Whispering Dead is the first in a series of murder mysteries following the sinister deaths in Rewley Abbey (Cistercian monks) and Godstow Abbey (Benedictine nuns) from the end of the 13th century to King Henry VIII's dissolution of the convents and monasteries in the 16th century. Intrigue and secrets abound as a determined nun deciphers the clues in this timeless historical thriller for both young adults and seasoned readers.
*****
My friend, Dr. Peter Stephenson, has meticulously crafted a tale where mysticism, the occult and science collide to forge the ideal historical-fiction murder mystery trinity. Whispering Dead is the ultimate genesis for his book series, Murders in the Abby. Dr. Peter prudently ferries his readers to Oxfordshire, England at the end of the 13th century. It is here they are immersed in a community of Cistercian monks, rebel rousers, peasant, Lords, Ladies and introduced to a small group of Benedictine nuns tasked with investigating the homicides which have darkened the town. Dr. Stephenson's episodic storytelling carefully weaves multiple characters together while keeping these faithful, feminine rationalists at the heart of his tale. Just when I thought the nuns, and I, had solved the who and why, we were presented with new evidence that would dismantle our previous theories all while preparing us for the second installation of this medieval mystery. -- Sunny Bleau
It is 1372 in the fortified Swiss town of Solodurum, and young Benedict, unable to fulfill his dream of becoming a scrivener, joins the City Guard. Wounded in battle and honored as a war hero, Benedict is given the choice duty of standing guard for the Privy Council. He catches the interest of Baron Roland de Cornu, who engages the resourceful Benedict as his personal spy. Through the inadvertent help of his simpleminded friend Connie, Benedict unearths a plot to violently overthrow the city government. However, before he can act against it, he is imprisoned for the murder of his patron, the Baron Roland.
Whispering Dead is the first in a series of murder mysteries following the sinister deaths in Rewley Abbey (Cistercian monks) and Godstow Abbey (Benedictine nuns) from the end of the 13th century to King Henry VIII's dissolution of the convents and monasteries in the 16th century. Intrigue and secrets abound as a determined nun deciphers the clues in this timeless historical thriller for both young adults and seasoned readers.
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My friend, Dr. Peter Stephenson, has meticulously crafted a tale where mysticism, the occult and science collide to forge the ideal historical-fiction murder mystery trinity. Whispering Dead is the ultimate genesis for his book series, Murders in the Abby. Dr. Peter prudently ferries his readers to Oxfordshire, England at the end of the 13th century. It is here they are immersed in a community of Cistercian monks, rebel rousers, peasant, Lords, Ladies and introduced to a small group of Benedictine nuns tasked with investigating the homicides which have darkened the town. Dr. Stephenson's episodic storytelling carefully weaves multiple characters together while keeping these faithful, feminine rationalists at the heart of his tale. Just when I thought the nuns, and I, had solved the who and why, we were presented with new evidence that would dismantle our previous theories all while preparing us for the second installation of this medieval mystery. -- Sunny Bleau
During a time when legends were born . . .
ENFLAMED
The most beautiful noblewoman in the kingdom, the lowly knight who can never have her, and the forbidden love they share.
When Sylvi Prestegard discovers that her father has arranged for her to marry a wealthy nobleman known for his thieving ways, she's desperate to avoid the union. She turns to her childhood friend Espen, a Knight of Brethren, counting on his loyalty and kindness to help her escape.
Espen has been given an urgent mission to locate the holy lamp, an ancient relic necessary to defeat the enemy invading their country. In addition to his royal quest, he's determined to protect Sylvi, the woman he's always secretly loved. When she suggests the two of them marry to thwart her father's plans, Espen cannot deny her request.
As they search for the holy lamp, Lord Prestegard pursues them, intent on reclaiming his daughter. With Espen's life at stake, Sylvi must conspire to save them both. Will they be able to overcome the obstacles that stand between them, or are the flames of their forbidden love destined to be extinguished?
The real story of the Holy Lamp . . .
During a time when legends were born . . .
