Rating: 
Summary: Why The Novice Told Her Tale Wrong
Review: I personally did not like The Novice's Tale. I felt that the fact that it was written in 1992, and that it was the beginning of a series hackneyed the whole feel of the book. I felt that none of the characters in the story ever developed any real rounded personalities. I never felt any real suspense in the book, nor was I really captivated to keep reading. I found the book as a whole rather dragging and never really reaching any climax high enough that I was left wondering where the book was going to go next. I found Thomasine's character very one-sidedand flat. It seemed that she had no real thoughts of her own. However, I will say that the twist at the end (I guess I shouldn't give it away) involving the marriage was pretty interesting. The thing I didn't like about the end was that all the surprises came in one beat. The other characters I felt did not display a whole lot of variety in feelings and fears, and thoughts. Another good point is that got a good feel for how strict St. Frideswide is, and how their lives revolve around religion. I think that over all, tehre were good points and bad points. I got a feel for the time period, and the religous base, and the virtues of strictness and obedience at that time. However, I don't feel that these things were displayed very well at all through the characters. Finally, I don't think that the characters themselves portrayed enough personality to make me really love the book and want to keep reading. This I think is a strong necessity for a good book.
Rating: 
Summary: A "Tale" of mystery and murder!
Review: I read this book for a junior year British Lit course and found it very interesting. Margaret Frazer brings to reality the life of a novice in a priory in the 1400's which at first glance would seem very ordinary and boring, but proves to be otherwise. The story follows a few days in the life of Thomasine, a novice at St.Frideswide priory, who is overcome with the fear and anxiety at the appearance of her aunt, Lady Ermentrude, who she does not care for. Lady Ermentrude visits the priory, unannounced and unwelcomed, for reasons that are revealed at the end of the book. Lady Ermentrude is intensely rude, and unliked by almost all who know her. She breaks the rule of silence; she brings all her maids and men and even a monkey! She comes to take Thomasine away from the priory for reasons only known to her. Tomasine seems to be the most likely suspect for the murder until Sister Frevisse does a little detective work on her own and proves this theory wrong. I really enjoyed this book. It keeps you quessing til the end. If you enjoy mysteries, this is the book for you. Hope you enjoy it!!
Rating:
Summary: The Novices Tale
Review: I thought that this book was excellent, well written, and interesting. It was full of suspense and kept you guessing the whole way through. The Novice's Tale is about a murder that takes place at a priory in the 1400's. Dame Frevisse, one of the nuns in the priory, becomes like the detective in the matter and once you think she has the killer figured out, something happens and everything changes. Throughout this book there are many twists and turns that take you in various directions and you never quite know what is going to happen next. To find out who the killer is you have to read the book carefully to understand the motive and everything that is going on, but once you start to read this book you will not want to put it down.
Rating:
Summary: A Medieval Soap Opera
Review: I thought that this was a good book because the story really flowed and it wasn't slow. It was also a good portrayal of what life was like for women during this time. There were good descriptions of the settings. The characters were realisitic and developed. I found myself feeling for the characters. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an easy read book with lots of twists.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Wild Reading
Review: I'm not the type of person to enjoy reading but for some reason I couldn't put this book down. It caught my attention right from the beginning and kept me going till the end. The characters in it were kind of crazy but i think that is what made this book so good. I only gave it a four because i think there were parts that were a little hard to grasp. This is one book i suggest everyone reading. Find out for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: The Novice's Tale
Review: If you like mystery books then the Novice's Tale is the book for you. This book will keeep you guessing the whole way through. Just as you think you know the answer to something everything could change right around. The Novice's Tale takes place in the 1400's in a priory and revolves around a murder that took place there. Now this may not sound to appeaing to some people but belive me it is a really great story. I can assure you, once you pick up the book you will not want to put it down because you will want to find out what happens next. So I would recommend the Novice's Tale if you are in for a good mystery book that is filled with suspense.
Rating:
Summary: Murders: A look into the past
Review: It is a very well written novel. It did a great job showing the view point of a 1431 convent, when scandal strikes. The plot always keep you wondering who did it even until the end! The reason all makes sense in the end and all the charaters help solve the mystery. The charaters are portrayed greatly, it is very easy to get a mental picture of them and how they act. The blend of characters is amazing, from the loudest to the most quiet, they all fit together. It is an excellent novel, that has you guessing right until the end!
Rating:
Summary: Murders: A look into the past
Review: It is a very well written novel. It did a great job showing the view point of a 1431 convent, when scandal strikes. The plot always keep you wondering who did it even until the end! The reason all makes sense in the end and all the charaters help solve the mystery. The charaters are portrayed greatly, it is very easy to get a mental picture of them and how they act. The blend of characters is amazing, from the loudest to the most quiet, they all fit together. It is an excellent novel, that has you guessing right until the end!
Rating: 
Summary: Gentle Thomasine
Review: Margaret Frazer delivers another excellent medieval mystery with her book the Novice's Tale. The tale begins with Thomasine poised to become a nun in a few short weeks. Thomasine is a very gentle novice who has always wanted to become a nun. she has a saintly disposition and is afraid of men. Her hopes may be dashed by her very eccentric aunt Lady Ermentrude. Everyone at St. Frideswides dreads the arrival of her aunt who is very taxing person to be around. She appears unannounced, then quickly disappears, only to return the next day in a state of wild inebriation. In her drunken state Lady Ermentrude is determined to take the gentle Thomasine from the Abbey. Just as quickly as all this happens she is dead. Could Thomasine have murdered her or is it someone else whose life she has disrupted. Sister Frevisse is determined to find out who caused her death. she does not want Thomasine to be falsely accused. She diligently questions the people in the abbey to determine who could be the one to gain from Lady Ermentrude's death. This novel like the others in the series will appeal to mystery and medieval addicts alike
Rating:
Summary: Gentle Thomasine
Review: Margaret Frazer delivers another excellent medieval mystery with her book the Novice's Tale. The tale begins with Thomasine poised to become a nun in a few short weeks. Thomasine is a very gentle novice who has always wanted to become a nun. she has a saintly disposition and is afraid of men. Her hopes may be dashed by her very eccentric aunt Lady Ermentrude. Everyone at St. Frideswides dreads the arrival of her aunt who is very taxing person to be around. She appears unannounced, then quickly disappears, only to return the next day in a state of wild inebriation. In her drunken state Lady Ermentrude is determined to take the gentle Thomasine from the Abbey. Just as quickly as all this happens she is dead. Could Thomasine have murdered her or is it someone else whose life she has disrupted. Sister Frevisse is determined to find out who caused her death. she does not want Thomasine to be falsely accused. She diligently questions the people in the abbey to determine who could be the one to gain from Lady Ermentrude's death. This novel like the others in the series will appeal to mystery and medieval addicts alike
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