• A Killing Season

  • A Medieval Mystery
  • By: Priscilla Royal
  • Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
  • Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (151 ratings)

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A Killing Season  By  cover art

A Killing Season

By: Priscilla Royal
Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
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Publisher's summary

Baron Herbert’s return from crusade should have been a joyous occasion. Instead, he grows increasingly morose, withdraws from his family, and refuses to share his wife’s bed. When his sons begin to die in strange accidents, some ask whether Herbert harbors a dark sin for which God has cursed him. Or perhaps there is a malign presence at this stormblasted castle, oddly named Doux et Dur.

The baron sends for Sir Hugh of Wynethorpe, begging his friend to bring spiritual and secular healers but giving little explanation for the request. Worried about Herbert’s descent into melancholy and the tragic deaths, Sir Hugh persuades his sister, Prioress Eleanor of Tyndal Priory, to accompany him as well as a respected physician, Master Gamel. Although he is pleased when the prioress brings her healer, Sister Anne, he is dismayed to find Brother Thomas included, a man he has reason to despise.

Tensions spark among family members and soon between those who came to help. Death’s scythe harvests more victims, and it is not long before Ecclesiastes’ grim words seem all too apt. But is there also a time to heal?

This is the eighth in Royal's Medieval Mystery series.

Dark ages: listen to another Medieval Mystery.
©2011 Priscilla Royal (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A spooky setup worthy of John Dickson Carr highlights Royal’s brilliant eighth mystery set in thirteenth-century England…. While the murderer’s identity may surprise few, the rich atmosphere and well-drawn characters make this a superior historical." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about A Killing Season

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not much mystery

One can hardly be impressed by the unveiling of the murderer when there is only one suspect remaining. Still, I am always engaged in a Priscilla Royal mystery and experience the Medieval mind

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Romance?

What did you like best about A Killing Season? What did you like least?

The story line is very interesting, but these novels are moving closer to romance than historical mystery.

Would you be willing to try another book from Priscilla Royal? Why or why not?

I am going to have to consider the future novels from Ms. Royal as I feel that the romance factor is beginning to annoy me.

Have you listened to any of Wanda McCaddon’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have and Ms. McCaddon is an excellent reader.

Did A Killing Season inspire you to do anything?

Read another Susan Gregory novel.

Any additional comments?

I wish Ms. Royal would stick to the historical mystery instead of throwing in a lot of romance and sex. Her earlier novels were excellent and this one was but it seems like her main character needs to leave the convent and find her a MAN.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Another great story

Thankbyou Ms Royal for these characters. We so need more Prioress Eleanors in our world today.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Predictable plot

What did you like best about A Killing Season? What did you like least?

Wanda McCaddon is an outstanding narrator, but even she can do little with the stilted language of the book.

What could Priscilla Royal have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Modeled C J Sansom

Do you think A Killing Season needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

She has a follow-up and I bought it, but I do not expect much.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Medieval Series set among the Crusades era

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If you like medieval mysteries, this is a nice new series. The

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

LIked it

Could you see A Killing Season being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No, there is a need for interior dialogue and thought processes so that it is a better book than a film; I do think the main characters could carry a series much like the Brother Cadfael series.

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