What do you think?
Rate this book
Knights Templar #8
Belladonna at Belstone
It is 1321, and Lady Elizabeth of Topsham, prioress of St. Mary's, is fighting to retain her position in the face of devastating opposition. She has been accused by Sister Margherita, St. Mary's treasurer, of giving much-needed funds to the new vicar, a man she often sees alone at night. Many of the nuns are convinced that Margherita would make a better prioress—especially now that it is certain that Moll, a young nun, was murdered in her sick bed. Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, together with his old friend Simon Puttock, are summoned to investigate. There is no doubt that the threefold vows of obedience, chastity, and poverty are being broken with alarming frequency. Then, when a second nun is murdered, they find themselves facing their most difficult case yet.
332 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 1999
32 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
Michael Jecks
121 books623 followersMichael Jecks is a best-selling writer of historical novels. The son of an Actuary, and the youngest of four brothers, he worked in the computer industry before becoming a novelist full time in 1994
He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.
His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.
A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.
From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.
Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.
His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.
Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.
He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.
His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.
A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.
From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.
Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.
His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.
Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 16, 2011
I spent a long time researching this book, and it was quite a startling investigation!
There are many in America who have complained that I have something against the Church because I am so unkind to the nuns at this convent. Some have decried my writing as a result. Well, all I can say is, when I write, you get the story warts and all. Every instance I mention in this book happened to nuns in one of two convents in the Bishopric of Devon and Cornwall. They were taken from the visitation reports of Bishop Walter II and Bishop Grandisson, both in the first half of the 1300s.
It's how the convents were.
This book does bring the convent to life, with all the petty intrigues, the corruption and flagrant behaviour of some of the inmates (I use the term intentionally!).
Primitive passions, secret ambitions and company politics abound in this tale of death and murder.
Great fun!
There are many in America who have complained that I have something against the Church because I am so unkind to the nuns at this convent. Some have decried my writing as a result. Well, all I can say is, when I write, you get the story warts and all. Every instance I mention in this book happened to nuns in one of two convents in the Bishopric of Devon and Cornwall. They were taken from the visitation reports of Bishop Walter II and Bishop Grandisson, both in the first half of the 1300s.
It's how the convents were.
This book does bring the convent to life, with all the petty intrigues, the corruption and flagrant behaviour of some of the inmates (I use the term intentionally!).
Primitive passions, secret ambitions and company politics abound in this tale of death and murder.
Great fun!
April 27, 2017
Not the author's best but worth a read to keep up with the series and some role reversals for the characters.
A novice has been killed at a shambles of a convent on Dartmoor and the local bishop asks a trustworthy landowner and lawgiver to look into the matter.
The book does show up the idiocy of getting up at midnight to pray in the freezing chapel and returning regularly to do so again at set intervals throughout the day. Think of the all the time and energy wasted when the good people could have been producing food and goods or mending the crumbling buildings. Also it's pointed out that the Rule was established for religious people in the warm Mediterranean. As the nuns and lay workers, male and female, are so poorly fed, they need to imbibe ale to increase the calorie and vitamin content of their diet.
The author goes overboard on the sinning and indulging and lusting. I could see no chance that so much money could be embezzled when people would have a good idea of what money was coming in and where it needed to be spent. We also see manure around the drying green, so any dropped clothing is fouled and has to be re-washed; what woman would allow this to go on when she could ask a man to put up a few hurdles or do it herself?
Some rather gruesome scenes mean this isn't for the tender, but that's medieval amputation for you. I like the detail of a favourite fireside chair riddled with woodworm.
A novice has been killed at a shambles of a convent on Dartmoor and the local bishop asks a trustworthy landowner and lawgiver to look into the matter.
The book does show up the idiocy of getting up at midnight to pray in the freezing chapel and returning regularly to do so again at set intervals throughout the day. Think of the all the time and energy wasted when the good people could have been producing food and goods or mending the crumbling buildings. Also it's pointed out that the Rule was established for religious people in the warm Mediterranean. As the nuns and lay workers, male and female, are so poorly fed, they need to imbibe ale to increase the calorie and vitamin content of their diet.
