My Winter Heart Blog Tour is coming to its end, and I can’t believe how much fun I’ve had.  As an author, I cheerfully spend most of my time alone, immersed in my work.  Over the years, signings and suchlike have drawn me out only occasionally.  So this venture into the cyber-world has been an adventure.  Thank you, one and all, for sharing it with me.

Looking ahead, I’ve been selected to speak at the Historical Novel Society Conference in San Diego, CA, which will take place June 17th thru 19th, 2011. Among other things, I’ll be moderating a panel:

Keeping a Series Fresh
Saturday, June 18th, 2011
8:30 – 9:30 AM

I’ve been doing some light reading to familiarize myself with the matter. What are your thoughts? What keeps a series fresh for you? Drop by my Facebook page and join the discussion.

REVIEW ROUND-UP

This was my first exposure to medieval mystery, and I have to say, I was highly intrigued.  It took a little while to get into the story, as the type of language and pacing is a little different than a contemporary mystery novel, but once I adjusted my mindset, I flew through this book.  I was excited to see Domina Frevisse at work, to learn her line of reasoning and type of logic.  I really enjoyed her as a character.  We do not learn much about her personally in this book, but it is not necessary for us to feel a deep connection with her in order to appreciate her character.

I really loved the setting of this book, as it was so unique.  Medieval mysteries are a highly specified genre, and the only other author in the genre I am at all familiar with is Michael Jecks, so chances are readers who like his work will also like works by Frazer.  This story is one from a series starring Frevisse, but it also works well as a stand alone book for readers like me just getting acquainted with Frazer’s work.

Before now I had not read any of Frazer’s Dame Frevisse or Player Joliffe mysteries, though I’d long wanted to! This is a novella, so it’s a very quick read and a great introduction to Dame Frevisse for anyone who’s not familiar with the series. It’s different from most other historical fiction I’ve read in that, one, the main character is a nun, and so most of the story takes place inside a nunnery, and two, it paints a vivid and realistic picture of life in a tiny medieval village, and it’s not all quaint and dreamy. It’s winter, life is hard. Crown officials are seldom seen, and it’s up to the village to keep its own peace. I enjoyed it, and you know me–anything that educates as well as entertains me gets a thumbs up in my book!

Margaret Frazer brings medieval England to life.

I absolutely love the Dame Frevisse novels!

Sister Frevisse, now Domina Frevisse as prioress of St. Frideswide’s, has more to worry about now that she is responsible for the whole priory. But she always has time to solve a murder! When Master Naylor comes to her with the problem of Tom Kelstowe, she cannot help being intrigued. Tom had disappeared after being accused of rape, and under the law to flee is to admit guilt. But he returns claiming he was kidnapped, and though doubtful, Frevisse gives him a second chance. Then a murder occurs.

Frevisse is as sharp as ever, and Frazer’s characterization and historical background as good as ever, in this short (too short!) return to St. Frideswide’s and our old familiar friends. I just wish the visit had been longer to prolong the pleasure her books always give me.

If you’ve ever wished you could drop in on 15th century England, reading a novel by Margaret Frazer is almost like being there. Witness the author’s new novella, “Winter Heart,” which features an old friend, Dame Frevisse, now become Domina Frevisse.

This beloved heroine is once again confronted with murders, poisonings, and other crimes near St. Frideswide’s priory. If Frevisse fails to find the guilty person, an innocent man may be condemned. Fortunately, in becoming the head of the priory, the nun has lost none of her detective instincts, and Frazer leads us skillfully to a satisfying conclusion of the plot.

I particularly enjoyed the setting of “Winter Heart,” the flavor of Benedictine hospitality as well as devout faith of the nuns, the interplay of various medieval people and personalities. Frazer speaks at the end of the book about “the pleasure of going thoroughly into otherwhen as well as otherwhere….” You’ll find plenty of both in this tale.

In this novelette we find Domina Frevisse balancing the responsibilities of Prioress with her talent for solving crime. A young man in the village is missing after being accused of rape. Things about his disappearance do not add up, and cause Domina Frevisse to delve into the mystery. As usual the plot is well thought out and well executed. You also always learn about history in Ms. Frazer’s books in an interesting and informative way. I love the interaction of Domina Frevisse with the characters we know and love from her pre-Prioress days. I wish the book was longer so that I could have enjoyed it for a longer time!

– Margaret