Short Synopsis
Set against the historical reign of the Golden and Iron King, Bohemian Gospel is the remarkable tale of a bold and unusual girl on a quest to uncover her past and define her destiny.

Full Synopsis
Thirteenth-century Bohemia is a dangerous place for a girl, especially one as odd as Mouse, born with unnatural senses and an uncanny intellect. Some call her a witch. Others call her an angel. Even Mouse doesn't know who—or what—she is. But she means to find out.

When young King Ottakar shows up at the Abbey wounded by a traitor's arrow, Mouse breaks church law to save him and then agrees to accompany him back to Prague as his personal healer. Caught in the undertow of court politics at the castle, Ottakar and Mouse find themselves drawn to each other as they work to uncover the threat against him and to unravel the mystery of her past. But when Mouse's unusual gifts give rise to a violence and strength that surprise everyone—especially herself—she is forced to ask herself: Will she be prepared for the future that awaits her?

A heart-thumping, highly original tale in the vein of Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian, Bohemian Gospel heralds the arrival of a fresh new voice for historical fiction.

"Fresh and surprising. . . . Brings the Dark Ages to strange and bewitching life." ---Kirkus

"Deliciously creepy . . . Carpenter’s vivid imagination creates a well-rounded, sympathetic heroine and an intricate world full of terrifying details." ---Publishers Weekly

"Absorbing . . . The strength of Carpenter's promising debut is its unusual Central European medieval setting and protagonist." ---Library Journal

"With a strong and nuanced central character and a rich sense of mystery, Bohemian Gospel is breathtaking" ---Shelf Awareness Starred Review

"Listening to Justine Eyre perform [Bohemian Gospel] was wonderful. . . . When I read the book, my mind stumbled over the Bohemian words. Ms. Eyre does such a fine job of clearly enunciating every word." ---Exit, pursued by a bear

"Wholly unique. . . . I was drawn into her story and captivated by the setting and strife as the story progressed." ---Bambi Unbridled

Shelf Awareness Review