This is a gripping series, and a fine example of the type of historical mystery started by Ellis Peters revolving around a mediaeval religious house. Perhaps it sounds as though it might be a fairly cozy tale, but don’t be fooled.  This is the thirteenth century, warts and all, and no idyll. Ms Royal paints a realistic picture of a time when only religious foundations looked after the needy, when a poor woman alone had little choice of career, and there were no pensions for the elderly. Brother Thomas wrestles with his demons, hating himself for being gay and having to work as a spy, while Eleanor fosters an unrequited love. Maybe I am making it sound too gloomy to be entertaining, but rest assured that it is, in the most page-turning manner. Ms Royal packs a lot of plot into remarkably few pages, and by the end I was feeling as though I had read a much longer book. It isn’t an obvious whodunit, but quite a convoluted tale with more than one subplot, while still getting us up to speed with what has been happening since the last book.  Crowner Ralf is the most memorable character, and makes for a very engaging sleuth. This is one series I really look forward to reading for many more years to come.