
The Novice’s Tale
A Dame Frevisse Mystery, Book 1
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Narrated by:
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Susan Duerden
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By:
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Margaret Frazer
About this listen
Unholy passions and demonic deaths...
In the fair autumn of Our Lord's grace 1431, the nuns of England's St. Frideswide's prepare for the simply ceremonies in which the saintly novice Thomasine will take her holy vows. But their quiet lives of beauty and prayer are thrown into chaos by the merciless arrival of Lady Ermentrude Fenner and her retinue of lusty men, sinful women, and baying hounds. The hard-drinking dowager even keeps a pet monkey for her amusement. She demands wine, a feast....
And her niece, the angelic Thomasine.
The lady desires to enrich herself and her reputation by arranging a marriage for the devout novice. She cares nothing for the panic and despair she leaves behind her.
But all her cruel and cunning schemes are brought to a sudden end with strange and most unnatural murder.
As suspicious eyes turn on the pious Thomasine, it falls to Sister Frevisse, hosteler of the priory and amateur detective, to unravel the webs of unholy passion and dark intrigue that entangle the novice and prove her innocence...or condemn her.
©1992 Margaret Frazer (P)2020 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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Story
Matthew Bartholomew, unorthodox but effective physician to Michaelhouse college in medieval Cambridge, is as worried as anyone about the pestilence that is ravaging Europe and seems to be approaching England. But he is distracted by the sudden and inexplicable death of the Master of Michaelhouse - a death the University authorities do not want investigated.
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I should have loved this book.
- By J. Miller on 09-11-19
By: Susanna Gregory
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Blessop's Wife
- Historical Mysteries Collection, Book 1
- By: Barbara Gaskell Denvil
- Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
- Length: 23 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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When young Tyballis discovers her husband has been arrested for murder, she is delighted. As a young orphan coerced to marry her abusive neighbor, she was horribly used. Now is her chance to be rid of him for good and find the confidence she never had. When Tyballis joins forces with the motley network of Andrew’s informers and thieves, they are lured into the dark and dangerous world of medieval London’s political intrigue and back alley slums.
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Absorbing and well written
- By Cate F. on 12-20-23
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Fallen Into the Pit
- An Inspector Felse Mystery
- By: Ellis Peters
- Narrated by: Simon Prebble
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Helmut Schauffler, a young Nazi working in the small English village of Comerford, sets out to play upon the post-war sensibilities and fears by terrorizing his new neighbors.
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A peek into an earlier time.
- By ShySusan on 11-28-11
By: Ellis Peters
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The Bookseller's Tale
- Oxford Medieval Mysteries, Book 1
- By: Ann Swinfen
- Narrated by: Philip Battley
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Oxford, Spring 1353. When young bookseller Nicholas Elyot discovers the body of student William Farringdon floating in the river Cherwell, it looks like a drowning. Soon, however, Nicholas finds evidence of murder. Who could have wanted to kill this promising student? As Nicholas and his scholar friend Jordain try to unravel what lies behind William's death, they learn that he was innocently caught up in a criminal plot.
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Held my interest, excellent historical background
- By Marcheta on 04-07-17
By: Ann Swinfen
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Absolution by Murder
- A Sister Fidelma Mystery
- By: Peter Tremayne
- Narrated by: Caroline Lennon
- Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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In AD 664 King Oswy of Northumbria has convened a synod at Whitby to hear debate between the Roman and Celtic Christian Churches and decide which shall be granted primacy in his kingdom. At stake is much more than a few disputed points of ritual; Oswy's decision could affect the survival of either Church in the Saxon kingdoms. When the Abbess Etain, a leading speaker for the Celtic Church, is found murdered, suspicion falls upon the Roman faction.
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Interesting new (for me) series & great narrator!
- By Yvette on 02-27-15
By: Peter Tremayne
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The Unquiet Bones
- By: Mel Starr
- Narrated by: Steven Crossley
- Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Hugh of Singleton, fourth son of a minor knight, has been educated as a clerk, usually a prelude to taking holy orders. However, feeling no certain calling despite a lively faith, he turns to the profession of surgeon, training in Paris and then hanging out his sign in Oxford. A local lord asks him to track the killer of a young woman whose bones have been found in the castle cesspit. She is identified as the impetuous missing daughter of a local blacksmith, and her young man, whom she had provoked very publicly, is in due course arrested and sentenced at the Oxford assizes.
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Wonderful!!!
- By AKowalczyk on 01-05-20
By: Mel Starr
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Cathedral of Bones
- Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mysteries, Book 1
- By: J. G. Lewis
- Narrated by: Madeleine Brolly
- Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Salisbury, 1226. A young pregnant woman is found tangled in reeds in the river Avon, her identity a mystery. Grieving widow Ela Longespée is determined to succeed her husband as sheriff of Salisbury, and quickly takes charge of the investigation. She soon finds herself in the thick of a neighborhood scandal and a struggle to maintain her authority. With multiple suspects, can she identify the true killer?
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eh, okay
- By Jeffrey J. on 12-20-20
By: J. G. Lewis
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Servant of Death
- Bradecote and Catchpoll
- By: Sarah Hawkswood
- Narrated by: Matt Addis
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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The much-feared and hated Eudo - the Lord Bishop of Winchester's clerk - is bludgeoned to death in Pershore Abbey and laid before the altar in the attitude of a penitent. Everyone who had contact with him had reason to dislike him, but who had reason to kill him? The Sheriff of Worcestershire's thief taker, wily Serjeant Catchpoll, and his new and unwanted superior, Undersheriff Hugh Bradecote, have to find the answer. And as the walls of the abbey close in on the suspects, the killer strikes again....
