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Threads of Treason
When two of the nuns creating the Bayeux Tapestry fall from the tower of the Priory of St Thomas the Apostle, Abbess Eleanor and her protégé, Therese, are sent to investigate. As the adventures unfold, the intrigue created between the Norman Princes and Bishops, as well as the tensions between the conquerors and the native Britons, deepen to great and dramatic effect. Mary Bale has captured the spirit and feel of the times, which she evokes in this, her first novel. The sense of intrigue is heightened by the writing style, which is taut, fast-paced, and heavy with a sense of mystery. This extensively researched novel is sure to appeal to those looking for an evocative tale of adventure and intrigue, made vivid by fascinating period details.
272 pages, Paperback
First published December 22, 2006
22 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Mary Bale
1 book3 followersMary Bale was inspired to write about the Normans in Britain after visiting Normandy and seeing the Bayeux Tapestry on a family holiday.
Mary Bale lives in Scotland with her husband and has two grown up children.
Mary Bale lives in Scotland with her husband and has two grown up children.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 24, 2019
When two nuns working on the Bayeux Tapestry fall to their deaths, Sister Therese and her mentor are sent to England to investigate. This was a decent medieval mystery that has obviously been well-researched but just lacks a certain something to make it a truly thrilling read. I would be interested to see where the author goes next with her writing.
November 5, 2017
Hum-drum mystery about attempt to destroy Bayeux Tapestry, deaths of nun and prioress. Not outstanding in any way and I regretted no colored plate showing the Bayeux Tapestry.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_...
April 2, 2015
This was an amazing read, to be honest. Thoroughly researched, exceptionally well written, this story immerses you in eleventh century intrigue and plot.
As a historical novel, it really gripped me. I enjoyed the storyline and found it easy to follow and hard to put down.
If I'm being hyper-critical, the only--and I mean ONLY--fault I would suggest this novel has is in the cover. The coat of arms has one too many lions as William I's emblem had only two lions passant. The three lions didn't arrive until Richard I, when this was adopted as the coat of arms of England and Richard's successors.
If you're a fan of historical fiction, I strongly recommend this book.
As a historical novel, it really gripped me. I enjoyed the storyline and found it easy to follow and hard to put down.
If I'm being hyper-critical, the only--and I mean ONLY--fault I would suggest this novel has is in the cover. The coat of arms has one too many lions as William I's emblem had only two lions passant. The three lions didn't arrive until Richard I, when this was adopted as the coat of arms of England and Richard's successors.
If you're a fan of historical fiction, I strongly recommend this book.
May 7, 2013
I saw this in the charts and thought why not. I found this book truly gripping and I couldn't put it down - At times my family were dragging me away from the beach and my kindle while on holiday in order to do some sight-seeing. I think this is an enjoyable summer read and ideal if you want something which draws you in and captures you until the very last page. It is clearly well researched and I enjoyed the historical context.
August 29, 2021
In an England still coming to terms with the Norman invasion, nuns are working on a tapestry depicting the triumph of William the Conqueror. But what lies behind the attempt to destroy the tapestry? Prioress Eleanor and her young protégée Therese have to find out...
After an arresting beginning, the detective element of this book unfortunately becomes overly confused as the author tries to cram in every aspect of the complicated political rivalries of the period. I wish she had continued to focus on a smaller pool of characters and given us more emotion. I wanted to like Prioress Eleanor but I just couldn’t warm to her. A lot of research clearly went into this book but there was one moment where for the plot something extremely unlikely happened. I had to struggle to finish this.
After an arresting beginning, the detective element of this book unfortunately becomes overly confused as the author tries to cram in every aspect of the complicated political rivalries of the period. I wish she had continued to focus on a smaller pool of characters and given us more emotion. I wanted to like Prioress Eleanor but I just couldn’t warm to her. A lot of research clearly went into this book but there was one moment where for the plot something extremely unlikely happened. I had to struggle to finish this.
December 31, 2014
I'm giving this book four stars because of the great idea and the depth of research involved in the telling.
The tapestry which we now know as Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the Battle of Hastings which began the Norman conquest of Britain, was created by nuns who were needlewomen, at the order of well-placed churchmen and overlords. Wouldn't it be great if someone tried to sabotage it as it was being made? Choices would include resentful and rebellious Anglo-Saxons, the warring Welsh, jealous Norman robber barons, maybe even politicking bishops. Let's place a couple of nuns, Sister Therese and Abbess Eleanor, in the thick of the morass secretly to investigate the death of one of the sewing women.
Set in 1081, we see many Norman building projects under way and are told that some of the Anglo-Saxon chiefs have sent their girls into convents in order that they don't have to marry Normans. This adds greatly to the authentic flavour.
I found the nuns often hard to keep separate in my mind as apart from the two investigators, the others are quite similar - as they would have been - marked out only by their ages. Certainly improving on the issue would be difficult.
