Book Review: Saintly Murders

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Saintly Murders    
C. L. Grace
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical   Woman Main Character   Medical
Series: Kathryn Swinbrooke # 5
St. Martin's, Aug 2001, $22.95, 256 pp.

By 1147, the war between the houses of York and Lancaster finally ends. The Yorkists won the battle of Tewkesbury, scattering the surviving losers into exile in Wales. Now Edward is the king of England loved by many and feared by some. However, his mother, Duchess Cecily, goes to bed fearing what tomorrow will bring.

Her confessor, Father Roger formerly Roger Aworth, a person who committed horrendous atrocities in the wars in France, is killed and there is some mystery surrounding his death. The queen's mother and her confessor exchanged letters over the years that contain secrets that could hurt more than Duchess Cecily. Kathryn Swinbrooke, an apothecary and physician, uses the guise of investigating whether Father Roger is a candidate for canonization to enter the church of the Friars of the Order of the Sack. She plans to uncover any secrets that they may be hiding.

SAINTLY MURDERS is a colorful and fascinating historical mystery that gives readers a glimpse into the aftermath of the War of the Roses. The heroine is an independent feisty individual who speaks her mind and feels very much at home in a man's world. There are many sub-plots that give insight into the era while adding depth to the tale. C.L. Grace is a born storyteller.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner