A medieval pilgrim harbours murderous intentions towards the King. Can Prioress Eleanor stop him before it's too late?Prioress Eleanor of Tyndal is on a pilgrimage, looking for peace and respite, when rumours spread that King Edward is on his way, seeking God's blessing for his recent invasion of Wales. Lurking in this sacred place, however, is an assassin with murderous treason in mind. When a nun falls to her death from the priory bell tower, is it a tragic accident, or a sign of what's to come?Although far away from the gossipy village of Tyndal, Eleanor, like a medieval Miss Marple, must use all her wit, wisdom and insight to unravel the clues to the case.But can Eleanor expose the killer in their midst, or will she too fall victim to one who has made a covenant with hell?Review"There is no better writer of medieval mysteries than Priscilla Royal."—Sharon Kay Penman, New York Times Bestselling Author "Royal again demonstrates why she’s a worthy successor to Ellis Peters."--Publishers Weekly "Royal does her usual superb job of dovetailing both the religious and the political subtext bolstering her tautly strung narrative. This historically authentic series is definitely on a par with the best of Peter Tremayne and Ellis Peters."--Booklist "The vividly drawn characters in THE SANCTITY OF HATE enlighten us on many details of monastic life." —New York Times review of The Sanctity of Hate "Historical mystery fans will find much to like here. The novel is well researched, with an intriguing plot and a timely message about religious tolerance."--Booklist review of The Sanctity of Hate "The rich atmosphere and well-drawn characters make this a superior historical."--Publishers Weekly starred review of A Killing Season "Royal’s attention to historical detail and skillful creation of a sinister, chilling atmosphere makes her latest in this series a treat for all mystery readers."--Booklist review of A Killing Season "Accurate both to its 13th-century period and to the unchanging nature of the human soul, this series deserves both its loyal followers and its new fans. "--Publishers Weekly review of Valley of Dry Bones "Suspense and suspects abound as the devout duo winds its way through the startling twists and turns of the well-crafted plot. A worthy successor to Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael, Prioress Eleanor also compares favorably with Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma."--Booklist review of Chambers of Death "Once again, Royal combines a well-executed plot with authentic period detail."--Publishers Weekly review of Chambers of Death About the AuthorPriscilla Royal grew up in British Columbia and earned a B.A. in World Literature at San Francisco State University, where she discovered the beauty of medieval literature. She is a theater fan as well as a reader of history, mystery, and fiction of lesser violence. When not hiding in the thirteenth century, she lives in Northern California and is a member of California Writers Club, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. www.priscillaroyal.com

Autumn, 1282As Edward I wages a bloody conflict with Wales, Prioress Eleanor escorts her younger brother, Robert, and his wife, who is in labor, from their Marcher lands to greater safety at a Wynethorpe manor in a village just inside the English border. They are joined by Brother Thomas, the Prioress's trusted friend, and Sister Anne, who helps navigate the difficult birth and delivers a baby girl.Mother and child may be healthy, but Death never wanders far from this beloved Prioress—whether she's home at Tyndal in Norfolk or traveling the realm. The local abbot begs her help—the village priest has been found dead and standing over him is, a reliable witness says, the ghost of Hywel, the village stonemason who was recently hanged for slaying some sleeping English soldiers.Bone tired, Brother Thomas questions the village hangman, who assures him that Hywel was hanged once and then, when the weight of the fat felon strung up alongside him...

November 1283. Prioress Eleanor of Tyndal priory is visited by her cousin, the Earl of Ness, and his wife, Eda. When she is murdered in chapel with his knife, he becomes the prime suspect. Soon after, her priest is also killed in the same chapel. Are the crimes connected or not? Eda was a ruthless woman with many enemies. Her priest was a quiet and pious man, completely disinterested in worldly matters. Crowner Ralf claims jurisdiction under the king's law since no monastic is a suspect. Prioress Eleanor denies his claim and his insistence that he be the one to question her cousin. Before the crowner is allowed to investigate, she must find out why the murders were done on Church land, and she is convinced that she is the best one to get the truth from her cousin. But as she digs deeper, she begins to fear that the crowner was right. Not only do the problems grow but her cousin, whom she believed was innocent, is lying to her. Must she turn him over for hanging? This book is...

It is Spring 1282. England is at war again with Wales. As Baron Hugh of Wynethorpe, a veteran of fighting in Outremer, prepares to join his King's army, he begs his sister, Prioress Eleanor, a favor. On her journey home to Tyndal Prior in Norfolk, she is to carry a gift of rents from the Wynethorpe estates to Mynchen Buckland Priory. The charter for the grant and a private letter are to be given to the Hospitaller nuns' Prioress Amicia, and none other. Eleanor agrees - if Hugh is heading into the Welsh wilderness, then she, Eleanor, will do him this service as well as pray for his protection.When she and her party of Brother Thomas and Sister Anne arrive in cold and rain-sodden Somerset, they receive a chilly welcome. Then the new Prioress at Mynchen Buckland delivers shocking news: Amicia has been imprisoned, convicted of murdering a widow from the village in the priory's cloister, and awaits sentencing by the Prior of England, the Order of the Hospital of Saint John of...

In the winter of 1282, snow and ice ravage East Anglia while Prioress Eleanor awaits the decision of her young maid, Gracia, found starving on the streets some years ago, whether to take vows or to leave Tyndal Priory to make her way in the world.But a far greater problem arrives at the priory gate. Seven abbots are riding to meet a papal legate in Norfolk. This is not a pilgrimage-each abbot hopes to make a case for being raised to a bishopric at the next vacancy. One abbot grows so ill the party has detoured to Tyndal. And despite the limited care Sister Anne can offer, Abbot Ilbert dies a horrible death, cause unknown. As his fellows prepare to resume their journey the next day, Abbot Tristram doubles over in great distress. By now the heavy snows have choked all the roads and the priory and village are marooned. Tristram dies. And then another abbot sickens while Sister Anne struggles to determine what killed these men-which question soon becomes not just what . . .