For all we hear about the marvellous tapestry, we do not see it. We (in the person of Sister Therese) are shown a tiny corner of the work. Some people have never seen this item on television, or have seen a piece of one panel (probably the comet above, or Harold with an arrow in his eye). Especially for a worldwide readership, as now exists with internet sales, or for anyone blind who reads by audiobook, the illustration requires more description. To balance this, I will add that the scenes from normal life in these times are well acted out by the characters, both mailed and peasant.
I'd like to have heard more about how the dyes were created; and the author takes it for granted that everyone knows at what hours nuns had to pray in the chapel and whether they were allowed to eat meat and so on. A little more detail could be added without coming across as padding. I also wondered about a mailed knight falling overboard at sea but apparently surviving.
There's a lot to like in Threads Of Treason - it's hard to see how the author Mary Bale can top the idea. We're not told about her previous experience but I'm hoping her exciting and interesting first novel will be followed by more.
The tapestry which we now know as Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the Battle of Hastings which began the Norman conquest of Britain, was created by nuns who were needlewomen, at the order of well-placed churchmen and overlords. Wouldn't it be great if someone tried to sabotage it as it was being made? Choices would include resentful and rebellious Anglo-Saxons, the warring Welsh, jealous Norman robber barons, maybe even politicking bishops. Let's place a couple of nuns, Sister Therese and Abbess Eleanor, in the thick of the morass secretly to investigate the death of one of the sewing women.
Set in 1081, we see many Norman building projects under way and are told that some of the Anglo-Saxon chiefs have sent their girls into convents in order that they don't have to marry Normans. This adds greatly to the authentic flavour.
I found the nuns often hard to keep separate in my mind as apart from the two investigators, the others are quite similar - as they would have been - marked out only by their ages. Certainly improving on the issue would be difficult.
For all we hear about the marvellous tapestry, we do not see it. We (in the person of Sister Therese) are shown a tiny corner of the work. Some people have never seen this item on television, or have seen a piece of one panel (probably the comet above, or Harold with an arrow in his eye). Especially for a worldwide readership, as now exists with internet sales, or for anyone blind who reads by audiobook, the illustration requires more description. To balance this, I will add that the scenes from normal life in these times are well acted out by the characters, both mailed and peasant.
I'd like to have heard more about how the dyes were created; and the author takes it for granted that everyone knows at what hours nuns had to pray in the chapel and whether they were allowed to eat meat and so on. A little more detail could be added without coming across as padding. I also wondered about a mailed knight falling overboard at sea but apparently surviving.
There's a lot to like in Threads Of Treason - it's hard to see how the author Mary Bale can top the idea. We're not told about her previous experience but I'm hoping her exciting and interesting first novel will be followed by more.
May 11, 2015
Threads of Treason by Mary Bale
A wonderful read. A wonderful mix of fiction based around factual big historic figures. William the Conqueror and his brother Bishop Odo, William Rufus and Robert Curthose.
Along with the historical people we have fictional people added to create the story. All based around an Abbey being rebuilt after the Anglo Saxon Abbey had been demolished.
Our story begins with the death of an imposter, an nun who was not a nun but someone who had infiltrated the religious community with one job she is tasked to do.
Within the walls of the Abbey is a secret, the Bayeux tapestry is being stitched and the nuns are the ones stitching it panel by panel as a gift from the Bishop Odon (Odo English version) of Bayeux to the King William the Conqueror. But someone is trying to destroy the tapestry, the question is who and why.
The story unfolds and Therese has been placed in the Abbey to find out what is happening, but she is young and Norman in the middle of Anglo-Saxon nuns. A dynamic combination and a wonderful story.
I loved the book I love the medieval period and this story crosses the period so very well. Added to the period we have a whodunit and I love the combination.
All the characters fit very well into the landscape so well.
received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
A wonderful read. A wonderful mix of fiction based around factual big historic figures. William the Conqueror and his brother Bishop Odo, William Rufus and Robert Curthose.
Along with the historical people we have fictional people added to create the story. All based around an Abbey being rebuilt after the Anglo Saxon Abbey had been demolished.
Our story begins with the death of an imposter, an nun who was not a nun but someone who had infiltrated the religious community with one job she is tasked to do.
Within the walls of the Abbey is a secret, the Bayeux tapestry is being stitched and the nuns are the ones stitching it panel by panel as a gift from the Bishop Odon (Odo English version) of Bayeux to the King William the Conqueror. But someone is trying to destroy the tapestry, the question is who and why.
The story unfolds and Therese has been placed in the Abbey to find out what is happening, but she is young and Norman in the middle of Anglo-Saxon nuns. A dynamic combination and a wonderful story.
I loved the book I love the medieval period and this story crosses the period so very well. Added to the period we have a whodunit and I love the combination.
All the characters fit very well into the landscape so well.
received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
July 20, 2014
Fantastic, a really interesting historical novel, I could not put it down.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews