Tag: Murder

Book Review: “Heresy” by S. J. Parris

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Tudor England was a chaotic dynasty, especially when it came to issues pertaining to religion. If you were a citizen, you had to either sacrifice your faith to stay alive or sacrifice yourself for your faith. This animosity between Catholics and Protestants came to the forefront during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and the most prominent battleground was the universities. To protect the queen, Sir Francis Walsingham has decided to send Giordano Bruno to Oxford University to uncover a Catholic conspiracy, but as soon as he arrives, the murders begin. Can Bruno uncover the conspiracy and find the murderer before they murder him? And can Bruno find his own treasure at the university? This is the premise of the first novel in the Giordano Bruno series by S.J. Parris, “Heresy.”

I am always looking for a new take on the Tudors. I have heard about S. J. Parris’s novels online, but I have yet to read any of her books. The description of this novel was intriguing, and Bruno sounded like a Shardlake-esque character, which I love.

So let’s talk about Bruno. Giordano Bruno was a free thinker and a monk at the monastery of San Domenico. Bruno is not afraid to read controversial texts, even if it means that the Inquisition is fast on his heels. We jump a few years ahead when Bruno is living in England and is friends with Sir Philip Sidney. Sir Francis Walsingham has heard about Bruno and asked him to visit Oxford to uncover a Catholic conspiracy, which works out well since Bruno was planning on debating the Copernican theory of the universe with one of Oxford’s greatest minds. But Bruno also has another goal in going to Oxford, which is to find a controversial book that is rumored to be at Oxford, for his own enjoyment.

Unfortunately, things at Oxford are not as calm as they seem. A sinister plot begins to unfold as it is discovered that a man is mauled to death by a dog. It seems to be a tragic accident, but Bruno soon discovers that this was only the beginning of a series of murders. While the murders may not seem connected, Bruno finds out that there is a Catholic thread connecting them all. Rector Underhill may want to hide these murders from the public to protect the school, but he struggles to protect his own family, especially his headstrong daughter Sophia.

Bruno reminds me a lot of Shardlake in the best possible way. The man is intelligent and is willing to find out the truth no matter what it takes. This novel felt so similar in style but unique in the writing style, the characters, and the macabre crimes. It is so compelling that I cannot wait to read more of this series. If you want a mystery series set during the reign of Elizabeth I with a religious twist, I highly suggest you read book one of the Giordano Bruno series, “Heresy” by S. J. Parris.

Book Review: “Queen Isabella: Treachery, Adultery, and Murder in Medieval England” by Alison Weir

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Throughout medieval English history, there have been some famous queens who left their marks. Empress Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Eleanor of Castile, Philippa of Hainault, and Margaret of Anjou each left an impression on English history, either good or bad. However, there was one queen whose negative reputation came with the nickname “She-Wolf of France,” and her name was Queen Isabella of France. The wife of Edward II and mother of Edward III, she left her husband for Roger Mortimer and overthrew her husband in favor of her son. For centuries, she has been viewed as a horrible villainess, but is that a fair assessment of her life? Alison Weir dives into the archives to find the truth about Isabella of France, and she presents her findings in her biography, “Queen Isabella: Treachery, Adultery, and Murder in Medieval England.”

As a fan of Alison Weir, I am trying to read every book she has written so far, so when I saw this book in a used book store, I jumped at the chance to read it. I have read books that have featured Isabella of France, but I have never read a biography about her until now. I wanted to see if this book would change how I feel about her.

Isabella of France was the daughter of Philip IV, King of France, and Jeanne I, Queen of Navarre, born in 1295. As the only surviving daughter of Philip and Jeanne, she was expected to make a match that would create an alliance, which she did when she married Edward II of England. On paper, it should have been an ideal match, but Edward II had his favorites. The first was Piers Gaveston, whom Edward II knew before he married Isabella. Edward paid more attention to advancing Gaveston than governing, which led to the great men of England (known as the Ordainers) enacting the Ordinances of 1311 and Gaveston’s execution in 1312. Edward II swore revenge against those who killed Gaveston.

