Sorrow Without End, by Priscilla Royal, is a bit different from her first two books. It has its usual cast, Prior Eleanor, Sister Anne, Crowner Ralf (Sister Anne’s former husband) and Brother Thomas. This latest addition to a wonderful and growing series takes on the horror that war, murder and it’s horrors can do to a man’s mind. The story starts again with a murder near Tyndal Priory. The victim has a curved knife in his body and it has strange written letters engraved onto it. The victim is a soldier who was returning from the Crusades. Why he was killed and who did it is, of course, the engine that drives this story.Also, there are other plots running along for the characters to figure out. The main one after the murder, is between Prioress Eleanor and Brother Matthew who not only wants the Priory to obtain a relic but also wants to become elected as the new prior. Eleanor tries to be evenhanded with both candidates but clear does not want Brother Matthew to be selected. Matthew wants to return the priory to a more traditional male as head of the Priory. He uses the desire to obtain the relic wants to show he knows how to make the priory profitable and thereby gain his goal.In the twists and turns of this story, Brother Thomas even becomes a suspect in the murder and his past is in danger of being dragged out in the investigation. Trusted companions are not sure what to believe as Brother Thomas can’t trust others with the secret of his past life and why he is now a Brother at Tyndal.Priscilla Royal keeps weaving stories that keep me wanting more. She tries and succeeds for historical accuracy in her compelling stories. In her author’s notes at the end of her books, she explains the history underlying the time period in which she tells her wonderful mysteries.
What do You think about Sorrow Without End (2007)?
These are just so good. Once I start one I can't put them down and end up staying awake all hours. The historical details included in the Afterward are miniature history lessons that round out each story nicely. In this edition, it seems as if everyone is struggling with an identity crisis. Eleanor with her feelings for Thomas and her role in the priory, Ralf with his feelings for Anne, Thomas still struggling with his past and who to trust, and a host of others all trying to figure out how they will move through the world. This "episode" (for lack of a better word) was a little more of a challenging read and did not move as quickly as previous mysteries in the series, meaning I had to pay more attention and resist the urge to skim.
—Cheryl
