The Widow's Tale

Sister Frevisse #14

by Margaret Frazer

A WIDOW'S LAST HOPE...

In the spring of 1449, widow Cristiana Helyngton has been kidnapped, defamed, and imprisoned in a nunnery - as her late husband's duplicitous relatives seek to obtain control over her lands and children. To secure her freedom and save her daughters, Cristiana must use a secret entrusted to her by her husband as he was dying - a secret that could bring down those lords nearest the king and destroy those most dear to her.

Dame Frevisse of St. Frideswide's nunnery must decide where her loyalties lies - to the crown, to the truth, or to England's peace. And whatever she chooses, in the end her help may be of little use against the ruthless men threatened by the secret on which all of Cristiana's hopes depend...

"The suspense builds steadily ... in this well-wrought tale involving murder, treason, and 'layers of ambition and betrayal'." - Publishers Weekly

"[Frazer] uses many real historical persons in her books, deftly and flawlessly weaving them into the story. Her fictitious characters are also well-defined, and Cristiana will break the reader's heart." - Romantic Times

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Medieval, Historical, British Literature, Fiction

266 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Margaret Frazer is a pen name used at first by Mary Monica Pulver Kuhfeld and Gail Lynn Frazer writing in tandem for a series of historical medieval mysteries featuring Dame Frevisse. After the sixth novel, the works are written by Gail Frazer alone, and the name has subsequently been used exclusively by her. A second series of novels by Ms Frazer set in the same time and place feature the player/minstrel Joliffe.

See also: Monica Ferris, Mary Monica Pulver

Series:
* Sister Frevisse
* Joliffe

Reviews

[Kathy Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourteenth in the Dame Frevisse medieval mystery series and revolving around a Benedictine nun with a nose for clues in 1449. The focus is on a beleaguered family in Hertfordshire.

It's been two years since Suffolk forbade Alice to meet with Frevisse ( The Bastard's Tale , 12).

My Take
It's a mean, greedy story of a mean and greedy man, taking advantage of a a newly bereft family through bribery and forced incarceration, kidnapping, and forced marriage. It makes me grateful for women's lib and our current laws when stories such as The Widow's Tale demonstrate how one-sided life was in the past. No, I'm not saying today is perfect, but I much prefer due process. I wouldn't return to the mid-14th century for anything! Not as a woman anyway!

It's a convenient fiction, that of Dame Frevisse playing detective, as it gives Frazer such lovely opportunities to show us English life in the mid-1400s from simple daily living in the country and the city, of spies and lawyers, of laws and customs, the food and dress, manners and expectations, and more. It includes politics whether its those of the court, within the neighborhood, within families, and all points in between as well as a look at how the genders and classes are treated.

And up to now, the nuns have been welcome wherever they go. Not here. We all have someone in the family who's a nasty wart on the world, and poor Cristiana will pay heavily for this one. What I don't understand is why Edward didn't do more to protect his family? And why would Abbot Gilberd acquiesce in this? It doesn't seem to fit his character.

Part of the underlying theme of the series involves royal politics, or rather, the machinations of the nobles at court, and specifically Lord Suffolk and his circle and how they manipulate the king. I keep thinking that I must look into the history of this, for I'm curious to know if Suffolk ever fell from grace, *fingers crossed*. And so it goes...will Suffolk's fate appear in a future Dame Frevisse?

Edward puts it well: he's not selling his daughters off so that Laurence's ambition can be satisfied. It's a sad tale, and one I would have preferred to skip even though Frazer wrote it well. Too well, really, as I was by turn furious and sad until I cried at the end. For she's lost so much…

The Story
It's a May Daying party which Laurence is determined to spoil with his demands about Edward's lands and marrying Mary off to his son. The man simply will not accept no for an answer.

Unfortunately, he doesn't have to accept that no for long, and Laurence quickly takes control, hiding the kidnappings, only Mary won't cooperate, and Laurence is forced to beg Cristiana's help. Hah.

The Characters
Dame Frevisse would much prefer to be left to her copying, but her natural curiosity, skillful observations, and innate sense of justice won't let her back away from a mystery.

Others of the nuns include:
Sisters Johane and Amicia, Domina Elisabeth is the abbess still, Ela is one of the servants, Dames Perpetua and Juliana, Dame Claire is still the infirmarian, Sister Thomasine is even saintlier than ever, and Sister Margarett is the current cellarer.

Master Naylor is the nunnery's steward. Father Henry is still the nunnery's priest. Abbot Gilberd is Elisabeth's brother, and St. Frideswide's is under his care and protection.

Edward Helyngton is married to Cristiana and allied to my Lord Suffolk. Mary is their twelve-year-old daughter while Jane is eight. Sir Gerveys Drury is Cristiana's brother, even though he's one of York's. Pers is Gerveys' squire who's been with him since they were boys. Ivetta, a carpenter's widow, is the girls' nurse with a grown son, Nicholas, of her own; she and Pers are sweet on each other.

The widowed Laurence Helyngton is Edward's cousin, and a meaner snake you'll never meet. Well, until you meet Milisent. Clement is his loutish son. His sisters, Milisent and Ankaret, are married respectively to Master Henry Colles with his hard little eyes and Master Petyt, a wealthy clothier who doesn't seem to notice his wife making sheep's eyes at every comely man.

John Say is also Suffolk's man and Speaker of Parliament, but the king is first and foremost in his heart. Beth is his quiet, unassuming wife. Their children are Geneffeve, almost two, and Betha, Beth's daughter from a previous marriage, who is six. Master Fyncham is the house steward, Nurse came from Beth's first household, Edmund is valet to Say, Sawnder and Rafe are men-at-arms, and Reignold is one of the kitchen help. Father Richard is the local priest.

William de la Pole is the duke of Suffolk and married to Frevisse's cousin, the very worried and twitchy Lady Alice. He is a power at court and with King Henry VI who is married to Queen Margaret. Charles VII is king of France.

The Cover
The soft-looking cover is split in half vertically with blurbs, the title, the series name, and the author's name against a pale mint background on the right while the left is a perspective of the land with the manor house slightly above the center and a parade of horses and a sedan chair winding up the road towards it.

The title is The Widow's Tale as her life unfolds and disintegrates around her.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Widow’s Tale
By Margaret Frazer
Reviewed October 29, 2023


The Widow’s Tale, another excellent entry in Margaret Frazer’s Dame Frevisse series, falls chronologically between The Bastard’s Tale (which has gotten me to read more about the historical Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester) and The Sempster’s Tale. As I’ve mentioned before, I am not reading these books in any special order, but have found that while some stories have an indirect connection to previous ones, each is perfectly able to stand on its own.

This is a sad and, at times, gut-wrenching tale of greed, betrayal, and abuse. Christiana, the titular widow, is happily married with a loving husband, Edward Helyngton, and two young daughters, Mary and Jane. Edward is a minor nobleman who has held some small position in the king’s household, but he’s not an overly ambitious man, content with his holdings.

Unfortunately, his cousin Laurence Helyngton is just the opposite, a hardhearted man who curries the favor of the king’s most powerful lord, Suffolk. Even when it is obvious that Edward is not well, Laurence tries to pressure his cousin into arranging for his older daughter to marry his son while putting the younger daughter into a nunnery, thus uniting the family lands which will fit in nicely with Laurence’s lust for land, which equates to money and power, and he’s not above being crass enough to point out to Edward that it’s obvious he’s dying, so why shouldn’t he agree to this.

Edward, of course, has no intention of agreeing to this despicable arrangement and informs his cousin that he has already made out his will, leaving his wife in charge of the girls’ wardship. But will or no will, once Edward is dead and in the ground, Laurence uses his influence at court to have the will set aside and subject Christiana to a violent abduction and enforced incarceration in a nunnery on the grounds that she is a wanton widow. The wardship of the girls, of course, goes to Laurence.

The nunnery to which Christiana is taken is St. Frideswide, home of Dame Frevisse. Upon Christiana’s arrival, the nuns are given strict instructions that they are not to talk to her except only when absolutely necessary and Christiana is to be treated as an unrepentant sinner.

There are a number of twists and turns in the plot, and before we are halfway through the story, Christiana is released from her enforced stay at the nunnery and into the custody of Laurence, who is having difficulty in getting Jane and Mary to cooperate. Since the bishop who agreed to Christiana’s confinement hasn’t signed off on her full release, Domina Elizabeth and Dame Frevisse accompany the party.

