The Novice's Tale

Oxford Medieval Mysteries, Book 2

By: Ann Swinfen

Narrated by: Philip Battley

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

When the novice Emma Thorgold goes missing from Godstow Abbey in the summer of 1353, the hunt is on throughout the Oxfordshire countryside. Bookseller Nicholas Elyot and scholar Jordain Brinkylsworth are anxious to help the girl, but her stepfather has other intentions. Why is he so determined to shut her away for life? Or worse? And will she be found unharmed?

©2016 Ann Swinfen (P)2017 Ann Swinfen

Simply Lovely

A beautifully told tale with great historic accuracy that brings to life the lives of the characters with quiet certainty

Not really a mystery

I am a fan of Cadfael, and I became a fan of Shardlake, so when Audible recommended "Oxford Medieval Mysteries" to me, I had to try them.

The style is in line with Cadfael and Shardlake in that Ann Swinfen tries to capture the realities of life in Oxford and in particular the difficulties after the Black Death (which happened 4 years before the start of the story). The characters are interesting and the local color is fun to experience, although it might be a little sanitized.

As far as the "mystery" part of the stories go, those are almost secondary to the tales of the characters and their situations. Yes, someone dies or gets attacked or robbed in most of the books, and the main character (Nicholas Elyot) spends a lot of time trying to right the wrongs, but only a couple of the books are "whodunit" stories in the traditional sense.

For this particular volume, it has relatively few elements of a traditional a mystery story. It is a follow-on to the events of the first in the series ("The Bookseller's Tale"), and it is a fun story and I enjoyed it. But this is primarily a novel about the characters with some "whodunit" elements mixed in, so understand what you are getting.

Really boring

The first book was pretty fun to read and held my interest the whole way through. I was excited to read the next one, but unfortunately found it just dragged and dragged. I also thought much of the story was not believable for the time period. The narrator is excellent. Too bad the material is so overwrought.

I thoroughly enjoy this series!

Adventure, trickles of romance, Olde time language, very good narration, great character development! I love it all!!

Excellent series! Love the history and characters

Very well written with a good story, lots of historical detail and great characters. I'm getting the 3rd book now. I like cozy mysteries, and this is similar. But, the first two books are also full of details of book making, scribing and monastic orders. Definitely a good read. The narrator does and excellent job as well!

So much fun!

Ann Swinfen has me hooked on this series and in love with the characters. Her writing transports you back to medieval Oxford and Philip Battley's narrating gives depth to the characters. Looking forward to the next one!

The Novice's Tale

Though this book can stand alone, it would be better to read/listen to book one, "The Bookseller's Tale" first. The narration is excellent. The story well done and interesting. It helps one to understand medieval life. The characters are strong and likeable. I am looking forward to follow them into book three!

Fun and Instructive

I enjoyed learning about daily life of emerging middle class in Oxford, England. Well told.

A Medieval Cozy

This second book in the series is interesting more for its historical detail than for its plot or characterisation. There is no mystery to solve as in The Bookseller's Tale; however, details of medieval monastic customs and the legal status of women carry the novel. Narration is excellent. This is a gentle book.

Disappointing Second Book

I was very disappointed in this book. I had high hopes for the series after reading the first book. In a sense this book takes up the tale where the last book ended. While in the first book they solved the mystery of the murder of a young student at Oxford, in this book we are involved with his sister on the eve of taking her final vows at a nearby by convent.

However there is not much mystery here. The story is mostly about finding a way to get the heroine, the Novice of the title, out of the convent. There are long periods of following her escape and the efforts of her relative to track her down with dogs. Much of the book is taken up with the escape and flight. I found that rather boring and uninteresting. Some of you may have a different view. But it did not suit me. However, it was well written and you certainly had a feel for what the Novice was experiencing.

I hope that future books in the series will return to the murder/mystery theme of the first volume.

enjoyable

i like these tales.. will they tax your mind? will they send you off wringing your hands and pondering the meaning off it all? NO what they will do is whisk you off to anither time and place and tell a pleasant story in a pleasent way. If you like you novels light and enjoyable then go for it.

Couldn’t put it down!

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. It’s wonderfully written and narrated with fascinating historical details

a dam good story

suspense and intrgue abound. easy listening willing the heroine and hero to a successful ending.

Great story.

Had me hooked from the start. Easy to listen to. Will be reading the next in series very soon.

Comfortable and gentle tale

You know that things will work out well ok the end. Good characterisations and a sense of comfortable community here. If you are looking for a gentle story and interfering historical references this is it

Good

The 2nd book of this series does not disappoint. It is the same easy listening as the 1st book, and not taxing on the brain, but thoroughly enjoyable. I shall now download the 3rd book.

Attention to detail first rate

These Tales are fascinating, in that they really show extensive, authentic detail of the medieval era. Added to that, the mystery part is easy going (not 15 murders per book like a Paul Doherty). A really enjoyable listen.

Book 2 as good as book 1

Really enjoyed the story again. Interesting information contained within the story. Having enjoyed book 1 and now book 2, I am looking forward too the rest of the series.

Absorbing plot set in a brilliantly explained Medieval time.

I enjoy Anne Swinfen’s style evoking Medieval speech. I am getting used to Philip Battley’s restrained reading performance in this second book of the series. NH