The Novice's Tale (A Dame Frevisse Mystery Book 1)

Story of greed and hate as relevant to the 21st century as to the 15th, which is why the story is so satisfying. Well plotted,I couldn't put it down, when you can't figure out a who done it till the last 20 pages, you know it's good. Have already ordered a couple more of these stories,Dame Frevisse is fascinating to read.

I love the historical aspect of this book; it takes place in the Middle Ages, when Henry has taken over most monasteries and convents for his own profit. Royalty go on pilgrimages, or make their stately way from estate to estate, relying on the practice of hospitality to ensure their food and lodging. In The Novice's Tale, the cloistered convent of Frideswiede is the setting of a mysterious death, and one of the most devout novices, just two weeks from her final vows, is accused. The book puts the reader firmly into that time and place; you can almost smell the incense and silver polish.The plot is well constructed so that details come out gradually and lead to a surprising but logical conclusion. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction would be thoroughly caught up in this book. I am looking forward to reading the entire series.

An important patroness with an abrasive personality descends upon the convent of her great niece and then abruptly sets off for a relative's home. She returns quite out of sorts raving about taking her niece out of the convent in a frightful temper. A servant dies and so does the patroness soon the coroner sets out to blame the niece. One nun takes on the task of proving the real killer to save the novice niece from hasty and final judgment. I had all the pieces but didn't quite get them in the right order to make motive occur. Interesting characters that seem to have more to offer.

While the book seemed a bit slow getting off the ground (if you'll permit me a modern simile) I think this is perhaps the best mystery I've ever read at building a complex plot that leaves all the clues in plain sight, but that I missed almost all of them. Perfectly plausible red herrings are sprinkled about, totally obscuring the true solution. A delightful book, and I'm extraordinarily grateful there are many more to read in the series.

Margaret Frazer delivers another excellent medieval mystery with her book the Novice's Tale. The tale begins with Thomasine poised to become a nun in a few short weeks. Thomasine is a very gentle novice who has always wanted to become a nun. she has a saintly disposition and is afraid of men. Her hopes may be dashed by her very eccentric aunt Lady Ermentrude. Everyone at St. Frideswides dreads the arrival of her aunt who is very taxing person to be around.She appears unannounced, then quickly disappears, only to return the next day in a state of wild inebriation. In her drunken state Lady Ermentrude is determined to take the gentle Thomasine from the Abbey. Just as quickly as all this happens she is dead. Could Thomasine have murdered her or is it someone else whose life she has disrupted.Sister Frevisse is determined to find out who caused her death. she does not want Thomasine to be falsely accused. She diligently questions the people in the abbey to determine who could be the one to gain from Lady Ermentrude's death.This novel like the others in the series will appeal to mystery and medieval addicts alike

My new favorite heroine! Well written, plotted, researched and interesting. Whilst it isn't a page turner it is more than an historical mystery. And there's enough humour to make it well, well worth the read. I'll be reading the series, you may be certain.

I still prefer a regular book to an ebook. This is a great series, however, when some of these used books seem to cost $50 to $400, maybe it's time to put them back in print?

THE NOVICE'S TALE by Margaret Frazer. 1431 -- England enjoys a relative period of peace between the conflicts of who shall rule. The year when a widowed queen married Owen Tudor and change the history of England.Sister Frevisse of St. Frideswide priory is a niece by marriage to Thomas Chaucer. Her life of contemplative peace is disrupted when Lady Ermentrude arrives foaming with fury and drink demanding that her niece by marriag, Tomasine be removed before she takes her vows.Lady Ermetrude, along with a kitchen maid die and all evidence points to Tomasine as the killer.A good medieval tale of bond and ties that only death can break.Nash Black, author of SANDPRINTS OF DEATH.

This is the firsr book of Margaret Frazers that I have purchased. I found it so very hard to get into, that I put it down and took it to a charity shop.

This is the first of a series of 'Tales' by Margaret Frazer. Based in the 1400's, St Frideswide's is a nunnery in England. Murders and intrigue all seem to happen quite often in the area and Dame Frevisse, one of the nuns, puzzles her way through to find out 'who done it' . Great books and this one is one of the best. I am still reading the series, have 4 of the latest ones on my coffee table right now. The author gives us a glimpse of what life was like then for the nuns and the villeins who work the farms. Her background themes are true to historical facts and are presented well.

Ein ganz gelungener Erstling, der uns in die Welt des Mittelalters und der Klöster führt. Bezüglich Täter hat man bald einmal einen Verdacht, doch die Beweisführung ist sehr interessant zu lesen. Auch gibt es einige Details der Gewohnheiten damals, doch im Grossen und Ganzen sind mir dieses Lebensumstände zu knapp gehalten. Klar, das ist ein Krimi und kein Geschichtsbuch, doch ich hätte mich über einige Hintergrundinformationen mehr gefreut.

Me gusta en general pero no hay mucha profundidad de los personajes aunque el trama es entretenido. puede que debiera haber empezado con la primera en la serie.

Dame Frévisse a vite établi ses compétences comme enquêtrice dans une enquête bien mené. Beaucoup de détails fascinant du milieu d'un couvent et de l'époque médiéval.