"Excellent continuation of the Dame Frevisse medieval mystery series."

With the untimely death of her beloved husband, Edward, Cristiana Helyngton is now a widow. She and her two young daughters, 8-year-old Jane and 12-year-old Mary, are grateful for the loving help and guidance of Cristiana's brother, Gerverys. But Gerverys is no match for Edward's cousin, Laurence Helyngton, who's determined to have all the Helyngton land and properties, as well as Jane and Mary under his control.

The first step in Laurence's plan is to whisk Cristiana away to a convent where the sisters are told she's mad with grief and has taken to indecent behavior, no longer fit to mother her children. Cristiana is forced into isolation and penance for her sins, and in the months that pass, Laurence tries to force Mary into marriage with his son in order to ensure his rights to the land and properties. Mary will have none of it, and Laurence brings Cristiana back thinking to blackmail her into assisting him. But Cristiana and Gerverys have a letter given to them by Edward just before his death that proves treason to king and country; a letter that is only to be used for their protection in the direst of circumstances.

Now that the existence of the letter has been made known, multiple murders and mystery abound. What is in the letter and whom does it implicate? Dame Frevisse, one of the nuns from the convent who traveled with Cristiana back to her home, is given free reign to question all to help discover the spies among them and those responsible for the murders.

Set in 1450 England, this next in the series of Dame Frevisse medieval mysteries displays the perfect blend of sharp characterization, vivid imagery and page-turning intrigue. Once the main characters are introduced and the stage set, Dame Frevisse gently takes over. So well-crafted is the writing that although Dame Frevisse guides the reader along in her investigation, she's never intrusive, never takes center stage away from the major players and the concluding story. The many that will enjoy this book will also be pleased to learn that there are a number of other titles available in this series. Definitely a recommended read.

Reviewed by Margaret Ohmes
Posted January 10, 2005

Summary

Recently widowed and still grieving, Cristiana Helyngton finds her life wrenched apart by her late husband's greedy and ambitious relatives, who are determined to have control of her lands and her daughters. Kidnapped, defamed, and imprisoned in a nunnery, she must find a way to save herself before she can save her children. For Dame Frevisse of St. Frideswide's nunnery, Cristiana is at first simply a duty among others, but questions rise and troubles deepen--and then turn deadly. Cristiana, to secure her freedom and save her daughters, must use a secret entrusted to her by her husband as he was dying-but it is a secret that could bring down those lords nearest the king and destroy, rather than save, those most dear to her. Frevisse, drawn into trouble far deeper than she initially imagined, must decide where her deepest loyalties lie: to the truth-or to England's peace. And whatever she chooses, in the end her help may be of little use against the ruthless men threatened by the secret on which all of Cristiana's hopes depend.