Murder at Whitby Abbey

Set in 1389, Clark’s excellent sixth outing for Sister Hildegarde of Meaux (after 2015’s The Dragon of Handel) takes the intelligent and occasionally wayward nun to Whitby, along with three fellow Cistercian monastics, to purchase the Benedictines’ precious relic, a lock of hair of Abbess Hild, the founder of Whitby Abbey. Though the relic’s value and authenticity continue to raise serious questions throughout Sister Hildegarde’s stay, the perplexing murder of a compassionate monk, Brother Aelwyn, prompts a request that the Cistercian visitors investigate this crime. They plunge into solving the mystery, all four of them advancing the inquiry, but only Sister Hildegarde has her life repeatedly threatened on the way to the tense climax. In addition to juicy abbey secrets concerning chastity and venality, the investigation uncovers a simmering struggle between Whitby locals and monks touching on class conflicts and anger toward monastic land grabbing and toll impositions—all issues relevant to the late 14th century. This is definitely a standout in the crowded medieval mystery field. Readers will hope to see Sister Hildegarde soon again. (Oct.)