The list of suspects is long, but the villagers of Tyndal are certain they know who the killer is. They demand that a Jew made homeless by King Edward’s Statute of the Jewry is hanged for the crime. While the lynch mob gathers, Prioress Eleanor has to ask herself why are they so keen to convict a stranger – a refugee only stopped in the village while his wife gives birth – for the murder of a man none of them could stand?
But the mob will not be denied. Unless Eleanor can unmask the real killer, innocent blood will be shed. As prejudice and hatred come to a boiling point, Eleanor’s investigation takes an ominous turn and she will be forced to wonder at what price come truth and justice.
Reviews
“The best yet in a consistently strong series.... Period details fit unobtrusively with the action, and the pacing makes this a one- or two-sitting read at most.” —Publishers Weekly starred review
“Historical mystery fans will find much to like here. The novel is well researched, with an intriguing plot and a timely message about religious tolerance.” —Booklist
“Entralling mysteries, vividly drawn characters.” —New York Times
“Anyone who hasn’t read Priscilla Royal’s mysteries yet is in for a treat. She paints the 13th century in bold, convincing colors and portrays its people with style, suspense and wit.” —Sharon Kay Penman
“Royal’s ninth mystery, includes some fascinating historical information that may come as a surprise to many readers” —Kirkus
“With its intriguing plot, chilling conclusion and characters who exhibit universal and timeless feelings, this fresh first has all the potential to evolve into a series as enduring as Ellis Peters’s Brother Cadfael books.” —Publishers Weekly starred review of Wine of Violence
“The author subtly treats the erotic charge surrounding Eleanor and Thomas while shedding light on 13th-century understandings of sexuality. Royal draws together the murder, the manuscript and the ghost in an unexpected conclusion.” —Publishers Weekly starred review of Justice for the Damned
About this Series
On a remote East Anglian coast stands Tyndal Priory, which belongs to the Order of Fontevraud, a rare ‘double house’ where monks and nuns live and work in close proximity. Outside its cloisters, England smoulders in the waning years of Henry III’s (1207-1272) reign. Simon de Montfort’s rebellion has been put down but a pall of unrest still hangs over the land like smoke.
The Wynethorpe family sided with the king during the rebellion and as a reward for their loyal service, twenty-year-old Eleanor of Wynethorpe has been appointed prioress of Tyndal Priory.
Eleanor’s arrival is resented by the nuns and monks – they had already elected their own candidate for the position. Young and inexperienced, Eleanor will face a grave struggle – in a place dedicated to love and peace, she will find little of either.
1. Wine of Violence
Late summer, 1270: Only a day after Eleanor’s arrival at Tyndal priory, a brutally mutilated monk is found dead in the cloister gardens and another, more personal grief is brought to her by Brother Thomas, a young priest with a troubled past. Not only must Eleanor struggle to gain the respect of her terrified and resentful flock, but she must also find a killer.
Wine of Violence is available here.
2. Tyrant of the Mind
Winter, 1271: Eleanor has returned home to tend to her mortally ill nephew. But soon after she arrives, her brother, bloody dagger in hand, is found standing over a corpse. Outside her priory, in a world of armed men, Eleanor may have little authority, but she is determined to untangle the Gordian knot of thwarted passions and old resentments even if it means defying her father – a man with whom she longs to make peace.
Tyrant of the Mind is available here.
3. Sorrow Without End
Autumn 1271: In the woods surrounding Tyndal Priory, the discovery of a disembowelled corpse wrapped in a crusader’s cloak horrifies the community. A bronze dagger planted in the man’s chest is engraved with a strange, cursive design. It is no Englishman’s weapon. Could it be a Saracen blade? Wielded by an assassin?
Sorrow Without End is available here.
4. Justice for the Damned
May 1272: Recovering from a near-fatal winter fever, Eleanor visits her aunt at Amesbury Priory, who asks her to investigate a ghost people claim is haunting Amesbury. When a local man is found beheaded, Eleanor realizes she’s dealing with a human killer, not an otherworldly spirit.
Justice for the Damned is available here.
5. Forsaken Soul
Summer, 1273: The summer of 1273 is peaceful for most of England – except in the village of Tyndal where Martin the cooper has been poisoned at the local inn. The list of suspects is long – there were plenty with good cause to wish the brutal cooper dead – but God’s justice must be rendered – even for the forsaken soul.
Forsaken Soul is available here.
Autumn, 1273: Waylaid by bitter storms and illness, Eleanor accepts lodging at a manor. Eleanor and her companions receive a warm welcome, but they soon realize all is not well. When a groom is found butchered, the sheriff arrests a servant, who is herself murdered before she can either prove her innocence or be led to the gallows. As strangers in this place, Eleanor and Thomas know nothing of motives or past history, yet God’s justice demands that they do what they can...
Chambers of Death is available here.
7. Valley of Dry Bones
In the late summer of 1274, King Edward I has finally been anointed England’s ruler. His queen is contemplating a pilgrimage in gratitude, and emissaries have been despatched to Tyndal Priory to assess its suitability as a royal waypoint. But Death travels with them and Eleanor is soon embroiled in the dangerous world of power games, both secular and religious.
Valley of Dry Bones is available here.
8. A Killing Season
Winter, 1274: Baron Herbert’s return from crusade should be cause for celebration. But the man is morose, withdrawn and secretive. And then his sons start to die. Some believe the Baron harbors a dark sin for which God has cursed him. Can Eleanor help him before Death’s scythe harvests more souls?
A Killing Season is available here.
9. The Sanctity of Hate
Summer, 1276: Tyndal Priory is peaceful – or was until the corpse of a deceitful and unpopular man is found floating in the millpond. The list of suspects is long, but the villagers of Tyndal are certain they know who the killer is. They demand a homeless Jew is hanged for the crime. While the lynch mob gathers, Prioress Eleanor has to ask herself why are they so keen to convict a stranger for the murder of a man none of them could stand?
The Sanctity of Hate is available here.
About the Author
PRISCILLA ROYAL was born in Seattle, grew up in British Columbia and now lives in Northern California. She has a degree in world literature from San Francisco State University, where she discovered the beauty of medieval literature. She is the author of nine books in the Medieval Mysteries series.
A Letter from the Publisher
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Dedicated to great storytelling
First published in the UK in 2013 by Head of Zeus Ltd.
Copyright © Priscilla Royal, 2012
The moral right of Priscilla Royal to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of th
is publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN (E) 9781781856215
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Contents
Cover
Welcome Page
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Author’s Notes
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
About this Book
Reviews
About this Series
About the Author
An Invitation from the Publisher
Copyright