The Novice's Tale

Oxford Medieval Mysteries, Book 2

By: Ann Swinfen

Narrated by: Philip Battley

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

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.

Great series and narrator

I have really enjoyed this series! The stores are lively and interesting either way plenty of history. The narrator is terrific!

Wonderful story!!

While there is no tale of murder, this tale is very well done!! I love just how much of daily Medieval life I have learned listening to both the first volume— The Booksellers Tale and this one. The Novice’s Tale is full of suspense, and I found myself saying, “Just one more chapter!” The narration is wonderful! I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook!

Loved this book, can't wait for #3

love the story, love the characters, love the fact that there's nothing i have to worry about censoring. no bad language, no gore or extreme violence... good story, kept my interest, can't wait to get to book 3 and find out what happens next.

Entertainment continues

I really enjoyed book 1, and book 2 was no disappointment. Its a lively and fun tale that gives an authentic feeling of medieval life arround Oxford. The mystery is subtly interwoven in the larger story and is not built as the story in book 1.

So good!

The narration was just fantastic and the story compelling without being too violent or gory. A very sweet installment in the series, making the era vivid in the reader’s imagination. Loved it!

Great fun for Medieval enthusiasts

A very enjoyable tale, but I missed the first one in the series. Worth listening to the rest of the series with fine narration.

You'll Fall Straight into Medieval Oxford

It is so hard to resist falling straight into the pages of this lovely, realistic story that seems so very authentic--and that means you fall straight into Medieval Oxford as the plague has waned. I love the fact the mystery involves terrible fraud and deceit, rather than bloody murder (though that was a possibility). The main character is completely compelling and believable. The main female character--the same. The plight of the medieval woman is presented compellingly, and an integral part of the story. Perfectly read by Philip Battley. Highly recommended.

Simply Lovely

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

Read Book One First!

This is a well written medieval mystery, with a wonderfully described sense of place , and character development very well done.
This tale is more of a story rather than a mystery per se (although the motives behind the story are a mystery) .
It's important to have read book one first ...the Book Seller's Tale; otherwise you will spend far too much time trying to work out who's who.
And it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so now I simply must listen to book Three, which won't be a hardness. Well narrated. Great listen