Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, has written a review of Justice for the Damned by Priscilla Royal. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.
Justice for the Damned by Priscilla Royal
A Prioress Eleanor of Tyndal Mystery
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59058-330-2 (1590583302)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-330-2 (9781590583302)
Publication Date: June 2007
List Price: $24.95
Synopsis (from the publisher): It is May of 1272, and Prioress Eleanor, recovering from a near-fatal winter fever, returns to Amesbury Priory to visit her aunt in time for the Feast of Saint Melor. Although Eleanor hopes to regain her strength in the midst of pleasant childhood memories, Death reveals a most troublesome fondness for her company, thwarting her desire for peace.
Review: Justice for the Damned is the fourth medieval mystery by Priscilla Royal to feature Prioress Eleanor of Tyndal which takes place in England in the spring of 1272.
Following a long winter's illness, Eleanor returns to her home where she can recuperate under the love and care of her aunt, Sister Beatrice, Novice Mistress of Amesbury Priory. She is traveling with Brother Thomas who has been instructed by his Prior to prevent the rumored theft of a very valuable manuscript, a Psalter from the library of the priory. Soon after arriving, Eleanor is asked to investigate another rumor, that of a ghost haunting Amesbury. While Eleanor and Thomas pursue their individual assignments, murder intrudes, and the two are drawn together to solve a mystery involving a very real killer.
In addition to Eleanor and Thomas, Justice of the Damned is populated with a large cast of characters that participate in interesting, intertwining subplots. The author takes the time to develop these characters with their stories of God and the Devil, Heaven and Hell, love and hate, lust and evil, sin and purity, and ghosts and demons. Furthermore, her narrative includes a vivid depiction of medieval life in Amesbury. Though the 13th century language contributes to the authenticity of the book, it also tends to make the book more difficult to read. The result, however, is a fascinating, if at times hard to follow, historical adventure.
Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Justice of the Damned and to Poisoned Pen Press for providing an ARC of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2007 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.
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