Wine of Violence

December 1, 2003
With its efficient depiction of the interaction between politics and religion, this amazing little slice of monastic life in 1270 Britain brings to mind Ellis Peters, Candace Robb, and other authors of medieval historicals. Here, Eleanor, the young prioress of Tyndal Priory (which houses both nuns and monks), steps into a delicate position: she's a political appointee, and someone has just murdered old Brother Rupert, two factors that contribute to the upset caused by the death of the last prioress. Meanwhile, a shadowy "master" has sent attractive Brother Thomas to figure out why the priory is losing money. A most promising debut.

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from November 10, 2003
In 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.