Reviews
Sorrow Without End, Tyrant of the Mind, Wine of Violence
Harriet Klausner's Review Archives
Interviews
WomenOnWriting
|
|
©2003-2008 Priscilla Royal Web Design MarinEStudios |
Medieval mysteries are many;
some are spellbinding; few are as thoroughly researched . . . or as
theologically and philosophically intriguing as Priscilla Royal's
first novel . . . some books evoke discussion, some create delight
in rereading, some inspire a search for further knowledge. Wine of
Violence does it all.The Drood Review of Mystery In the civil war between King Henry III and Simon de Montfort, Eleanor of Wynethorpe's family sided with the king. Eleanor's brother is a close friend of Prince Edward and her mother is a dear friend of the queen. As a reward for loyal service to the crown, Eleanor is appointed prioress of Tyndale Priory. This political reward is resented by the sisters and monks who reside there. Not long after Eleanor steps foot on the priory Brother Rubert is murdered. Brother Thomas, who is at the priory to find out why their financial solvency has dwindled, becomes involved in the murder inquiry. When he is attacked and left for dead, Eleanor believes the same person is responsible for the murder and the attack. Life turns more dangerous when someone tries to attack the prioress in her sleeping quarters. Using people she trusts, a trap is baited to catch a killer. Wine of Violence is a fascinating look at medieval life in the year 1270 during the reign of King Henry III. Readers read about sexual predators enjoying the largesse of the Catholic Church and how secular choices are made for religious appointments. Priscilla Royal is a talented storyteller entertains and educates her audience with this regal historical.
Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
 n
the year 1270 on the remote East Anglican coast, the new prioress
of Tyndal priory (a small “double house” where the monks
and nuns run a hospital), the young Eleanor of Wynethorpe, is prepared
to face some resentment but not the dire consequences of several deadly
sins, including lust, in Royal’s stellar debut. Eleanor’s political appointment, a reward to her parents for their loyalty to King Henry III, has embittered some of the Tyndal nuns and monks, particularly Sister Ruth, who was assuming the job would be hers. Eleanor knows that gaining the trust of the sisters and brothers she’s to lead is vital, but when a beloved monk is found murdered in the cloister gardens, Eleanor has a brutal killer to deal with as well. The arrival of a young priest, Brother Thomas, struggling with the demons created by a crime he committed compounds her problems. As the violence continues, Eleanor, Thomas and the local coroner join forces to investigate. 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.
Pubishers Weekly (Starred Review),
November 10, 2003
|