For a while, Edward and Isabella had a loving relationship. They had four surviving children: Edward III of England, John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall, Eleanor Countess of Guelders, and Joan Queen of Scots. Unfortunately, Isabella’s happiness would not last long as Hugh Despenser the Younger would take the place as Edward’s new favorite. Things got so bad for Isabella that she decided to leave for France, stay there with her son Edward III, and start a relationship with Roger Mortimer. It would end with an invasion of England, the death of the Despensers, Edward II captured, and Edward III becoming King of England.

Isabella of France’s reputation may have been marred for centuries for her role in overthrowing her husband in favor of her son, and for what happened to Edward II afterward, but I think Weir does a decent job in rehabilitating her reputation. I don’t necessarily agree with her assessment of Edward II, but I felt like, when it came to Isabella herself, I appreciate her story and feel a bit sympathetic for what she had to deal with. If you want a biography about Isabella of France, I would recommend you read “Queen Isabella: Treachery, Adultery, and Murder in Medieval England” by Alison Weir.

Book Review: “Sinners” by Elizabeth Fremantle

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The year is 1599 in Rome, Italy. A young rich woman stands in front of an executioner’s block. She is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a lover, and a killer. Her victim was her father, a man who made her life and the lives of her family members a living hell. When she falls in love with one of her father’s spies, she believes that it is a way out. However, the path she chooses to embark on will bring deadly consequences. What is the truth surrounding this case, and is Beatrice Cenci a cold-blooded murderer or a victim looking for her freedom? Elizabeth Fremantle explores the life of Beatrice Cenci and the circumstances of this crime in her latest novel, “Sinners.”

When I heard that Elizabeth Fremantle had a new novel coming out soon, I jumped at the chance to read it. I loved “Disobedient” and “Queen’s Gambit,” so I was excited to see what story she would tell in this novel. I had never heard of Beatrice Cenci before reading this novel, which was a thrilling prospect, as it allowed me to discover a new historical figure.

We begin with Beatrice as a young girl being forced to leave the convent where she received her education. Her father, Francesco Cenci, had just remarried, and Beatrice had a new stepmother named Lucrezia. We then jump forward twelve years to the Palazzo Cenci in Rome. Beatrice found the body of her brother Rocco, who was killed by the Orestesi, the mortal enemy of the Cenci. After the funeral, Francesco decides to move to La Rocca, a fortress which is more of a prison than a home.

Francesco becomes paranoid and even more possessive of his family, especially Beatrice, who should have been married by now. Instead, Beatrice is trapped in her grief and fears her father. But, there is a glimmer of hope for Beatrice as she finds her soul mate in the castle keeper and spy for her father, Olimpio. Unfortunately, the glimmer can only last for a moment as Francesco’s paranoia reaches a fever pitch and a plan is hatched to rid the family of Francesco forever. Even with the death of Francesco, the family is not out of danger as they must deal with the consequences of their plan.

This is another grippingly beautiful and tragic novel written by Elizabeth Fremantle. Beatrice Cenci’s story was heartbreaking and heavy, but it was a stunning read. I found myself feeling so sympathetic towards Beatrice and Olimpio, even though she did commit a heinous crime. “Sinners” by Elizabeth Fremantle is a binge-worthy read that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time and will give you a better understanding of the treacherous time and Beatrice Cenci, a woman trapped in an impossible situation. An absolute must-read for any fan of historical fiction.

Book Review: “Murder in Anglo-Saxon England: Justice, Weregild, Revenge” by Annie Whitehead

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What’s better than snuggling up on a cold winter’s day and reading a murder mystery? How about an entire book about historical murders and the laws about murder and revenge? While we do have murder mysteries in every century and every walk of life, the farther back into the past we go, the more difficult it can be to discern fact from fiction. Take, for example, the stories of murder, betrayal, and revenge in Anglo-Saxon England. Annie Whitehead hopes to reveal a deeper understanding of this period through numerous murder cases in her latest book, “Murder in Anglo-Saxon England: Justice, Weregild, Revenge.”

I want to thank Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. I have read a few of Annie Whitehead’s books, including “Mercia: The Rise and Fall of a Kingdom,” and “Women of Power in Anglo-Saxon England,” so when I heard that she was writing a new book about this era, I knew I wanted to read it. Whitehead has always been able to make this era come alive, so I hoped to learn more about this period in English history.

