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Abbess of Meaux #9
Murder at Meaux
It is midnight when Hildegard disembarks at Ravenser, accompanied by Abbot de Courcy and the two monks militant, Egbert and Gregory. Avignon, Salisbury and Netley Abbey are now behind them. Home to the Abbey of Meaux at last!
But before they reach the abbey the fog comes down and they are met by a cortege hurrying to bury a corpse in unconsecrated ground. The abbot is shocked when he hears that the dead man was found in the locked scriptorium at Meaux and when he looks inside the coffin he orders the cortege to return to the abbey at once.
Worse is to come. Next morning Hildegard is grief-stricken to learn that her childhood sweetheart, Ulf of Langbar, is to hang for murder.
With help from the renegade minstrel Pierrekyn Haverel and the two sword-carrying monks, Egbert and Gregory, she sets out to save Ulf and discover the secret of the body at Meaux.
But with a prisoner in the abbey jail Abbot de Courcy steps in. Threatening Hildegard with excommunication, he rages, "If we were in France I could have you burned as a witch!"
Is there any way out? How can she save Ulf from the hangman, discover the secret of the body in the locked chamber and find justice for herself?
Meanwhile, as ever, King Richard's enemies tighten their control over the realm of England and the young king walks in fear for his life.
"This stellar series" (Kirkus Review) tells the authentic story of the tragic reign of King Richard II and adds a criminal twist. Follow Hildegard of Meaux, nun and sleuth, in a desperate mission to save the king. From the Great Revolt of 1381 to the regicide in 1399 Hildegard and the Abbot fight the dark Lancastrian forces pitted against the people and the Crown.
"Medievalists rejoice! Hildegard is back!" Publishers' Weekly
"This is a dramatic mystery lavishly studded with period detail. Clark's best to date." Kirkus Review
"...Clark's prose is flawless." Daily Telegraph
"A neat, enjoyable 14th century mystery...interesting and atmospheric." Literary Review
"A medieval whodunit both delicate and dangerous, reeking of lust, treachery, greed and violence which keeps the reader at least one step behind." - Northern Echo
"I did not want this book to end." - Eurocrime.
But before they reach the abbey the fog comes down and they are met by a cortege hurrying to bury a corpse in unconsecrated ground. The abbot is shocked when he hears that the dead man was found in the locked scriptorium at Meaux and when he looks inside the coffin he orders the cortege to return to the abbey at once.
Worse is to come. Next morning Hildegard is grief-stricken to learn that her childhood sweetheart, Ulf of Langbar, is to hang for murder.
With help from the renegade minstrel Pierrekyn Haverel and the two sword-carrying monks, Egbert and Gregory, she sets out to save Ulf and discover the secret of the body at Meaux.
But with a prisoner in the abbey jail Abbot de Courcy steps in. Threatening Hildegard with excommunication, he rages, "If we were in France I could have you burned as a witch!"
Is there any way out? How can she save Ulf from the hangman, discover the secret of the body in the locked chamber and find justice for herself?
Meanwhile, as ever, King Richard's enemies tighten their control over the realm of England and the young king walks in fear for his life.
"This stellar series" (Kirkus Review) tells the authentic story of the tragic reign of King Richard II and adds a criminal twist. Follow Hildegard of Meaux, nun and sleuth, in a desperate mission to save the king. From the Great Revolt of 1381 to the regicide in 1399 Hildegard and the Abbot fight the dark Lancastrian forces pitted against the people and the Crown.
"Medievalists rejoice! Hildegard is back!" Publishers' Weekly
"This is a dramatic mystery lavishly studded with period detail. Clark's best to date." Kirkus Review
"...Clark's prose is flawless." Daily Telegraph
"A neat, enjoyable 14th century mystery...interesting and atmospheric." Literary Review
"A medieval whodunit both delicate and dangerous, reeking of lust, treachery, greed and violence which keeps the reader at least one step behind." - Northern Echo
"I did not want this book to end." - Eurocrime.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2018
About the author
Cassandra Clark
22 books131 followersI'm mad about the middle ages and love writing this series of medieval whodunits featuring nun sleuth Hildegard of Meaux. When I started with Hangman Blind I thought Hildegard would become an abbess but then she joined the Cistercians who only allowed women to be prioresses so she's had to put up with that. It surprises me that I'm writing historical novels at all, especially ones involving crime, as before this I wrote contemporary plays and romance. I'm doubtful about putting too much violence in the stories as there is already so much in the world and I don't like the idea of adding to it, even if only in the imagination, but then, it's part of that world too so it cannot be avoided. I would love to write a book shadowing every year of Richard II's reign with a different, multi-layered mystery for Hildegard to solve. She's about 32 now, with two children living in different households as was the custom then, so by the time poor Richard is murdered, she's going to be quite old. I wonder if she and Hubert will ever be together? Who knows? It's a question readers often ask me but we'll have to wait and see.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 1, 2018
Another good book in the series
It is another good book in the Hildegard series. The author keeps it as good pace and well developed characters. She keeps you guessing until the end of the story of who did the murders.
It is another good book in the Hildegard series. The author keeps it as good pace and well developed characters. She keeps you guessing until the end of the story of who did the murders.
February 25, 2019
Enjoyable
If one enjoys medieval mysteries, please latch onto this series. The characters, although dress as monks and nuns, have the normal human desires and problems. Read and learn.
If one enjoys medieval mysteries, please latch onto this series. The characters, although dress as monks and nuns, have the normal human desires and problems. Read and learn.
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June 20, 2022Hildegard
Well, Hildegard, for a nun, you are one saucy minx. Are you sure you're a nun. But, you worship truth and justice and your loyalty to Christ not in doubt. Fight on for truth and justice another day. And try and keep your clothes this time. 😉
Well, Hildegard, for a nun, you are one saucy minx. Are you sure you're a nun. But, you worship truth and justice and your loyalty to Christ not in doubt. Fight on for truth and justice another day. And try and keep your clothes this time. 😉
January 13, 2019
These are so great. Wonderful history and characters wrapped up in perfect mysteries.
June 15, 2019
Some great suspense in this story!
February 2, 2020
Good good
I cannot praise the author enough I love the stories, the twists and turns, the history,, the very human characters, ,
I cannot praise the author enough I love the stories, the twists and turns, the history,, the very human characters, ,
May 26, 2021
Hooked
I am totally hooked on these stories of Hildegard of Meux. I hope to eventually read all her books .
I am totally hooked on these stories of Hildegard of Meux. I hope to eventually read all her books .
February 1, 2025
Brilliant as always
An exceptional murder mystery, fiendishly clever plot. All the familiar much loved characters feature, Ulf, Hildegard and Hubert feature heavily to my great joy. I'm not sure which of the men I love more!
An exceptional murder mystery, fiendishly clever plot. All the familiar much loved characters feature, Ulf, Hildegard and Hubert feature heavily to my great joy. I'm not sure which of the men I love more!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews