Sorrow Without End (Medieval Mysteries) - Hardcover

Priscilla Royal grew up in British Columbia and has a degree in world literature from San Francisco State University. Until recently, she worked for the Federal government in a variety of positions, all of which provided a wonderful education in the complexity of human experience and motivation. She now lives in Northern California and belongs to the Mystery Writers of America, California Writers Club and Sisters in Crime.www.priscillaroyal.com.

Terror grips a remote North Sea priory in Royal's superior medieval thriller, her third to feature Eleanor, prioress of Tyndal (after 2004's Tyrant of the Mind ). In 1271, tough-minded Ralf the Crowner, who's trying to bring a brutal serial killer to justice, prevails upon Eleanor to allow the mangled corpse of a lowly foot soldier to be laid in the chapel during his investigation. The "rule of Eve" prevails in Tyndal, where pious Eleanor resists the demands of rival monks who complicate Ralf's work with their own competing agendas for the priory's future. Eleanor faces further challenges when a knight is slain and an infirmarian (or hospital) nun is beaten and raped before the altar. Suspense builds amid a vivid backdrop of lepers wearing "clappers," a madman who chatters warnings, venal relic sellers and the shadowy "man from Acre," haunted by guilt for his wife's death at the hands of a sadistic crusader. Eleanor's steadfast faith in a merciful God must contend with the vicious nature of man in a compelling resolution. (Jan.)

--Publisher's Weekly Starred Review

Third in a series "as enduring as Ellis Peters's Brother Cadfael Books."

Praise for Wine of Violence
"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

Praise for Tyrant of the Mind
"Think of 'Gosford Park' with no central heating and you'll get some idea of what's going on in this very interesting historical re-creation."
--Dick Adler, Chicago Tribune