A Surfeit of Miracles

Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mysteries, Book 8

By: J. G. Lewis

Narrated by: Madeleine Brolly

Salisbury, Wiltshire

Ela Longespée, High Sheriff of Wiltshire, sets out to find the killer of a man found dead inside the nearby circle of ancient stones. Except that the victim is later seen walking in Salisbury and claims to have risen from the dead. He ingratiates himself with the people of Salisbury, and even the bishop, but Ela suspects the man is a charlatan and a murderer. Can she learn the truth when even the jury thinks he's a living saint?

The Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mystery Series

This series features a real historical figure—the formidable Ela Longespée. The young Countess of Salisbury was chosen to marry King Henry II’s illegitimate son William. After her husband’s untimely death, Ela served as High Sheriff of Wiltshire, castellan of Salisbury Castle, and ultimately founder and abbess of Lacock Abbey.

Book 1: Cathedral of Bones
Book 2: Breach of Faith
Book 3: The Lost Child
Book 4: Forest of Souls
Book 5: The Bone Chess Set
Book 6: Cloister of Whispers
Book 7: Palace of Thorns

Coming Fall 2022: Book 8: A Surfeit of Miracles

©2022 J. G. Lewis (P)2023 J. G. Lewis

A tangled web

This kept me guessing and wanting Byrd to be a fake for some reason. Will have to listen to see the outcome. I adore Ela for so many reasons. Her staunch beliefs but good heart. Narrator is amazing.

Tightly woven into a perfect whole

Tightly woven plot filling every corner of a perfectly designed atmosphere, filled out with beautifully drawn characters. J.G. Lewis is a fine writer and really knows how to bring Ela to life, and Ela's world. I am so appreciative of these books. The narration by Madeleine Brolly is equally superb and an ideal match to the writing.

The main plot was a bit too thin

This installment needed a stronger B plot to carry the main story. I didn't enjoy spending as much time as we did with the swindler, and would have preferred his antics periodically disrupting secondary or tertiary plotlines. That said, I appreciate every element of the story, including Ela's disappointments, because they felt organic. Her overcoming imperfect memories and widespread misinformation is more satisfying than Sherlock wrapping everything up in one tidy package.