En route to Laurence’s home, they are intercepted by Sir John Say, who waves a document that gives him custody of Christiana. Frevisse notes that Sir John seems a kind, sincere person who cares for Christians (he and his wife have been long time friends with Christiana and Edward), and being that he has recently been Speaker of the House of Commons is higher up in the court pecking order than lowly Laurence. This frustrates Laurence to no end, but what can he do, especially when who should show up but Dame Frevisse’s cousin, Alice, Duchess of Suffolk, who has come to inform Sir John and his wife that the king and queen will be arriving for a short visit while hawking.

There’s much more to the story, including the presence of an inflammatory letter, a rough draft regarding events in Normandy, the contents of which could plunge the country into civil war. Edward, while at court, had found the paper accidentally left behind in the council chamber after a meeting. Instead of returning the letter, he kept the rough draft and, before he died, told his wife and his brother-in-law, Gerveys, about it, believing they could use it as leverage should the need arise.

If you’re looking for a kind of Medieval cozy murder mystery, this isn’t it. While never graphic, Ms. Frazer has a wonderful way of writing that grips the reader and sucks you into the story, and makes you feel the emotional turmoil that Christiana is forced to suffer. Although the bad guys eventually get their comeuppance, there’s no happy ending to this story. Instead, I was reminded of a tragic, grand opera. You know, the kind of story in which there really is no winner, so if you decide to read this one (and I highly recommend it), just be ready to shed a tear or two at the end.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

More a 3.5, but I rounded up because I love this series and Dame Frevisse, herself, never disappoints.

From the get go, this book proved to be upsetting in regards to the injustice being done to Cristiana. It's not bad enough she's being separated from her children, but her reputation is being unfairly torn to shreds. Thus, though the book is well-written and historically detailed, it was upsetting to read. And the fear of Cristiana losing her children hangs over the entire story. Makes a woman grateful to be living in the present, but we best be careful so our hard-won rights aren't slowly chipped away.

I was glad to have Alice back sooner than I thought, though I am worried about the strain done to her and Frevisse's relationship. Hard to fault either. Frevisse has right on her side while the difficulty Alice experiences coming to terms with the depths of her husband's treachery are expected.

Poor Frevisse at the end. She really has no cause to feel guilty, though I can see why she does. It's unwarranted and I hope she recovers soon. Also, I suspected Ivetta played a part, mainly because no one else really had an opportunity to overhear the pertinent information.

[Pauline Calkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a warm spring day in 1449, Christiana is hawking in the company of her beloved husband Edward and her brother Sir Gerveys. Edward has served as a gentleman in the royal household for ten years while Gerveys is in service to the Duke of York, and, or despite this, the two have developed a deep friendship. The same cannot be said about Edward’s cousin, Laurence. Laurence also serves in the king’s household, but unlike Edward, is ambitious and is seeking to attach himself to the power behind the throne, the Duke of Suffolk. This day will prove to be the last good time that Christiana will enjoy for some months because her husband is in failing health. Everyone knows he will soon die. Laurence has been pushing hard to have his son marry Edward and Christiana’s older daughter and put the younger one into a nunnery. The marriage would join the Helyngton’s lands, making him strong enough to matter in things—something that has never mattered to Edward. Edward firmly rebuffs this plan and then informs Christiana and Gerveys that he has made them the executors of his will with a neighbor and lately Speaker in the Commons, Sir John Say, as overseer. While Say is attached to Suffolk, Edward trusts him because first and foremost his loyalty is to the king. In addition, he holds an ace that the two can use if Laurence persists in his ambitions—the rough draft of a letter that he found had been left in the king’s council chamber. The letter would destroy Suffolk, and Edward stresses that it should only be used if necessary for the safety of Christiana and their two daughters. Gerveys is told who now possesses the letter and Cristiana is told t the right words to to say to recover it.

Edward dies shortly thereafter, and a few days later Laurence and his evil sister kidnap Cristiana and leave her at St. Frideswide’s priory. They have falsely accused her of acting wantonly after Edward’s death . Under the bishop’s order, she is to be held there until she repents and the Bishop allows her to be released. Domina Elizabeth (the bishop’s sister) instructs that Cristiana is to undergo daily penance, given only bread and water, and shunned by the nuns. Cristiana is desperate— Laurence et al. have taken her daughters into custody and she can only pray that Gerveys has not already gone to Ireland with the exiled Duke of York. But her elder daughter has refused to marry Laurence’s son so that he eventually comes to retrieve her. For reasons that are pretty contrived, Domina Elizabeth and Dame Frevisse accompany her on her journey back home. When they are near home, Sir Say and his men intercept them and take custody of Christiana, waving the king’s warrant allowing him to do so Say also casually (and falsely) states that the Duchess of Suffolk (Frevisse’s cousin Alice) has requested that Cristiana’s daughters should be brought to stay with their mother.

Gerveys is at Say’s manor, York having excused him from accompanying him to Ireland when Cristiana disappeared. Everything seems to be hunky dorky, right? Not quite. Cristiana and Gerveys decide to retrieve the letter and give it to Suffolk in exchange for a king’s warrant granting Cristina her daughters’ marriage rights. There’s at least one spy in Say’s household who overhears their plan, so that Gerveys is attacked after retrieving the letter. Gerveys survives, but his squire is killed. Gerveys is still not out of danger even when it is clear that he is no longer in possession of the letter. Is this because of the secret in the letter, his association with York, or the family feud?

The situation becomes even more complicated when Alice, Duchess of Suffolk shows up acting as a sort of advance scout for a visit of the king and queen. Alice instructs Frevisse to find the murderer of the squire. But the murderer or murderers are not finished yet. I was totally caught by wanting to know what would happen to Cristiana and Gerveys. Christina’s desperation is palpable, and we learn at the very end another reason for her urgency. Frevisse’s meditations are always a focus of the series. She dislikes being called away from the priory and her life of prayer, and is increasingly alienated from her cousin. Despite her gift in solving mysteries, she often figures it all out just a minute too late to prevent further tragedy. Christiana and Frevisse’s inner turmoils and the interesting characterizations of some historical people (the author indicates that she initially intended to present Say as villain until she researched him) makes this a worthwhile story even with the far too contrived and sometimes perplexing plot.

[Corrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been way too long since I payed a visit to Dame Frevisse and so I started The Widow's Tale by Margaret Frazer. I know I have been pacing myself because the author is no longer with us (died in 2013) and left us 17 Dame Frevisse novels.

In 1449 England, recently widowed Cristiana Helyngton is still deep in grief when her late husband's ambitious cousin Laurence moves quickly to seize her lands and daughters. He spreads rumors that she's unstable and immoral, then has her confined to St. Frideswide's priory under the nuns' care—effectively hiding her away while he arranges a marriage for one of her girls to his own son.

Dame Frevisse, the perceptive Benedictine nun at the priory, grows suspicious of Cristiana's situation and listens as the widow shares her story. It turns out Cristiana holds a dangerous secret left by her dying husband: incriminating evidence tied to powerful figures at court, including the Duke of Suffolk. This could be her leverage to fight back, but it also puts her in grave danger from those who want it silenced.

With help from her cousin Alice, the Duchess of Suffolk, Frevisse works to protect Cristiana amid rising threats of murder and treason. The story weaves personal betrayal with the tense politics of the time, highlighting the limited rights of women in medieval England.

I have such fondness for these mysteries. It gives you a unique window into people's lives in Medieval England. And also nuns, always nuns ;-)

4.3 Stars

[Ann Hilliard · Rating 2 out of 5]

One would suspect the editors urged Ms. Frazer to add more 21st-century relevance to her writing. Women's subjugation and malign Christianity pervade the book. Admittedly, the Plantagenets were a horrible bunch, and social disorder plagued England as they pursued their dreams of conquest in France. However, the main villain in this book seems to be the Catholic church. How brutal and cruel was the Catholic church in the fifteenth century? In this book, a cleric is bribed to defame a helpless widow, and a convent of nuns is willing to enforce on her strict isolation, deprivation, and gossipy speculation as penance for unjustly claimed sexual transgressions. A priest is unable to accept an honest confession or give wise counsel. A longtime servant is willing to spy on her employers in exchange for a preferential appointment for her son, a priest. Murder is committed in revenge for injustice and murder (but with the aim to rescue helpless small daughters from their grasping kin, so that's ok). Assisted suicide gets a shout out too. As other reviewers have noted, it's a depressing book.