Whitehead begins by explaining that she will cover close to a hundred cases of murder and revenge in this book from the 7th century to the 11th century. Each chapter focuses on a different kingdom: Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia, and Wessex, as well as a different concept like laws, women killers, and Anglo-Saxon saints. It is a lot of ground to cover in a book, but she also decided to include the different law codes that defined the era and how murder was dealt with in a legal sense. Whitehead also decided to take on myths and legends of how saints and martyrs were killed, as well as the mythological killing method of the Blood Eagle employed by the “Vikings.”

There are so many colorful stories full of betrayal, political intrigue, and legal implications. These stories and myths of killings tell us more about the period of the past. Anglo-Saxon England was not a lawless society as we do see how taxes like weregild and their punishments for murder evolved. These were not just some stories written down on paper. The men, women, and children lived and ultimately died at a time when England was figuring out its identity. Although most of these incidents are isolated cases of murder and revenge, the St. Brice’s Day Massacre saw the execution of many Danish men on English soil.

I found this book extremely informative and easy to follow. Whitehead does it again and makes the world of Anglo-Saxon England come alive with her extensive research and her writing style. I may be a novice to the Anglo-Saxon period in English history, but it is books like this that make me want to continue to study this era. If you are interested in murder mysteries from the Anglo-Saxon world, I highly recommend you read “Murder in Anglo-Saxon England: Justice, Weregild, Revenge” by Annie Whitehead.

Book Review: “Of Judgement Fallen: An Anthony Blanke Tudor Mystery” by Steven Veerapen

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Of Judgement FallenThe year is 1523, and England is again preparing for war against its mortal enemy, France. Cardinal Wolsey is firmly in power as King Henry VIII’s right-hand man who is about to open Parliament, but Sir Thomas More’s star is slowly rising. London is busy, and at the center of it, all is Wolsey’s trumpeter and groom, Anthony Blanke. In this chaos of Wolsey’s household where murder and betrayal lie, and the enemies of the Cardinal begin to pile up. It is up to Anthony Blanke to clear his name and find the murderer before it is too late. Anthony’s latest thrilling adventure occurs in Steven Veerapen’s novel, “Of Judgement Fallen: An Anthony Blanke Tudor Mystery.”

Thank you, Polygon Books and Steven Veerapen, for sending me a copy of this novel. I enjoyed the first Anthony Blanke novel, “Of Blood Descended,” so when I heard that there was going to be a second mystery, I could not wait to read it.

Veerapen opens his novel with his first victim, Lancelot Cosyn, a scholar who is in a lot of pain and is on a mission. He is a man who detests Cardinal Wolsey, who he thinks is the source of evil in England, and he has chosen to take action by visiting the great man. Unfortunately, he is found dead inside Wolsey’s home before the meeting. Wolsey assigns Anthony Blanke the task of finding the person behind the murder of Cosyn before the news reaches the King’s ear and before Parliament opens.

As Anthony begins his investigation, more bodies of the Cardinal’s enemies start to pile up around him, so he enlists the help of Sir Thomas More to find the murderer. The color of his skin and how close Anthony is to the case make people suspect him of being involved in these dastardly deeds. Anthony, his friend Mark, and a pup named Bo work with Thomas More to prove Anthony’s innocence and determine why these people were murdered and who was behind the chaos in London.

What I love about this series is the diversity that Veerapen has chosen to show in Tudor England. Racism and religious issues are complex issues to discuss. Still, Veerapen has given his audience a window into the past and showed what it might have been like for a person of color to prove themselves in the court of Henry VIII while also dealing with people deemed as heretics for their beliefs.

This was a well-written mystery full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. I had no clue who might have done it until the end, a sign of a fantastic mystery writer. If you are a fan of the first Anthony Blanke murder mystery and want another adventure, “Of Judgement Fallen: An Anthony Blanke Tudor Mystery” by Steven Veerapen must be on your to-be-read pile.

Book Review: “The Marriage Portrait” by Maggie O’Farrell

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62237869A 16-year-old duchess, who lived a sheltered life, died in a remote villa after only being married to her husband, Alfonso Duke of Ferrera, for a mere year. Many suspect that she died of a fever, but there are rumors that her husband had her poisoned. Not much is known about Lucrezia de Medici, Duchess of Ferrara, except her marriage portrait and a brief mention of her in Robert Browning’s poem, “My Last Duchess.” Did she die of a fever, or was there a more sinister plot behind her demise? The mystery around her life and unexpected death have not been discussed much until now in Maggie O’Farrell’s latest novel, “The Marriage Portrait.”

