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Medieval Mystery #10
Covenant with Hell
In the Spring of 1277, Prioress Eleanor goes on a pilgrimage to a famous East Anglian shrine. There are rumors that King Edward may also visit the shrine soon to seek God’s blessing for his invasion of Wales. Lurking in this sacred place, however, is an assassin hoping to murder a king.
Soon after Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas arrive, a nun falls to her death from the priory bell tower. Brother Thomas finds the body, and the pair quickly grasp that this nun’s death was not a simple tragedy. The circumstances point to murder, but this slaying is further tainted with treason. Among the pilgrims, merchants, and religious, too many betray an interest in this death―including a canny street child. At least one of them is most certainly a killer.
Can Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas succeed in exposing the assassin or will they also fall victim to one who has made a covenant with hell?
Soon after Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas arrive, a nun falls to her death from the priory bell tower. Brother Thomas finds the body, and the pair quickly grasp that this nun’s death was not a simple tragedy. The circumstances point to murder, but this slaying is further tainted with treason. Among the pilgrims, merchants, and religious, too many betray an interest in this death―including a canny street child. At least one of them is most certainly a killer.
Can Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas succeed in exposing the assassin or will they also fall victim to one who has made a covenant with hell?
250 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
45 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Priscilla Royal
27 books124 followersPriscilla has a degree in world literature from San Francisco State University, where she discovered the beauty of medieval literature. She is a theater fan as well as reader of history, mysteries, and fiction of lesser violence. She lives in Northern California and belongs to the California Writers Club and Sisters in Crime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 21, 2015
Priscilla Royal’s latest mystery finds Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas on a pilgrimage to Walsingham to mend Eleanor’s troubled soul. That Thomas’s soul is also in need of healing will go without saying for those familiar with this series. But instead of a salve for their souls, they find murder and dangers that could shake the whole kingdom.
I’m a sucker for a good story set in the past. Almost any clever plot with some lively characters can glue me to a page. But when a writer also incorporates thoughtful ideas into a beguiling tale, then I’m in love. Priscilla Royal is one of those rare finds. Under the guise of medieval mysteries, in her various books she’s taken on anti-Semitism, mob mentalities, the psychological effects of war, sexual identity and other themes.
In Covenant with Hell, Royal takes on the notion of self-righteous religiosity that’s used to cover personal failings and sins. She also deals with a more subtle theme that she’s explored before—how to live true to oneself when who you are is rejected by your world. These two ideas work superbly in tandem. “Good” characters and “shady” ones are moral shape shifters in this book—one minute you think you’ve got someone categorized and then, well, you’re wrong and in the process you’ve learned more about human beings that you would have thought from such an enjoyable read. As I read, I gradually recognized these shifts but that process was a largely unconscious one because Royal’s story telling and intriguing characters held me tightly involved. Through the course of the book I intuited a level of human understanding about identity and happiness and moral compasses that I’d be hard put to articulate fully. I simply know that I’m the richer for having gained it.
I’ll add a bit of teaser on this theme. In the first chapter we meet a mysterious character and hear his thoughts. Decide what role—hero or villain—you would ascribe to a character with these thoughts: “Only in obscurity could he be honest, even if that truth was an evil thing. Only in the velvet-embrace of darkness could he find comfort and peace.”
I suspect that Royal’s series has gained a couple new continuing characters from this book, but I doubt you will guess who they are until the end. Subtly and sophistication of character development continue to be Royal’s stock-in-trade. I did find a couple disconnects where plot pieces got dropped or appeared unexplained, but I doubt most readers will be bothered by these editing mishaps.
I’m a sucker for a good story set in the past. Almost any clever plot with some lively characters can glue me to a page. But when a writer also incorporates thoughtful ideas into a beguiling tale, then I’m in love. Priscilla Royal is one of those rare finds. Under the guise of medieval mysteries, in her various books she’s taken on anti-Semitism, mob mentalities, the psychological effects of war, sexual identity and other themes.
In Covenant with Hell, Royal takes on the notion of self-righteous religiosity that’s used to cover personal failings and sins. She also deals with a more subtle theme that she’s explored before—how to live true to oneself when who you are is rejected by your world. These two ideas work superbly in tandem. “Good” characters and “shady” ones are moral shape shifters in this book—one minute you think you’ve got someone categorized and then, well, you’re wrong and in the process you’ve learned more about human beings that you would have thought from such an enjoyable read. As I read, I gradually recognized these shifts but that process was a largely unconscious one because Royal’s story telling and intriguing characters held me tightly involved. Through the course of the book I intuited a level of human understanding about identity and happiness and moral compasses that I’d be hard put to articulate fully. I simply know that I’m the richer for having gained it.
I’ll add a bit of teaser on this theme. In the first chapter we meet a mysterious character and hear his thoughts. Decide what role—hero or villain—you would ascribe to a character with these thoughts: “Only in obscurity could he be honest, even if that truth was an evil thing. Only in the velvet-embrace of darkness could he find comfort and peace.”
I suspect that Royal’s series has gained a couple new continuing characters from this book, but I doubt you will guess who they are until the end. Subtly and sophistication of character development continue to be Royal’s stock-in-trade. I did find a couple disconnects where plot pieces got dropped or appeared unexplained, but I doubt most readers will be bothered by these editing mishaps.
March 6, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2014
I'm enjoying this series more with each new outing, largely due to Prioress Eleanor. She's a wonderful lead character, wise, strong, rational, devout, compassionate, but with a wickedly dry sense of humor at times. The daughter of a baron, she is a natural leader despite her young age and diminutive stature, and woe unto those who underestimate her!
She and Brother Thomas, another member of Tyndal Priory and her sidekick in murder investigations in past adventures, have come to the Walsingham shrines on pilgrimage. When a nun at their host priory falls to her death from the bell tower, rumors swirl about broken vows, scandalous rendezvous, and even more ominously, an assassination plot against the King, soon to visit the shrines. Eleanor and Thomas must race against time to sort through the townspeople and their fellow religious and pilgrims to find the traitor before they kill again.
Set in the 1270s in England, this series is obviously slower moving than a modern detective mystery or police procedural; Eleanor and Thomas must talk to every witness, every suspect, sift through every motive and opportunity without technology or modern methods. They must use their wits, faith and extensive knowledge of human nature to get into the heart and mind of every killer, and I find that fascinating.
I also love this series, as I did the Brother Cadfael, Dame Frevisse, Catherine Levendeur and Brother Athelstan mysteries (among others), for the outstanding research done by those authors and Priscilla Royal here, and ability to use that research to submerge a modern reader into the medieval mindset. It was such a different time, with the all-powerful role of the Church and King and nobility, the superstitions and fears, the belief that Satan and God and demons and angels and saints were interceding in average people's lives on a daily basis or a casual whim, bewitching them, beguiling them, saving or guiding them by turns. Life was often dirty, brutal and short - an ideal setting ripe for crimes of lust, violence, greed and fear; a historical mystery buff's dream come true! This author and her cast of regular characters create a wonderful, thoughtful world I look forward to visiting again - recommended.
She and Brother Thomas, another member of Tyndal Priory and her sidekick in murder investigations in past adventures, have come to the Walsingham shrines on pilgrimage. When a nun at their host priory falls to her death from the bell tower, rumors swirl about broken vows, scandalous rendezvous, and even more ominously, an assassination plot against the King, soon to visit the shrines. Eleanor and Thomas must race against time to sort through the townspeople and their fellow religious and pilgrims to find the traitor before they kill again.
Set in the 1270s in England, this series is obviously slower moving than a modern detective mystery or police procedural; Eleanor and Thomas must talk to every witness, every suspect, sift through every motive and opportunity without technology or modern methods. They must use their wits, faith and extensive knowledge of human nature to get into the heart and mind of every killer, and I find that fascinating.