[Adelais · Rating 4 out of 5]

Мрачняк. Удову лицаря його підступний кузен запроторив до монастиря, зобразивши її розпусницею, а двох доньок забрав собі у опіку (разом з земелькою, власне). Тільки в монастирі живе дама Фревісса, в удови з собою є один незручний документ, та й король скоро буде проїжджати повз село.
Той сюжет, коли справедливості зарадять, але щастя не буде, і крові проллється чимало. Я в цілому не проти реалізму, тільки якби ж від нього ще такою безнадією не відгонило. Втім, дуже гарно написано, набагато краще за попередні кілька книг у серії.

[Carol Flatten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the story of the Widow's Tale has a different setting from the Priory, although the story begins there with the arrival of a widow, brought there by those who accuse her of grievous sins. The story develops with a rescue and then several murders all connected with the property left by the husband of the widow, but taken by her husband's kin. The emotional turmoil in this mystery is gripping, the end not so predictable, but none-the -less a great story.

[Abbhirami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was also set in the 15th century England (I read this right after Kate Sedley's The Green Man). My first Dame Frevisse mystery, a fast read, had all the elements of a good mystery- kept me on edge. The rest of this series is on my list now!

[J. Merwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never read anything of this series before and really enjoyed the atmosphere that wrapped you in the medieval countryside, the houses, the people and the political world at the end of the 100 year wars. Will have to go back to the earlier ones in the series!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book in the series, this one a mystery connected with the end of the Hundred Years War between England and France. Why are the residents of Normandy now speaking French instead of English? What an interesting way to learn some history.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of historical fiction and mysteries. This book was very much my kind of story. Thus 4 stars.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harder read because of the old language, but really interesting!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well-written book, but so much sadness I cried through most of it.

[Mary Helene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should be reading something else, shouldn't I? But now I am caught up in this medieval history and abandoning other reading for the joy of this.

[Susan Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sad and depressing.

[Marilyn J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost to the end of the series with Dame Frevisse mysteries. The most complex story line and most engrossing. A book to enjoy after reading some earlier ones.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing story but poorly written. Lots of typos.

[Jill Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1449, the title character of "The Widow's Tale", Cristiana Helyngton, loses her husband suddenly and tragically to illness. But stormier events are to follow as Cristiana's in-laws kidnap her and her two daughters, declare her insane with grief, closet her in a nunnery, and prepare to have her elder daughter marry their son, with the younger daughter to be bound over to a convent. Fortunately for Cristiana, the nunnery to which she is taken, though far from her home, is St. Frideswide's Priory in Oxfordshire where Dame Frevisse is cloistered; and Frevisse has considerable experience with the twists and turns of human experience and with solving mysteries. Cristiana's brother, the knight Sir Gerveys, is far away and is her only hope of rescue. While waiting and hoping for him to save her, she spends long hours doing harsh penance for her madness. The nuns begin to suspect there is more to her than insanity when her brother-in-law appears demanding Cristiana's assistance because daughter Mary refuses to marry her cousin Clement. Cristiana is to be escorted home by Dame Frevisse and the Prioress, Domina Elizabeth. They stay with the widow's dear friends the Says; Master Say has recently been at Parliament as Speaker of the House of Commons and has wealth and worldly connections, as well as sympathy for Cristiana. He has received permission from the Duke of Suffolk to shelter Cristiana and her daughters, and Dame Frevisse begins to suspect there are wide complications associated with the widow when she learns Cristiana and her brother Gerveys hold some secret document that could impact the reign of King Henry VI or his powerful but conflicted family, notably the Duke of Suffolk. Frevisse has a personal interest because her cousin is Alice, Duchess of Suffolk. Alice herself becomes involved and visits the Says with a large retinue that camps in pavilions and tents on the Says property. She is also the advance party for Henry VI himself and his new bride, Queen Margaret. During the household's flurry over the Royal visit, Gerveys appears, but several murders quickly follow. Did Gerveys have the document? Does Cristiana? What is its dreadful secret? Is it something to topple the throne or Suffolk or his enemy the Duke of York or all? And what of England's possessions in France--does this mystery document somehow threaten those, peace between the two countries, or peace within England itself? These are among the mysteries Frevisse and Alice put their minds toward in "The Widow's Tale".

Although this was not my favourite of the Dame Frevisse books, it sheds fascinating light on the lives of women in medieval times. They were, indeed, in peril often because the word of a man--almost any man--could imprison or entrap them in convent or marriage; or, even worse, such word could send them to trial or death. Even women "protected" by marriage were vulnerable to the crimes, actions, and responsibilities of their husbands, as in the case of Lady Alice whose husband's ambition and power changed him from the man she once loved to someone she barely knew and from whom she had to protect herself and her son. Life on the small canvas can have much larger implications in which women are often powerless; or perhaps, Alice, Frevisse, and Cristiana herself can prove they aren't so powerless for after all.

[Abra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow I missed this single entry in Frazer's medieval nun series, and it is one of the best. I enjoy how Frazer links the political history with the social history with the individual fictional characters she has created, and this mystery about how a scheming brother-in-law tries to get his brother's widow committed (to St. Frideswide's nunnery) for madness and wanton behavior is excellent. I am so sad I only have three more to re-read before I am done with the Sister Frevisse mysteries. Then it's on to the Joliffe series, which is much shorter.

[Mary Newcomb]

Politics, intrigue and plots abound in 1449 England. This comes to the priory in the form of Cristiana Holyngton, imprisoned as part of a plot by her brother in law. She is retrieved when her daughter declines her assigned part. Since the nuns are not excused from their role, Domina Elisabeth and Dame Frevisse accompany her to her home. The bodies pile up and the intrigue takes on a royal overtone. Dame Frevisse works to untangle as much as possible with the help of her cousin, Lady Suffolk.

[Karen L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could be classed "historical fiction." It reminded me of the Ellis Peters Medieval mystery stories about Brother Cadfael. The sleuth was a medieval nun, Dame Frivisse, and the main character a genteel lady, Cristiana Helyngton. The plot was good, but what kept me from rating it higher was the periods of slowness from too much detail and medieval politics. Otherwise it still aroused my curiosity and kept me going. The ending was very dramatic and satisfying.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As this series goes on, Frazer becomes better and better at exploring the ambiguity that exists when questions of justice, and good and evil, are involved. The treatment of the widow, Cristiana, by her relatives is shocking, and sheds light on the powerlessness that medieval women sometimes were subject to. Even the nuns of St. Frideswide's don't come off as always good and nonjudgmental in this one--if, indeed, they ever did, as I think back. Well done, with plenty of suspense.

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dame Frevisse Medieval Mystery #14 (called Sister Frevisse series on Goodreads) set in 1449, and more of a political mystery – who's the spy? how much is Suffolk involved? – than the previous whodunnit mysteries in the series.  Frightening how little control women had over the lives and decisions.  Yes, I already knew that, but this book made me think about all the ramifications when Christiana was left a widow.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely recommend reading this series in order. I didn't. I read 6 of the books over a period of about 8 years, reading one every time I came across a used copy at a sale. In May, I picked up 7 Frevisse tales at the library sale. Now, having read them in sequence, I have a much better feeling for the history of that time period, and I've enjoyed watching the development of the various characters and recognizing the return of some minor characters.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a low-key series that does a good job of capturing an era without a huge amount of anachronism or silliness. At times, that can make Dame Frevisse--the sleuth--less attractive to my modern sensibilities, but it's still refreshing after so many books that tell purely modern stories with only the trappings of medievalism.

[Patricia Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful mystery set in 1449. Dame Frevisse has to discover who the young woman is who has been imprisoned in her convent, then she finds there are several murders to be solved. Also who is the spy that keeps the wicked brother in law informed about the doings of the widow and Lady Alice. Is there another murder planned? Is the king in danger, or the beautiful widow? Hard to put down.

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book combines a fascinating peek into medieval times with an above average mystery plot. Set in 15th century England, the author weaves murder and treason in a story that includes real life characters and events. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and the dramatic events at the conclusion were quite a surprise.

[Katie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart ached for Cristiana in this book. The villains were unrelievably bad, which would have palled except for the hefty helping of politics that provided a second plotline. I feel for Cristiana's daughters, who've lost their entire family in a space of months, and especially for Mary, who was so nearly forced into a horrible marriage. Hopefully the Says help them to heal.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lacks the strong plot of most of her works, and a bit of a depressing ending. More like Frazer gave up than figured out how to rescue her heroine. Prefer more goodness in my mysteries, but still well-told.