Outlaw's Tale [Hardcover]

Margaret Frazer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2005

Sister Frevisse is sinfully good at discerning the mysteries of the soul and solving the crimes of the human heart. Now, on her way to a baptism, Sister Frevisse finds the truth in the saying blood is thicker than water...and as easily spilled. Waylaid by a band of outlaws, she learns that their leader is her long-lost cousin, who asks her to help him get pardoned for his crimes. But while Sister Frevisse is lodging at the home of Nicholas' business companion, an unpardonable act of murder is committed. Even if it means her own kin is condemned, Sister Frevisse must discover who robbed a rich landowner of his purse and his life.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-A tale well told, filled with intrigue and spiced with romance and rogues. Sister Frevisse and Master Naylor journey with Sister Emma toward her godchild's christening. Their trip is interrupted by Nicholas, Frevisse's cousin, who seeks her assistance in obtaining a pardon for him and his band of outlaws. Teens who like their violence offstage and their heroines strong and smart will enjoy the story, and they are likely to learn quite a bit about daily life in 1434 as they join Frevisse's quest for truth.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"'History fans will relish every minute.' Publisher's Weekly 'Exquisitely woven.' The Cleveland Plain Dealer 'Executes her exercise...with audacity and ingenuity.' Kirkus Review 'A good mystery...excellently drawn.' Anne Perry"

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Robert Hale Ltd (August 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0709078668
• ISBN-13: 978-0709078661
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #375,055 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Margaret Frazer is a full-time writer. She has twice been a finalist for the Edgar(r) in the paperback original category. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid addition to the Frevisse series, May 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Outlaw's Tale (Paperback)

While _The Outlaw's Tale_ is not quite as stellar as some of the series' other books, it's a well-told and often puzzling mystery story nonetheless. Its story is complex, and builds with a lesiurely pace that fits both its period and its primary setting: a well-off household in late medieval England. Though taken outside of the priory for the first (though not last) time in the series, Dame Frevisse is still her usual self: deeply compassionate beneath her acrid wit, and driven by a mixture of deep piety, rock-solid common sense, and restless curiosity. Hers is one of the few believable portraits of a nun in historical fiction, simply because she enjoys the contemplative life; she is also one of the most likable detectives in the mystery genre because of her compassion. Whereas most detectives sleuth to solve puzzles, Frevisse does so to help people and heal relationships. The book's final plot twist is, characteristically for the series, both unexpected and rather sad, yet satisfying as well. Its roguish outlaws'adoption of late medieval Robin Hood personae is both apt and humorously done, and its mix of characters is vibrant. Overall, this is a book worth reading in a series worth reading.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sister Frevisse on the road., August 10, 2003

By 

S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Outlaw's Tale (Paperback)

In this book we find Sister Frevisse on the road with another nun from St. Frideswide. They are waylaid in their travels by a cousin of Sister Frevisse. This cousin is one she hasn't seen for some time because he's been an outlaw . He has stopped his cousin to enlist her aid in getting him a pardon so that he can resume a normal life. While Sister Frevisse is waiting for an answer about this pardon she is lodging at the home of one her cousin's business partners and a murder is commmitted. Sister Frevisse is forced to jeopardise everything she holds dear to solve the crime. She enters a world of lies and deceit in order to protect some and expose others. Ms. Frazer does a good job of setting her stories in the period and the plot moves along in a way that is very compatable with this period.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More action and adventure than mystery!, February 27, 2011

By 

A. Scott Goeringer "Alan Scott" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Outlaw's Tale (Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries) (Kindle Edition)

I searched high and low for The Outlaw's Tale, the next book in Margaret Frazer's incredible series featuring Dame Frevisse. Finally I found and downloaded the Kimble version. The wait was worth the effort. The Outlaw's Tale delivers as much action as mystery.

The story opens with Dame Frevisse accompanying Sister Emma who is on her way to a family christening when they are take by a band of outlaws. They are treated well and Frevisse finds out to her surprise the outlaws are led by her cousin Nicholas, whom she hasn't seen in sixteen years or more. He swears he has changed his ways and implores her to write to their uncle, Thomas Chaucer (son of Geoffrey) to see if he can arrange a pardon for him and his men.

Frevisse is unsure but happy to help her cousin. Before all this can happen, the fragile, flibbertigibbet Emma is taken ill from her exposure to the elements. Nicholas arranges for them to seek help for her at the manor of a man with whom he has done business.

She is doubtful about what these business dealings might include but busies herself taking care of Emma. The widowed sister of the manor lord is eager to help and Frevisse discovers the reason why. There may be a connection between the widow and Nicholas or one of his men.

Frevisse finds her self in the middle of a family feud after a brutish, despicable man wanting the widow's hand in marriage is murdered. Despite her cousin's reassurances that he has changed his ways, Frevisse isn't quite convinced. Nicholas appears to be more involved with the family than he lets on.

The Outlaw's Tale is either a short book or an easy read because the pages flew by. I read it in two sittings over a weekend. I like the references to Frevisse's family and the memories she has of her childhood, since it brings her to life, which other characters similar to Frevisse lack. She is humble but not unassuming. She's someone with whom the reader can connect and root for.

I didn't find it to be as complex as the other Frevisse mysteries but as I mentioned before, it has action and suspense. I devoured it like all the others and am ready for the next.