I also love this series, as I did the Brother Cadfael, Dame Frevisse, Catherine Levendeur and Brother Athelstan mysteries (among others), for the outstanding research done by those authors and Priscilla Royal here, and ability to use that research to submerge a modern reader into the medieval mindset. It was such a different time, with the all-powerful role of the Church and King and nobility, the superstitions and fears, the belief that Satan and God and demons and angels and saints were interceding in average people's lives on a daily basis or a casual whim, bewitching them, beguiling them, saving or guiding them by turns. Life was often dirty, brutal and short - an ideal setting ripe for crimes of lust, violence, greed and fear; a historical mystery buff's dream come true! This author and her cast of regular characters create a wonderful, thoughtful world I look forward to visiting again - recommended.
October 20, 2013
Even without having read the other books in this series, this is a great book. I loved the ambiance in this novel. The characters and plot work well together, the setting is wonderful and the author does an amazing job of transporting you to the medieval world she describes.
I was fascinated by this story line from the first few pages and looked forward to reading more as the book progressed. I love that the characters grow and change throughout the story. Lessons are learned, events unfold and you really get a sense of getting to know these people and becoming part of their lives.
There is quite a lot of things happening in this story and the complexity increases as the pages turn. I loved that Priscilla Royal could tie together so many different things and still have the story make sense, even to someone who was not already familiar with her other books.
This is definitely a book that you should add to your to read list and Priscilla Royal is an author to watch for anyone who is a fan of the time period.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher and provided by Netgalley.
I was fascinated by this story line from the first few pages and looked forward to reading more as the book progressed. I love that the characters grow and change throughout the story. Lessons are learned, events unfold and you really get a sense of getting to know these people and becoming part of their lives.
There is quite a lot of things happening in this story and the complexity increases as the pages turn. I loved that Priscilla Royal could tie together so many different things and still have the story make sense, even to someone who was not already familiar with her other books.
This is definitely a book that you should add to your to read list and Priscilla Royal is an author to watch for anyone who is a fan of the time period.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher and provided by Netgalley.
December 22, 2013
It is hard to find a mystery series that doesn't become a little "cookie cutter" after several books. Covenant with Hell is the tenth in the Medieval Mystery series and is anything but predictable. Priscilla Royal keeps the story fresh and the characters fresher.
Our favorite characters, Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas, have traveled outside Tyndal Priory on a pilgrimage to Ryehill Priory for prayer and contemplation. The accommodations aren't ideal and the hosts seem unwelcoming. Eleanor and Thomas try to stay out of the investigation into the death of a nun but rumors are flying. Who could be trusted? Those in the priory? Out of town merchants? A homeless child? Eleanor gets in a bit of trouble but, with the help of Thomas, solves the mystery in true form.
This newest installment in the Medieval Mystery series won't disappoint. Covenant with Hell is a fantastic read and will leave you eager for the next in the series.
Our favorite characters, Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas, have traveled outside Tyndal Priory on a pilgrimage to Ryehill Priory for prayer and contemplation. The accommodations aren't ideal and the hosts seem unwelcoming. Eleanor and Thomas try to stay out of the investigation into the death of a nun but rumors are flying. Who could be trusted? Those in the priory? Out of town merchants? A homeless child? Eleanor gets in a bit of trouble but, with the help of Thomas, solves the mystery in true form.
This newest installment in the Medieval Mystery series won't disappoint. Covenant with Hell is a fantastic read and will leave you eager for the next in the series.
October 18, 2015
After the last two books I was getting worried that this series had lost it's way.
However, "Covenant with Hell" gets the series back on track with an assassin, a secret agent, and a whole lot of general nastiness.
Can't really describe the plot without giving too much away.
Suffice to say that if you've enjoyed Priscilla Royal's early Prioress Eleanor books, you will probably enjoy this one...a lot.
Highly recommended.
However, "Covenant with Hell" gets the series back on track with an assassin, a secret agent, and a whole lot of general nastiness.
Can't really describe the plot without giving too much away.
Suffice to say that if you've enjoyed Priscilla Royal's early Prioress Eleanor books, you will probably enjoy this one...a lot.
Highly recommended.