ENRICHED
A wealthy noblewoman with a heart of gold, a wounded knight closed off to love, and the sacrifices for a chalice that can bring healing.
Lady Karina lives in a convent and expects to become a nun someday. When her wealthy father asks her to help his textile business become more successful by marrying one of the popular Knights of Brethren, Karina complies, ever the dutiful daughter.
During a royal quest to find the sacred chalice, Torvald is called home to save his family's estate through an arranged marriage to a wealthy maiden. Although willing to do his duty, he's vowed never to give his heart to anyone after watching his father suffer heartbreak over a woman.
As Torvald weds the kind and lovely Karina, he resists the pull of attraction to his bride. Even though Karina feels the sting of Torvald's rejection, she chooses to love him unconditionally. As he resumes his search for the chalice and puts his life in jeopardy, Karina makes the ultimate sacrifice for him. Will he have the chance to love her in return before it's too late?
The real story of the Holy Grail continues . . .
During a time when legends were born . . .
ENAMORED
A princess in need of a husband, a young Sage who cannot have her, and a web of deceit that threatens their love.
Having been raised by her childless aunt and uncle, the king and queen, Princess Elinor finds herself the only heir to the throne of Norvegia. As she comes of age, she must choose a husband to rule beside her, but she struggles to make her selection from among a dozen noblemen during a weeklong courtship.
With aspirations to become the wisest man in the land, Maxim is summoned home by his father Rasmus, a Royal Sage. Reunited with Elinor, once his closest friend, Maxim is quickly enamored with her even though he can never be considered a prospect for her husband.
Elinor's feelings for Maxim are rekindled too . . . until she learns he has been unwillingly drawn into Rasmus's scheme to take control of the throne. With the kingdom under attack both from within and without, can Elinor and Maxim overcome the deceit spinning around them? Or will it destroy their love once and for all?
The real story of Excalibur.
During a time when legends were born . . .
ENSNARED
A poor maidservant struggling to survive, a brave knight who secretly loves her, and a chalice that has the power to unite them.
Nursemaid to the Earl of Likness's two young daughters, Mikaela despises the earl for his cruelty to his subjects, and she longs for the day when she can make a difference in the lives of her suffering friends and family.
As one of the Knights of Brethren, Gunnar is on a mission to find the sacred chalice for the queen, convinced it's the cure for her deadly bleeding disease. His quest takes him home, and he soon learns his brother, the earl, may know more about the chalice than he lets on.
As Gunnar reunites with Mikaela, the maiden he's always loved, he tries to keep his feelings for her a secret, desperate to protect her from his brother. But as they venture into the perilous Hardanger Forest and battle to survive, will Gunnar realize her love is worth fighting for?
The real story of the Holy Grail . . .
During a time when legends were born . . .
ENTWINED
A princess cursed from birth, a loyal knight worthy of being king, and a sword that can determine their destiny.
After growing up on a remote farm, Lis learns she is the rightful heir to the throne of Norvegia. Even as she does her part to thwart a dangerous plot against the king, she resists pursuing her new identity and resigns herself to a simple life helping her elderly father with their farm.
With the king losing his mind, Sir Ansgar, the highest knight in the land, is desperate to save the sovereign he's sworn to protect. But before Ansgar can uncover what is causing the king's demise, he finds himself falsely accused of treason and dismissed from court.
In danger of losing his life, Ansgar takes refuge on Lis's farm. Love soon blossoms between Ansgar and Lis, even as they realize a future together is impossible. Yet they must unite to save the kingdom from ever-growing forces of evil. Are their destinies entwined? Or will they be ripped apart forever?
The real story of Excalibur continues . . .
Seventeen-year-old Rema lives in a brutal kingdom where travel between regions is forbidden, people are starving, and looking at someone the wrong way can mean death. Nineteen-year-old Darmik is the king's son and Commander of the King's Army. He spends his days roaming the island, doing his father's bidding and trying to maintain control over the people.
