When Baron Herbert returns from crusade he grows increasingly morose and withdraws from his family. When his sons begin to die in strange accidents, questions are asked whether Herbert harbors a dark sin for which God has cursed him. The baron suddenly sends for Sir Hugh of Wynethorpe, begging his friend to bring spiritual and secular healers. Sir Hugh persuades his sister, Prioress Eleanor of Tyndal Priory, as well as a respected physician, Master Gamel, to accompany him. Although Sir Hugh is pleased when the prioress brings her healer, Sister Anne, he is surprised to find the mysterious Brother Thomas included. Tensions spark among family members and soon ignite too among those who came to help. Death's scythe harvests more victims, and it is not long before Ecclesiastes' grim words seem all too apt: there is a season for everything under heaven, including a time to kill. Is there also a time to heal?
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Review
Royal’s 13th-century mysteries are always full of historical detail..."—Kirkus Review
"Rich atmosphere and well-drawn characters make this a superior historical."—Publishers Weekly starred review
"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." —Publishers Weekly starred review of Wine of Violence
"Against an authentic backdrop of medieval life and lore, Royal once again brings alive characters who are true to their period yet exhibit emotions and feelings that 21st-century readers will recognize as their own." —Publishers Weekly starred review of Forsaken Soul
"The author subtly treats the erotic charge surrounding Eleanor and Thomas while shedding light on 13th-century understandings of sexuality. Royal draws together the murder, the manuscript and the ghost in an unexpected conclusion."—Publishers Weekly starred review of Justice for the Damned
"Royal’s attention to historical detail and skillful creation of a sinister, chilling atmosphere makes her latest in this series a treat for all mystery readers."—Booklist
About the Author
Priscilla Royal is the author of the medieval mysteries Tyrant of the Mind and Wine of Violence. She was born in Seattle, grew up in British Columbia, and now resides in Northern California. She is a member of the California Writers Club and Sisters in Crime.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
Priscilla Royal's series of Medieval Mysteries is not for every mystery reader. You have to have both a good knowledge of the period, as well as an abiding interest in it. But if you're an amateur "medievalist", you'll enjoy Royal's writing.
This book, "A Killing Season" is the eighth in the Prioress Eleanor of Tyndale series. Eleanor is a highborn woman who becomes leader of the Order of Fontvraud in 13th century England. She serves over both men and women religious. Tyndale Abbey is the setting for most of Royal's stories and the family of nuns, priests, brothers, and lay officials keep Eleanor and her aid, Brother Thomas, busy with both the clerical and worldly problems. (Brother Thomas is himself an interesting character. Charged with sodomy, he was sent to Tyndale Abbey for both penance and to serve the court of English king). There's a lot of intrigue on all levels in Royal's writing.
"Season" is set in a castle on an island in the freezing north of England. Eleanor, Brother Thomas, and several "healers" are summoned there by Eleanor's brother, Sir Hugh, to wait upon a comrade of Hugh's, Baron Herbert, who has returned home from the Holy Land (Outremer) and is having trouble adjusting to life on the home front. Herbert had left home years before as the father of five young sons, and has returned to find his sons dying at a rapid rate. Three are gone already - due to "accidents" - and the younger two are threatened. Herbert cannot - literally - face his family and he's gone into hiding within the castle. Eleanor, Hugh, Thomas, and several healers have to ferret out secrets to save lives.
"A Killing Season" is not Royal's best book. It's slightly draggy and lacks the "oomph" of her previous books. I can heartily recommend it to readers of the previous books in the series, but for those who haven't read her books, I'd say, start with the earlier ones.
This book, "A Killing Season" is the eighth in the Prioress Eleanor of Tyndale series. Eleanor is a highborn woman who becomes leader of the Order of Fontvraud in 13th century England. She serves over both men and women religious. Tyndale Abbey is the setting for most of Royal's stories and the family of nuns, priests, brothers, and lay officials keep Eleanor and her aid, Brother Thomas, busy with both the clerical and worldly problems. (Brother Thomas is himself an interesting character. Charged with sodomy, he was sent to Tyndale Abbey for both penance and to serve the court of English king). There's a lot of intrigue on all levels in Royal's writing.
"Season" is set in a castle on an island in the freezing north of England. Eleanor, Brother Thomas, and several "healers" are summoned there by Eleanor's brother, Sir Hugh, to wait upon a comrade of Hugh's, Baron Herbert, who has returned home from the Holy Land (Outremer) and is having trouble adjusting to life on the home front. Herbert had left home years before as the father of five young sons, and has returned to find his sons dying at a rapid rate. Three are gone already - due to "accidents" - and the younger two are threatened. Herbert cannot - literally - face his family and he's gone into hiding within the castle. Eleanor, Hugh, Thomas, and several healers have to ferret out secrets to save lives.
"A Killing Season" is not Royal's best book. It's slightly draggy and lacks the "oomph" of her previous books. I can heartily recommend it to readers of the previous books in the series, but for those who haven't read her books, I'd say, start with the earlier ones.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review of A Killing Season
Oct 6 2011
By Lydia
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I love it when I pick up a book that is, say, 8th in a series, and fall madly in love with it. Why? Because that means I have 7 more to enjoy before the 9th comes out!
Priscilla Royal might just be one of my new favorite authors. The Killing Season set the mood so incredibly perfectly and boasted such a thrilling cast of characters that I fell madly and deeply in love with them before I was even 2 chapters in.
And the story wasn't shabby either!
Gothic mysteries, to me, involve big, creepy castles, lots of rain and mist, thrilling, ghostlike mysteries and generally make me want to curl up on my sofa with a hot cup of tea, under my blanket, and shiver while I read the book. That happened during the reading of The Killing Season.
The story opens with a cold journey to a castle and a cast of characters already comfortable with one another from previous stories - but that did not take from the book, especially as I had not read the previous books in the series. I was introduced gently to them and never once felt lost of bewildered. The setting was a medieval one and immediately my imagination filled with the clothing, the craggy surroundings and the looming castle ahead through the mists. And then - tragedy strikes.
I just shivered writing that.
This was a historical mystery unlike anything I've read before. If I had the money right now I'd be purchasing every book in the series, this one was that good. Read it, immerse yourself in Priscilla Royal's writing. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Priscilla Royal might just be one of my new favorite authors. The Killing Season set the mood so incredibly perfectly and boasted such a thrilling cast of characters that I fell madly and deeply in love with them before I was even 2 chapters in.
And the story wasn't shabby either!
Gothic mysteries, to me, involve big, creepy castles, lots of rain and mist, thrilling, ghostlike mysteries and generally make me want to curl up on my sofa with a hot cup of tea, under my blanket, and shiver while I read the book. That happened during the reading of The Killing Season.
The story opens with a cold journey to a castle and a cast of characters already comfortable with one another from previous stories - but that did not take from the book, especially as I had not read the previous books in the series. I was introduced gently to them and never once felt lost of bewildered. The setting was a medieval one and immediately my imagination filled with the clothing, the craggy surroundings and the looming castle ahead through the mists. And then - tragedy strikes.
I just shivered writing that.
This was a historical mystery unlike anything I've read before. If I had the money right now I'd be purchasing every book in the series, this one was that good. Read it, immerse yourself in Priscilla Royal's writing. I promise you will not be disappointed.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good medival mystery.
Oct 28 2011
By Jill Meyer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Priscilla Royal's series of Medieval Mysteries is not for every mystery reader. You have to have both a good knowledge of the period, as well as an abiding interest in it. But if you're an amateur "medievalist", you'll enjoy Royal's writing.
This book, "A Killing Season" is the eighth in the Prioress Eleanor of Tyndale series. Eleanor is a highborn woman who becomes leader of the Order of Fontvraud in 13th century England. She serves over both men and women religious. Tyndale Abbey is the setting for most of Royal's stories and the family of nuns, priests, brothers, and lay officials keep Eleanor and her aid, Brother Thomas, busy with both the clerical and worldly problems. (Brother Thomas is himself an interesting character. Charged with sodomy, he was sent to Tyndale Abbey for both penance and to serve the court of English king). There's a lot of intrigue on all levels in Royal's writing.
"Season" is set in a castle on an island in the freezing north of England. Eleanor, Brother Thomas, and several "healers" are summoned there by Eleanor's brother, Sir Hugh, to wait upon a comrade of Hugh's, Baron Herbert, who has returned home from the Holy Land (Outremer) and is having trouble adjusting to life on the home front. Herbert had left home years before as the father of five young sons, and has returned to find his sons dying at a rapid rate. Three are gone already - due to "accidents" - and the younger two are threatened. Herbert cannot - literally - face his family and he's gone into hiding within the castle. Eleanor, Hugh, Thomas, and several healers have to ferret out secrets to save lives.
"A Killing Season" is not Royal's best book. It's slightly draggy and lacks the "oomph" of her previous books. I can heartily recommend it to readers of the previous books in the series, but for those who haven't read her books, I'd say, start with the earlier ones.
This book, "A Killing Season" is the eighth in the Prioress Eleanor of Tyndale series. Eleanor is a highborn woman who becomes leader of the Order of Fontvraud in 13th century England. She serves over both men and women religious. Tyndale Abbey is the setting for most of Royal's stories and the family of nuns, priests, brothers, and lay officials keep Eleanor and her aid, Brother Thomas, busy with both the clerical and worldly problems. (Brother Thomas is himself an interesting character. Charged with sodomy, he was sent to Tyndale Abbey for both penance and to serve the court of English king). There's a lot of intrigue on all levels in Royal's writing.
"Season" is set in a castle on an island in the freezing north of England. Eleanor, Brother Thomas, and several "healers" are summoned there by Eleanor's brother, Sir Hugh, to wait upon a comrade of Hugh's, Baron Herbert, who has returned home from the Holy Land (Outremer) and is having trouble adjusting to life on the home front. Herbert had left home years before as the father of five young sons, and has returned to find his sons dying at a rapid rate. Three are gone already - due to "accidents" - and the younger two are threatened. Herbert cannot - literally - face his family and he's gone into hiding within the castle. Eleanor, Hugh, Thomas, and several healers have to ferret out secrets to save lives.
"A Killing Season" is not Royal's best book. It's slightly draggy and lacks the "oomph" of her previous books. I can heartily recommend it to readers of the previous books in the series, but for those who haven't read her books, I'd say, start with the earlier ones.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
A rare misstep!
Nov 22 2011
By Sandra
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Priscilla Royal's mysteries are highly atmospheric,and create an authentic picture of medieval society.
I've found the other books in this series to be extremely enjoyable.
However, in this latest entry, the killer is glaringly obvious from the beginning. The subplot, equally obvious, adds little suspense, and fails to add excitement to the story.
The work is so well-written that perhaps it is greedy to also expect a surprise, but Royal has managed quite well in her previous books, and I hope in future she'll do so again.
I've found the other books in this series to be extremely enjoyable.
However, in this latest entry, the killer is glaringly obvious from the beginning. The subplot, equally obvious, adds little suspense, and fails to add excitement to the story.
The work is so well-written that perhaps it is greedy to also expect a surprise, but Royal has managed quite well in her previous books, and I hope in future she'll do so again.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 13 reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
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