Anna S. (annapi) reviewed The Sempster's Tale (Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries) on + 334 more book reviews
I'm running out of superlatives to use when reviewing the Sister Frevisse books. This one is more complicated than her usual, set during the Cade rebellion in 1450. Frevisse is asked a favor by her cousin Alice, widow of the murdered duke of Suffolk. He had taken his money into exile, and now that he is dead Alice needs the money back, but it has to be delivered in secret. This will be done through the sempster who is sewing the funeral vestments, and her secret Jewish lover who brings the gold to her. Frevisse becomes enmeshed in a web of lies when a body is discovered in a crypt, mutilated with what are supposedly Hebrew letters, and she suddenly finds herself trapped in the city by the rebel army.
While the story itself was thoroughly engaging, reading the author's note afterward that described the careful detail in her research impressed me even more. She was very careful about using words that fit the period, such as "Sempster" in the title, and the avoidance of the word "mob" which did not exist in the 15th century. The treatment of the Jews of the period was also meticulously dealt with and woven most convincingly into the story. This is easily one of her best books, made all the more so by the way the solution to the murder was not tied neatly into a bow and throws much turmoil into Frevisse's soul.
While the story itself was thoroughly engaging, reading the author's note afterward that described the careful detail in her research impressed me even more. She was very careful about using words that fit the period, such as "Sempster" in the title, and the avoidance of the word "mob" which did not exist in the 15th century. The treatment of the Jews of the period was also meticulously dealt with and woven most convincingly into the story. This is easily one of her best books, made all the more so by the way the solution to the murder was not tied neatly into a bow and throws much turmoil into Frevisse's soul.
Jeannine W. (jrelehw) reviewed The Sempster's Tale (Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries) on + 204 more book reviews
A VERY good one! I cared so much for the characters and felt their pain!
:o)
:o)