October 27, 2018
Review of A COVENANT WITH HELL by Priscilla Royal
(Medieval Mystery #10)
A well-crafted and quite engrossing medieval mystery-thriller, A COVENANT WITH HELL is the tenth in an intriguing series featuring as its twin protagonists the Prioress of a convent on the North Sea Coast of England, and the monk who is her assistant. Prioress Eleanor is the daughter of a Baron, and the younger sister of one of the trusted companions of King Edward. Her monk, Brother Thomas, has a distinctly checkered background (much of it beyond his control) and has served as a Church investigator. Together, they are reputed to be a pair always eager to enquire into various mysteries and suspicious circumstances, and of course they are.
On a quiet pilgrimage to the shrines at Walsingham in advance of the Easter pilgrims, Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas are shocked and dismayed at the sudden unexplained death of one of the nuns at Ryehill Priory, who had been the Prioresses' attendant. Brother Thomas is furious when the Priory's priest, Father Vincent, rails against a young street child and refuses her alms. Then the suspicion becomes clear that the impending potential visit of the King to the Holy Places at Walsingham, as he is preparing to campaign against the Welsh, may place the anointed King in the path of an assassin.
Even for readers whose usual forte is not the Middle Ages, or history, the protagonists will reach out to you and pique your interest. The exquisite characterizations and the developing suspenseful plots (which are multiple) are bound to keep mystery readers enthralled.
(Medieval Mystery #10)
A well-crafted and quite engrossing medieval mystery-thriller, A COVENANT WITH HELL is the tenth in an intriguing series featuring as its twin protagonists the Prioress of a convent on the North Sea Coast of England, and the monk who is her assistant. Prioress Eleanor is the daughter of a Baron, and the younger sister of one of the trusted companions of King Edward. Her monk, Brother Thomas, has a distinctly checkered background (much of it beyond his control) and has served as a Church investigator. Together, they are reputed to be a pair always eager to enquire into various mysteries and suspicious circumstances, and of course they are.
On a quiet pilgrimage to the shrines at Walsingham in advance of the Easter pilgrims, Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas are shocked and dismayed at the sudden unexplained death of one of the nuns at Ryehill Priory, who had been the Prioresses' attendant. Brother Thomas is furious when the Priory's priest, Father Vincent, rails against a young street child and refuses her alms. Then the suspicion becomes clear that the impending potential visit of the King to the Holy Places at Walsingham, as he is preparing to campaign against the Welsh, may place the anointed King in the path of an assassin.
Even for readers whose usual forte is not the Middle Ages, or history, the protagonists will reach out to you and pique your interest. The exquisite characterizations and the developing suspenseful plots (which are multiple) are bound to keep mystery readers enthralled.
November 12, 2025
This was my first Priscilla Royal book and unfortunately will probably be my last, as I doubt the author’s writing changes much in her other entries.
The mystery is boring, which is not great when it’s a mystery novel. The death of Sister Roysia has no impact and it just feels like “Welp, that happened 🤷♀️ Sucks to be that nun, guess we gotta solve her murder now”. I can forgive a badly written mystery if the rest of the writing is good, but it’s not. Royal’s writing is very “tell, don’t show” — there is no room for the reader to guess or interpret because everyone lays out very explicitly what they’re feeling or why they do what they do. Every character talks the same and lacks any strong personality. It also feels incredibly dry and without any stakes. The bad characters are flat, made simply to be hated without an ounce of nuance. If you’re even half paying attention you can figure out who the murderer is very early on, and then you’re just waiting for the characters to hurry up and figure it out. Despite some mature subject matter, the simplicity of the writing and overall plot makes it feels closer to a children’s book.
It’s not offensively bad like other books I've read, but it also wasn’t pleasant to read. The only real positive I found in it is Durant and Brother Thomas. No matter how bad and/or boring the book, I'll always get excited over queer characters in medieval historical fiction.
