'The trappings of civilization vary from one age to another, as do beliefs and superstitions. Penman herself believes that the lessons of her novels are timeless: 'I believe that human nature has not changed much over the centuries,' the author once remarked. In her subsequent novels, Penman creates memorable characters from several social strata, and strives to show how 'history,' as chronicled-the foreign alliances, the intrigues at court-affected ordinary lives. Her 1982 literary debut, The Sunne in Splendour, is set, as are nearly all of her works, in medieval England-an era, as she ably shows, that was marked by royal treacheries and the beginnings of a truly urban, democratic civilization. SIDELIGHTS: Sharon Kay Penman's historical thrillers have won her critical accolades as well as a devoted readership. Prince of Darkness: A Medieval Mystery, Putnam (New York, NY), 2005. Time and Chance, Putnam (New York, NY), 2002.ĭragon's Lair: A Medieval Mystery, Putnam (New York, NY), 2003. The Queen's Man: A Medieval Mystery, Holt (New York, NY), 1996.Ĭruel as the Grave: A Medieval Mystery, Holt (New York, NY), 1998. When Christ and His Saints Slept, Holt (New York, NY), 1995. The Reckoning, Holt (New York, NY), 1991. Here Be Dragons, Holt (New York, NY), 1985.įalls the Shadow, Holt (New York, NY), 1988. The Sunne in Splendour, Holt (New York, NY), 1982.

18th St., New York, NY 10011.ĬAREER: Writer teacher in parochial school, Hawaii became tax and corporate attorney.ĪWARDS, HONORS: Edgar Award nominee for best first mystery, Mystery Writers of America, for The Queen's Man: A Medieval Mystery.

Education: Attended Penn State University attended Louisiana State University University of Texas, B.A., 1969 Rutgers University, J.D., 1974.ĪDDRESSES: Home- New Jersey.

The Reckoning by Sharon Kay Penman