When a chance encounter throws Rema and Darmik together, they share an instantaneous connection, but any sort of relationship between them is strictly forbidden. Darmik's brother, the Crown Prince, notices Darmik's interest in Rema and, in a calculated, political move, blackmails her. Faced with an impossible choice, Rema is forced to sacrifice her heart in order to save her family.
As Rema is taken to the palace with the Crown Prince, Darmik confronts the growing rumor that a legitimate blood heir to the throne exists and is trying to overthrow Darmik's family. In Darmik's quest to hunt down and kill the threat, he discovers that nothing is as it seems. Locked in the king's castle, Rema finds herself a key player in a massive power struggle. When Darmik shows up, she's not sure if she can trust him. The line between friends, enemies, and loyalty becomes blurred. As truths are unlocked, Rema understands that she just might be the key to finding the rightful heir and restoring peace to the kingdom . . . if she can manage to stay alive long enough.
Read the book behind Lena Dunham's acclaimed new movie! This historical fiction classic, told in the form of a diary, has drawn in generations of readers and is a Newbery Honor Book.
Catherine feels trapped. Her father is determined to marry her off to a rich man--any rich man, no matter how awful.
But by wit, trickery, and luck, Catherine manages to send several would-be husbands packing. Then a shaggy-bearded suitor from the north comes to call--by far the oldest, ugliest, most revolting suitor of them all. Unfortunately, he is also the richest.
Can a sharp-tongued, high-spirited, clever young maiden with a mind of her own actually lose the battle against an ill-mannered, piglike lord and an unimaginative, greedy toad of a father? Deus! Not if Catherine has anything to say about it!
Catherine, a spirited and inquisitive young woman, narrates in diary form the story of her fourteenth year--the year 1290.
In an appreciation in the New York Times, illustrator Vera Brosgol spoke for many fans of this beloved book: I fell hard for Karen Cushman's Catherine, Called Birdy the second I opened it. More than any other heroine I'd read, this one sounded like me. For Catherine, and for me, there is no easy solution to the cages life makes for you. Sometimes the power is in deciding to be yourself in whatever cage you're in.
In a land where being the fairest maiden is a curse . . .
A princess rejected and hunted by her mother, and a prince who lives as a shunned outcast.
Princess Pearl flees for her life after her mother, Queen Margery, tries to have her killed during a hunting expedition. Pearl finds refuge on the Isle of Outcasts among criminals and misfits, disguising her face with a veil so no one recognizes her. She lives for the day when she can return to Warwick and rescue her sister, Ruby, from the queen's clutches.
Amidst his royal testing on the Isle of Outcasts, Prince Mikkel of Scania has kept his identity a secret. Captured by a warring band of outcasts and condemned to die, he finds himself making friends with an intriguing but feisty young veiled woman. Intending to win her trust and gain her help to escape, he soon finds himself coerced to wed her.
Mikkel reluctantly agrees to the union to save his life, and Pearl hopes the marriage will provide protection for her and Ruby. But the queen is more determined to kill her daughter than either Pearl or Mikkel realizes and has a sinister reason neither expects-one that could rip their new love apart forever.
The real Snow White story.
In a land where being the fairest maiden is a curse . . .
A young queen trying to stay alive until she comes of age to rule, and a prince turned into a pauper.
Queen Aurora of Mercia has spent her entire life deep in Inglewood Forest, hiding from Warwick's Queen Margery, who seeks her demise. As the time draws near for Aurora to take the throne, she happens upon a handsome woodcutter. Although friendship with outsiders is forbidden and dangerous, she cannot stay away from the charming stranger.
Only two months away from completing his royal testing, Prince Kresten of Scania is ready to be finished with the poverty and hardships of being a woodcutter. When he meets a beautiful peasant woman, he doesn't plan to fall in love, especially when he must soon leave and return to his homeland.
As Queen Margery's forces close in, Aurora finds herself in mortal danger. Kresten knows a future with Aurora is impossible, but he is desperate to save her and bring an end to the queen's threat. To do so, he joins the ultimate battle against the evil queen, risking everything, including his chance at true love.
The real Sleeping Beauty story.