About the Book

This "sequel to the national bestseller Lionheart is [the] ... story of the last event-filled years in the life of Richard, Coeur de Lion. Taken captive by the Holy Roman Emperor while en route home--in violation of the papal decree protecting all crusaders--he was to spend fifteen months imprisoned, much of it in the notorious fortress at Trefils, from which few men ever left alive, while Eleanor of Aquitaine moved heaven and earth to raise the exorbitant ransom. For the five years remaining to him, betrayals, intrigues, wars, and illness were ever present"--

Book Synopsis

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Sharon Kay Penman follows up her acclaimed novel Lionheart with the vivid and heart-wrenching story of the last event-filled years in the life of Richard I of England, Coeur de Lion.

November 1192. After his bloody crusade in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Richard and his crew are overcome by a sudden storm, its fierce winds propelling the ship onto the Sicilian shore. But this misfortune is just the beginning. Forced to make a dangerous choice, Richard finds himself in enemy territory, where he is captured--in violation of the papal decree protecting all crusaders--and handed over to the Holy Roman Emperor. Imprisoned in the notorious fortress at Trifels, from which few ever leave alive, Richard, for the first time in his life, experiences pure, visceral fear--while his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, moves heaven and earth to secure his release. Amid betrayals, intrigues, infidelities, wars, and illness, Richard's courage and intelligence will become legend.

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Praise for A King's Ransom

"Masterful . . . [Sharon Kay] Penman has absorbed herself so fully into the heart and mind of her protagonist that an undeniably flawed but refreshingly human Richard [the Lionheart] virtually walks off the pages."--Booklist

"Historical fiction of the first order . . . Instead of history that reads like a novel [Sharon Kay] Penman achieves something greater: a novel that reads like history."--Willamette Week

"A well-researched and impressively detailed narrative displaying a strong commitment to historical accuracy and richly drawn, sympathetic characters."--Library Journal

"Once you start reading you won't want to stop."--British Weekly

"Massively entertaining."--Kirkus Reviews

Review Quotes

"Masterful . . . [Sharon Kay] Penman has absorbed herself so fully into the heart and mind of her protagonist that an undeniably flawed but refreshingly human Richard [the Lionheart] virtually walks off the pages."--Booklist

"Historical fiction of the first order . . . Instead of history that reads like a novel [Sharon Kay] Penman achieves something greater: a novel that reads like history."--Willamette Week

"A well-researched and impressively detailed narrative displaying a strong commitment to historical accuracy and richly drawn, sympathetic characters."--Library Journal

"Once you start reading you won't want to stop."--British Weekly

"Massively entertaining."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Sharon Kay Penman is the author of eight previous historical novels: The Sunne in Splendour, Here Be Dragons, Falls the Shadow, The Reckoning, When Christ and His Saints Slept, Time and Chance, Devil's Brood, and Lionheart. Additionally, she has written four medieval mysteries: The Queen's Man, Cruel as the Grave, Dragon's Lair, and Prince of Darkness. She lives in Mays Landing, New Jersey.