The Novice’s Tale Audiobook By Margaret Frazer cover art

The Novice’s Tale

A Dame Frevisse Mystery, Book 1

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The Novice’s Tale

By: Margaret Frazer
Narrated by: Susan Duerden
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Unholy passions and demonic deaths...

In the fair autumn of Our Lord's grace 1431, the nuns of England's St. Frideswide's prepare for the simply ceremonies in which the saintly novice Thomasine will take her holy vows. But their quiet lives of beauty and prayer are thrown into chaos by the merciless arrival of Lady Ermentrude Fenner and her retinue of lusty men, sinful women, and baying hounds. The hard-drinking dowager even keeps a pet monkey for her amusement. She demands wine, a feast....

And her niece, the angelic Thomasine.

The lady desires to enrich herself and her reputation by arranging a marriage for the devout novice. She cares nothing for the panic and despair she leaves behind her.

But all her cruel and cunning schemes are brought to a sudden end with strange and most unnatural murder.

As suspicious eyes turn on the pious Thomasine, it falls to Sister Frevisse, hosteler of the priory and amateur detective, to unravel the webs of unholy passion and dark intrigue that entangle the novice and prove her innocence...or condemn her.

©1992 Margaret Frazer (P)2020 Tantor Detective Fiction Historical Mystery Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction
Complex Plot • Historical Accuracy • Excellent Narration • Intriguing Mystery • Thoughtful Writing
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It’s so refreshing to find another well-written medieval mystery series! The historical details are accurate as far as I can tell; it’s not easy to find a writer who understands that “uppers” contract the irises, often to the point to where the eyes look black from the enlarged pupils. This is accuracy I find rare among many writers - some of them quite famous. I hope to begin the next book in the series right now!

So happy I found this series! I hope all of these come out in Audible!

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I thoroughly enjoyed this! The plot is complex and features a lot of insights into human nature. The historical setting is interesting; as a fan of historical fiction I would have enjoyed even more cultural and political context. I also appreciate the window into monastic life of an earlier time.

The narrator is excellent, though with not as intricate many voice changes as some.

I can hardly wait to continue with this series!

Completely Wonderful

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Took a while to get into. Dull uninteresting characters. Will not look for next book.

Tedious story line

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My mother, who has great taste in medieval mysteries, has been encouraging me to read this series and I’m so glad it’s on audible!

The pace of this book is wonderful if, like me, you craft and listen at the same time. I only think I had to rewind because I missed something while crafting, which is a rarity.

The story is wonderful- love, intrigue and lessons learned about impatience etc without being preachy or too religious. It’s a beautiful mix. I can’t wait for the next book and I hope audible continues the series!

Very enjoyable read!

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An interesting glimpse into the author's view of medieval life. It is difficult to know how accurate the representation of the nuns experience is. Certainly, the tale is well told, and the plot line is well executed.

Surprisingly complex

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A good medieval mystery, the nuns track down a murderer when evil strikes inside their convent. Realistic, historically accurate to a believable degree. Mystery was clearly written enough to guess the culprit, but not too easy for it to be blatant.

Fun little romp

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Murder mystery's are my entertainment and my brain food. The Middle Ages in Britain my favorite period. The Novice's Tale combines both brilliantly.

The narrator does an excellent job, provding listeners with a true sense of Fear in the voice of the Novice, Authority in the voce of the Abbess, Madness in the voice of the victim and Hate in the voice of the accuser and the killer.

An excellent combination of Word and Voice.

Tremendous 1st Story - Don't go past this!!

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An excellently researched, beautifully written medieval mystery full of lively description and colorful characters. Margaret Frazer is among the very finest authors of this genre. The audio book narrator does not always do full justice to the text, but a serviceable reading and some good character voices.

Excellent medieval mystery

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This tale is full of twists and turns that leave the reader guessing until the end. The narrator does an excellent job with the story.

A wonderful medieval whodunnit!

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I wanted to like this but it took about half the story to get to some action. I almost gave up on it several times.

A bit boring

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