Rating: 
Summary: History
Review: As the first volume in the adventures of Catherine LeVendeur, this book is an exceptional escape into medieval France. As a mystery, the plot is very good but not exceptionally sophisticated. The best service is rendered as an introduction to the further mysteries in this series, which gain in sophistication and quality with each new book. The author's later books (The Devil's Door, The Wandering Arm, and Strong As Death) are much enjoyable for having read this volume first. A truly enjoyable series that educates as well as entertains.
Rating: 
Summary: Medieval Catherine is Compelling and Quirky!
Review: Catherine LeVendeur, an 18-year old novice at the French Convent at Paraclete, is enlisted by the famous abbess Heloise to go on a mission to the Abbey in her hometown. A psalter prepared at the convent, which Catherine was largely responsible for, has been altered in a way that accuses the famous scholar Abelard-and Heloise as well-of heresy, and Catherine is to inspect it and possibly retrieve it. To carry out Heloise's plan, Catherine must return home under the guise of being disgraced for being willful and disobedient. Once at home, her mother refuses to acknowledge her out of shame, and her father takes her to task for bad behavior. Luckily, her handsome uncle Roger, her 16-year-old sister, and an old sculptor working on the construction of a new church are sympathetic. Before Catherine can do much reconnaissance concerning the psalter, however, the sculptor dies under suspicious circumstances, and at this point, the story picks up speed as mysterious circumstances start piling up. Not knowing whom to trust, Catherine must keep her own counsel, though she is determined to "kidnap" the psalter from the Abbey to get it to Abelard as well as find out if the sculptor's death was an accident or something more sinister. Two more murders, a possible murder attempt upon Catherine, a mysterious stonemason, various knights, holy men, thieves, and rioters, along with a touch of romance, family politics, and political intrigue all come together in this lively and entertaining medieval mystery. Set in 1139 France, the story holds true to the gender limitations of the era while at the same time allowing Catherine spunk and forthrightness that surely many women back then possessed. She plans to become a nun, instinctively knowing that the convent is one of the few places where she can read and think and reason about philosophy and ethical matters without censure. But she never counted on what would happen to her in the outside world upon leaving the safety of the cloisters. This is an excellent mystery adventure, well told, by a writer with considerable skill and a remarkable background in medieval history. The setting, plot and characterizations ring true, and we never get bogged down in the mundane historical recitations to which many other novelists might subject the reader. Instead, like Ellis Peters' fine medieval mysteries, this top-notch novel rolls along toward a satisfying conclusion which left this reviewer wanting more. It is fortunate that this is merely the first in a series of books Newman has written about Catherine LeVendeur. I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: Medieval Catherine is Compelling and Quirky!
Review: Catherine LeVendeur, an 18-year old novice at the French Convent at Paraclete, is enlisted by the famous abbess Heloise to go on a mission to the Abbey in her hometown. A psalter prepared at the convent, which Catherine was largely responsible for, has been altered in a way that accuses the famous scholar Abelard-and Heloise as well-of heresy, and Catherine is to inspect it and possibly retrieve it. To carry out Heloise's plan, Catherine must return home under the guise of being disgraced for being willful and disobedient. Once at home, her mother refuses to acknowledge her out of shame, and her father takes her to task for bad behavior. Luckily, her handsome uncle Roger, her 16-year-old sister, and an old sculptor working on the construction of a new church are sympathetic. Before Catherine can do much reconnaissance concerning the psalter, however, the sculptor dies under suspicious circumstances, and at this point, the story picks up speed as mysterious circumstances start piling up. Not knowing whom to trust, Catherine must keep her own counsel, though she is determined to "kidnap" the psalter from the Abbey to get it to Abelard as well as find out if the sculptor's death was an accident or something more sinister. Two more murders, a possible murder attempt upon Catherine, a mysterious stonemason, various knights, holy men, thieves, and rioters, along with a touch of romance, family politics, and political intrigue all come together in this lively and entertaining medieval mystery. Set in 1139 France, the story holds true to the gender limitations of the era while at the same time allowing Catherine spunk and forthrightness that surely many women back then possessed. She plans to become a nun, instinctively knowing that the convent is one of the few places where she can read and think and reason about philosophy and ethical matters without censure. But she never counted on what would happen to her in the outside world upon leaving the safety of the cloisters. This is an excellent mystery adventure, well told, by a writer with considerable skill and a remarkable background in medieval history. The setting, plot and characterizations ring true, and we never get bogged down in the mundane historical recitations to which many other novelists might subject the reader. Instead, like Ellis Peters' fine medieval mysteries, this top-notch novel rolls along toward a satisfying conclusion which left this reviewer wanting more. It is fortunate that this is merely the first in a series of books Newman has written about Catherine LeVendeur. I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Historical Mystery
