Review: A Dame Frevisse Encore
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 22, 2013
Those of us who are fans of the Dame Frevisse medieval mystery series have been waiting impatiently for a new novel in the series to appear. The novel has yet to be published, but we can at least get some comfort from this novella which gives us a first look at Frevisse in her new role as domina of St. Frideswide priory.In this story, a charge of attempted rape has been leveled against a serf, Tom Kelmstowe, of the nearby village. Kelmstowe denied the charge but before it could come before the manor court, Kelmstowe disappeared and it was assumed he had fled rather than face the charge. His holdings and belongings were automatically seized by the court and sold since fleeing was the same in the court's eyes as admission of guilt.But now Kelmstowe has returned claiming that he did not flee but was abducted and taken to London. Now having made his way back home, he's requested that he be allowed to plead his case to Domina Frevisse so he might be allowed to stay and care for his mother and sister. There is no chance of his reclaiming his holding or belongings, but at least he would be able to keep his family from further harm.Domina Frevisse agrees to hear his case and in the end allows Kelmstowe to stay. Two weeks later, the husband of the woman who claimed attempted rape is found dead and Tom Kelmstowe is the prime suspect. But what would he gain from the man's death? Who would benefit? Frevisse, feeling somewhat responsible for the death since she had allowed Kelmstowe to remain in the village, investigates to uncover the truth.As always with this author's work, the medieval era is meticulously researched and richly described, drawing the reader into the medieval world and the life and routine in the priory. Reading them is like being transported back in time to a less rushed, quieter, albeit sometimes crueler time. Wrap this around a solid mystery story, and you've got a winning combination. I thoroughly enjoyed this return visit to St. Frideswide, and I am already hungry for more.Strongly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading about the medieval era or just plain likes a good mystery.