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Medieval Mystery #1
Wine of Violence
It is late summer in the year 1270 and England is as weary as its aging king, Henry III. Although the Simon de Montfort rebellion is over, the smell of death still hangs like smoke over the land. Even in the small priory of Tyndal on the remote East Anglian coast, the monks and nuns of the Order of Fontevraud long for a return to tranquil routine. Their hopes are dashed, however, when the young and inexperienced Eleanor of Wynethorpe is appointed their new prioress over someone of their own choosing. Nor are Eleanor's own prayers for a peaceful transition answered. Only a day after her arrival, a brutally murdered monk is found in the cloister gardens, and Brother Thomas, a young priest with a troubled past, arrives to bring her a more personal grief. Now she must not only struggle to gain the respect of her terrified and resentful flock but also cope with violence, lust and greed in a place dedicated to love and peace.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1969
165 people are currently reading
1788 people want to read
About the author
Priscilla Royal
26 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 203 reviews
May 19, 2016
The mystery was well done, with plenty of red herrings, and the historical fiction aspect was not neglected, either. This was not a story of "medieval" characters who were actually modern characters in period dress.
I'd happily read another in the series.
I'd happily read another in the series.
January 8, 2014
I would have never even known this book existed if it weren't for the recommendation of author extraordinaire, Sharon Kay Penman, and a 99c Kindle sale. Wine of Violence is a wonderfully written novel that takes place in the late 13th century. Hard feelings remain for the Saxons who were defeated long ago by the Normans, and Henry III has won a victory in the name of monarchial strength when Simon de Montfort was defeated. It is not a good time to be a villein. But this story isn't about the Norman Conquest or the Baron's Rebellion. It is about a quiet little priory on the East Anglican coast.
The reader is introduced to Tyndal Priory through the eyes of Eleanor, recently appointed Prioress, and Thomas, a man who has accepted the fate of being a monk because it's better than the alternative. As these two struggle to make their way as outsiders in this tight-knit community, they are also faced with a murder that takes place upon their arrival.
What I loved about this novel wasn't so much the mystery, though I thought it was well-written and not too predictable. It was the characters that drew me in. Each person has a complex, realistic personality with gifts and faults. The reader analyzes each nun and monk along with Eleanor and Thomas as they search for a killer and try to make their own way in a place that didn't ask to receive them.
The setting was accurately written to transport the reader into medieval times with descriptions of food, clothing, mindsets, and surroundings. The cold stones of the church, the struggle to feed the community through winter, concern over whether it was godly to use medicines and hand-washing in the hospital, and the rushes on the floors - each detail was evidence of the historical research that went into this little mystery.
My only complaint, if I must have one, are some surprisingly modern remarks made about homosexuality. While the author's note explains her research into this topic and the likely commonness of some homosexual relationships in an all-male religious community, I thought that the level of "can love ever be sinful" attitude was anachronistic. After all, this was a time when sodomy was a capital crime and believed to endanger the immortal soul. This was a relatively minor issue and the only anachronism I noted.
A great read for anyone who enjoys medieval fiction.
The reader is introduced to Tyndal Priory through the eyes of Eleanor, recently appointed Prioress, and Thomas, a man who has accepted the fate of being a monk because it's better than the alternative. As these two struggle to make their way as outsiders in this tight-knit community, they are also faced with a murder that takes place upon their arrival.
What I loved about this novel wasn't so much the mystery, though I thought it was well-written and not too predictable. It was the characters that drew me in. Each person has a complex, realistic personality with gifts and faults. The reader analyzes each nun and monk along with Eleanor and Thomas as they search for a killer and try to make their own way in a place that didn't ask to receive them.
The setting was accurately written to transport the reader into medieval times with descriptions of food, clothing, mindsets, and surroundings. The cold stones of the church, the struggle to feed the community through winter, concern over whether it was godly to use medicines and hand-washing in the hospital, and the rushes on the floors - each detail was evidence of the historical research that went into this little mystery.
My only complaint, if I must have one, are some surprisingly modern remarks made about homosexuality. While the author's note explains her research into this topic and the likely commonness of some homosexual relationships in an all-male religious community, I thought that the level of "can love ever be sinful" attitude was anachronistic. After all, this was a time when sodomy was a capital crime and believed to endanger the immortal soul. This was a relatively minor issue and the only anachronism I noted.
A great read for anyone who enjoys medieval fiction.
September 13, 2014
This seemed very amateurish to me with clumsy dialogue and clumsy techniques used to introduce characters and background detail. I've only recently discovered that I enjoy historical fiction but if I'd read this before I did, it might have put me off for ever more. I'm seriously at odds with the vast majority of readers though so perhaps I just wasn't in the mood. That's the really disappointing part as I'm in Norfolk on holiday and had been looking forward to reading this here. [I was slightly put off at the beginning when I discovered the author is American. I would have to say that her descriptions of the Norfolk countryside don't ring at all true and I wondered if she's ever been here.]
November 5, 2020
3.5 stars for this medieval mystery, the first in a series.
Lady Eleanor has been appointed prioress of a chapter of a religious order with both monks and nuns. It is uncommon for a woman to be in charge of such an arrangement, so she meets resistance from inside and outside the establishment. Soon after she arrives a beloved monk is murdered.