The author goes overboard on the sinning and indulging and lusting. I could see no chance that so much money could be embezzled when people would have a good idea of what money was coming in and where it needed to be spent. We also see manure around the drying green, so any dropped clothing is fouled and has to be re-washed; what woman would allow this to go on when she could ask a man to put up a few hurdles or do it herself?
Some rather gruesome scenes mean this isn't for the tender, but that's medieval amputation for you. I like the detail of a favourite fireside chair riddled with woodworm.
June 29, 2008
Another great installment of Michael Jeck's medevial mystery series. this book is not only entertaining, but I believe I am really understanding the culture of the times.
December 31, 2021
Den här var helt enkelt inte bra. En kombination av deus ex machina, och svaga karaktäriseringar med en väldigt tunn intrig.
January 18, 2009
Every possible medieval stereotype presented in a traditional mystery format. This kind of book is my crack: the high is brief and it doesn't exactly deliver any nourishment. The best/most ridiculous part is that the usual modern detective story lingo is simply juxtaposed onto the medieval The Name of the Rose-type vocabulary, ie "The investigator considered the case before him. 'We have to treat the cellarer and the blood-letter as suspects in this murder,' he said, adjusting his woolen tunic and taking a deep draught of his quart of ale."
May 1, 2016
Just didn't do it for me. I just didn't care about anyone in the story for some reason.
September 6, 2012
Originally published on my blog here in October 2000.
In this series, Michael Jecks has certainly been keen to show readers some of the negative aspects of medieval institutions; we've had a leper hospital, now it's a convent where lax morality is accompanied by poverty. Not all monastic establishments were hugely rich, though that is the obvious impression to be gained from what has survived - the huge scale of ruins like St Augustine's Priory, Canterbury, Thetford Priory, Fountains and Rievaulx Abbeys make it obvious what the financial reasons were which prompted the Dissolution. The establishments which have left no trace were generally far more modest, particularly convents of nuns. (Rich benefactors tended to endow establishments of men, for women would be unable to perform masses for their souls.) Belstone, a fictional abbey in a real Devonshire setting, is a place like this, a collection of dilapidated buildings upon bleak moorland.
Belstone in fact has more immediately serious problems than its poverty. The prioress, noblewoman Lady Elizabeth, and treasurer Margherita are at loggerheads and Margherita is embezzling from the priory. There are rumours of lax moral behaviour - nuns wantonly sleeping with the men who work the priory's lands and even the priest who conducts their services - which have some basis in fact. (This kind of gossip often surrounded communities of nuns, as is clear from the stories in Boccaccio's Decameron.) Then one of the novices is killed, and Margherita writes a letter to the Bishop of Exeter accusing Lady Elizabeth of murder. This prompts an investigation involving the detective partners who are the central characters of Jecks' series, Baldwin Furnshill and Simon Puttock.
The combination of the various abuses going on in Belstone priory is perhaps a little unlikely, and Jecks is a good enough writer to add some background to motivate it. In fact, Belladonna at Belstone is a very competently constructed novel. With as truly a medieval background as the rest of the series, it keeps up the high standard.
In this series, Michael Jecks has certainly been keen to show readers some of the negative aspects of medieval institutions; we've had a leper hospital, now it's a convent where lax morality is accompanied by poverty. Not all monastic establishments were hugely rich, though that is the obvious impression to be gained from what has survived - the huge scale of ruins like St Augustine's Priory, Canterbury, Thetford Priory, Fountains and Rievaulx Abbeys make it obvious what the financial reasons were which prompted the Dissolution. The establishments which have left no trace were generally far more modest, particularly convents of nuns. (Rich benefactors tended to endow establishments of men, for women would be unable to perform masses for their souls.) Belstone, a fictional abbey in a real Devonshire setting, is a place like this, a collection of dilapidated buildings upon bleak moorland.
Belstone in fact has more immediately serious problems than its poverty. The prioress, noblewoman Lady Elizabeth, and treasurer Margherita are at loggerheads and Margherita is embezzling from the priory. There are rumours of lax moral behaviour - nuns wantonly sleeping with the men who work the priory's lands and even the priest who conducts their services - which have some basis in fact. (This kind of gossip often surrounded communities of nuns, as is clear from the stories in Boccaccio's Decameron.) Then one of the novices is killed, and Margherita writes a letter to the Bishop of Exeter accusing Lady Elizabeth of murder. This prompts an investigation involving the detective partners who are the central characters of Jecks' series, Baldwin Furnshill and Simon Puttock.
The combination of the various abuses going on in Belstone priory is perhaps a little unlikely, and Jecks is a good enough writer to add some background to motivate it. In fact, Belladonna at Belstone is a very competently constructed novel. With as truly a medieval background as the rest of the series, it keeps up the high standard.
March 13, 2008
I get Michael Jeck's books sent to me from by my family in England, as I do not know if you can get them in the States. He does his research. The books are excellent--very well written. I like a good mystery, and these most certainly are!
June 19, 2014
Once again, Michael Jecks comes up trumps with this belter of a Mystery. Kept me guessing right until the end.
Well plotted, researched and dispelling a few myths about Nuns in the period too. Sweetness and light? hmm
Looking forward to the next one now.
Well plotted, researched and dispelling a few myths about Nuns in the period too. Sweetness and light? hmm
Looking forward to the next one now.
April 14, 2012
Skipped books 5, 6 & 7 as I read them some years ago & have only just managed to find this volume.
Exellent so far
Exellent so far
April 27, 2009
book 8
January 1, 2018
In the historical mysteries of Michael Jecks, the author seems determined to show all of the faith (positive, indifferent, or cynically negative), filth, fear, frustration, and failures of 14th century England. Belladonna at Belstone takes Jecks’ ongoing protagonist, Sir Baldwin de Furnstill, former Templar and current Keeper of the King’s Peace for his area, to a dysfunctional convent where a rumored murder of a novice has occurred. Naturally, the aura around ecclesiastical sovereignty in a monastery or convent in that era would normally preclude a secular authority from investigating a murder in a convent. However, de Furnstill’s ongoing relationship with Bishop Stapledon (Bishop of Exeter and King’s Treasurer) gives the Bishop a chance to ask de Furnstill to assist in the investigation so he can, hopefully, keep rumors from destroying the convent’s reputation and ensure that another bishop, an ambitious one, doesn’t carry out a biased investigation to carry out his own agenda to disgrace his rival bishop.
Belstone is a run-down, poor and struggling convent on a barren moor in Devonshire. Some characters in the novel feel like this fact is a result of God’s judgment on the priory. It is a fictitious convent which Jecks conjured from research into medieval abbeys and priories and his own imaginative injection of “Murphy’s Law” into the Rule of the Order. With so much detail involved, the book features a glossary of architectural features and a sample schedule of the “day” for these devouts (If a person entered one of these “chaste” communities because they were lazy and thought it would be restful, said person needed to think again). Also, even though the venue of the novel is fictitious, Jecks draws from an authentic experience to color the backgrounds of several characters in the story.
As happens in many mysteries, the investigation into one murder appears to trigger other murders and attempted murders. Not even the investigators are immune from the danger in this priory where it seems like everyone has broken vows in some way. If one gets the idea that this mystery will be solved as easily as finding a hypocritical religious obedientiary where the danger of exposure will be a simple matter, this review has misled you. Broken vows appear to be the norm in this particular priory and, they go to both high and low levels. Yet, in the midst of murder and mayhem, there is a certain amount of forgiveness and grace.
When all is revealed and the punishments established, some readers will feel very content but other readers may feel that some of those who misbehaved got off too lightly. I had ambivalent feelings.
Yet, since variety is always to be welcomed, I truly enjoyed that this was a mystery with one crime interwoven into another and another such that there were varying crimes and various suspects. If I were considering the life of a contemplative, I might be disillusioned with those serving in Belstone, but since I am not, it’s simply a target-rich environment. When my candidate for the ultimate villain was cleared of being the murderer, I was completely fooled. But I won’t tell you who I was considering because there are so many delicious red herrings and complications that you should be allowed to choose poorly, as well. I did zero in on the prime miscreant early in the book, but certain behavior made me look a different direction.
In short, Belladonna at Belstone is everything a historical memory should be. It features a context true to the historical setting and based, at least partially, on historical behavior, but it also entertains with a fascinating mix of events and misdirection.