The mystery is boring, which is not great when it’s a mystery novel. The death of Sister Roysia has no impact and it just feels like “Welp, that happened 🤷♀️ Sucks to be that nun, guess we gotta solve her murder now”. I can forgive a badly written mystery if the rest of the writing is good, but it’s not. Royal’s writing is very “tell, don’t show” — there is no room for the reader to guess or interpret because everyone lays out very explicitly what they’re feeling or why they do what they do. Every character talks the same and lacks any strong personality. It also feels incredibly dry and without any stakes. The bad characters are flat, made simply to be hated without an ounce of nuance. If you’re even half paying attention you can figure out who the murderer is very early on, and then you’re just waiting for the characters to hurry up and figure it out. Despite some mature subject matter, the simplicity of the writing and overall plot makes it feels closer to a children’s book.
It’s not offensively bad like other books I've read, but it also wasn’t pleasant to read. The only real positive I found in it is Durant and Brother Thomas. No matter how bad and/or boring the book, I'll always get excited over queer characters in medieval historical fiction.
April 5, 2025
The best of all the books that preceded it in this series.
Several of the characters I first perceived as suspicious and harboring dangerous motives turned out to be honest respectable souls waiting in Walsingham hoping to uncover a plot against the life of King Edward.
And at least one character I disliked intensely turned out to be honest and touchingly abject when they confessed to being misled.
All the ambiguous personalities make up the best sort of suspense fiction.
Brother Thomas and Sister Eleanor each wish they could find a peaceful time in which they did not find themselves in the middle of murderous turmoil, but they rise to the occasion and strive to understand how a young nun would, first of all, betray her vows; and then fall to her death from a bell tower.
Others die by violence before the truth is made clear.
And I never doubted the honesty of one citizen of Walsingham and was delighted at the happy ending of that particular story.
Several of the characters I first perceived as suspicious and harboring dangerous motives turned out to be honest respectable souls waiting in Walsingham hoping to uncover a plot against the life of King Edward.
And at least one character I disliked intensely turned out to be honest and touchingly abject when they confessed to being misled.
All the ambiguous personalities make up the best sort of suspense fiction.
Brother Thomas and Sister Eleanor each wish they could find a peaceful time in which they did not find themselves in the middle of murderous turmoil, but they rise to the occasion and strive to understand how a young nun would, first of all, betray her vows; and then fall to her death from a bell tower.
Others die by violence before the truth is made clear.
And I never doubted the honesty of one citizen of Walsingham and was delighted at the happy ending of that particular story.
June 15, 2017
Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas have gone on a pilgrimage to a nearby shrine and are staying at the local priory. Not long after they arrive, one of the nuns there falls to her death from the bell tower. Had she been meeting with her lover? While I prefer books in this series which take place at Tyndal, Eleanor's own priory, this one is very interesting because of the unpleasant characters of the local prioress and the local priest. They are both stiff-necked and uncharitable to an orphan girl who is trying to live by her wits. All's well that ends well, and we meet a new character who I think will be in a subsequent book.
June 19, 2021
Not that long ago we considered homosexuality a sin, considerated that rape victims were asking for it, blamed women in illicit relationships more then men and more. Much of that has been based on our Christianity. Patricia Royal takes all of that on in this series and we feel sorrow and anger for the victims. Good for her.
As the 10th book in the series, though, all of this is getting pretty repetitive. I don't feel that any of the situations described are moving forward. I want to find more reconciliation and peace for the characters but that is just not there.
As for the mystery itself, it wasn't as compelling as some of the other books. It was just okay.
As the 10th book in the series, though, all of this is getting pretty repetitive. I don't feel that any of the situations described are moving forward. I want to find more reconciliation and peace for the characters but that is just not there.
As for the mystery itself, it wasn't as compelling as some of the other books. It was just okay.
February 10, 2018
Another wonderful book
Another wonderful book in a truly wonderful series. I've loved every one so far, but somehow this one resonates. The plot is just a little bit thin, but Ms Royal has finally realistically (at least to my taste) addressed Brother Thomas' sexuality. I've not been happy at his portrayal a couple of times in earlier installments. The light touch rings more true here, and we finally have an opportunity to hope he'll find his measure of happiness I can hardly wait for the next installment to see what happens next.