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Medieval armchair mystery
- By Marie on 08-12-17
By: Sarah Hawkswood
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The Secret World of Christoval Alvarez
- The Chronicles of Christoval Alvarez, Volume 1
- By: Ann Swinfen
- Narrated by: Jan Cramer
- Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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It is the year 1586. England is awash with traitors, plotting to assassinate the Queen and bring about a foreign invasion. The young physician Christoval Alvarez, a refugee from the horrors of the Portuguese Inquisition, is coerced into becoming a code-breaker and agent in Sir Francis Walsingham's secret service. In the race to thwart the plot, who will triumph - the ruthless conspirators or the equally ruthless State?
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Good Story, Somewhat Distracting Narration
- By Wren on 06-17-17
By: Ann Swinfen
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A Morbid Taste for Bones
- By: Ellis Peters
- Narrated by: Patrick Tull
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Cadfael's return to his Welsh homeland for a visit proves a rather discomfiting homecoming when an honorable nobleman turns up in a patch of forest with an arrow embedded in his chest. There are questions about the arrow, the man's daughter needs Cadfael's help, and a very odd burial takes place.
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Very pleasant if not much of a mystery.
- By Zenjen on 04-15-10
By: Ellis Peters
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A Vision of Light
- A Margaret of Ashbury Novel, Book 1
- By: Judith Merkle Riley
- Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
- Length: 15 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Margaret of Ashbury wants to write her life story. However, like most women in 14th-century England, she is illiterate. Three clerics contemptuously decline to be Margaret’s scribe, and only the threat of starvation persuades Brother Gregory, a Carthusian friar with a mysterious past, to take on the task. As she narrates her life, we discover a woman of startling resourcefulness.
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Old fashioned heroine
- By Margaret on 06-22-13
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Roman Mask
- By: Thomas M. D. Brooke
- Narrated by: Steven Crossley
- Length: 19 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Augustus Caesar rules Imperial Rome at the height of its power, as the Roman Empire stretches across the known world. Cassius, son of one of her most powerful families, is the personification of Rome's imperial strength: wealthy, popular, a war hero with a decorated military career, he hides a secret. After his nerve is broken in Germany, the thought of genuine armed combat is enough to send him into a cold sweat of fear and shame.
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One of the best Roman Historical Novels EVER
- By Gail N. on 05-17-21
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An Occupied Grave
- Brock & Poole Series, Book 1
- By: A.G. Barnett
- Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
- Length: 5 hrs
- Unabridged
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When mourners gather in the village of Lower Gladdock, the grave is found to be already occupied. The victim is soon linked to a tragedy that tore the village apart five years ago and is handed over to the Bexford police to solve. Detective Sergeant Guy Poole is hoping to put his traumatic past behind him and settle into his new station at Bexford. Now history is threatening to raise its head again, and he has a murder case to contend with. Detective Inspector Sam Brock has a new recruit to take under his wing, and he's determined this one isn't going to die.
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I think I bought this in a two for one sale.
- By Mark on 02-14-19
By: A.G. Barnett
What listeners say about The Novice’s Tale
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- Mississippi Malka
- 08-11-24
So happy I found this series! I hope all of these come out in Audible!
It’s so refreshing to find another well-written medieval mystery series! The historical details are accurate as far as I can tell; it’s not easy to find a writer who understands that “uppers” contract the irises, often to the point to where the eyes look black from the enlarged pupils. This is accuracy I find rare among many writers - some of them quite famous. I hope to begin the next book in the series right now!
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- Jennifer Smith
- 10-18-20
Very enjoyable read!
My mother, who has great taste in medieval mysteries, has been encouraging me to read this series and I’m so glad it’s on audible!
The pace of this book is wonderful if, like me, you craft and listen at the same time. I only think I had to rewind because I missed something while crafting, which is a rarity.
The story is wonderful- love, intrigue and lessons learned about impatience etc without being preachy or too religious. It’s a beautiful mix. I can’t wait for the next book and I hope audible continues the series!
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3 people found this helpful
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- dr
- 02-09-25
Surprisingly complex
An interesting glimpse into the author's view of medieval life. It is difficult to know how accurate the representation of the nuns experience is. Certainly, the tale is well told, and the plot line is well executed.
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- AKowalczyk
- 06-06-20
A bit boring
I wanted to like this but it took about half the story to get to some action. I almost gave up on it several times.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Raleyne conner
- 01-01-25
The narration
I am impressed by the narrators use of different voices for the characters —-so talented !
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- Kathy in CA
- 03-20-20
Completely Wonderful
I thoroughly enjoyed this! The plot is complex and features a lot of insights into human nature. The historical setting is interesting; as a fan of historical fiction I would have enjoyed even more cultural and political context. I also appreciate the window into monastic life of an earlier time.
The narrator is excellent, though with not as intricate many voice changes as some.
I can hardly wait to continue with this series!
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4 people found this helpful
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- Gordon T.
- 05-10-23
Tedious story line
Took a while to get into. Dull uninteresting characters. Will not look for next book.
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- Karen Toney
- 06-06-20
First Reads
It was wonderful to find the first story in this series. I want more 🤗
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3 people found this helpful
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- Lila T.
- 01-01-25
character development in great world creation
a fantastic book very solid in its character development flow and World creation among the best medieval fiction I have read. highly recommended.
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- george
- 06-19-20
Tremendous 1st Story - Don't go past this!!
Murder mystery's are my entertainment and my brain food. The Middle Ages in Britain my favorite period. The Novice's Tale combines both brilliantly.
The narrator does an excellent job, provding listeners with a true sense of Fear in the voice of the Novice, Authority in the voce of the Abbess, Madness in the voice of the victim and Hate in the voice of the accuser and the killer.
An excellent combination of Word and Voice.
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12 people found this helpful