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Baron Herbert's return from crusade should have been a joyous occasion. Instead, he grows increasingly morose, withdraws from his family, and refuses to share his wife's bed. When his sons begin to die in strange accidents, some ask whether Herbert harbors a dark sin for which God has cursed him.
Then the baron suddenly sends for Sir Hugh of Wynethorpe, begging his friend to bring spiritual and secular healers but giving little explanation for the request. Worried about Herbert's descent into melancholy and the tragic deaths, Sir Hugh persuades his sister, Prioress Eleanor of Tyndal Priory, as well as a respected physician, Master Gamel, to accompany him. Although he is pleased when the prioress brings her healer, Sister Anne, he is surprised to find the mysterious Brother Thomas included.
Is there a malign presence at this storm-blasted castle, oddly named Doux et Dur? Tensions spark among family members and soon ignite too among those who came to help. Death's scythe harvests more victims, and it is not long before Ecclesiastes' grim words seem all too apt: there is a season for everything under heaven, including a time to kill....
"While the murderer's identity may surprise few, the rich atmosphere and well-drawn characters make this a superior historical." — Publishers Weekly STARRED Review
"Royal's 13th-century mysteries are always full of historical detail but, as in this case, often telegraph the evildoer early in the story." — Kirkus Reviews
"Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas are back in their eighth outing, seeking to aid Eleanor's brother out of his malaise; post-traumatic stress disorder isn't just a contemporary condition." — Library Journal
"Royal's attention to historical detail and skillful creation of a sinister, chilling atmosphere makes her latest in this series a treat for all mystery readers." — Booklist
"In this 13th-century thriller...the characters are true to their era in outlook and behavior; they are all involved in their own personal struggles and come to greater self-knowledge by the end of the story, although, as in real life, it is clear that each soul is a work in progress... I highly recommend the novel for those who love both mysteries and medieval tales." — Historical Novel Society