Another wonderful book in a truly wonderful series. I've loved every one so far, but somehow this one resonates. The plot is just a little bit thin, but Ms Royal has finally realistically (at least to my taste) addressed Brother Thomas' sexuality. I've not been happy at his portrayal a couple of times in earlier installments. The light touch rings more true here, and we finally have an opportunity to hope he'll find his measure of happiness I can hardly wait for the next installment to see what happens next.
November 25, 2025
I know there can't be murder after murder in Tyndale. Even in medieval times where death must have been common, that would be unbelievable. This was a good story and nice mystery, one that I understand may not have "played out" as well in Tyndale. But I just prefer the Tyndale setting where all the familiar characters can be around. However, I am glad Brother Thomas seems to have found his inner peace.
August 31, 2024
The Nun who fell
A Nun falls from a bell tower at a priory for nuns. Had she broken her vows and was pushed down by a lover? Had she slipped? Did she jump? An assassin lurks in the shadows. Prioress Eleanor is visiting Reyhill Abby to do penance. Can she and Father Thomas figure it all out and save King Edward? Great book.
A Nun falls from a bell tower at a priory for nuns. Had she broken her vows and was pushed down by a lover? Had she slipped? Did she jump? An assassin lurks in the shadows. Prioress Eleanor is visiting Reyhill Abby to do penance. Can she and Father Thomas figure it all out and save King Edward? Great book.
November 18, 2017
Captivating and hard to put down
Loved this book. My only criticism is the short first chapter is a separate disjointed piece from the rest of the book, and I don't know who the unmentioned character is in the first chapter.
Loved this book. My only criticism is the short first chapter is a separate disjointed piece from the rest of the book, and I don't know who the unmentioned character is in the first chapter.
January 24, 2023
20 Ooh this was much better than the very first in the series and I am looking forward to the next one. Interesting development as far as one of the characters go. I didn’t see that coming. Definitely recommended to the normal crew.
June 10, 2017
Best thus far in the series.
March 21, 2018
Marvellous
Again an intriguing as well as a learning book of life in merry old England. If one survived you could say it was a miracle.
Again an intriguing as well as a learning book of life in merry old England. If one survived you could say it was a miracle.
March 21, 2022
I was kept on my toes and had to push on to find out.
March 9, 2023
For this episode Eleanor and Thomas are on pilgrimage to Walsingham where assassin lies in wait for the king.
March 30, 2025
Another terrific mystery. Great series
August 9, 2025
False acclaims. Karma. Spies. Intrigue.Pilgrimage.
November 30, 2013
When I requested the ARC of this book on NetGalley I wasn't aware that it was the 10th book in a series, but once my request was approved I decided to read it as a stand alone and see how well that would work. Thankfully the book reads well enough as a stand alone, with enough information being revealed and explained about backstories of characters to understand them better.
The series follow a monk and a prioress of a special order where monks and nuns are allowed to work together and the top authority of the order is in the hands of a woman, since it is dedicated to the Queen of Heaven, the Virgin Mary. These two tend to find themselves in the middle of mysteries and crimes and are a bit of a detective duo.
Covenant with Hell is a Middle Ages murder mystery, that seems to be easy to figure out at first, but once the bigger conspiracy comes to the front, things are not as straight forward as it might have seem at first.
Brother Thomas and Priestess Eleonor are quite well developed and their relationship clearly has been developed along a few books, but that wasn't a problem for me to get into the story and to side with these two.
The book have some different POVs and at first it seemed a lil disjointed at first, but later on all the previous chapters started adding up and all the hints and information made sense. The setting and all the historical elements felt very genuine and authentic, clearly the author knows her stuff when it comes to the Middle Ages. The murder mystery was done well, and I liked how in the end the guilty party is the least likely.
Quite entertaining, and though this is not a fault of the book, I just kept on enraging myself with the treatment to women in that era. Once the action got going a bit more and all the different POVs started making more sense together, the story picked up speed. I wasn't too happy that the final resolution of the conspiracy and the murder was just told to the characters and not part of the action. Still, I feel quite intrigued to read the previous books of the series.
