Valley of Dry Bones

A Medieval Mystery

By: Priscilla Royal

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

In the late summer of 1274, King Edward has finally been anointed England’s ruler, and his queen contemplates a pilgrimage in gratitude for their safe return from Outremer, a journey that will include a stay at Tyndal Priory. Envoys are sent to confirm that everything will be suitable for the king’s wife, and Prioress Eleanor nervously awaits them, knowing that regal visits bring along expense and honor.

The cost is higher than expected, however, when Death arrives as the emissary. One of the courtiers is murdered near the hut where Brother Thomas now lives as a hermit. Each member of the party has reason to hate the dead man, including Crowner Ralf’s eldest brother, Sir Fulke, and the prioress’s nemesis, the man in black. Soon Eleanor is embroiled in the dangerous world of power games, both secular and religious. Indeed, England’s future under a new king may offer hope and relief, but skeletons from the past can come back to life like those in the biblical valley of dry bones. Which had cause enough to kill?

Priscilla Royal grew up in British Columbia, received a degree in World Literature from San Francisco State University, and lives in Northern California. She is a member of the California Writers Club, Sisters in Crime, and Mystery Writers of America.

©2010 Priscilla Royal (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Difficult

What a strange journey. How it started and the characters that came into play and how it ended. So sad.

Medieval

So glad I happened upon this series. well written and narrated.

Off to my next Medieval book.

Throughly enjoy this author

These stories are intriguing and there’s alway some twist at the end. The narrator is fantastic in her expressions and voices, so you’re able to follow along no matter who’s speaking, in some books, the character changes aren’t as discernible.
Completely recommend this series and the author!

Welcome back, Ms. McCaddon!

With all due respect to the narrator of the two previous books in the series, I rejoiced to see that Ms. McCaddon has returned as narrator. To me, her voice fits better my impression of how I hear the characters in my head.

I had to listen to a few books in this series before I could give it an unqualified thumbs up, but by this one I can truly recommend it. While kindness and compassion are practiced by the main characters, they are still limited by the religious beliefs and practices of their time. I enjoy that, along with the varying plots, and the author's notes at the end of the book.

Worthwhile

I have been listening to books of this series for some time now and there are moments when the level of misogyny displayed by so many characters is just too much to bear. For instance, a young man who beat a girl in an attempt to rape her isn't in jail or even doesn’t stand accused of anything more than... potentially offending the girl's mighty father.
Not that it's the author's fault. The epoch was that way. Which helps to understand the injustice of present times. After hundreds of years of prejudices and unfairness change doesn't come easy.