Review: The Monastery Murders by EM Powell

Synopsis:

Their lives are ones of quiet contemplation—and brutal murder.

Christmas Eve, 1176. Brother Maurice, monk of Fairmore Abbey, awaits the night prayer bell. But there is only silence. Cursing his fellow brother Cuthbert’s idleness, he seeks him out—and in the darkness, finds him brutally murdered.

Summoned from London to the isolated monastery on the Yorkshire Moors, Aelred Barling, clerk to the King’s justices, and his messenger Hugo Stanton set about investigating the horrific crime. They quickly discover that this is far from a quiet monastic house. Instead, it seethes with bitter feuds, rivalries and resentments. But no sooner do they arrive than the killer strikes again—and again.

This is the second outing of EM Powell's Stanton & Barling mystery series - the King's Justice being the first, and one I did not read beforehand.

The series is set in the time of Henry II, in this instance, after the murder of Thomas a'Becket, for which Henry is still atoning, and the Assize of Northampton. The final years of Henry's reign are filled with political and familial turmoils, rebellion and revolt, Henry was facing battle on many fronts.  It is into this that our two are sent, to the far flung Cistercian monastery of Fairmore in Northern Yorkshire to investigate the mysterious and gruesome death of one of the monks.

Along the way, and throughout, we are given a glimpse into the lives of these two - master and pupil - which also provides enough of a backstory to the first tome (though I still wish I had read it nonetheless). Far from being welcomed, the two - considered outsiders - are treated with suspicion and contempt.

As the investigations continue, more is revealed about the monks and life in the monastery; the truth lies in the past, and more than one secret is revealed.

Great story-telling - I kept thinking, how will this end, will the body count rise, will our two come close to solving this mystery before becoming victims themselves. I love this period of history, and this sort of mystery novel / series is right up my alley.

visit EM Powell's website HERE