This is the kind of mystery where the clues are all present for the reader to be able to solve it; I figured out who did it but not why before the explanation was given. There is lots of potential for the development of the series, and I will probably continue following the characters' journey. The only anachronistic thing I found was that some characters had a more lenient attitude toward homosexuality then I think would be entirely likely for a religious leader in this era.
Content advisory: discussion of rape perpetrated against men
Lady Eleanor has been appointed prioress of a chapter of a religious order with both monks and nuns. It is uncommon for a woman to be in charge of such an arrangement, so she meets resistance from inside and outside the establishment. Soon after she arrives a beloved monk is murdered.
This is the kind of mystery where the clues are all present for the reader to be able to solve it; I figured out who did it but not why before the explanation was given. There is lots of potential for the development of the series, and I will probably continue following the characters' journey. The only anachronistic thing I found was that some characters had a more lenient attitude toward homosexuality then I think would be entirely likely for a religious leader in this era.
Content advisory: discussion of rape perpetrated against men
January 4, 2021
Being a big fan of Ellis Peters, this first installment of medieval mysteries by Priscilla Royal was really good. Instead of a Brother Cadfael, we have Prioress Eleanor, a young woman of noble birth with little experience but learned and quick witted. There's also Brother Thomas sent to Tyndal Priory as penance and as an agent for someone who saved him from a terrible fate. An enjoyable read, perfect for cloudy days with a cup of tea and lots of blankets.
October 27, 2015
A bit stilted in the opening chapters but improved as it progressed. I really liked the characters of the prioress, Brother Thomas, and Sister Anne. The mystery wasn't difficult to figure out, but still a good read. I will look for the next one in the series.
May 6, 2015
Short and to the point. The mystery occurred and then it was solved. Nothing was drawn out and over thought. The author did a brilliant job developing characters in a minimal amount of pages.
May 26, 2020
An uneven debut. Slightly repetitious at times. Not on par with the Dame Frevisse or Sister Fidelma series. Both those series are more detailed concerning the mystery plot, historical content and characterization. I think both also paint a better picture of the times and life of the religious, both in and out of the cloister. Still, the writing is good enough I'll probably give the series another shot.
I did find it odd how often Eleanor talked out loud to herself (Thomas was guilty of this, too). Might seem more natural to have the characters' thoughts conveyed through the narrative instead.
I did find it odd how often Eleanor talked out loud to herself (Thomas was guilty of this, too). Might seem more natural to have the characters' thoughts conveyed through the narrative instead.
April 5, 2024
After finishing "Wine of Violence" by Priscilla Royal, I found myself in a bit of a conundrum when it came to rating it. Eventually, I settled on 3.5 stars. There were aspects of the book that I thoroughly enjoyed, particularly the engaging storyline and the endearing characters. However, there were also a few elements that left me wanting more.
One thing that struck me was the absence of a sense of urgency and fear, which I would have expected given the gravity of the events unfolding within the narrative. While I appreciated the role of Brother Thomas and found him to be a compelling character, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—a certain je-ne-sais-quoi that would have elevated the story to the next level.
Moreover, I felt that the developments in the final chapters could have been dispersed more evenly throughout the book, rather than being clustered at the very end. Although the conclusion was intriguing, it lacked sufficient buildup in the narrative, leaving me wishing for more depth and exploration earlier on.
There were also instances where I found myself questioning the actions of certain characters. Why didn't Brother Thomas engage with the choir boys or Brother John? Why did this one particular Sister not return the borrowed key? And why was there seemingly no one on guard when they knew someone had entered through a supposedly locked door?
Additionally, I craved more insight into the daily lives and interactions of the characters. It felt odd that characters like Thomas and John seemed to have had no interaction despite living under the same roof. However, I did enjoy the interactions between Thomas and Simeon, and I wished there had been more of them.
Overall, "Wine of Violence" is a captivating read with its fair share of strengths and weaknesses. While it may not have entirely met my expectations, it certainly kept me entertained throughout. Because this is the first book in the series, I will certainly give it the benefit of the doubt when it comes to its pacing and will happily continue with this series!
One thing that struck me was the absence of a sense of urgency and fear, which I would have expected given the gravity of the events unfolding within the narrative. While I appreciated the role of Brother Thomas and found him to be a compelling character, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—a certain je-ne-sais-quoi that would have elevated the story to the next level.
Moreover, I felt that the developments in the final chapters could have been dispersed more evenly throughout the book, rather than being clustered at the very end. Although the conclusion was intriguing, it lacked sufficient buildup in the narrative, leaving me wishing for more depth and exploration earlier on.
There were also instances where I found myself questioning the actions of certain characters. Why didn't Brother Thomas engage with the choir boys or Brother John? Why did this one particular Sister not return the borrowed key? And why was there seemingly no one on guard when they knew someone had entered through a supposedly locked door?
Additionally, I craved more insight into the daily lives and interactions of the characters. It felt odd that characters like Thomas and John seemed to have had no interaction despite living under the same roof. However, I did enjoy the interactions between Thomas and Simeon, and I wished there had been more of them.
Overall, "Wine of Violence" is a captivating read with its fair share of strengths and weaknesses. While it may not have entirely met my expectations, it certainly kept me entertained throughout. Because this is the first book in the series, I will certainly give it the benefit of the doubt when it comes to its pacing and will happily continue with this series!
April 6, 2014
The Wine of Violence by Priscilla Royal
A Garden Carried in the Pocket by jenclair / 0min // keep unread // hide // preview
Wine of Violence
While I was looking for medieval mystery titles, I found Priscilla Royal's books listed and decided to try one.
Wine of Violence is the first in her series featuring young Eleanor of Wynethrop, who has recently been appointed Prioress of Tyndale Priory. Eleanor's appointment is a political one, overruling the usual practice of the nuns electing their own prioress.
A resented interloper by many of the nuns, Eleanor has other problems as well: wresting back control from the Prior of the men's house, managing the depleted priory funds, and within a day of her arrival, a murder.
Tyndale Priory is a double house: both nuns and monks serving a hospital. Housed separately, both serve the hospital and help support the priory.
Below is an image of the Watton Priory; it gives an idea of what the Tyndale Priory might have looked like.
The year is 1270, after Simon de Montfort's defeat. The thirteenth century during Henry III's reign, before or shortly after the de Montfort rebellion, provides a lot of fodder for medieval mysteries. Jason Vail's series is set prior to the rebellion; Royal's series takes place after the rebellion with an aging Henry III still on the throne.
Before the novel opens, Royal makes some interesting comments about double houses and the Order of Fontevraud, founded in France, the inspiration for her Tyndale Priory. She also mentions the difficulties of "portraying the people, their thoughts and feelings, from an era so distant from our own. The fiction author inevitably walks a very narrow line between making the characters sound too modern to be of the period or making them so different that the modern reader feels little in common with them."
These opening pages have so many things that interested me, including mention that homosexuality and bisexuality were acknowledged, and that although the Church disapproved of many were allowed to live in peace. On the other hand, many were tortured and executed. Sort of depended on who you were and where you were. There is also a discussion of the role of women, "the weaker vessels," with emphasis on those women like Matilda, daughter of Henry I, and chosen by her father to succeed him; Eleanor of Aquitaine, whose "intricate political and sometimes warlike maneuvering over the reigns of three English kings and one French monarch was a success story Machiavelli should have admired"; and Eleanor of Provence, wife of Henry III, whose advice was "openly and often sought...in affairs of state."
So...the plot: Eleanor, the newly appointed Prioress, arrives at Tyndale Priory and is faced with opposition from some of her own nuns and from the Prior of the men's house, or more specifically, from the Prior's assistant. During Eleanor's first meeting with the Prior, a young monk arrives. Thomas has a past that he would like to forget and took vows under pressure only as a means of escape from that past.
A day later, one of the monks is found brutally murdered. Eleanor must try to gain the respect and cooperation of her nuns and determine who is responsible for Brother Rupert's murder. Thomas assists as far as he is able, but he has another mission as well: he has been sent to discover what is amiss in the financial records of the priory.
Priscilla Royal has populated Tyndale Priory (and its surrounds) with a number of interesting and believable characters. They are all well-developed with complex personalities and purposes.
Can you tell that I really liked this novel? I liked it so well that I ordered the next two in the series and read them immediately. I will be reviewing them in the next few days.
Oh, and great bibliographic information at the end.
Read in March
Medieval Mystery. 2011. 249 pages.
May 24, 2013
Still on my medieval history binge, this book, by Priscilla Royal was recommended to me by a friend. The short novel set in 1270, tells the story of Sister Eleanor, the newly appointed prioress of a monastery that houses both monks and nuns in one of the only orders that allowed such co-mingling during the Middle Ages.
Blessed with a quick mind and youth, the new prioress encounters not just resistance form the older monks and nuns who can’t reconcile her age and attractiveness with her abilities and who resent the of imposition of someone favoured by the king upon them, she also has a dead body to deal with.
Having only arrived a few days before, Sister Eleanor is tasked with bringing to justice the murderer of a popular and elderly monk, a dear friend of the former prioress and a man above suspicion or, so everyone believed until he’s found not only with his throat cut, but with his genitals severed.
The first of many bodies, Sister Eleanor finds herself sorely tested and not even the arrival of a new, young monk, Brother Thomas, promises aid. However, Thomas is more than he appears and in him, Sister Eleanor has both a friend and an ally.
What I really liked about this book, apart from its portrayal of cloistered life in the Middle Ages, was the frank and unabashed way it deals with sexuality among a brother and sisterhood. Sexuality and friendship. Accepting that those of the same se also found love and could (and could not) reconcile it with their teachings, the novel explores what it might have been like and levels of tolerance and intolerance.
As a crime book, however, it wasn’t as strong. While the murders were interesting and the red herrings well cast, when the murderer finally confesses everything holding a knife over a prospective victim, I felt a bit like I was reading Crime Writers 101. I thought this was what you don’t do – have explanations delivered neatly by the villain at the nth moment. This mechanism has been spoofed so often in film, books and TV, for a moment, I thought it was a joke here as well. Alas, it wasn’t. It cast the remainder of the book in a different light and I found myself feeling cross and disappointed.
However, as a novel that explores the human heart, needs and desires and the way these intersect with faith, I found it quite rewarding.
Blessed with a quick mind and youth, the new prioress encounters not just resistance form the older monks and nuns who can’t reconcile her age and attractiveness with her abilities and who resent the of imposition of someone favoured by the king upon them, she also has a dead body to deal with.
Having only arrived a few days before, Sister Eleanor is tasked with bringing to justice the murderer of a popular and elderly monk, a dear friend of the former prioress and a man above suspicion or, so everyone believed until he’s found not only with his throat cut, but with his genitals severed.
The first of many bodies, Sister Eleanor finds herself sorely tested and not even the arrival of a new, young monk, Brother Thomas, promises aid. However, Thomas is more than he appears and in him, Sister Eleanor has both a friend and an ally.
What I really liked about this book, apart from its portrayal of cloistered life in the Middle Ages, was the frank and unabashed way it deals with sexuality among a brother and sisterhood. Sexuality and friendship. Accepting that those of the same se also found love and could (and could not) reconcile it with their teachings, the novel explores what it might have been like and levels of tolerance and intolerance.
As a crime book, however, it wasn’t as strong. While the murders were interesting and the red herrings well cast, when the murderer finally confesses everything holding a knife over a prospective victim, I felt a bit like I was reading Crime Writers 101. I thought this was what you don’t do – have explanations delivered neatly by the villain at the nth moment. This mechanism has been spoofed so often in film, books and TV, for a moment, I thought it was a joke here as well. Alas, it wasn’t. It cast the remainder of the book in a different light and I found myself feeling cross and disappointed.
However, as a novel that explores the human heart, needs and desires and the way these intersect with faith, I found it quite rewarding.
December 17, 2012
First I would like to say that I love Medieval Mysteries and this one was recommended by an author whose books I really enjoy, Jeri Westerson. This first book in a series is set in Tyndal on the East Anglian coast in England. It is set in an unusual monastery, a double house which has monks and nuns are part of the Order of Fontevraud. The really unusual part is that this type of house is headed by a Prioress and not a man.
The story starts with as a new prioress, Eleanor, coming to the priory as a political appointment. Not that unusual but not welcomed by those who thought that they would have a say in the matter. Also, the last prioress was not a strong woman and so the men had gained more of a say in the running of the order. Thomas, a new monk is also assigned here and he has a past that could have gotten him killed. Also included is Anne, a nun who has an eye for detail as well as being a healer.
There is a murder, hmmm, a medieval mystery with a murder. Anyway, besides having to integrate herself into an unfriendly monastic community Eleanor must help solve a crime, figure out who could be an ally to her, how to bring peace to this community and also come to grips with an unexpected emotional crisis that could shatter her certainty of her place in her church.
I enjoyed this book and have already read the next book. I look forward to reading more or Priscilla Royal’s books.
The story starts with as a new prioress, Eleanor, coming to the priory as a political appointment. Not that unusual but not welcomed by those who thought that they would have a say in the matter. Also, the last prioress was not a strong woman and so the men had gained more of a say in the running of the order. Thomas, a new monk is also assigned here and he has a past that could have gotten him killed. Also included is Anne, a nun who has an eye for detail as well as being a healer.
There is a murder, hmmm, a medieval mystery with a murder. Anyway, besides having to integrate herself into an unfriendly monastic community Eleanor must help solve a crime, figure out who could be an ally to her, how to bring peace to this community and also come to grips with an unexpected emotional crisis that could shatter her certainty of her place in her church.
I enjoyed this book and have already read the next book. I look forward to reading more or Priscilla Royal’s books.
March 28, 2013
This is the first book in a medieval mystery series and it is set in a religious foundation in Suffolk which has both monks and nuns. A new Prioress has just been appointed following the death of the previous Prioress. The body of a monk is found in the nuns’ enclosure with horrific injuries and Prioress Eleanor feels her first job must be to find out who killed him. But Eleanor has to convince the monks and nuns in her charge that she isn’t too young to rule them and battle her own inappropriate feelings for the new young monk, Brother Thomas.
I found this an interesting read with a complex plot. I thought the characters were well drawn and their motivations convincing and I liked the way they interacted. The only thing I didn’t like were the Americanisms which seemed out of place – words such as ‘gotten’. I’m not convinced that ‘for cert’ is actually a medieval expression though I stand to be corrected on that point. But these are minor issues and I found the book held my attention and I have already downloaded the second book in the series.
If you like historical mysteries then try this interesting series. If you enjoy Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma series you may enjoy this series though they are a lighter and easier read than Sister Fidelma.
I found this an interesting read with a complex plot. I thought the characters were well drawn and their motivations convincing and I liked the way they interacted. The only thing I didn’t like were the Americanisms which seemed out of place – words such as ‘gotten’. I’m not convinced that ‘for cert’ is actually a medieval expression though I stand to be corrected on that point. But these are minor issues and I found the book held my attention and I have already downloaded the second book in the series.
If you like historical mysteries then try this interesting series. If you enjoy Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma series you may enjoy this series though they are a lighter and easier read than Sister Fidelma.
January 4, 2012
Generally my satisfaction in a "whodunit" is determined by the quality, complexity, and resolutions of the crime, and when those are poorly, shallowly, or obviously presented I generally have a negative impression of the book. While the "mystery" in this one was fairly obvious from the beginning, and the mystery itself not overly-well done, I found myself enjoying this book quite a bit.
This novel (the first in a series) has two strengths for me. The first is the attention to medieval life and thought--the author pays attention to the ways in which the expectations and standards for those living in the 13th century are different from our own. At the same time, she illuminates certain aspects of what it means to be human that are timeless, and puts those in stress against those 13th expectations, or, occasionally, ours. And that leads to the book's second strength--characterization. Those characters she has us spend any significant amount of time with, whether they be "good guys" or not, are revealed to be complex, layered characters, with both virtues and vices.
I look forward to reading more by this author--fortunately, she has quite a solid list for me to work on!
This novel (the first in a series) has two strengths for me. The first is the attention to medieval life and thought--the author pays attention to the ways in which the expectations and standards for those living in the 13th century are different from our own. At the same time, she illuminates certain aspects of what it means to be human that are timeless, and puts those in stress against those 13th expectations, or, occasionally, ours. And that leads to the book's second strength--characterization. Those characters she has us spend any significant amount of time with, whether they be "good guys" or not, are revealed to be complex, layered characters, with both virtues and vices.
I look forward to reading more by this author--fortunately, she has quite a solid list for me to work on!
April 27, 2015
I hovered between 2.5 and 3 stars for this historical fiction mystery. I liked the setting and the characters were believable for the most part. I only skimmed the foreword but the author has clearly taken the time to research the Fontevraud order and the time period of the late 13th century England. But some parts of it still struck me as a bit off (Eleanor, the daughter of a Norman noble, being taught to read and write in English for example).
I also found the plot, while probable, slightly distasteful. I will try another from the series before coming to a final judgement.
I also found the plot, while probable, slightly distasteful. I will try another from the series before coming to a final judgement.
March 19, 2016
I was expecting the worst of this book, given so many reviews mentioning Royal's habit of lecturing instead of letting the story tell the setting. So it was I set about reading this one with visions of the two disappointing doherty novels I last read foremost in my mind.
I was surprised to find then that she doesn't suffer this problem at all, at least not as egregiously as Paul Doherty did. She does have a tendancy to lapse into internal monologuing with her characters at times, too often for my taste, but I didn't find it irritating enough to detract from the enjoyment of the story.
There was nothing particularly special about the mystery, but the characters were well characterised and the story entertaining. There was very little subtlety in the story however which diminished from it a bit.
On the whole, an enjoyable effort.
I was surprised to find then that she doesn't suffer this problem at all, at least not as egregiously as Paul Doherty did. She does have a tendancy to lapse into internal monologuing with her characters at times, too often for my taste, but I didn't find it irritating enough to detract from the enjoyment of the story.
There was nothing particularly special about the mystery, but the characters were well characterised and the story entertaining. There was very little subtlety in the story however which diminished from it a bit.
On the whole, an enjoyable effort.
September 24, 2015
I really loved the setting: a "progressive" priory in the 12th century CE.
I am not a medieval scholar, so I have no idea how authentic this setting is... but I very much enjoyed it, both as it showed common human actions and reactions, and as it depicted a very different world.
The characters were well-drawn, too- distinct, and each with their own priorities and motivations.
The plot was twisty, though somewhat predictable.
This is the second book I've read in the series, and it hearkens back to the beginning; my first novel here was set much more in the future. I was fascinated in reading more of the back-story behind it, and look forward to reading more in the series.
I am not a medieval scholar, so I have no idea how authentic this setting is... but I very much enjoyed it, both as it showed common human actions and reactions, and as it depicted a very different world.
The characters were well-drawn, too- distinct, and each with their own priorities and motivations.
The plot was twisty, though somewhat predictable.
This is the second book I've read in the series, and it hearkens back to the beginning; my first novel here was set much more in the future. I was fascinated in reading more of the back-story behind it, and look forward to reading more in the series.
January 7, 2021
To start with the cover of this edition. Unfortunately, it depicts a woman, without cowl or veil, and worst of all with eye make-up and lipstick. Not much of a 13c prioress. Then the text is in American English another factor that rankles with me in historical novels based in England.
The storyline was good enough if a little light on intrigue or much in the way of a twist. It is light reading and flows along nicely it did not have a great flavour of the time and the hard times that all lived in. Was there enough to keep me reading the series. Possibly not. Sarah Hawkswood and Ellis Peters offer better alternatives.
2 stars.
The storyline was good enough if a little light on intrigue or much in the way of a twist. It is light reading and flows along nicely it did not have a great flavour of the time and the hard times that all lived in. Was there enough to keep me reading the series. Possibly not. Sarah Hawkswood and Ellis Peters offer better alternatives.
2 stars.
May 29, 2017
Very enjoyable mystery. I especially appreciate the way the author portrayed characters appropriate to the period without condescending. So often characters in popular fiction are anachronisms--complete moderns in period costume-- or else straw men, set up and knocked down in order to gloat over how much better we are now than folks were back then.
December 14, 2021
I'm a bit torn about this review. I enjoyed the foreword of this book, so much information about the unique religious order of Fontevraud, a French order in a "double house" where both priests and nuns reside - each in their own portion of the priory. The really unique thing about this order is that it is the Prioress that is in charge of the whole, not the Prior. The residents of the priory were mostly Norman where the population is Saxon the and old rivalry and distrust still exist.
The order of Fontevraud existed in history but Priscilla Royal takes it to the fictional with this book, pointing out the reality in the foreword. The setting is the Eastern Anglian coast of England. The book begins with the death of the old Prioress. The nuns had elected a new Prioress but the King has decided to appoint the daughter of one of his favorite Dukes. Eleanor is young and unknown to the members of the order at Tyndal. She has been raised in the order, however, and prepared to take her place but she understands the difficulties she faces. However, she didn't expect to have to face the murder of a monk right off.
I liked the characters that Royal created. Eleanor, the new prioress, is very young and quite capable, and there is Brother Thomas another new member of the community who brings his own baggage. It is the strange sparks or no sparks between the two I felt was started but never resolved and very one sided; it seemed to have no real purpose to the story. There were definitely characters to dislike and then some that you thought you were going to dislike but then understood their flaws through narrative of the story. I liked Rolf, the crowner, a law man but not the sheriff, kind of a detective. .
At the end there was theological debate that I felt was unnecessary. Given my reservations I liked the story enough that I would read another in the series.
The order of Fontevraud existed in history but Priscilla Royal takes it to the fictional with this book, pointing out the reality in the foreword. The setting is the Eastern Anglian coast of England. The book begins with the death of the old Prioress. The nuns had elected a new Prioress but the King has decided to appoint the daughter of one of his favorite Dukes. Eleanor is young and unknown to the members of the order at Tyndal. She has been raised in the order, however, and prepared to take her place but she understands the difficulties she faces. However, she didn't expect to have to face the murder of a monk right off.
I liked the characters that Royal created. Eleanor, the new prioress, is very young and quite capable, and there is Brother Thomas another new member of the community who brings his own baggage. It is the strange sparks or no sparks between the two I felt was started but never resolved and very one sided; it seemed to have no real purpose to the story. There were definitely characters to dislike and then some that you thought you were going to dislike but then understood their flaws through narrative of the story. I liked Rolf, the crowner, a law man but not the sheriff, kind of a detective. .
At the end there was theological debate that I felt was unnecessary. Given my reservations I liked the story enough that I would read another in the series.
August 5, 2018
I enjoyed this book, and the introduction of this new protagonist, Prioress Eleanor. Her friends, in particular Sister Anne and Brother Thomas were also good additions to historical fiction/mystery books. The setting in a medieval abby unconventionally run by a woman was good and Royal did a solid job of balancing details of the times and setting with plot and character development.
I would like to write more but I stayed up late to finish reading this book and am now both tired and suffering from a book hangover...
I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I would like to write more but I stayed up late to finish reading this book and am now both tired and suffering from a book hangover...
I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
April 30, 2019
I really enjoyed this very well written, suspenseful medieval mystery. Especially rewarding is that the main character is a woman, Eleanor, who takes over as prioress of a priory. Eleanor is very young to lead a priory of nuns, and she received that appointment, not because of any experience - she has none - but because of her parent's political favor with King Henry III. As expected, Eleanor faces a hostile group of nuns, as well as the overbearing rule of the monks in the priory. Her difficulties are compounded by the murder of a beloved monk immediately after her arrival.
Eleanor is an appealing and very interesting character, one who grows in maturity as the story unfolds. Author Priscilla Royal has a writing ability that is smooth and brings the 13th century alive to readers in tone, language, and setting. Similarities to the awesome Ellis Peters Brother Cadfael mystery series are in order. The caliber in this new series is just as high, which is saying a lot!
Eleanor is an appealing and very interesting character, one who grows in maturity as the story unfolds. Author Priscilla Royal has a writing ability that is smooth and brings the 13th century alive to readers in tone, language, and setting. Similarities to the awesome Ellis Peters Brother Cadfael mystery series are in order. The caliber in this new series is just as high, which is saying a lot!
November 30, 2019
The first book in this series I read was somewhere in the middle of the series, so I have finally gone back to see where it begins. This book takes place in 12th century England. Those simpler days before Protestantism reared its little head and caused all that bloodshed.
But it is still a violent time. Even at a Catholic priory where you have nuns and monks and a nun is in charge. (Yay!!) There's a new Sister in charge and she is not just running it as business as usual, so naturally bodies start to crop up.
This must've been researched thoroughly. I really enjoyed the insight into monastic/convent life.
But it is still a violent time. Even at a Catholic priory where you have nuns and monks and a nun is in charge. (Yay!!) There's a new Sister in charge and she is not just running it as business as usual, so naturally bodies start to crop up.
This must've been researched thoroughly. I really enjoyed the insight into monastic/convent life.
February 2, 2022
I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this, considering that I'm not very drawn to historical ficiton, especially from a time period this long ago. However, the historical aspects were well-done, taking account how difficult it is always is to try to imagine people's thought processes in the past (which the author addresses in her foreward). Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised, since I enjoyed the first Cadfael book when I read it, partially because the stories are more likely to be focused on characters because forensic evidence is limited. I liked the main characters, from what I was introduced to, and I would enjoy reading more in this series. Perhaps my main qualm is that the murderer seemed too pat for me .
May 4, 2014
Wine of Violence was a book I very much enjoyed reading. It wasn't a life-changing book, as a 5 star book would be, but I sure wish there was a 4.5 rating, because it was a book that was an enjoyable read as well as providing "thought fodder" for further meditation and/or discussion.
First, a general summary of the plot: It is 1270 in England and the people are weary of wars and rebellions. The Normans have invaded and conquered and society is split between the conquerors and the conquered and old hostilities still run deep. Against this backdrop, a young woman with connections to the king is placed, against the wishes of those involved, as prioress over a "double house"....a religious house that includes both women (nuns) and men (monks/priests). Resentment, subterfuge, greed, lust and even murder ensue. The murders must be solved, even when others are hostile, and the prioress must have leadership over her house, even given her inexperience. How this happens made the book a really enjoyable read for me.
I like mystery novels and I like historic fiction and this book was definitely a blend of the two. It should be noted, however, that it is much more the former than the latter. The saving grace for this book, IMO, is the attention to period details and the juxtaposition of the attitudes and belief of the characters. Some characters, like the antagonist(s), have the stereo-typical "women are lesser, sinful vessels and God loves me but hates all those nasty sinners" mindset that we hear so often is representative of the medieval mind. Others, including the protagonist(s) are more broad-minded and recognize the pitfalls of such a dogmatic mindset about complex issues that remain controversial even to this day. Is homosexuality a mortal sin? Are women equally capable and equally represented in the halls of power? Is history the only truth or is it only the truth as told from the vanquisher's point of view? Does evil exist as an entity separate from man' inhumanity to man? Are some races "superior" to others? These were some of the issues which flavored this tale and which made for a book that is memorable for it's "thought fodder" long after the last page is closed. And, therein, is the hallmark of a good book!
First, a general summary of the plot: It is 1270 in England and the people are weary of wars and rebellions. The Normans have invaded and conquered and society is split between the conquerors and the conquered and old hostilities still run deep. Against this backdrop, a young woman with connections to the king is placed, against the wishes of those involved, as prioress over a "double house"....a religious house that includes both women (nuns) and men (monks/priests). Resentment, subterfuge, greed, lust and even murder ensue. The murders must be solved, even when others are hostile, and the prioress must have leadership over her house, even given her inexperience. How this happens made the book a really enjoyable read for me.
I like mystery novels and I like historic fiction and this book was definitely a blend of the two. It should be noted, however, that it is much more the former than the latter. The saving grace for this book, IMO, is the attention to period details and the juxtaposition of the attitudes and belief of the characters. Some characters, like the antagonist(s), have the stereo-typical "women are lesser, sinful vessels and God loves me but hates all those nasty sinners" mindset that we hear so often is representative of the medieval mind. Others, including the protagonist(s) are more broad-minded and recognize the pitfalls of such a dogmatic mindset about complex issues that remain controversial even to this day. Is homosexuality a mortal sin? Are women equally capable and equally represented in the halls of power? Is history the only truth or is it only the truth as told from the vanquisher's point of view? Does evil exist as an entity separate from man' inhumanity to man? Are some races "superior" to others? These were some of the issues which flavored this tale and which made for a book that is memorable for it's "thought fodder" long after the last page is closed. And, therein, is the hallmark of a good book!
April 9, 2018
This is the first novel I have read by this author. Very easy-to-read, I finished it in 2 days. More a historical fiction that a detective story. Too much mention of lust for my taste. Very good historical notes at the start, which were helpful in understanding the background. Some minor characters were very flat, especially Ruth. Good characterization overall. I liked that there was a strong female protagonist.
Some loose ends unless I didn’t read properly. How did Rupert know the identity of Edmund and his father? Only Simeon and Edmund knew. But Rupert went to the village to speak to Edmund’s father. Also, how did Simeon first meet Edmund?
If Simeon had been such an excellent overseer, how could he allow an incompetent sister be in charge of the garden (less produce meant decreased food that winter) and an incompetent woman in charge of the kitchen? He didn’t seem the type to accept poorly done meals and wasted food.
Which novice was John with in the forest? Why were they there?
If John & Anne still need to meet to talk (privately) and they have a strong bond, why did Anne and John join the priory (living separately)? Did Ralf and Anne have an affair? Was Ralf the father of her son? At first, I thought that Anne’s husband was gay due to Ralf’s comments. But then she said that John had been lustful in bed and that they had had a son. Ralf implied there was more going on, but she (Anne & the author) didn’t allow him to finish his sentence. I was disappointed when these questions were left unanswered, and suspected that the author was leaving that for later in the series. I confess that I don’t like being teased by an author.
At the end of the novel, the preachy part, Eleanor questions whether a loving, sexual relationship between 2 men would be accepted by God. Why doesn’t she include a loving lesbian relationship in her musings? The author didn’t tell us what people in that era thought about lesbians; did they know that women could love each other? Were they treated with the same scorn (or more? or less?) than gay couples?
Some loose ends unless I didn’t read properly. How did Rupert know the identity of Edmund and his father? Only Simeon and Edmund knew. But Rupert went to the village to speak to Edmund’s father. Also, how did Simeon first meet Edmund?
If Simeon had been such an excellent overseer, how could he allow an incompetent sister be in charge of the garden (less produce meant decreased food that winter) and an incompetent woman in charge of the kitchen? He didn’t seem the type to accept poorly done meals and wasted food.
Which novice was John with in the forest? Why were they there?
If John & Anne still need to meet to talk (privately) and they have a strong bond, why did Anne and John join the priory (living separately)? Did Ralf and Anne have an affair? Was Ralf the father of her son? At first, I thought that Anne’s husband was gay due to Ralf’s comments. But then she said that John had been lustful in bed and that they had had a son. Ralf implied there was more going on, but she (Anne & the author) didn’t allow him to finish his sentence. I was disappointed when these questions were left unanswered, and suspected that the author was leaving that for later in the series. I confess that I don’t like being teased by an author.
At the end of the novel, the preachy part, Eleanor questions whether a loving, sexual relationship between 2 men would be accepted by God. Why doesn’t she include a loving lesbian relationship in her musings? The author didn’t tell us what people in that era thought about lesbians; did they know that women could love each other? Were they treated with the same scorn (or more? or less?) than gay couples?
January 8, 2018
First in the Eleanor of Wynethorpe prioress of Tyndal Priory mystery series. Opens in the winter of 1270 with the death of Felicia the prioress of Tyndal Priory who is replaced by the young and inexperienced Eleanor of Wynethorpe over someone of the priory’s own choosing. The story really starts in the summer of 1271 when Eleanor officially takes charge. A day after her arrival, a brutally murdered monk is found in the cloister gardens, and Brother Thomas, a young priest with a troubled past, arrives to bring her a more personal grief. Now she must struggle to gain the respect of her terrified and resentful flock and establish herself as the head of the prior while also coping with violence, lust and greed in a place dedicated to love and peace. As the violence continues, Eleanor, Thomas and the local coroner join forces to investigate.
Good development of the main characters each more complicated than they initially appear. A number of plot lines: Eleanor reestablishing the dominant role of prioress over the whole Tyndal Priory (contains both nuns and monks and the former prioress had allowed more male control), Eleanor gaining the acceptance of the nuns and monks since she is an outsider and Thomas’ real purpose there and solving the murders which serve to increase the depth of the story.
Good development of the main characters each more complicated than they initially appear. A number of plot lines: Eleanor reestablishing the dominant role of prioress over the whole Tyndal Priory (contains both nuns and monks and the former prioress had allowed more male control), Eleanor gaining the acceptance of the nuns and monks since she is an outsider and Thomas’ real purpose there and solving the murders which serve to increase the depth of the story.
August 17, 2014
The first book in a series about Prioress Eleanor in medieval England, the book details the story of how she came in to be charge of Tyndal Abbey, home to both monks and nuns. The founder of the Fontevraud order had established that the abbeys established would be run by a woman, and not any of the monks. There is dismay over Eleanor's arrival due to her age (she is only 25), the fact that she was appointed from outside and not elected by the nuns living there, and resentment over her policies by several of the monks. As Eleanor works to solve the many problems of the abbey, murders begin that are of a particularly grisly sort begin to occur. Working alongside Sister Anne, her servant Gytha, and newly arrived monk Thomas (who has an interesting past of his own), they attempt to solve the murders and put the abbey to rights.
The book is interesting. There were actually abbeys like this in the Middle Ages, and the author does a fine job of re-creating that period. I liked the characters and tension between the Normans and the native Saxons was interesting. I did find parts of the book a bit repetitious, but I liked the strong female characters.
The book is interesting. There were actually abbeys like this in the Middle Ages, and the author does a fine job of re-creating that period. I liked the characters and tension between the Normans and the native Saxons was interesting. I did find parts of the book a bit repetitious, but I liked the strong female characters.
January 13, 2018
I had bought this a while back while waiting on a Caedfael book to come in the mail and quickly forgot about it in the jumbled mess that is my kindle's library. Now I'm not sure why I waited so long to read it. While it does suffer a little from being a first book with some mistakes and rough spots those are easily forgivable when compared with what the author gets right.
The most important thing for me in a historical novel is that the people feel like they are from that time and not modern people playing at a renfaire. I think Mrs. Royal nailed this. I felt completely transported back to the middle ages and while there is some lecturing in the book as others have said I felt it added more to the story than it detracted. Life was very different then, more so in a monastery, so I appreciated the extra help understanding what was going on. Got the next two books on my to read list all ready.
The most important thing for me in a historical novel is that the people feel like they are from that time and not modern people playing at a renfaire. I think Mrs. Royal nailed this. I felt completely transported back to the middle ages and while there is some lecturing in the book as others have said I felt it added more to the story than it detracted. Life was very different then, more so in a monastery, so I appreciated the extra help understanding what was going on. Got the next two books on my to read list all ready.
September 8, 2019
Unusually for a double house that includes both monks and nuns, the head of Tyndal priory has always been a woman. Which is not to say that the monks do not resent this “unnatural” state of affairs. For Eleanor, the new prioress, is not only a woman but very young and, to all appearances, quite inexperienced. From the beginning, the plot is driven by questions of sexual orientation and, although well researched, has a very preachy conclusion that sounds suspiciously like a contemporary projection onto mediaeval times. This is the first of the series and absorbing enough to try the second.
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