At the end of September 2010, Eveline posted a comment asking for help:
“Can anybody please recommend a period mystery book where the settings are abbeys or old churches – much like in the vein of “The Name of the Rose”?
I am not a religious person, but I love those types of settings.
I have seen that movie three times, and I never seem to get tired of watching it. They haven’t done anything like that again, not that I know of.
I love all the Cadfael mysteries…”
So, we know that Eveline is already aware of all of the Cadfael mystery books… But, do you all know about any other historical/period mysteries with old churches and abbeys as their setting?
Nancy Bilyeau writes the Joanna Stafford Mystery Series : 1) The Crown, 2) The Chalice, & 3) The Tapestry. This series is set in Tudor England.
Kate Charles writes both the Book of Psalms Mystery Series and the Callie Anson Mystery Series. Both of them feature old churches.
G. K. Chesterton writes the Father Brown Mystery Series. They aren’t always set in a church, but they always star Father Brown.
John Meade Falkner, the son of an Anglican priest, has written two books in which old English churches are featured: Moonfleet and The Nebuly Coat.
Margaret Frazer (aka Gail Frazer & Monica Ferris) writes the Sister Frevisse Medieval Mystery Series which takes place in England, during the reign of Henry VI (1422-1461 & 1470-1471) While I am a big fan of the Monica Ferris Needlecraft Mystery Series, I have to admit that I haven’t read her Sister Frevisse mysteries… yet.
G. M. Malliet writes the Max Tudor Mystery Series. Max is the vicar of the Cozy millage of Nether Monkslip
Donna McLean has A Distant Murder, which is the first book in her Sparrow Falls Mystery Series. Although it is a contemporary mystery, it features an old church with its old Scottish burying ground.
C. J. Sansom: Dissolution is a Matthew Sharlake Mystery Series book which takes place during the time of Henry VIII. The book features the tearing down of the Catholic churches.
Please post a comment if you think you might know of just the right author for Eveline…
Additionally, Kate Charles writes wonderful mysteries in a series which exceptional characters.
Also, Wicked Autumn: A Max Tudor Novel by G.M. Malliet
Carrie says
Although not always set in a church or an abbey the Father Brown series by GK Chesterton are always worth reading.
There are also the Father Dowling mysteries by Ralph McInerny which you could try.
Jo R says
Mark Schweizer writes the Liturgical Mystery Series which features a small town police chief who also happens to be the choir director and organist at his Episcopalian church…
These take place in North Carolina.
Eveline says
Thanks for all the recommendations. The Sister Frevisse Medieval Mystery Series appeals very much to me, since I have always loved stories set in medieval period.
I’ll get to it right away.
Karrie says
C. J. Sansom writes a series that, while it does not always take place in churches or abbeys, often uses them in his novels. The time is during the reign of Henry VIII, and the first, “Dissolution” takes place as Cromwell is tearing down all the Catholic churches and abbeys for the crown. The period detail is amazing and the main character, a hunch backed lawyer, is likeable and smart.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I knew you all would come up with recommendations. Thanks!
Donna says
I suppose this isn’t very ladylike, but may I please mention my own book/ebook? It is a contemporary mystery but uses local history of Scots in NC, and revolves around the old church and the old Scottish burying ground. It’s getting good reviews on Amazon now, too. 🙂 The title is A Distant Murder. I’m writing the second book in the series, and each book will involve the old burying ground and history in some way. But it’s not creepy or anything. Just a good solid mystery (I hope!).
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Donna, for telling us about your A Distant Murder.
Donna says
Thank you, Danna! 🙂
linda c says
This seems to be a book that I think I might be interested in. My maternal grandmother was a MacDonald. From what I came to understand from researching her family Mc is Irish, Mac is Scottish( !!?). I love reading stories about Scots lore. Hope to see this book soon.
Donna says
Hi Linda, I’m still trying to figure out the whole Mc/Mac thing too! 🙂 I’ve been told that Mc or Mac were Highland Scots, not the people from the lower lands of Scotland where they were closer to England. ‘Mac’ is from the Gaelic meaning “son”. So my family name, McLean, means “son of Lean” whether it’s spelled with or without the first “a”. I’m still researching the Irish connection, it’s probably in there somewhere!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda C, I absolutely did not know the difference between Mc and Mac! Thanks for telling us.
Bruce says
Re: “Can anybody please recommend a period mystery book where the settings are abbeys or old churches – much like in the vein of “The Name of the Rose”?
John Meade Falkner is one of my favorite writers. Two of his books take place around old English churches: Moonfleet is an excellent mystery and the church building is an important part of the story, although the book is not about the church.
The Nebuly Coat is a wonderful mystery which centers around the restoration of an Abbey church building.
Falkner’s father was an Anglican priest, so JM is well versed.
Additionally, Kate Charles writes wonderful mysteries in a series which exceptional characters.
Also, Wicked Autumn: A Max Tudor Novel by G.M. Malliet
And thanks to the provider of this wonderful Blog! 😉
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Bruce. I just added all of these authors to the Historical Mystery Books with Old Churches theme.
Anne says
William Brodrick’s mystery novels are set in a present-day abbey, with old roots, in southern England. They’re good, especially the early ones.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Anne, thanks for telling us about William Brodrick, especially his earlier ones.
Margie says
Paul Doherty is probably the most prolific with may series…..The Brother Athelson series comes to mind.
Maureen Ash has written a series about a Knights Templar.
Michael Jecks
Michael Jecks and the medieval murders
I am not sure of the spelling in this list…………sorry
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margie, thank you for telling us about these three authors.
Margie says
Nancy Bilyeau has written a fabulous trilogy that takes place in a convent during Tudor times.
#1– The Crown
# 2 –The Chalice
# 3 –The Tapestry
I highly recommend these three books.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margie, thank you for telling us about Nancy Bilyeau’s Joanna Stafford series. I have added them to the list of hisotircal mysteries with old churches/abbeys.