2004; 249 pages. New Author? : Yes. Genre : Murder Mystery. Book #1 of the Medieval
Mystery series. Overall Rating : 7½*/10.
The priory at Tyndal is a rather unusual
place in 1270 AD England. For starters
it is co-ed – both monks and nuns dwell there.
Second, a prioress leads the community, not a prior. And thirdly, someone has just killed one of
the brothers, and in a most grisly fashion.
What’s To Like...
Priscilla Royal strikes a nice mystery/history
balance in Wine of Violence. She also weaves several modern-day issues
into the story – gays, bulimia, equal rights for women, and the various
scandals confronting the Catholic Church today. Purists might feel this detracts from the
historical accuracy, but I thought it was a fresh and intriguing approach.Thomas hesitated. “Indeed, I have not had your long experience with her, but she did seem very... perhaps direct is the word?”
“Immodest or ill-advised are better ones. Has an unwomanly arrogance about her, which you will learn from your work at the hospital. Her judgement is unsound and she will not listen to those wiser than she,” (loc. 901)
“There can never be two lords over one land, my brother says.”
“Surely enough time has passed to forget which family has been here longer and to whom our kin owed allegiance so long ago? A good man is a good man whether he be Norman or English.”
“Nay, my lady. One man sees goodness in another only if there is trust, and trust can only exist between equals, my brother says. My family is not on equal footing with yours. We hold none of you in fiefdom. Again, I believe these to be my brother’s words.”
“So you fear us still?”
“And you, us. There is a lack of trust, my lady.” (loc.2374)
Kindle
Details...
Wine of Violence sells for $9.99
at Amazon, which seems a bit steep to me.
Amazon sells the paperback for $11.10,
and the Hardcover, not available at
Amazon, goes for $14.89.
But unlike the Brother Cadfael stories, Wine of Violence is not a cozy. There is coarse language, various sexual
situations (although
no overt sex that I recall), and all of the players, including our
heroes, struggle with some downright earthly feelings and actions. People sensitive about such scandalous
behavior among God’s chosen might find this book abrasive, but who’s to say
such wasn’t the case in medieval cloisters?
If you’re looking for a fresh set of Ellis Peters cozies, you’ll be disappointed in Wine of Violence. But I’m kinda happy with Priscilla Royal giving her own treatment to Medieval Murder-Mysteries instead of copying someone else. 7½ Stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment