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Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mysteries #10
Unholy Sanctuary
Salisbury 1232
An elderly nun is accused of witchcraft after a priest dies under mysterious circumstances. When the nun tells Ela something that could turn the king against Ela's nemesis, Justiciar Hubert de Burgh, she knows she must whisper it in the king’s ear. Ela finds herself in a race to save the nun’s life as De Burgh tumbles from his lofty pedestal and chaos rattles the halls of power.The Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mystery SeriesThis series features a real historical figure—the formidable Ela Longespée. The young Countess of Salisbury was chosen to marry King Henry II’s illegitimate son William. After her husband’s untimely death, Ela served as High Sheriff of Wiltshire, castellan of Salisbury Castle, and ultimately founder and abbess of Lacock Abbey.
An elderly nun is accused of witchcraft after a priest dies under mysterious circumstances. When the nun tells Ela something that could turn the king against Ela's nemesis, Justiciar Hubert de Burgh, she knows she must whisper it in the king’s ear. Ela finds herself in a race to save the nun’s life as De Burgh tumbles from his lofty pedestal and chaos rattles the halls of power.The Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mystery SeriesThis series features a real historical figure—the formidable Ela Longespée. The young Countess of Salisbury was chosen to marry King Henry II’s illegitimate son William. After her husband’s untimely death, Ela served as High Sheriff of Wiltshire, castellan of Salisbury Castle, and ultimately founder and abbess of Lacock Abbey.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2024
43 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
J.G. Lewis
12 books46 followersJ. G. Lewis grew up in London, England. She came to the U.S. for college and a career as a museum curator.
Her mysteries evolved from the idea of bringing almost-forgotten but fascinating historical figures to life by creating stories for them. The Ela of Salisbury series features the formidable Ela Longespée, wife of King Henry II’s illegitimate son William. The widowed mother of eight children, Ela served as High Sheriff of Wiltshire and castellan of Salisbury and ultimately founder and abbess of Lacock Abbey.
J. G. Lewis currently lives in Florida with her dogs and horses.
Her mysteries evolved from the idea of bringing almost-forgotten but fascinating historical figures to life by creating stories for them. The Ela of Salisbury series features the formidable Ela Longespée, wife of King Henry II’s illegitimate son William. The widowed mother of eight children, Ela served as High Sheriff of Wiltshire and castellan of Salisbury and ultimately founder and abbess of Lacock Abbey.
J. G. Lewis currently lives in Florida with her dogs and horses.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 13, 2024
I absolutely love this series and appreciate the breathing of life into Ela of Salisbury. All I have to say, “It’s about time!!!”
I had never heart of an anchoress and found that role fascinating!
I had never heart of an anchoress and found that role fascinating!
June 10, 2024
A satisfying but somewhat chaotic and muted end. It looks like the story line is seemingly coming to an end according to the author with the arch enemy defeated and some spiritual seeking answered. Enjoyed the whole series despite how short these books are.
May 10, 2024
I enjoy this series because it is fairly well written and historically accurate. The characters are interesting and also realistic in that the main character, Ela, is full of faults and rather annoying at times. The mysteries are a bit far fetched and based on flawed human beings who are not especially bright. This one started out well but by the middle seemed to become somewhat tedious in order to stretch things out. But they are unusual and the overarching story line of Ela and her family holds my interest.
I listen to books since I do not have time to read them. The narrator of all the Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mysteries has a wonderful voice full of nuance and expression which makes the story even more engaging. I hope JG Lewis will write another ten!
I listen to books since I do not have time to read them. The narrator of all the Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mysteries has a wonderful voice full of nuance and expression which makes the story even more engaging. I hope JG Lewis will write another ten!
January 20, 2025
Although I thought the prior installment, ninth, was superior, I felt compelled to give five stars, as this may be the conclusion of the series (though I hope not!). I loved how Ela's daughter, Petronella, played a bigger and more compelling role. Though the murder lines were fascinating, the real story was that of Ela's horrid arch nemesis. I thought the book could have used more of that, and made it the main plot. The author is extremely talented as a plotter and world-builder. She used the actual truth to exquisite advantage. Well-written!
January 31, 2024
So interesting
Another great addition to this series. I had never heard of an anchoress before or if I did I never heard of that title. Now that I think about it, there may have been one in another book that I read, but I don’t remember them calling the person by that title. Lots of twists and turns in this one and I didn’t see the end coming! Well done. Can’t wait for the next book.
