Labyrinth by Kate Mosse

Labyrinth

by Kate Mosse

Publication Date: 2006

Number of Pages: 508

ISBN: 9780399153440

In this Adventure novel, two parallel storylines converge across centuries to uncover a long-kept secret.  When Alice Tanner, a volunteer on an archeological dig site, discovers a hidden cave in southwest France with two thirteenth century skeletons inside, she is unwittingly caught up in a web of intrigue.  Alais du Mas, a thirteenth century woman, takes a morning walk and stumbles upon the body of a murdered man, and is similarly immersed in a mysterious quest to protect a family secret that might just lead to the Grail.  Set in both the present day and thirteenth century Languedoc region in southwest France, and rich in detail, this novel immerses the reader in each new setting, painting vivid pictures of both the modern and historic French sites. 

This novel may be a shade more than five hundred pages, but it moves at a brisk pace and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.  You’ll be racing along with Alice and Alais to discover the secrets of the Grail, and protect the knowledge from those who would use it for their own gain.  These two women are intelligent, independent, and resourceful, allowing them to be quick on their feet and eventually, discover and protect a treasure hundreds of years old. 

Labyrinth is the first book in the Languedoc Trilogy by Kate Mosse.  Sepulchre was released in 2008, and Citadel was released in 2011. 

If you enjoyed Labyrinth, you might also enjoy these tales, also set in France:

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Published a few years before Labyrinth and a popular bestseller, this novel also features a quest to discover the secret of the Grail.  This quest is much more religion-based, but features the same suspenseful tone, fast pace, and descriptive writing style as Labyrinth. 

1356 by Bernard Cornwell

Set about one hundred years after Alais’ story in Labyrinth, this novel features a Grail quest amidst the Battle of Poitiers during the Hundred Year’s War.  A bit more battle-oriented, this novel nonetheless shares many characteristics to Labyrinth such as a quick pace, richly detailed writing style, and intricate plot. 

The Eight by Katherine Neville

Rather than a Grail quest, this novel focuses on the mystery behind a chess set once owned by Charlemagne.  Dual plotlines, one in Revolutionary France, and another in the 1970’s, feature two strong female leads and a mystery that spans hundreds of years.  Though it does not focus on medieval France, this novel is fast paced, intricately plotted, and suspenseful, and likely to appeal to fans of Labyrinth.