Anna S. (annapi) reviewed on 1/2/2010 + 334 more book reviews

One of the earlier Sister Frevisse books, this one finds our intrepid nun called to her dying uncle Thomas Chaucer's household. Unfortunately she arrives too late to bid him farewell, but she stays to help the family with the funeral. One of the guests is an odious, quarrelsome man who delights in tormenting others, and at the feast during an altercation he calls upon God to strike him down if he is in the wrong. To everyone's horror he immediately collapses. Although no one is sorry to be rid of him, Bishop Beaufort suspects it is the hand of man, not God, responsible and instructs Frevisse to discover the truth - a daunting task as there is no lack of people who wished him dead.

Less convoluted than later volumes in the series, the mystery is still clever, the characters finely drawn, the historical background rich in detail, and the book as enjoyable as any of Frazer's work.

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