3.5 stars, entertaining but not can't-tear-my-eyes-off-the-page.
The series follow a monk and a prioress of a special order where monks and nuns are allowed to work together and the top authority of the order is in the hands of a woman, since it is dedicated to the Queen of Heaven, the Virgin Mary. These two tend to find themselves in the middle of mysteries and crimes and are a bit of a detective duo.
Covenant with Hell is a Middle Ages murder mystery, that seems to be easy to figure out at first, but once the bigger conspiracy comes to the front, things are not as straight forward as it might have seem at first.
Brother Thomas and Priestess Eleonor are quite well developed and their relationship clearly has been developed along a few books, but that wasn't a problem for me to get into the story and to side with these two.
The book have some different POVs and at first it seemed a lil disjointed at first, but later on all the previous chapters started adding up and all the hints and information made sense. The setting and all the historical elements felt very genuine and authentic, clearly the author knows her stuff when it comes to the Middle Ages. The murder mystery was done well, and I liked how in the end the guilty party is the least likely.
Quite entertaining, and though this is not a fault of the book, I just kept on enraging myself with the treatment to women in that era. Once the action got going a bit more and all the different POVs started making more sense together, the story picked up speed. I wasn't too happy that the final resolution of the conspiracy and the murder was just told to the characters and not part of the action. Still, I feel quite intrigued to read the previous books of the series.
3.5 stars, entertaining but not can't-tear-my-eyes-off-the-page.
August 22, 2013
So far the best I have read in an enjoyable series, although probably sequels are supposed to do that. Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas continue to develop character, depth and acquire insight and self knowledge. Priscilla Royal is a fine historian and knows her period well. It is a period I appreciate as my ancestor(s) were one of Edward's household knights in Ireland.
The setting is just prior to Palm Sunday's pilgrimage to the Walsingham shrine in 1277. The times were unsettled and the premise is that Edward was still unproved and an unpopular king with many pretenders to the throne. Murders and plots to kill the king are untangled by Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas and she is quite prominent as her brother had the king's ear at that time.
Some interesting aspects to Brother Thomas' life are revealed as well as his skills as a sleuth and his charity. His prior prison record again comes to the fore as do other earlier events in his life.Do these events take him out of Tyndal Abbey in the future?
Prioress Eleanor herself acquires more personal serenity through prayers and the pilgrimage itself. The Bell Tower of Ryehill Priory, an invented place, has a very important place in the tale.Ryehill is a poor and impoverished place which ultimately has a change of fortune after some unfortunate events.
Come to the village of Walsingham, in East Anglia and meet Gracia a street child who is entangled with everyone at Ryehill Priory as well as spies and murderers. I am surely glad I had the opportunity to do so.
The setting is just prior to Palm Sunday's pilgrimage to the Walsingham shrine in 1277. The times were unsettled and the premise is that Edward was still unproved and an unpopular king with many pretenders to the throne. Murders and plots to kill the king are untangled by Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas and she is quite prominent as her brother had the king's ear at that time.
Some interesting aspects to Brother Thomas' life are revealed as well as his skills as a sleuth and his charity. His prior prison record again comes to the fore as do other earlier events in his life.Do these events take him out of Tyndal Abbey in the future?
Prioress Eleanor herself acquires more personal serenity through prayers and the pilgrimage itself. The Bell Tower of Ryehill Priory, an invented place, has a very important place in the tale.Ryehill is a poor and impoverished place which ultimately has a change of fortune after some unfortunate events.
Come to the village of Walsingham, in East Anglia and meet Gracia a street child who is entangled with everyone at Ryehill Priory as well as spies and murderers. I am surely glad I had the opportunity to do so.
June 23, 2015
If you've read my reviews of Priscilla Royal's previous 9 books, you know that I love this series. This 10th addition to the series is no exception. The book takes place at Our Lady of Walsingham shrine, and there is a lot of great background explaining the shrine and its origins. Our two main characters, Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas, are back, although since the mystery takes place at the shrine, none of the other regulars make an appearance.
