Charlie Cox
- Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The year is 1453, and all signs point to it being the end of the world. Accused of heresy and expelled from his monastery, handsome seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is recruited by a mysterious stranger to record the end of times across Europe. Commanded by sealed orders, Luca is sent to map the fears of Christendom and travel to the very frontier of good and evil.
-
-
Snooze fest
- By nicole on 06-04-12
By: Philippa Gregory
-
The Lascar's Dagger
- The Forsaken Lands
- By: Glenda Larke
- Narrated by: Will Damron
- Length: 19 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Saker appears to be a simple priest, but in truth he's a spy for the head of his faith. Wounded in the line of duty by a Lascar sailor's blade, the weapon seems to follow him home. Unable to discard it, nor the sense of responsibility it brings, Saker can only follow its lead. The dagger puts Saker on a journey to distant shores, on a path that will reveal terrible secrets about the empire, about the people he serves, and destroy the life he knows.
-
-
It starts out slow, but then draws you in...
- By Bob-o on 04-20-15
By: Glenda Larke
-
The Passion of Dolssa
- By: Julie Berry
- Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle, Fiona Hardingham, Julie Berry, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I must write this account, and when I have finished, I will burn it. Buried deep within the archives of a convent in medieval France is an untold story of love, loss, and wonder, and the two girls at the heart of it all. Dolssa is an upper-crust city girl with a secret lover and an uncanny gift. Branded a heretic, she’s on the run from the friar who condemned her mother to death by fire, and wants Dolssa executed, too. Botille is a matchmaker and a tavern-keeper, struggling to keep herself and her sisters on the right side of the law in their seaside town of Bajas.
-
-
Remarkable historical fiction
- By C White on 02-13-17
By: Julie Berry
Editorial reviews
Pope Innocent III is attacking the Fools' Guild, and jesters Theophilos and Claudia search for help from their former Guild member-turned-abbot. But the situation soon becomes complicated when a monk is murdered, with a strange message written in his blood. To save the guild, Theopolis is sent to find the murderer. Despite the mysterious circumstances, the sixth installment of Alan Gordon's Fools' Guild mystery series is a charming romp, and Theopolis and his wife, Claudia, are lovable characters whose fun banter and bounding spirit are captured by Reay Kaplan and Fleet Cooper with an enthusiastic joy that is infectious.
What listeners say about The Lark's Lament
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- wylie smith
- 09-18-24
intriguing plot, narration that failed to please
I wish Audible made the whole series available as these are stories I keep returning to. The plot twists and turns around southern France and keeps the reader's mind focused. But the female narrator just grated on my nerves. No doubt that is just a personal reaction, but Kaplan just did not sound like the characters to me If not the least inviting narrator so far (and that is over 300 titles), she is in the top (bottom?) five. I probably overrated Cooper in my review of "Jester Leaps In," but the story made him sound good. I was less impressed with his reading here in"Lark's Lament." But I still got great pleasure from the writing. I guess that I will get what I can of the others from Kindle for my reader. Thet are more than worth it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 06-11-21
A light-hearted mystery.
I loved this audiobook. Interesting story. easy to listen to. and a very good performance. Every moment enjoyable. I have not wish you carries more of his work.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- katydid
- 02-29-16
Disappointing
I loved the book Jester Leaps In, which provided a fascinating glimpse of Constantinople during its heyday. IN this book the locale is switched to the troubadour era of Languedoc, another romantic time period. However, JLI managed to strip the romance while still leaving the enchantment, on a much earthier level. This, book on the other hand, strips the romance and appeal of the troubadour era. It focuses on suffering and is not redeemed by an ending where it feels like justice has been done IMHO.
Possibly this is in some part due to the readers. The male reader read the previous book and has a wry, sarcastic tone that is perfect for Feste/Theo. However the female narrator is pretty bad and completely lacks humor. Both of them are really, jarringly bad at reading the voice of the apprentice, a 13 year old girl; they both voice her like she's a mouse; incredibly irritating.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful