Medieval mysteries are not my normal reading area. I've read very few and had mixed feelings. All the angst about sin and the church tends to wear me out. This book, however I found very enjoyable because of the interesting relationship and respect between the two main characters, Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas. This book is the tenth in a series and I read several of the first books in the series a number of years ago. None recently however and this book feels like it would hold up very well as a standalone book to someone unfamiliar with the series. This book is outside the setting of the prior books I had read. There are a few references to past events which I was unfamiliar with but I didn't think it interfered with my enjoyment of the story.

I thought the book had a bit of a slow start but I think it was mostly me getting used to the setting and setup for the story. Solving the mystery part of the story (the suspicious death of a young nun) was handled well. I think I'll be reading some of the earlier stories in this series over time. 3 - 3 1/2 stars ( )

bookshelves: e-book, autumn-2013, medieval5c-16c, net-galley, published-2013, series, historical-fiction, britain-england, mystery-thriller, norfolk
Recommended for: Historical fictionistas
Read from October 31 to November 04, 2013

ARC NetGalley: Poisoned Pen Press
Archive Date Dec 3 2013

From the description: Still troubled by the events in The Sanctity of Hate, Prioress Eleanor goes on a pilgrimage in the spring of 1277 to a famous East Anglian shrine. There are rumors that King Edward may also come here soon to seek God’s blessing for his invasion of Wales. Lurking in this sacred place, however, is an assassin hoping to murder a king. Soon after Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas arrive, a nun falls to her death from the priory bell tower. Brother Thomas finds the body, leading some to fervently pray that the monk and his prioress do not grow curious. But the pair quickly grasps that this nun’s death was not a simple tragedy. The circumstances point to murder, but this slaying is further tainted with treason. Amongst the pilgrims, merchants, and religious, too many betray an interest in this death, including a canny street child. At least one of that number is most certainly a killer. Can Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas succeed in exposing the assassin or will they also fall victim to one who has made a covenant with hell?

Opening: He stood in the shadows, watching the men enter and leave the inn. It was a respectable place, one he knew well, and close by the Holy Shrines of Walsingham, but the promising warmth of the hearth fire and boisterous voices of men did not gladden his heart.

As background information, it is the Augustinian canons of Walsingham Priory who were responsible for the relics, and the Nuns of Ryehill Priory who were given leave to sell badges to support themselves and the priest assigned to them.[page 9]

Without having read any others in the series, I can vouch that this works well as a standalone, rich in atmosphere and with an intriguing storyline. The writing was wonderfully capable, which isn't always the case with series, and I felt safe that I was in the hands of competent author. Solid 3* and I will look for previous books from this run as they will be perfect for these dark days of late autumn. Yes, I have found a series I like. Recommended. ( )