Murder at Beaulieu Abbey

Set in late-14th-century England, Clark’s engrossing 11th Abbess of Meaux mystery (after 2019’s Murder at Whitby Abbey) takes Sister Hildegard from the priory of Swyne to Beaulieu Abbey, ostensibly to bring 12-year-old Elowen, an heiress, back to Swyne, where the girl will remain until she marries a son of Sir William de Hutton. But Hildegard’s prioress has also tasked her with surreptitiously learning which side the monks of Beaulieu are on in the politically consequential dispute raging over which of two popes should rule the church. When Elowen is kidnapped from Beaulieu and a ransom note is received, Hildegard and the two monks who have been sent to protect the girl join the forces of the abbey and Sir William’s men to find her. Meanwhile, Hildegard encounters the sanctuarymen, felons who live on the abbey’s grounds, one of whom, Black Harry, may be leading the group in some evil scheme. Hildegard must resist temptation as she feels attracted to the charismatic Harry. The richly detailed narrative builds to a surprising revelation about the nature of the kidnap plot. Fans of medieval mysteries will be pleased. (June)