The last book I read by Maggie O’Farrell, “Hamnet,” was such an emotional ride for me, so when I heard that she would dive back into the 16th century with her latest novel, I was excited. I will admit that I had never heard the story of Lucrezia de Medici, so I was curious to see how O’Farrell would tell her tale.

We begin in the villa with Alfonso and Lucrezia, where Lucrezia feels uneasy and fearful for her life, but to understand why we must go back in time. We then jump to the past and Lucrezia’s childhood as the daughter of Cosimo I de Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and his wife Eleanor of Toledo. Lucrezia’s youth should be filled with balls and glamor, but she is different than her siblings and is treated as almost an outcast in her own family. Her only solace is her maid Sofia, who acts more like her mother, and her love of the arts.

As a daughter of nobility, Lucrezia knows that she will have to marry a noble one day, but it comes sooner than expected when her eldest sister dies, and she is betrothed to Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara. Her marriage to Alfonso begins smoothly; Alfonso is loving and caring, allowing Lucrezia to pursue her passions and have the freedom she desires. He even allows for a portrait painted in her honor to show the world how regal his bride is and how much he loves her. However, as time passes, Alfonso’s more erratic side shows its ugly head, and Lucrezia sees how dangerous her husband can be to those who displease him.

I will admit that it took me a while to get used to how this particular book was structured, as O’Farrell jumps from the present to the past in every other chapter and presents Lucrezia’s story in a very artistic way. I am unsure if Lucrezia was an outcast in her family, but I believe she could have been an artist and viewed the world differently than her family. As for Lucrezia’s relationship with her husband Alfonso, I think it is plausible that he had a more erratic side to him, especially when it came to those who displeased him. Still, I am not sure that he was responsible for her death.

This novel was thought-provoking and engaging with an unlikely protagonist in Lucrezia de Medici. Even though you know she will die at the end, you will root for Lucrezia and hope that she can find even the slightest thread of happiness in her short life. I found this an utterly gripping novel, and I hope O’Farrell will write more stories set in 16th-century Italy. If you want a thrilling book about a young noblewoman living during the Italian Renaissance, “The Marriage Portrait” by Maggie O’Farrell should be at the top of your to-be-read list.

Book Review: “The Colour of Rubies: A Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery” by Toni Mount

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61035582._SY475_The year is 1480. Intrigue and murder lurk everywhere at the Palace of Westminister, where no one is safe. A mysterious letter and the men who want the letter back lead to the murder of one of the clerks from the Office of the King’s Secretary. Under the orders of powerful men at court, including King Edward IV himself, Seb Foxley must join his wayward brother Jude as one of Secretary Oliver’s clerks to uncover the truth of the conspiracy against the crown. Can the brothers work together to decode the truth and save the life of the king’s beloved heir in time? Seb Foxley’s latest adventure is told in book ten of Toni Mount’s Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery series, “The Colour of Rubies.”

I want to thank Toni Mount for sending me a copy of the latest Sebastian Foxley medieval murder mystery novel. I previously read books 8 and 9 in this series, “The Colour of Shadows” and “The Colour of Evil,” and I enjoyed both novels. When I heard that there would be a tenth novel, “The Colour of Rubies,” I was excited to read it.

We begin the new Seb Foxley adventure with Jude celebrating his birthday as he navigates his new life as a husband and a clerk at the Office of Secretary Oliver. There is trouble in paradise as Jude and Chesca disagree on how she was able to supply a bountiful feast for Jude on his birthday, which was far too extravagant for the salary of a lowly clerk. Seb decides to cheer his brother on the day after his birthday by bringing him a gift, and then Jude decides to show Seb where he works. The brothers discover the murder of one of Jude’s fellow clerks and a mysterious letter written in a foreign language.

Lord Hastings gives Seb the arduous task of finding the murderer of the clerk, who they believe is one of the clerks, by entering into the Office of Secretary Oliver and living like a clerk. Seb befriends several clerks while discovering there is more to this case than a simple murder of a clerk. It has to do with the life of King Edward IV’s heir and an international conspiracy to hurt the king. To add to the confusion, Jude and Chesca’s marriage spat and its connection to the king and work piling up at Seb’s workshop while he is away, and his feelings for dear Rose.

