Prioress' Tale

Frazer, whose earlier Sister Frevisse mystery, The Servant's Tale, was nominated for an Edgar, offers another in the series set in the mid-15th century at St. Frideswide's Abbey. The abbey's stern prioress, Alys, is preoccupied with finding wealthy patrons who can pay for her planned expansion, but the nuns, especially Sister Frevisse, chafe under her tyrannical rules. Their discontent grows when Alys's relatives come to stay at the abbey, bringing a violent family feud complete with murder into the church. Sister Frevisse's identity is not as fully formed as it has been in previous books, and the plot is a straightforward and fairly predictable affair dominated by a stereotypical wicked witch in the character of Alys. Clearly, the setting is the star here, and Frazer is generous with her details of abbey life.(Aug.)