Belstone is a run-down, poor and struggling convent on a barren moor in Devonshire. Some characters in the novel feel like this fact is a result of God’s judgment on the priory. It is a fictitious convent which Jecks conjured from research into medieval abbeys and priories and his own imaginative injection of “Murphy’s Law” into the Rule of the Order. With so much detail involved, the book features a glossary of architectural features and a sample schedule of the “day” for these devouts (If a person entered one of these “chaste” communities because they were lazy and thought it would be restful, said person needed to think again). Also, even though the venue of the novel is fictitious, Jecks draws from an authentic experience to color the backgrounds of several characters in the story.
As happens in many mysteries, the investigation into one murder appears to trigger other murders and attempted murders. Not even the investigators are immune from the danger in this priory where it seems like everyone has broken vows in some way. If one gets the idea that this mystery will be solved as easily as finding a hypocritical religious obedientiary where the danger of exposure will be a simple matter, this review has misled you. Broken vows appear to be the norm in this particular priory and, they go to both high and low levels. Yet, in the midst of murder and mayhem, there is a certain amount of forgiveness and grace.
When all is revealed and the punishments established, some readers will feel very content but other readers may feel that some of those who misbehaved got off too lightly. I had ambivalent feelings.
Yet, since variety is always to be welcomed, I truly enjoyed that this was a mystery with one crime interwoven into another and another such that there were varying crimes and various suspects. If I were considering the life of a contemplative, I might be disillusioned with those serving in Belstone, but since I am not, it’s simply a target-rich environment. When my candidate for the ultimate villain was cleared of being the murderer, I was completely fooled. But I won’t tell you who I was considering because there are so many delicious red herrings and complications that you should be allowed to choose poorly, as well. I did zero in on the prime miscreant early in the book, but certain behavior made me look a different direction.
In short, Belladonna at Belstone is everything a historical memory should be. It features a context true to the historical setting and based, at least partially, on historical behavior, but it also entertains with a fascinating mix of events and misdirection.
January 24, 2024
Like another of Jecks' mystery tales, this one is merely ok. The setting, a priory, is more of a co-ed dorm from these days with easy sex abounding. The buildings leak, are falling apart, the inhabitants are habitually semi-drunk, and the Prioress seems not to care.
I've read the 1400s era mysteries (Sister Frevisse) by Margaret Frazer, where the priory is almost all female, and they are dutiful in word and deed to the religion. The contrast is stunning, and these poor human sinners are little better than villagers devoid of faith.
That said, as Jecks tells readers some priories were poorly funded and run in the 1300s, where some bad harvest years led to poverty and death. Still, I can't accept ANY religious institution could fall into such a moral and financial abyss.
3 stars, if you can forgive my generosity. Blessings upon thee, readers.
I've read the 1400s era mysteries (Sister Frevisse) by Margaret Frazer, where the priory is almost all female, and they are dutiful in word and deed to the religion. The contrast is stunning, and these poor human sinners are little better than villagers devoid of faith.
That said, as Jecks tells readers some priories were poorly funded and run in the 1300s, where some bad harvest years led to poverty and death. Still, I can't accept ANY religious institution could fall into such a moral and financial abyss.
3 stars, if you can forgive my generosity. Blessings upon thee, readers.
October 15, 2025
Found this book in a donation book nook at Wells Cathedral and thought it was apt timing. What I didn't realise is that it is book 7 (?) in a series of books with recurring characters. The story was slow to start but definitely picked up halfway through.
I think my reason for only giving 3 stars is my confusion with the characters. Don't get me wrong I have read multi character books before and not got confused (Game Of Thrones series for example) but here each character is referred to by several different names and I never really sorted them out until nearly the end!
The book gave me Name of the Rose vibes but that's probably due to the setting and all the hanky panky that went on within the religious order!
I think my reason for only giving 3 stars is my confusion with the characters. Don't get me wrong I have read multi character books before and not got confused (Game Of Thrones series for example) but here each character is referred to by several different names and I never really sorted them out until nearly the end!
The book gave me Name of the Rose vibes but that's probably due to the setting and all the hanky panky that went on within the religious order!