The mystery itself is relatively straightforward. A young nun has been killed, there is a plot to assassinate Edward I (I'm sure fans of the Welsh trilogy by Sharon Kay Penman wish it had succeeded, but I digress), and the question is whether the two events are related and, if so, who is the killer, and who is the assassin?
There is also plenty of historical detail about the medieval attitude towards religion and religious artifacts. The author, as always, does a fabulous job of integrating these details in a seamless way with the story, so you never feel like you're being lectured--you just absorb the details while reading the story.
The mystery is wrapped up in a satisfactory fashion with a convenient dangling hook that I hope means many more books in the series to come!
The mystery itself is relatively straightforward. A young nun has been killed, there is a plot to assassinate Edward I (I'm sure fans of the Welsh trilogy by Sharon Kay Penman wish it had succeeded, but I digress), and the question is whether the two events are related and, if so, who is the killer, and who is the assassin?
There is also plenty of historical detail about the medieval attitude towards religion and religious artifacts. The author, as always, does a fabulous job of integrating these details in a seamless way with the story, so you never feel like you're being lectured--you just absorb the details while reading the story.
The mystery is wrapped up in a satisfactory fashion with a convenient dangling hook that I hope means many more books in the series to come!
July 20, 2015
It's not easy to sustain the quality of writing over an extended series of books. Fortunately for readers Ms Royal has developed the ability to keep us interested. Digression: I met her once at Historical Novel Society conference in San Diego and misread her name a 'Princess Royal.' I later learned my mistake, but I like my version better.
The complex relationship between Brother Thomas, a gay monk, and his affectionate prioress Elizabeth is skillfully furthered in each book. Founded on mutual respect, their connection with each other grows over time.
I don't read mysteries for the puzzle, so I don't pay much attention to who is killed and who does the killing, so I don't remember much about the plot. It's the characters, even the minor ones, that keep bringing me back to the series. On to #11, with #12 waiting in the wings.
The complex relationship between Brother Thomas, a gay monk, and his affectionate prioress Elizabeth is skillfully furthered in each book. Founded on mutual respect, their connection with each other grows over time.
I don't read mysteries for the puzzle, so I don't pay much attention to who is killed and who does the killing, so I don't remember much about the plot. It's the characters, even the minor ones, that keep bringing me back to the series. On to #11, with #12 waiting in the wings.
December 29, 2013
There seemed to be less focus on the battle Brother Thomas endures with accepting his sexual orientation and feeling strong emotions for another man, despite the fact there is a new love interest in this book. That sub-plot is one that I found bold in previous books in regards to the era and felt the significance of it wandered a little into the side-lines of this book.
I wasn't overly keen on all the you will be scourged in hell for your sins, especially when it came to young women/girls. That is obviously a by-product of the religious piety in that particular era but it still felt overdone.
I think the fact that Thomas and Eleanor were taken out of their usual surroundings made this book in the series feel a little like the odd man out.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
I wasn't overly keen on all the you will be scourged in hell for your sins, especially when it came to young women/girls. That is obviously a by-product of the religious piety in that particular era but it still felt overdone.
I think the fact that Thomas and Eleanor were taken out of their usual surroundings made this book in the series feel a little like the odd man out.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
July 28, 2021
Honestly this is the best Prioress Eleanor book yet! (Still have to read the last few ones.) I read the entire book in two days. It was super well written with interesting characters and a lot of political intrigue.
I’m SUPER happy that Brother Thomas has finally gotten a love interest who loves and respects him. I really hope that Durant is in the next few books. Their last few scenes together were so sweet.
I’m SUPER happy that Brother Thomas has finally gotten a love interest who loves and respects him. I really hope that Durant is in the next few books. Their last few scenes together were so sweet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2013
I am a true fan of this author but this book was underwhelming compared to her previous ones. Her last book was so good maybe there was no place to go higher. I will continue to follow this series and hope the next book is better in plot and development of the characters.
May 17, 2014
I enjoyed this mystery a lot. However I found that the sanctimonious aspect of it became excessive for me in parts. The plot was interesting and most of the characterizations were very well done in a very black or white way.
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