Customer Reviews

The Reeve's Tale: A Sister Frevisse Medieval Mystery

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This series has run to several books, varying in quality -- Sister Frevisse, a well-born nun and niece to Geoffrey Chaucer, is the investigator. Previous books have dealt with life inside the cloister, court life (Frevisse's cousin is married to nobility) and the intrigues between the princes of the church and English nobility in the 14th century.

The present book, however, deals with village life and government and simple human greed. Master Naylor, the priory's steward, is part of the village court of Prior Byfield, as is Simon Perryn, reeve. After some decisions in favor of the village's richest man, Gilbey Dunn, rumor and murder appear to threaten the positions of Naylor, Perryn and Dunn -- Naylor is accused of being a runaway villein and Perryn and Dunn are incriminated in the death of Perryn's sister's lover.

After Naylor is accused of not being freeborn, Sister Frevisse is instructed by her prioress to take Naylor's position in the court. Despite the non-cooperation of the crowner, several misdirections and a measles outbreak, Frevisse not only involves herself in the life of the village and its government, but also determines the identity of the miscreant or miscreants and helps bring them to justice.

I found the final scene of the book quite special; I could envision the end of harvest and what it meant to the villagers.

This is the first book of this author that i read. I picked up the book purely because it was set in the 15th century England and wanted some idea about a typical English village of that time. And I was not disappointed. Very well written and good characterisation. The story starts slowly but I think this is required for a sound understanding of the settings, the characters, their relationships and their respective roles in the village. In addition to the intriguing mystery, the descriptions of the local governemnt and the role of church in those times is a good learning. In particular, the judicial process of those times has been described well. The dialogue is sharp and at times, witty as well. But dont look for a murder from the first chapter. Be fascinated by the judicial process in the beginning and then get into the nystery as it starts to develop and soon couple of corpses appear. The finger of suspicion does point several ways. Also, there are several sub plots as well. A very engrossing book. Worth reading for the description of the village life, the court and judicial process,and the lifes of the ordinary people. You will not be disappointed in reading this.

In 1440, England slowly recovers from a three-year draught that destroyed many crops and left many people hungry. Prior Byfield was a bit more fortunate than most of England because the sisters of the nearby St. Frideside Nunnery provided food to the villagers. Perhaps the difference between here and much of England is the cooperation between the nunnery and the local secular Lord Lovellard. In fact Lovellard's reeve Simon Perryn and Frideside's steward Master Naylor run the quarterly court together.

At the current session, Perryn rules against his brother-in-law Matthew Woodgrove who wants to renew his lease on some family land. Instead the area's most prosperous individual, Gilby Drum, wins the bid. Perhaps it's simple jealousy, but Gilby is an unpopular figure among villeins. Meanwhile, tragedies occur. Someone murders Matthew and the lover of his wife is also found dead. Evidence points towards Gilby and Simon. One of the nuns, Dame Freuisse happens to be nursing villagers through a deadly measles epidemic. Having experience with sleuthing, she begins to investigate who is actually the diabolical person behind these crimes.

Margaret Frazier combines a scholar's touch with a fascinating story telling talent that turns her medieval mysteries into some of today's best historical fiction. Fans will enjoy an intriguing who-done-it while learning much about local government and the power of the Church in Medieval England. Sister Freuise is a delightful, believable character who combines a calling to God with secular awareness. Anyone who reads about her adventures will want to peruse the other eight novels in this excellent series.

Harriet Klausner

In my opinion, this is the best mystery in the Sister Frevisse series of mysteries. Why is this so? Well, firstly, there are several deaths, with the finger of suspicion pointing several ways. The identity of the guilty party is not certain until the end. [If you knew who it was without peeking, don't tell!].

Secondly, there are several sub-plots each with their own mysteries. There is the uncertain fate of the nunnery's steward who has been accused of being a serf and thus stands to lose his freedom - and that of his children. We do not know who accused him, and why. There is also the mystery about a certain very prosperous man in the village and his wife and family. What are his intents, and those of his wife? Was she really guilty of all that the village gossip alleged?

There are other puzzles to follow - such as who will get a certain piece of land, what will happen to the harvest, and so forth. The depiction of village life, which includes several scenes of cases being decided by the elders, is alone worth reading this novel for. It is rare that mystery novels set in the medieval era focus in such detail on the life of ordinary villeins (the proper term) and free peasants.

I look forward to reading more of Sister Frevisse's adventures. The series will not appeal to all, including those who are more knowledgeable about the period and/or tired of medieval mysteries using nuns or monks as sleuths. To enjoy this book, you must like medieval mysteries and enjoy reading about the nitty-gritty details of convent life (some of which can be less than pleasant).

This is one series that really deserves the comparison with Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael series (first book, A Morbid Taste for Bones: The First Chronicle of Brother Cadfael). Fortunately, I don't believe in hierarchies, because I'd be hard-pressed to choose between the two. Frazer is a very gifted writer and these work both as historical novels and as mysteries. Since Frevisse, like Cadfael is a Benedictine, it is interesting to see glimpses of how the order had changed over the centuries.

This is typical of Frazer: the characterizations are excellent and often complex, the background is well drawn and the story is gripping. Frevisse, having more experience in dealing with the outside world than most of her sisters is sent to serve as temporary representative for lands that her convent co-owns. This is a complex job; she must manage to work and share authority with people whose interests are opposed to the convent's. Frazer gives us a vivid account of the machinations that underly the struggle to control land and wealth, even among the peasantry.

I do agree that this is the best Sister Frevisse mystery I've read so far, but they have been getting better and better. I found that this one moved a lot quicker than previous ones, and that was because of the many plots and subplots that were interwoven in the fabric of the story. I also enjoyed the realistic look at medieval English village life. It also is well-researched and gave us a clear idea of what illness outbreaks were like back then. In this book the little village is hit with a measles outbreak, and many children get sick. Another thing that I liked about the book was that it was out of the nunnery entirely. In this book, Sister Frevisse is actually out in the village trying to do the job of the bailiff while he is under house arrest for an allegation of being a villein (serf) on the lam. We meet some very interesting characters and as usual Ms. Frazer's dialogue is crisp and intelligent. An excellent addition to the Sister Frevisse stories.

Margaret Frazer has done it again with her mystery the Reeve's Tale. Ms Frazer continues to provide us with an interesting slice of life in a medieval setting. This time we journey from the cloister to the village to take a look at the judicial system .

Sister Frevisse the sharp witted and sharp tongued sleuth participates in the search for a murderer with in the village after the steward of the nunnery is placed under house arrest.

While Frevisse is fighting crime her saintly friend Sister Thomasine is battling an outbreak of the Measles.

Entertaining throughout for those fond of the Medieval Mystery genre

I had read the first in the series & didn't know there WAS a series until recently. I chose to get The Reeve's Tale because it took place almost entirely in a village. Most novels about the Middle Ages are set among the large landowners or perhaps among their servants.

I learned a number of things about the life of farm families living in a settlement. There certainly were many restraints on people's behavior in the 1500s. Those trying to be individuals had a hard time of it. A problem was the growing interaction between people who were born in these settlements & thus were bound to the land and people who were born in the independent cities & thus were free to come & go more freely.

However the mystery aspect wasn't as satisfactory. Things obviously didn't turn out as expected by the culprits, but even if things had, I don't see that anything much was gained. So I give the book 3 1/2 stars.

Margaret Frazer's THE REEVE'S TALE delights the reader with an accurate view of life in a medieval village.
Dame Frevisse and Sister Tomasinna step outside the nunnery to work in the place of St. Frideswide's steward who had been accused of being a villien. Simon Perryn serves as the reeve of the small village connected to the nunnery and must settle local disputs as to the holdings of land and friction between the villagers.
The husband of his sister disappears and is later found dead in another town. The sister accepts the attentions of one of the men and attempts to retain ownership of her land, but her brother rules against her. Tensions rise among the villagers as meseals ravage the children. Dame Frevisse sees life from another view point as the lover of Simon's sister is also found dead. Possessions of both Simon and another villager are found with the body.
A great tale with special insight into the lives of those whose work sustains the nunnery.
Nash Black, author of SANDPRINTS OF DEATH

THE REEVE'S TALE blends the history of 15th century English village life with an intriguing, twisting mystery plot. The characters ring true, the action and dialogue are believable, and the writing style flows seamlessly. Sister Frevisse is a freshly drawn amateur sleuth.