I love books by Micheal Crichton and buy all of them. I think his best were Jurassic Park and the Andromeda Strain. This book is entertaining and offers some interesting insights into 13th century mores,but the science  discriptions were missing and the story was not really compelling. While I  do recommend it, I just wish he would write something really gripping  again. 

Question: How is idea?
Answer: I think his best were Jurassic Park and the Andromeda Strain