If you have read the other Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery books, “The Colour of Rubies” by Toni Mount is an absolute must-read. I loved every page of this novel. It was thrilling, from the new characters and interactions between Seb and his household to the danger and intrigue that Seb experiences at court. If you are a fan of this series, you will love how Mount evolves Seb’s relationships with Rose and Jude. When you think the case is solved, Mount throws in a couple of curveballs that make you wonder how Seb, Jude, and the rest of the Foxley household will survive.

Book Review: “Rizzio” by Denise Mina

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57147033 (1)David Rizzio was one of Mary, Queen of Scots’ favorites at court and the private secretary to the queen. Being a royal favorite would not have been seen as a grave offense in any other country during this time, yet this is Scotland in the 16th century. Scotland was filled with deadly feuds between lords fighting for control of the crown, which would lead to numerous prominent men being murdered, including Rizzio. On March 9, 1566, David Rizzio was murdered in front of Mary, Queen of Scots, while she was several months pregnant. The tale of the grotesque crime and those who witnessed the events of that night are told in Denis Mina’s latest gripping novella, “Rizzio.”

I want to thank Pegasus Books for sending me a copy of this novella. When I read the description of this book and how dynamic the cover design was, I knew that I wanted to read this title. I was intrigued to see how Denise Mina would write the tale of Rizzio for a modern audience.

We begin with a tennis match between David Rizzio and Lord Darnley, Mary’s angsty and angry husband. Darnley wants to be King of Scotland and is tired of Rizzio getting in the way of his plans and that his wife favors this Italian nobody. He wants Rizzio to die, but not by his hands. Darnley has enlisted a ragtag group of nobles to help kill Rizzio and make way for Darnley to become the King.

However, things don’t go as smoothly as Darnley plans. Mary hosts a dinner party for a small group of friends at Holyrood Palace before she goes into confinement to give birth to her son and heir, James VI. A delightful party is disrupted by Darnley, Lord Ruthven, and their men, including one Henry Yair, who have come to kill Rizzio. Mary tries in vain to protect her Italian favorite, but she cannot save her friend in the end.

The tension and the drama that Mina was able to create in such a short amount of time were masterfully done. She was able to show how complex Scottish politics and the battle between Catholicism and reform so that readers who are not familiar with this time could understand the friction between the factions. Even though I knew the history behind this event, how Mina described it sent shivers down my spine. The one issue that I had with this novella was the ending, and it felt a bit flat and rushed to me. I wish she would have tied in the death of Mary and Darnley a bit better into the murder of Rizzio.

I think for a historical fiction novella, Mina does an excellent job of grabbing the reader’s attention and transporting them to that horrible night. This story may be short, but the emotional impact and details will stay with readers even after reading it. If you love reading about Mary, Queen of Scots, and Stuart Scotland during the 16th century, you will find “Rizzio” by Denise Mina thrilling.

Book Review: “The Killer of the Princes in the Tower: A New Suspect Revealed” by MJ Trow

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56549199 (1)In 1483, King Edward IV’s family received a devastating announcement; the king in the prime of his life died, leaving the throne to his young son Edward V. However, neither Edward V nor his younger brother Richard of York would ever see the throne. Instead, they were taken to the Tower of London by their protector, Richard of Gloucester, for protection, never to be seen again. For over five hundred years, many theories have emerged about what happened to the princes in the tower and who might have possibly killed the boys. In MJ Trow’s latest book, “The Killer of the Princes in the Tower: A New Suspect Revealed”, he works hard to uncover the truth of what might have happened to the sons of King Edward IV.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Pen and Sword Books for sending me a copy of this book. When I first heard about this particular title, I was curious yet skeptical. There are so many books and theories about the princes in the tower. I questioned how this one would differ from those who are experts in this field. So, of course, I decided that I wanted to read this book to find out.