Another great addition to this series. I had never heard of an anchoress before or if I did I never heard of that title. Now that I think about it, there may have been one in another book that I read, but I don’t remember them calling the person by that title. Lots of twists and turns in this one and I didn’t see the end coming! Well done. Can’t wait for the next book.
July 9, 2024
A twisty and murky mystery
I'm A fan of J.G. Lewis' Ela of Salisbury novels. The detail and historical texture are delightful. Unfortunately this offering gets a bit bored down with multiple murders and murderers. Added to this complex mishmash is the need for Ela to tread carefully as it becomes clear that her old enemy is the likely mastermind behind the shadow puppets that the audience watches. I hope we get more Ela books as she is usually smart, spunky and thoughtful.
I'm A fan of J.G. Lewis' Ela of Salisbury novels. The detail and historical texture are delightful. Unfortunately this offering gets a bit bored down with multiple murders and murderers. Added to this complex mishmash is the need for Ela to tread carefully as it becomes clear that her old enemy is the likely mastermind behind the shadow puppets that the audience watches. I hope we get more Ela books as she is usually smart, spunky and thoughtful.
February 9, 2024
Unholy Sanctuary
I enjoyed this book. A priest drops dead during a service. An apothecary is strangled. Then a third murder. Who did what to whom and why? It was fun to escape to a different time and place.
I enjoyed this book. A priest drops dead during a service. An apothecary is strangled. Then a third murder. Who did what to whom and why? It was fun to escape to a different time and place.
February 15, 2024
Hoo read
Not the ending I was expecting, descretion not usual for this time. An interesting read up to the usual standard.
Not the ending I was expecting, descretion not usual for this time. An interesting read up to the usual standard.
March 12, 2024
Wonderful
This book is as interesting and we'll written as the others in the series. The characters are like old friends. times
This book is as interesting and we'll written as the others in the series. The characters are like old friends. times
March 19, 2024
sad, this series has ended
Have really enjoyed reading this entire series. Fun read, and kept me guessing almost to the end. Sad it’s ended
Have really enjoyed reading this entire series. Fun read, and kept me guessing almost to the end. Sad it’s ended
July 5, 2024
Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. July 1232. J. G. Lewis’ Unholy Sanctuary (Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mysteries, #10) concerns the final comeuppance of Els’s main adversary in this series, justicar Hubert
de Burgh, and providing the reader with information about anchoresses, nuns who are attached to a place and not an order. The author provides the following information. “There were well over 100 anchoresses in England during the Thirteenth century, and the Ancren Wisse, written as a sort of lifestyle guide for them, was penned between 1224 and 1235 …. so during this exact time period. “. An anchoress lived in a small cell that was inside a church which was part of a larger religious house such as an abbey. It is a lifestyle that I, frankly, do not understand. Ela, Countess of Salisbury, a real historical figure, gave great monetary gifts to Lacock Abbey where she eventually took the veil in 1238 and ultimately became its abbess in 1240. Hubert de Burgh was an advisor to King Henry III, King John’s heir, who ascended the throne before he had reached his majority. Overtime Hubert de Burgh took many liberties as land and money that belonged to the king. He lost favor with the king as the king discovered de Burgh’s abuses. The author’s notes are fascinating on this and on Ela and her daughter, Petronalla. A great series on a dynamic 13th c woman. 5 stars.
de Burgh, and providing the reader with information about anchoresses, nuns who are attached to a place and not an order. The author provides the following information. “There were well over 100 anchoresses in England during the Thirteenth century, and the Ancren Wisse, written as a sort of lifestyle guide for them, was penned between 1224 and 1235 …. so during this exact time period. “. An anchoress lived in a small cell that was inside a church which was part of a larger religious house such as an abbey. It is a lifestyle that I, frankly, do not understand. Ela, Countess of Salisbury, a real historical figure, gave great monetary gifts to Lacock Abbey where she eventually took the veil in 1238 and ultimately became its abbess in 1240. Hubert de Burgh was an advisor to King Henry III, King John’s heir, who ascended the throne before he had reached his majority. Overtime Hubert de Burgh took many liberties as land and money that belonged to the king. He lost favor with the king as the king discovered de Burgh’s abuses. The author’s notes are fascinating on this and on Ela and her daughter, Petronalla. A great series on a dynamic 13th c woman. 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews