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 smel...
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reviews
Jan 04, 2012
Rosemary
rated it: 
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 att More...
This novel (the first in a series) has two strengths for me. The first is the att More...
Jun 22, 2009
Awallens
rated it:
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 More...
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 More...
Nov 26, 2011
Joy
rated it: 
This author kept popping up in my Amazon recommendations, so I gave her a try with the first of her mystery series. Set in the England of Henry III, a young prioress, a political appointee, is plopped down into a hostile religious community and left to establish her authority as she may. The first major event of her tenure is the murder of the women's confessor. The men of the community and the neighboring village are doing their damnedest to pretend the confessor committed suicide. And who is t
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Jan 21, 2012
Mary
rated it:
Poisoned Pen Press offered a real deal on this as an e-book, and I received a Kindle Touch for Christmas, so this title seemed like a good way to try out reading in a new format. I enjoyed submerging myself in a medieval monastery. Royal gives detailed descriptions of monastery routine, and this particular order allows her to include both the male and female religious life. The new prioress is a very wise for her age 20 year old, but the mystery is intriguing and the characters interesting.
Aug 21, 2010
Suzanne
rated it: 
The author clearly knows her historical facts, but what she does not know is how to convey them through a fictional work. Once again, we have a new author who lectures the reader rather than telling a story through dialogue and action. Over and over, she tells us about conversations that have taken place, rather than staging them, and about what people are thinking and feeling directly, rather than creating scenes which reveal this to us.
Oct 30, 2009
Jen
rated it:
A medieval mystery, okay, sounded good to me. This book, however, just didn't work for me. Maybe it was because I found the whole thing to be shallow and no depth. The plot was so neatly tied up at the end with the bad guy neatly confessing everything. Ugh. I have read much better.
Jan 21, 2011
Dawn
rated it:
Really 3 1/2 stars. Another medieval mystery series, but do read the preface. It explains some of the actual history of "double houses" - religious homes with both monks and nuns. To say more would be to spoil you. I may or may not re-read this.
Mar 31, 2011
Susan
rated it: 
I really enjoyed this mystery. The protagonist was a kind, wise and sympathetic character. The setting was very interesting and felt authentic to me. Good storyline and an assortment of personalities made this a fast, engrossing and informative read. Will be looking for the next in this series!
Dec 08, 2010
Fort Lupton Library
rated it:
Well-written, even has recommendations at the end for further reading. I will definitely read the rest of the books in this series.
May 24, 2010
Cheryl
rated it:
Totally fun, great mystery and fun characters although I pity the poor monks with all those uppity women in the priory! I liked this so much, I've jumped my reading queue and moved on to #2 already.
Jan 03, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
Didn't love it, but liked it enough to read the next one in the series. I do like the setting, but would like a little more detail about what life was really like in 1270.
Feb 11, 2011
The Reading Cove
rated it:
112th: WINE OF VIOLENCE by Priscilla Royal
Trivia Winner - Amanda
~COVE OPINION: C, Average story
Trivia Winner - Amanda
~COVE OPINION: C, Average story
Jan 07, 2011
Holly
rated it:
If you enjoy reading the Brother Cadfael or Sister Fidelma books you'll enjoy this one.
Dec 28, 2010
Twyla
rated it:
I always loved the Brother Cadfael series and this one looks like it will be equally good. Great little mystery and fabulous historical detail and flavor.
Jul 13, 2008
Cece
rated it:
I really enjoyed this medieval mystery with a modern twist-historically accurate (as far as i can tell) but written with a modern voice.
Nov 13, 2011
Sandi
rated it:
Another author I saw at the Baltimore Bouchercon. Good historical set during the time of Henry III. Will look for more in this series.
Feb 17, 2012
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