Read
June 25, 2020Ah, a murder in a convent! Automatic upvote from me. i just love medieval monks and nuns, although this tale hardly revolves around the poverty, chastity and obedience one would expect from such establishments! After a young novice nun is murdered, shocking things come to light about the small religious house, when Baldwin and Simon go off to investigate! Naughty nuns, Pervy priests, illegitimate children popping up, blackmail, theft, drunkenness... the whole riot of human behaviour plays out in the small cloister before the duo can finally uncover the truth
December 15, 2017
Het eerste avontuur van Sir Baldwin en Simon Puttock waarbij ik een vermoeden kreeg wie de dader was van de moorden in het klooster van St. Mary's en de aanslag op Sir Baldwin. Door deze aanslag is Sir Baldwin uitgeschakeld en moet Baljuw Simon Puttock alleen de dader ontmaskeren.
Toch ook weer een boeiende geschiedenis waarin je een, helaas niet zo'n positieve, blik kunt werpen op het kloosterleven.
Toch ook weer een boeiende geschiedenis waarin je een, helaas niet zo'n positieve, blik kunt werpen op het kloosterleven.
June 27, 2019
I enjoy these characters. Mr. Jecks does a good job of putting me back in time. I felt like I was there. I stumbled across some of the characters. There are several and I had a hard time keeping them straight. He was kind enough to add the cast of characters at the beginning. I used it several times. Simon plays a major role in this one. Of course, there are teasers to keep me wanting to get to the next book. Recommend.
April 1, 2021
After returning to this series after a number of years, I wanted to read more of it. In this book Sir Baldwin and Simon investigate allegations against the prioress of Belstone Priory, a priory that has both monks and nuns. Immediately after their arrival they find that there is more to investigate than the allegations made by the treasurer against the prioress.
The mystery is an interesting one as are the characters and the customs and rules for monks and nuns in 13th century England.
The mystery is an interesting one as are the characters and the customs and rules for monks and nuns in 13th century England.
December 30, 2021
Belladonna at Belstone is Michael Jecks’ eighth and best in his medieval mystery series. Set in a rundown nuns’ cloister in 14th century England former Templar Sir Baldwin and his able associate Bailiff Simon Puttock are faced with three murdered nuns and a convent that is dysfunctional and full of transgressed vows among its members. Jecks captures the dirt and grime of a 14th century and keeps the suspense to the very end. Engaging series.
August 25, 2023
Bought this book used as an airport/airplane read. It did the job - neither boring nor taxing.
If I were rating for historical/monastic accuracy, it would be a low score. Also, that many nuns and monks cheerfully and publicly ignoring their vows? I don't think so.
If I were rating it on its fun in terms of figuring out the whodunnit part, it would be high.
Finished it and gave it to the woman reading in the seat behind me rather than bringing it home. Does that make it a three instead of a four? Hmmmm...
If I were rating for historical/monastic accuracy, it would be a low score. Also, that many nuns and monks cheerfully and publicly ignoring their vows? I don't think so.
If I were rating it on its fun in terms of figuring out the whodunnit part, it would be high.
Finished it and gave it to the woman reading in the seat behind me rather than bringing it home. Does that make it a three instead of a four? Hmmmm...
January 1, 2019
the narrative is not always engaging but the plot is well built with some nice twists at the end. been a pleasant read.
February 28, 2021
I'm entertained that this niche genre (medieval murder mystery) exists and this was a fun read. I will probably check out his other books because I have a feeling this still isn't the best he can do.
March 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this book
April 27, 2024
Interesting but not great
August 27, 2024
3.5, could have been like 100 pages shorter and gotten the same point across. The ending was ok???? I think the murderer should have been someone else but whatever I guess
December 23, 2025
A quick read.
February 23, 2017
I like the fact that the book has multiple pov's. It makes everything just a little bit interesting
February 5, 2009
BELLADONNA AT BELSTONE (Hist. Mys-Furnshill/Puttock-England-1321) – G+
Jecks, Michael – 8th in series
Headline, 1999, UK Hardcover – ISBN; 0747274029
First Sentence: She was lucky not to have died.
Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keep of the King’s Peace, and Bailiff Simon Puttock have been summoned by Bishop Bertrand, the representative of Bishop of Stapledon, to go to St. Mary’s Priory. One nun has been injured, another has died. Bishop Baldwin received a letter from Sister Margherita, the treasurer, accusing the prioress, Lady Elizabeth of willing let the priory fall into disrepair and vows to be broken.
I so enjoy this series. Baldwin and Simon are great characters. They are fully developed with home lives and a strong bond of friendship. Part of the story focuses on Baldwin’s new wife, Jeanne, and her coming into her role as lady of the manor. Other than the protagonists, none of the characters are particularly appealing. Rather than an example of piety and virtue, St. Mary’s Priory is an example of the seven deadly sins. For me, it is the light humor and relationships make the books particularly enjoyable.
Mr. Jecks’ research is more than apparent. I love that he included a Glossery, an outline of the schedule and services for those in the priory, a cast of characters, and author’s notes on the history of the time within the book. He also has a wonderful website with photographs of the area.
The story is so well done. There are plenty of suspects but no clear motive. I certainly didn’t solve the puzzle until the killer was revealed. This may not have been the strongest book in the series of 27 books, but I’m determined to read one book each month until I am caught up.
Jecks, Michael – 8th in series
Headline, 1999, UK Hardcover – ISBN; 0747274029
First Sentence: She was lucky not to have died.
Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keep of the King’s Peace, and Bailiff Simon Puttock have been summoned by Bishop Bertrand, the representative of Bishop of Stapledon, to go to St. Mary’s Priory. One nun has been injured, another has died. Bishop Baldwin received a letter from Sister Margherita, the treasurer, accusing the prioress, Lady Elizabeth of willing let the priory fall into disrepair and vows to be broken.
I so enjoy this series. Baldwin and Simon are great characters. They are fully developed with home lives and a strong bond of friendship. Part of the story focuses on Baldwin’s new wife, Jeanne, and her coming into her role as lady of the manor. Other than the protagonists, none of the characters are particularly appealing. Rather than an example of piety and virtue, St. Mary’s Priory is an example of the seven deadly sins. For me, it is the light humor and relationships make the books particularly enjoyable.
Mr. Jecks’ research is more than apparent. I love that he included a Glossery, an outline of the schedule and services for those in the priory, a cast of characters, and author’s notes on the history of the time within the book. He also has a wonderful website with photographs of the area.
The story is so well done. There are plenty of suspects but no clear motive. I certainly didn’t solve the puzzle until the killer was revealed. This may not have been the strongest book in the series of 27 books, but I’m determined to read one book each month until I am caught up.
July 25, 2016
The King's Keeper of the Peace. Sir Baldwin Furnshill and his the friend Bailiff Simon Puttock have been requested to travel to the Convent of St. Mary's to investigate the suspicious death of one of the novices. St. Mary's houses both nuns and monks but is in ill repair and there is a great laxity in following he rules of the orders. The book is set in the 1312 and contains a glossary of terms for the various parts of the Convent and the positions an duties of the people residing there. Sir Baldwin and Simon are in rather uncomfortable territory operating within the Convent and soon uncover an undercurrent of political intrigue with a faction wishing to overthrow the current Prioress and those who side with her. Several more murders occur as various plots are slowly uncovered. I find I like these books, although the can be a bit challenging with all the unfamiliar terms.
July 18, 2016
To me Belladonna at Belstone shows a surprising insight in medieval cloister life. Michael Jecks seriously upset my view that the occupants were pious, worthy, generally nice creatures, living a quiet life serving God and the community. At Belstone all kinds of sins take place, escalating in the worst of all: murder.
As always, Jecks did some thorough research to set this somewhat unusual background for this mystery. The story itself is solid, well-paced and amusing, with a nice diversity of characters. The only thing that let it down a little for me is that there were one or two quite unnecessary side plots, distracting too much from the main plot. But overall this is another really good book in the Knights Templar series
As always, Jecks did some thorough research to set this somewhat unusual background for this mystery. The story itself is solid, well-paced and amusing, with a nice diversity of characters. The only thing that let it down a little for me is that there were one or two quite unnecessary side plots, distracting too much from the main plot. But overall this is another really good book in the Knights Templar series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews