The Reeve's Tale (Sister Frevisse) [Paperback]

Margaret Frazer (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sister Frevisse | Publication Date: September 12, 2000

As illness and murder cast a cloud over Prior Byfield, fear and suspicion reign-and Frevisse's keen deductions lead her closer to the disturbing truth.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Here's the latest excellent installment in Frazer's superbly researched medieval mystery series featuring Dame Frevisse, a nun of the order of St. Frideswide, who, along with her godly duties, relishes the occasional opportunity for amateur sleuthing. In her ninth outing (after The Maiden's Tale), Frevisse is ordered to temporarily take over the duties of Master Naylor, the convent's steward. She finds herself in the middle of a land dispute when Matthew Woderove, a convent serf, is found dead and his widow, Mary, along with her new beau, Tom Holcote, tries to claim his land rights. Disputing the claim is wealthy villein Gilbey Dunn, who wants to add to his hefty holdings. The argument is quickly set aside when Matthew's death turns out to be murder and most of the village children come down with sometimesfatal cases of measles. Aided by a neighboring reeve, Simon Perryn, whose own children are among the sick, Frevisse seeks to untangle the roots of the crime, which grow to claim a second murder victim. Exquisitely written, the novel offers a brilliantly realized vision of a typical medieval English village, peopled with full-blooded men and women who experience the human range of joys and sorrows. Suspenseful from start to surprising conclusion, this is another gem from an author who's twice been nominated for an Edgar. (Dec.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Landholdings in the village of Prior Byfield belong either to the St. Frideswide nunnery or to Lord Lovell. Simon Perryn acts as Lovell's agent (or reeve) in village matters, while Master Naylor represents the nunnery. Here, however, Sister Frevisse subs for Naylor. Unfortunately for her, two similar murders stem from arguments over who will control certain parcels of land--one unpopular rich man or others less fortunate. When circumstantial evidence points to Simon as the suspected killer, Sister Frevisse intervenes. Fans of historicals will love the passionate attention to detail in character, custom, and setting, and the sympathetic creation of believable people and events. This is the first in the popular medieval series to be published in hardcover. Essential.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (September 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425176673
• ISBN-13: 978-0425176672
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #761,919 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

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best of the series, April 6, 2000

By 

Janet Aldrich (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reeve's Tale: A Sister Frevisse Medieval Mystery (Hardcover)

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.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent mediveal mystery !!!!!, March 27, 2001

By 

Karmic Journey (India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Reeve's Tale: A Sister Frevisse Medieval Mystery (Hardcover)

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.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical mystery-try this series, December 12, 1999

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reeve's Tale: A Sister Frevisse Medieval Mystery (Hardcover)

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