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Sister Frevisse #11
The Clerk's Tale
A MAN HATED BY HIS WIFE, HIS CITY... AND HIS KILLER
In Margaret Frazer's latest medieval mystery, the "pious and perceptive" ( New York Times ) Dame Frevisse accompanies her prioress on a visit of mercy to a nunnery. St. Mary's nunnery is a place of prayer and healing for women - so it is surprising to see a man sprawled out in the cloister garden. Dead. Less surprising, to Dame Frevisse, was the identity of the victim: Master Montfort was not particularly liked by anyone in the town of Goring. Even his own wife and clerk despised him. And as royal escheator he was trying to settle a heated dispute between a wealthy woman and her supposed nephew.
Now Dame Frevisse must step in and untangle the fortunes and felonies in a rivalry of wealth, family, and politics. But the true challenge will be putting aside her own feelings and serving justice for the murder of an unjust man...
"The devout yet human Dame Frevisse is back... another well-wrought tale of intrigue and murder. History aficionados will delight and fans will rejoice that the devout yet human Dame Frevisse is back...." - Publishers Weekly
"A wonderful series. Frevisse, with her common sense and humor and tang of salt, is one of my favorite sleuths." (Sharon Kay Penman, author of The Queen's Man )
"Meticulous detail that speaks of trustworthy scholarship and a sympathetic imagination." ( The New York Times )
"Full of the richness of the fifteenth century...Margaret Frazer's tales are charmingly and intelligently contrived." ( Minneapolis Star Tribune )
In Margaret Frazer's latest medieval mystery, the "pious and perceptive" ( New York Times ) Dame Frevisse accompanies her prioress on a visit of mercy to a nunnery. St. Mary's nunnery is a place of prayer and healing for women - so it is surprising to see a man sprawled out in the cloister garden. Dead. Less surprising, to Dame Frevisse, was the identity of the victim: Master Montfort was not particularly liked by anyone in the town of Goring. Even his own wife and clerk despised him. And as royal escheator he was trying to settle a heated dispute between a wealthy woman and her supposed nephew.
Now Dame Frevisse must step in and untangle the fortunes and felonies in a rivalry of wealth, family, and politics. But the true challenge will be putting aside her own feelings and serving justice for the murder of an unjust man...
"The devout yet human Dame Frevisse is back... another well-wrought tale of intrigue and murder. History aficionados will delight and fans will rejoice that the devout yet human Dame Frevisse is back...." - Publishers Weekly
"A wonderful series. Frevisse, with her common sense and humor and tang of salt, is one of my favorite sleuths." (Sharon Kay Penman, author of The Queen's Man )
"Meticulous detail that speaks of trustworthy scholarship and a sympathetic imagination." ( The New York Times )
"Full of the richness of the fifteenth century...Margaret Frazer's tales are charmingly and intelligently contrived." ( Minneapolis Star Tribune )
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 8, 2002
29 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Frazer
63 books211 followersMargaret 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
See also: Monica Ferris, Mary Monica Pulver
Series:
* Sister Frevisse
* Joliffe
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
July 7, 2015
If you like the other books in the Dame Frevisse series, you'll find this one at the top of the heap. The mystery is more tightly plotted than in the earlier books. The moral weight of the story is greater. The insights you gain into medieval land disputes and politics match anything seen in the series. And an old nemesis of our heroine meets his end, forcing her into a deeper examination of her soul and her faith.
August 26, 2022
I purchased a used copy of The Clerk's Tale by Margaret Frazer from a library sale cart. It's the 11th book in a mystery series. There have been 17 books in this series. I've read a number of them long ago before I was online which was late in the 20th century. I don't recall having read this particular book. I'm sure it didn't exist when I was reading earlier books in this series.
While I was reading this book, it seemed odd to me that characters mentioned that Nichola was rather young to be a wife at sixteen. I've read that it was common during the medieval period to marry girls in their teens to men in their thirties or forties. I've seen many references in books to fourteen year old medieval wives. Yet in a search I did for this review, I found an essay here called "This Is What It Was Like To Be A Teenager in the Middle Ages" by Oxford history professor Rachel Moss that indicated that marrying adult men to teen girls wasn't a common practice during that period, and states that medieval people were aware that teenagers weren't fully mature. So it seems that The Clerk's Tale is more accurate than other medieval novels that I've read containing teen brides.
Getting into the mystery aspect, which didn't interest me as much as the historical context, I wondered why the jury for one of the murders was formed from people who experienced an event associated with the murder. Perhaps during the medieval period objectivity wasn't considered as important in the jury selection process as it is now. It seemed like trials were ad hoc affairs, and that having the trial take place ASAP was a much greater priority than it is now. The trial took place before an investigation was called for which seems backwards to me.
I've read many medieval mysteries that didn't seem so alien as this one did. I think that the mystery aspect wasn't as strong as the history content. Yet there was also some good character development which increased my estimation of the book.
For my complete review see https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2...
While I was reading this book, it seemed odd to me that characters mentioned that Nichola was rather young to be a wife at sixteen. I've read that it was common during the medieval period to marry girls in their teens to men in their thirties or forties. I've seen many references in books to fourteen year old medieval wives. Yet in a search I did for this review, I found an essay here called "This Is What It Was Like To Be A Teenager in the Middle Ages" by Oxford history professor Rachel Moss that indicated that marrying adult men to teen girls wasn't a common practice during that period, and states that medieval people were aware that teenagers weren't fully mature. So it seems that The Clerk's Tale is more accurate than other medieval novels that I've read containing teen brides.
Getting into the mystery aspect, which didn't interest me as much as the historical context, I wondered why the jury for one of the murders was formed from people who experienced an event associated with the murder. Perhaps during the medieval period objectivity wasn't considered as important in the jury selection process as it is now. It seemed like trials were ad hoc affairs, and that having the trial take place ASAP was a much greater priority than it is now. The trial took place before an investigation was called for which seems backwards to me.
I've read many medieval mysteries that didn't seem so alien as this one did. I think that the mystery aspect wasn't as strong as the history content. Yet there was also some good character development which increased my estimation of the book.
For my complete review see https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2...
September 17, 2025
Many years ago I read several books in this series and really enjoyed them. This book I came across by chance and remembered why I liked these books and the sleuth so much. Set during the 15th century with a woman who became a nun, later in life, the book was an interesting mystery as well a wonderful peek into life during the 15th century both inside and outside the walls of the convent.
October 2, 2025
Back on track baby. This mystery has everything: revenge, romance, raucous in laws, & nuns!
January 22, 2015
Complicated, but good. I like young Master Montfort a lot, and Agnes. The second death was gutting, and then one person's reaction to it... wow. Really well done.
April 4, 2018
It's been well over three years since Dame Frevisse has ventured outside the nunnery walls and she's a little surprised at how much she enjoys the change of scenery. While she finds comfort in her prayers and spiritual routine, seeing the same faces and adhering to the daily chores outside of church duties has grown wearisome.
When visiting the nunnery in Goring with Domina Elisabeth, a murder has been committed, leaving her old nemesis Master Monfort dead. One good thing is his son is now crowner, a man met before and one Frevisse respects.
I'm still not 100% happy with Domina Elisabeth, nor is Frevisse, and for the same reason. Domina Elisabeth is a little too materialistic and ignores the call to prayers far too often. The whole scenario reminds me a little of my cousin who was a monk for five years. He left the monastery right before taking his vows. Like Dame Frevisse, his reasons for being there were the right ones, prayer and growing closer to God. But his reason for leaving might reflect some of the people we see in charge in these books. "Too political", is how he phrased it. Some things never change.
Also like Frevisse, I was not sorry to see the last of Montfort. And I enjoyed Dame Frevisse and Christopher working together, especially since the very idea would have sent his father into a fit of pique.
This entry contained quite a bit of humor along with all the serious undertones, especially in regards to Dame Frevisse and Master Gruesby and their musings regarding one another. I think that's why, though there was little action, I really enjoyed this book. Oh, and I'm also glad Juliana got her comeuppance at the end.
When visiting the nunnery in Goring with Domina Elisabeth, a murder has been committed, leaving her old nemesis Master Monfort dead. One good thing is his son is now crowner, a man met before and one Frevisse respects.
I'm still not 100% happy with Domina Elisabeth, nor is Frevisse, and for the same reason. Domina Elisabeth is a little too materialistic and ignores the call to prayers far too often. The whole scenario reminds me a little of my cousin who was a monk for five years. He left the monastery right before taking his vows. Like Dame Frevisse, his reasons for being there were the right ones, prayer and growing closer to God. But his reason for leaving might reflect some of the people we see in charge in these books. "Too political", is how he phrased it. Some things never change.
Also like Frevisse, I was not sorry to see the last of Montfort. And I enjoyed Dame Frevisse and Christopher working together, especially since the very idea would have sent his father into a fit of pique.
This entry contained quite a bit of humor along with all the serious undertones, especially in regards to Dame Frevisse and Master Gruesby and their musings regarding one another. I think that's why, though there was little action, I really enjoyed this book. Oh, and I'm also glad Juliana got her comeuppance at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2013
Eleventh in Dame Frevisse (Frazer has changed the name of the series) medieval mystery series revolving around a canny nun in Oxfordshire. This particular story takes place at Goring.
My Take
Poor Frevisse. She keeps being dragged into situations she'd rather avoid. The cultural rules of the day force Frevisse to play companion and emerge out into the world. Again.
I do find it interesting to gain this perspective on the religious life with a nun who [through Frazer] communicates why she finds the cloister so attractive. It's still not where I would want to be, but I appreciate the understanding of it. That and not having it rammed down my throat!
If you've been following this series, this is a DO NOT MISS. If only so you can celebrate the deadee! Wahoo!! And, it's uncanny *rip that tongue out of me cheek* how it's only Frevisse's powers of thought/observation that are the only way to win the day. And, in spite of my unholy joy at the start, her talents are very much required to prevent a very sad injustice amongst the many others.
Christopher remembers how very useful Dame Frevisse's brain can be and insists on her help. Then there are the deaths that keep occurring. Well, what can you expect when there's a sociopath on the loose?
This story was notable for two things: the marriage arranging customs and Master Gruesby's almost obsessive desire to not be noticed. It's a confusing exposé of law and the custom of arranging marriages with people everywhere willing to lie, cheat, and kill to attain their desires. Yup, not much has changed down through the centuries. It does make me grateful for today's law---at least we don't have to worry about whoever's in power twitching the reins quite like they have to worry in 1446 England!
It's a busy little clique with Stephen inheriting his father's tomcatting ways, even though he loves his young wife. The Champyons are busy pushing at everyone and being nasty. Master Gruesby is terrified as to what will become of him with Montfort's death. The political machinations and considerations between Lovell and Suffolk are very confusing. In fact, about the only bright spot in this is Mistress Montfort's attitude toward her deceased husband. Oh, yeah...it is PAR-TAY time! Well, I suppose I should count Gruesby's "fear" of Dame Frevisse---she notices too much!
As always, it's intriguing to watch Frevisse figure it all out.
Even better...ding-dong, the Montfort's dead, sing it high and sing it low…!
The Story
It's pure chance that brings Domina Elisabeth and Dame Frevisse to Goring. The domina's cousin is dying and has asked that she be allowed to come visit. Naturally Frevisse comes along as companion. But, someone has killed the former crowner, Montfort. Yeah!! Nobody is gonna miss this guy.
As the new escheator, Mister Montfort was investigating claims against Stephen Lengley that would prevent his inheriting a manor which Rose Bower brought to her marriage to his father, Sir Henry Lengley.
A simple enough investigation that becomes complicated by a corrupt government official and lying witnesses.
The Characters
Master John Gruesby is the escheator's clerk, the former crowner who has given Dame Frevisse such trouble in the past. It's he who finds the body, and this act sets up a storm of nerves. Morys Montfort was clawing his way up in the world and aligning himself with Suffolk; he'd recently purchased the post of escheator. Montfort's son, Christopher, whom we met in The Reeve's Tale , 9, has moved into his father's old crowner position.
Dame Frevisse is one of the nuns at St. Frideswide's, and she can't seem to help interpreting clues. Domina Elisabeth is still in charge of St. Frideswide's; her acumen is helping to drag the priory up from its fall into debt. Dickon is the priory steward's son and a great help on this journey along with Ron and Bartelme.
The gossipy Lady Agnes Lengley enjoys a privileged relationship with the nunnery in Goring. Emme and Letice are her ladies-in-waiting. Stephen Lengley is her, um, flexible grandson; Nichola is his new, beloved wife. Philip Haselden is Nichola's father, Lovell's man, and has had the right of Stephen's marriage. Allison Haselden is a timid woman. Harry was Stephen's older brother, but he died.
Cecily Bower (Henry's wife's sister) and her husband, James Champyon, are contesting Stephen's legitimacy to inherit. Their children are Rowland Englefield, Cecily's unmarried and carefree son from an earlier marriage, and the beautiful and widowed Lady Juliana.
Domina Matilda runs the St. Mary's nunnery in Goring where Sister Ysobel, Domina Elisabeth's cousin, is dying of a lung sickness. Master Garner is the nuns' gardener. Sister Joan is the infirmarian. Sister Maud is the sacristan. Sister Mariota Coleshill made a deathbed statement.
Part of the problems with deciding about the manor is the polite struggle between the Marquis of Suffolk and Lord Lovell, both of whom are attempting to increase their political strength.
The Cover
The cover is a vertical split with a colorful graphic on the left of an enclosed garden overlooked by buildings with a dead man lying on the grass and, on the right, a solid colonial blue to showcase the text. The title has its own red box while the data, series info, and author's name stands out against the blue.
The title warns of the character who is the focus of this particular tale, for it's The Clerk's Tale in this story.
My Take
Poor Frevisse. She keeps being dragged into situations she'd rather avoid. The cultural rules of the day force Frevisse to play companion and emerge out into the world. Again.
I do find it interesting to gain this perspective on the religious life with a nun who [through Frazer] communicates why she finds the cloister so attractive. It's still not where I would want to be, but I appreciate the understanding of it. That and not having it rammed down my throat!
If you've been following this series, this is a DO NOT MISS. If only so you can celebrate the deadee! Wahoo!! And, it's uncanny *rip that tongue out of me cheek* how it's only Frevisse's powers of thought/observation that are the only way to win the day. And, in spite of my unholy joy at the start, her talents are very much required to prevent a very sad injustice amongst the many others.
Christopher remembers how very useful Dame Frevisse's brain can be and insists on her help. Then there are the deaths that keep occurring. Well, what can you expect when there's a sociopath on the loose?
This story was notable for two things: the marriage arranging customs and Master Gruesby's almost obsessive desire to not be noticed. It's a confusing exposé of law and the custom of arranging marriages with people everywhere willing to lie, cheat, and kill to attain their desires. Yup, not much has changed down through the centuries. It does make me grateful for today's law---at least we don't have to worry about whoever's in power twitching the reins quite like they have to worry in 1446 England!
It's a busy little clique with Stephen inheriting his father's tomcatting ways, even though he loves his young wife. The Champyons are busy pushing at everyone and being nasty. Master Gruesby is terrified as to what will become of him with Montfort's death. The political machinations and considerations between Lovell and Suffolk are very confusing. In fact, about the only bright spot in this is Mistress Montfort's attitude toward her deceased husband. Oh, yeah...it is PAR-TAY time! Well, I suppose I should count Gruesby's "fear" of Dame Frevisse---she notices too much!
As always, it's intriguing to watch Frevisse figure it all out.
Even better...ding-dong, the Montfort's dead, sing it high and sing it low…!
The Story
It's pure chance that brings Domina Elisabeth and Dame Frevisse to Goring. The domina's cousin is dying and has asked that she be allowed to come visit. Naturally Frevisse comes along as companion. But, someone has killed the former crowner, Montfort. Yeah!! Nobody is gonna miss this guy.
As the new escheator, Mister Montfort was investigating claims against Stephen Lengley that would prevent his inheriting a manor which Rose Bower brought to her marriage to his father, Sir Henry Lengley.
A simple enough investigation that becomes complicated by a corrupt government official and lying witnesses.
The Characters
Master John Gruesby is the escheator's clerk, the former crowner who has given Dame Frevisse such trouble in the past. It's he who finds the body, and this act sets up a storm of nerves. Morys Montfort was clawing his way up in the world and aligning himself with Suffolk; he'd recently purchased the post of escheator. Montfort's son, Christopher, whom we met in The Reeve's Tale , 9, has moved into his father's old crowner position.
Dame Frevisse is one of the nuns at St. Frideswide's, and she can't seem to help interpreting clues. Domina Elisabeth is still in charge of St. Frideswide's; her acumen is helping to drag the priory up from its fall into debt. Dickon is the priory steward's son and a great help on this journey along with Ron and Bartelme.
The gossipy Lady Agnes Lengley enjoys a privileged relationship with the nunnery in Goring. Emme and Letice are her ladies-in-waiting. Stephen Lengley is her, um, flexible grandson; Nichola is his new, beloved wife. Philip Haselden is Nichola's father, Lovell's man, and has had the right of Stephen's marriage. Allison Haselden is a timid woman. Harry was Stephen's older brother, but he died.
Cecily Bower (Henry's wife's sister) and her husband, James Champyon, are contesting Stephen's legitimacy to inherit. Their children are Rowland Englefield, Cecily's unmarried and carefree son from an earlier marriage, and the beautiful and widowed Lady Juliana.
Domina Matilda runs the St. Mary's nunnery in Goring where Sister Ysobel, Domina Elisabeth's cousin, is dying of a lung sickness. Master Garner is the nuns' gardener. Sister Joan is the infirmarian. Sister Maud is the sacristan. Sister Mariota Coleshill made a deathbed statement.
Part of the problems with deciding about the manor is the polite struggle between the Marquis of Suffolk and Lord Lovell, both of whom are attempting to increase their political strength.
The Cover
The cover is a vertical split with a colorful graphic on the left of an enclosed garden overlooked by buildings with a dead man lying on the grass and, on the right, a solid colonial blue to showcase the text. The title has its own red box while the data, series info, and author's name stands out against the blue.
The title warns of the character who is the focus of this particular tale, for it's The Clerk's Tale in this story.
February 27, 2021
Years ago, I was addicted to the Sister Frevisse series and would read all which I could get my hands on but somehow I lost track of them. Recently I rediscovered them and learned that there are any number which I have not read.
I attempted to pick up around where I had left off with the series and chose to read The Clerk's Tale, the 11th of the series.
In this mystery, Sister Frevisse travels with Abbess to Goring, England and of course as soon as she gets there she discovers a murder. Frevisse does what of course, we know she is going to do but there is plenty of fun and action along the way.
I cannot state how happy I am to have rediscovered this series.
I attempted to pick up around where I had left off with the series and chose to read The Clerk's Tale, the 11th of the series.
In this mystery, Sister Frevisse travels with Abbess to Goring, England and of course as soon as she gets there she discovers a murder. Frevisse does what of course, we know she is going to do but there is plenty of fun and action along the way.
I cannot state how happy I am to have rediscovered this series.
September 29, 2021
After leaving her convent to accompanying her leader Domina Elizabeth to visit a cousin in another convent hospital, Dame Frevisse becomes embroiled in a mysterious death of an old nemesis the crowner Montfort, who had risen to the role of escheator, which required settling the claim of who was legally qualified to inherit or to claim a farm. Montfort's son now has the role of crowner, deciding who likely killed his father and wisely askes Dame Frevisse to help figure out who killed him. This tale was more tightly woven than than some in the series and provides interesting knowledge of the complicated land laws of the 15th century. What made this even more interesting is Dame Frevisse learning to work with the older Montfort's clerk, Master Gruesby, who has a good eye for detail, but quirks in his personality and wears an early version of eyeglasses.
January 28, 2018
This mystery takes place in Medieval England and features a host of interesting characters. Sister Frevisse, a nun, has come to the town of Goring in the company of her prioress who is there to visit her dying sister, also a religious. While there, Frevisse is asked to assist in investigating the murder of an official come to determine the legitimacy of an heir to a large estate. It is a pleasure to see Frevisse and her cohorts piece together all of the information they need to find the murderer. Unfortunately, they are not able to do so before another killing occurs. In addition to the unfolding murder investigations we also observe the life of the convent, the habits of the people and some of the legal apparatus of the time. I found this book to worth every minute of my time.
July 8, 2019
Another great lesson in midevial history and another great story of a murder. In this tale, the one murdered is not liked by anyone, but he is powerful and has information that is important to several leading families. During the investigation, another couple of murders take place. Although Dame Frevisse is not in her home nunnery, she is recognized as a great detective and is asked to help solve the crime. Once again, I learned a great deal about the history of the time and the practices of the religous order.
December 21, 2024
Чергове розслідування дами Фревісси, де вона поїхала разом з пріоресою до іншого монастиря у місті, а там посеред викоханого садка валяється труп управителя. Гидотний був тип, усі кажуть, від власне жінки до випадкових перехожих, але все одно треба розслідувати, бо справедливість (чи якийсь її варіант) понад усе.
Дуже багато сучасних нюансів, хто що і як успадкує, бо там велике сімейство. Таке собі занурення у середньовічне право Англії, трохи присмачене мелодрамою, але сюжет дещо повторюється. Тому почитати приємно, але якоїсь новизни не шукати.
Дуже багато сучасних нюансів, хто що і як успадкує, бо там велике сімейство. Таке собі занурення у середньовічне право Англії, трохи присмачене мелодрамою, але сюжет дещо повторюється. Тому почитати приємно, але якоїсь новизни не шукати.
October 11, 2025
When the universally disliked crowner, newly escheator, Montfort, is murdered, nobody seems to care who did it. The new crowner, his son, and Frevisse try to find out who the murderer is by following the claim of who will inherit a manor based on the true birth of the living son. One family member wants to get in Lord Lovell's good graces and the other in Marquis Suffolk's.
A fairly complicated story of medieval politics and greed.
A fairly complicated story of medieval politics and greed.
March 22, 2023
Margaret Frazer's Sister Frevisse Series is so worth the read. Laid out are the hourly, daily, seasonal lives of nuns. The reason behind why they are committed to their duties to serve, comfort and somehow manage politically in order to survive.
July 24, 2023
I always feel happy diving into a Dame Frevisse story.
Outside of St. Frideswide’s once again, there are murders to solve. This was book 11 and I will be sad once I run out of books to read in this series as there will never be any new ones.
5 Stars
Outside of St. Frideswide’s once again, there are murders to solve. This was book 11 and I will be sad once I run out of books to read in this series as there will never be any new ones.
5 Stars
November 16, 2017
I love the way Dame Frevisse struggles with her own shortcomings. We learn in this one that she is niece to Chaucer.
February 19, 2018
Even with the fascinating mid-evil England setting and the wonderful main character, this book got bogged down in the middle. I had to push through to finish up.
May 23, 2018
So many suspects & then another death. The medieval setting was a change from other books I've read.
January 12, 2019
Upon a visit to a nunary, Sister Frevisse finds herself immersed in a local murder. Lots of 1400s scandal.
October 3, 2019
I love Dame Frevisse – good mysteries with lots of spiritual considerations.
June 29, 2020
Not my favorite, but I’m in the thick of this series and it’s a pandemic panacea.
August 1, 2020
More summer reading. Upcoming War of the roses always hovering in the background.
March 8, 2021
The historical accuracy is impressive.
June 10, 2022
My favorite so far of the Frevisse novels. This one has an emotional core that I found strong and moving.
October 2, 2024
It has a decent plot and some actual character development. Unfortunately, the technical writing is as bad as usual. Some sentences are missing so many words the sentence does not make sense.
October 22, 2025
Great book set in a tough time period. I loved this so much.
March 11, 2018
Complex mystery with sumptuous historical details. In this book Frazer develops some characters we knew in very interesting ways...fun!
March 27, 2018
Even if some of these (the Frevisse series) have flaws, I truly enjoy how she writes. The care she gave to having the reader understand the Clerk was very touching.
October 30, 2023
Master Montfort, the crowner with whom Dame Frevisse has so often butted heads, has himself been murdered. His body has been found by his clerk lying in the infirmarian’s garden of St. Mary’s priory in Goring. It just so happens that Dame Frevisse has accompanied Domina Elizabeth from their priory of St. Frideswide to St. Mary’s so that the latter can be with her dying cousin. Hence, Frevisse is on hand to investigate Montfort’s murder. (Hey, in any mystery one has to accept a certain amount of coincidences.).
Montfort was no longer the crowner, but has been acting as the county’s escheator, the royal officer whose duty is to determine the lawful heir or heirs of inheritance and see to them having their properties. The much wider opportunity to receive bribes which would have appealed to Montfort. Montfort had come to Goring to determine the rightful heir to the Langley estates. It had been assumed that Stephen Langley would inherit after the death of his older brother, but his mother’s family claimed that he was his father’s bastard by one of his mistresses and, therefore, they were entitled to the entailed estates. The key to the inheritance and perhaps the murder is Stephen’s legitimacy. Of course, no one who has had had anything to do with Montfort liked him, not even his widow and not even Frevisse. His son is now acting as crowner, and he is open-minded and honest—everything his father was not. He asks for Frevisse’s help and they join forces with the clerk to solve the crime. Before they do, however, another murder takes place which may or may not be linked to Montfort’s.
My initial reaction was that this was a middling effort by the author, with the pace dragging with Frevisse’s soul searching. (Her soul searching is one of the attractions of the series, but sometimes is goes on far too long and is repetitive.) Also, Montfort’s murder was conducted in far to an elaborate manner to be believable. However, as usual, the author creates a vivid cast of characters that I really cared about—some I really didn��t want to be guilty. And the second murder was gut wrenching. The clerk is a mouse of a man who is comfortable with his ink and paper, but uncomfortable with people and whose greatest wish is not to be noticed. It turns out that he knew from the start whether or not Stephen was legitimate. Then, there is Lady Langley, Stephen’s grandmother, a grand dame, dominating and opinionated with a wicked sense of humor. Stephen himself seems like a charming rogue, but becomes an admirable figure in the end. A number rating is difficult to give, all I can say is I enjoyed reading it.
Montfort was no longer the crowner, but has been acting as the county’s escheator, the royal officer whose duty is to determine the lawful heir or heirs of inheritance and see to them having their properties. The much wider opportunity to receive bribes which would have appealed to Montfort. Montfort had come to Goring to determine the rightful heir to the Langley estates. It had been assumed that Stephen Langley would inherit after the death of his older brother, but his mother’s family claimed that he was his father’s bastard by one of his mistresses and, therefore, they were entitled to the entailed estates. The key to the inheritance and perhaps the murder is Stephen’s legitimacy. Of course, no one who has had had anything to do with Montfort liked him, not even his widow and not even Frevisse. His son is now acting as crowner, and he is open-minded and honest—everything his father was not. He asks for Frevisse’s help and they join forces with the clerk to solve the crime. Before they do, however, another murder takes place which may or may not be linked to Montfort’s.
My initial reaction was that this was a middling effort by the author, with the pace dragging with Frevisse’s soul searching. (Her soul searching is one of the attractions of the series, but sometimes is goes on far too long and is repetitive.) Also, Montfort’s murder was conducted in far to an elaborate manner to be believable. However, as usual, the author creates a vivid cast of characters that I really cared about—some I really didn��t want to be guilty. And the second murder was gut wrenching. The clerk is a mouse of a man who is comfortable with his ink and paper, but uncomfortable with people and whose greatest wish is not to be noticed. It turns out that he knew from the start whether or not Stephen was legitimate. Then, there is Lady Langley, Stephen’s grandmother, a grand dame, dominating and opinionated with a wicked sense of humor. Stephen himself seems like a charming rogue, but becomes an admirable figure in the end. A number rating is difficult to give, all I can say is I enjoyed reading it.
February 18, 2017
This series combines the best of historical (Medieval) background and a good, unpredictable mystery. I have come to like the protagonist, whom I really didn't like much at the beginning of the series, the artistocratic nun, Dame Frevisse. As with the others in the series, the characters range from the villainous to the sympathetic, and the plot is deftly woven and the mystery deftly revealed.
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