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Book Reviewed by:Comment: This is Priscilla Royal's second murder mystery set in the 13th century -
and it's a true delight. Royal continues with the characters she
introduced in 'Wine of Violence' (2003) - the gutsy young prioress of
Tyndal Abbey, Eleanor, and her companions, Sister Anne, a nun skilled in
medicine, and Brother Thomas, an unwilling and unseemingly handsome monk with a complex past - more about which we'll undoubtedly learn in
later volumes.
The first installment was set in Tyndal, but in Tyrant of
the Mind, Eleanor, Sister Anne and Brother Thomas have traveled to Eleanor's
family seat on the borders of Wales where her nephew is very sick.
Before long the bodies start falling, almost as thick and fast as the snow on
the ground (which prevents anyone calling for the local sheriff - thus setting
the scene for a classic country house murder mystery, albeit set in a very
drafty 13th century castle).
The joy of Royal's books is the way in which she brings the 13th century to
life, illustrating the hardships and pleasures of life for real people
of the period. Her Author's Notes at the end of the two books are
also well worth reading for the background information she provides on
the period. In fact, if it wasn't for the fact that some of her
references in the Author's Note might give away elements of the plot I'd
recommend you read it first.
The third volume in the series, Sorrow Without End, has just been
published in hardcover, and received a starred review from Publishers
Weekly.
This review
first ran in the February 3, 2006
issue of BookBrowse Recommends.
If you liked Tyrant of the Mind, try these:
by Douglas Nicholas
Published 2013
An intoxicating and spirited blend of fantasy, mythology, and history, Something Red features the most fascinating of characters, as well as an epic snowstorm that an early reader described as "one of the coldest scenes since Snow Falling on Cedars."
by Tony Hays
Published 2010
When a young woman is brutally murdered and the blame is placed at Merlin’s feet, Arthur’s reputation is at stake and his enemies are poised to strike. Arthur turns to Malgwyn ap Cuneglas, a man whose knowledge of battle and keen insight into how the human mind works has helped Arthur come to the brink of kingship.
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