Trow’s approach to this case is to treat it like an investigation that modern police would do. First, we must examine the bodies or the lack of bodies in this case. Trow does mention the bodies that were found in the Tower in the 1600s and the examination of the bones in the 1900s. As it is hard to accurately determine if these are indeed the princes without further DNA analysis of the bones, Trow goes into what we know about the case, the actual facts from sources that he claims are dubious. He tends to use the works of Shakespeare and Thomas More quite a lot although he is hypercritical of both sources.

It is here where Trow actually presents his main discussion of the book; who was the killer of the princes in the tower. He starts with the usual suspects (Richard III, Henry VII, Margaret Beaufort, and the Duke of Buckingham), which he quickly dismisses. Then, Trow dives into the more obscure suspects. I actually found some of the people who he suggested ridiculous suspects because of who they were and their connections to the princes. I had never heard some of the theories he suggested in this section and I considered them a bit of a stretch. The person that Trow actually believes could have been the murderer is an intriguing character and he does make a compelling case for him committing the heinous act.

For me, it was Trow’s research and how he presented his case that was extremely poor when I was reading this book. I wanted Trow to move away from the more ridiculous suspects to focus on his main suspect and develop his theory. When he discusses his theory, he uses modern examples of similar cases to prove his point. I think he would have made a stronger case if he showed examples closer to the date of when the princes were killed.
In general, I found this book rather different than other books that are about the princes in the tower. There were some compelling theories and the suspect that Trow believes did the deed was not someone that I remotely considered. I think this book will definitely have people talking about this new suspect. If you want to know MJ Trow’s opinion about who he thinks killed the princes, consider reading “The Killer of the Princes in the Tower: A New Suspect Revealed.”

Book Review: “Murder in the Cloister” by Tania Bayard

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55421664The year is 1399 in Paris and the royal family is concerned about the Priory in Poissy. Something has happened behind the cloistered walls and only one person who is extremely loyal to the king and queen can figure out what is amiss, Christine de Pizan the famous medieval writer. Christine goes to Poissy to act as a copyist for the prioress, but she soon finds herself in the middle of a sinister murder case. A nun has been found dead and it is up to Christine and her allies, plus one frenemy, to figure out who killed the nun while protecting the king’s youngest daughter who calls the priory home. Can Christine figure out who murdered the young nun and make it out of the priory alive? This is the premise of Tania Bayard’s latest installment of her Christine de Pizan murder mystery series, “Murder in the Cloister”.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Severn House Publishers for sending me a copy of this novel. When I was browsing, the cover is what drew my attention. I had not heard of this series or of Tania Bayard before reading this novel. I did not know that this book was part of a series until I started reading it. I have heard about Christine de Pizan and her writing legacy, but I sadly knew nothing about her family life and her connection to King Charles V, King Charles VI, and Queen Isabeau of Bavaria, which would have been useful information to know before reading.

We begin this novel with Christine surrounded by her family and her mother. We find out that Christine is a single mother now as her husband has recently passed away and she is trying to earn money through her writing. As the daughter of Thomas de Pizan, the famous astrologer to King Charles V, she has earned the trust of the royal family. King Charles VI, who is suffering from some sort of mental malady, and his wife Queen Isabeau of Bavaria have asked Christine to go to the Priory in Poissy to copy a manuscript for the prioress and to visit her daughter Marie. She is allowed to bring her son Thomas, but the queen insists on Henri le Picart, a man who Christine despises, to come along and protect her. I found Henri’s character annoying with how he belittles women and their abilities, but he did have some redeeming qualities as the story went along.

I found the actual murder investigation a bit slow for my taste. Bayard tends to focus on the subplot of sorcery a bit too long. I wanted an action-packed adventure full of danger and intrigue, like a novel by CJ Sansom or Toni Mount, but the action fell flat for me. I think Bayard was able to describe the priory and the inner workings very well and the characters were all well written and dynamic. As someone who jumped into this series rather late, it took me a while to figure out the relationship between the characters and what happened in previous cases, which is imperative in solving this particular case.

Overall, I found this medieval murder mystery rather enjoyable. I have not read many medieval novels set in France and I have not read anything about Christine de Pizan, so it was different yet intriguing at the same time. If you want to read this series, I would suggest starting at the very beginning. If you are however familiar with the life of Christine de Pizan and this series, I think you will find, “Murder in the Cloister” by Tania Bayard rather enjoyable and a great medieval escape from reality.