Wine of Violence

The Medieval Mysteries, Book 1

By: Priscilla Royal

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Late summer, 1270. Although the Simon de Montfort rebellion is over, the smell of death still hangs over the land. In the small priory of Tyndal, the monks and nuns of the Order of Fontevraud long for a return to routine. Their hopes are dashed, however, when the young and inexperienced Eleanor of Wynethorpe is appointed their new prioress. Only a day after her arrival, a brutally murdered monk is found in the cloister gardens, and Brother Thomas, a young priest with a troubled past, arrives to bring her a more personal grief. Now Eleanor must not only struggle to gain the respect of her terrified and resentful flock but also cope with violence, lust, and greed.

©2003 Priscilla Royal (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Great short read!

I was hesitant when reading the description, reviews and foreword. I’m so thankful I decided to follow my hunch. It is a fun read containing the character development and unspoken thought that I enjoy!

Excellent mystery

I wasn’t sure about this series, but have found it intriguing. I’ve gone back to download the series. The narrator, Wanda McCaddon is excellent with the various speakers.

Rocky start but persevere

Rocky start but hang in there
Good historical who done it and interesting ending .. give it a go …

Enjoyable

I suspect this story is very well researched and it is a huge compliment when I say it doesn’t really show. The narration is superb.
One can almost forget the author is American, transatlantic anachronisms (e.g.the mention of chipmunks) are very few and far between. I enjoyed her foreword and historical notes very much.

A slow start to perhaps a good series

After finishing "Wine of Violence" by Priscilla Royal, I found myself in a bit of a conundrum when it came to rating it. Eventually, I settled on 3.5 stars. There were aspects of the book that I thoroughly enjoyed, particularly the engaging storyline and the endearing characters. However, there were also a few elements that left me wanting more.

One thing that struck me was the absence of a sense of urgency and fear, which I would have expected given the gravity of the events unfolding within the narrative. While I appreciated the role of Brother Thomas and found him to be a compelling character, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—a certain je-ne-sais-quoi that would have elevated the story to the next level.

Moreover, I felt that the developments in the final chapters could have been dispersed more evenly throughout the book, rather than being clustered at the very end. Although the conclusion was intriguing, it lacked sufficient buildup in the narrative, leaving me wishing for more depth and exploration earlier on.

There were also instances where I found myself questioning the actions of certain characters. Why didn't Brother Thomas engage with the choir boys or Brother John? Why did this one particular Sister not return the borrowed key? And why was there seemingly no one on guard when they knew someone had entered through a supposedly locked door?

Additionally, I craved more insight into the daily lives and interactions of the characters. It felt odd that characters like Thomas and John seemed to have had no interaction despite living under the same roof. However, I did enjoy the interactions between Thomas and Simeon, and I wished there had been more of them.

Overall, "Wine of Violence" is a captivating read with its fair share of strengths and weaknesses. While it may not have entirely met my expectations, it certainly kept me entertained throughout. Because this is the first book in the series, I will certainly give it the benefit of the doubt when it comes to its pacing and will happily continue with this series!