The Holy Thief

The Holy Thief (1992) Ellis Peters

Set in England in 1144.

Two very different groups have stopped by the Benedictine abbey: a troubadour and his entourage, and a brother and a novice from Ramsey–seeing funds and help to rebuild the abbey and the city there, destroyed by Geoffrey de Mandeville, Earl of Essex.

But a flood in Shrewsbury throws everything into confusion, as the brothers move to put Saint Winifred and other holy items someplace above the possible flooding.

As is obvious from the title, Saint Winifred’s casket disappeared in the chaos of the flooding.

It’s obvious who has caused Saint Winifred to disappear, but there is still a good deal of mystery here, and surprises to the end.

We also meet again Donata Blount, who has now not much longer to live.

this woman was now so closely acquainted with death that the subtle creaking of the opening door was present in her voice, and the transparent pallor of the bodyless soul in her face.

I was delighted we got to see her again, even if only for her death.

He would raise sons in his own image, and the earth would be glad of them.

And there are now only two books left in the series, so as is my wont, I’m going to leave this series and return to it later.
Rating: 9/10

Published by MysteriousPress

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