Review: Catherine, a novice at the Paraclete, finds herself embroiled in a mystery outside the safe walls of the convent. Newman makes medieval Paris come alive, gives flesh to Abelard and Heloise, and writes an incredible first novel. This is by far the best of the series and a must read for fans of historical mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Historical Mystery
Review: Catherine, a novice at the Paraclete, finds herself embroiled in a mystery outside the safe walls of the convent. Newman makes medieval Paris come alive, gives flesh to Abelard and Heloise, and writes an incredible first novel. This is by far the best of the series and a must read for fans of historical mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: Simply one of the best mystery writers
Review: I am a big mystery reader and I am very picky. I read and later re-read "Death Comes As Epiphany" and loved it. Ms. Newman brings out the complexities and simplicities of medieval France and inspired me to do some of my own source reading. Believable characters, evocative settings, and a mystery that fooled me. What more could you ask for
Rating: 
Summary: A Cruel Tease
Review: I give this book three stars as an average: five stars for the beginning, one star for the ending. In the beginning this seemed like a nearly perfect historical mystery; the characters were quirky and likable, the historic details were finely woven in to the story in such a way they didn't slow down the action, the premise was so facinating that my friends would prick up their ears when I would tell them about it... I had high hopes that this would be a thrilling suspense novel with a stunning climax. No such luck. The book gets sappier and sappier as it is revealed that the universe revolves not around the earth, but rather the novel's plucky heroine. Spellbinding plot threads fizzle into nothing. Logic takes a beating as people hire outsides to do dirty deeds they could do themselves for free with less chance of getting caught. And worst of all, in the end (don't worry, I'm not giving anything away) it is revealed that the author either made a HUGE blunder, or the main foil really is the stupidest and least observant person alive. (Email me if you've read this book and do or don't know what I'm referring to.) If you are looking for a cute historical romance, I recommend this book highly. If you are looking for a sound mystery, remember to brace yourself for the last chapter. A fun romp, but it could have been so much better.
Rating:
Summary: Charming and Original
Review: I happened on the unabridged audio book and was hooked immediately. The medieval French setting of the book, the historical characters of Abelard and Heloise, the delightful Catherine and Edgar, and a well-crafted mystery combine to make this a very satisfying read. The historical and cultural detail of daily life in Paris in that time was especially fasinating. That Ms. Newman is first a historian and second a mystery writer sets this series above the bulk of the genre and has made me a devoted follower. In fact, on our last trip to France I persuaded my husband to detour off our route to visit the Paraclete!
Rating:
Summary: Charming and Original
Review: I happened on the unabridged audio book and was hooked immediately. The medieval French setting of the book, the historical characters of Abelard and Heloise, the delightful Catherine and Edgar, and a well-crafted mystery combine to make this a very satisfying read. The historical and cultural detail of daily life in Paris in that time was especially fasinating. That Ms. Newman is first a historian and second a mystery writer sets this series above the bulk of the genre and has made me a devoted follower. In fact, on our last trip to France I persuaded my husband to detour off our route to visit the Paraclete!
Rating:
Summary: A Good Beginning to a Great Series
Review: I truely enjoyed reading this first in a series. Mostly because I found it wonderful to have an author who truely knows her history. Newman really takes the time to understand and see the places and people before she uses them as her background. This first book I found to be a bit bumpy with the action and plot, but she does set up a good character line and introduces her main characters and their relationships with each other for her future books. Having read all the books thus far in this series, I've found each one to be better than the last. I suppose some authors do improve with age and are not just "One Hit Wonders."
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