Our Pick of the Best Medieval Mystery Books

Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary escapade into the realm of medieval mystery books? Get your imagination fired up as we delve into a treasure trove of historical enigmas set in the captivating middle ages. Brace yourself for nail-biting murder mysteries, where cunning sleuths navigate the labyrinthine tapestry of medieval life, with secrets lurking around every corner.

In this mesmerizing epoch known as the medieval era, prepare to be transported through time and space. Whether you seek standalone masterpieces or addictively engaging series that leave no puzzle unsolved - these gripping tales will whisk you away faster than a knight charging towards his quarry. So dust off your quills or swipe through digital pages; it's time to join forces with intrepid heroes who untangle dark riddles intertwined within the very fabric of history.

Hold tight and keep those eyes peeled, because we've got some hidden gems lined up just for you! Unearth the best medieval mystery books that deserve their moment in the sun.

Our List of Amazing Medieval Mystery Books

A Morbid Taste for Bones

by Ellis Peters

In the year 1137, the driven leader of Shrewsbury Abbey hatches a plan to secure the remains of Saint Winifred for his Benedictine brethren. The task falls upon Brother Cadfael, who journeys to the saint's final resting place in Wales, only to discover a community fiercely split over the proposed transaction of their saint's relics.

Cadfael, with his sharp intellect and worldly wisdom, is hardly taken aback when this morbid fascination with bones spirals into a brutal murder. The primary dissenter against the relocation of the grave meets his end by a cryptic arrow, sparking rumors that Saint Winifred herself might have exacted divine retribution. However, Cadfael is convinced that the real killer is all too human. Unbeknownst to him, his pursuit of the truth threatens to unearth not only a killer but also a complex web of love and justice. As he delves deeper, he risks exposing a scandal that could tarnish his reputation, or worse, lead to his downfall.

The Apothecary Rose

by Candace Robb

We're transported back to 1363. The story unfolds in the infirmary of St. Mary's Abbey, where two mysterious deaths have occurred. The victims, a pilgrim and a ward of John Thoresby, the Lord Chancellor of England and Archbishop of York, appear to have been poisoned by a concoction from Master Apothecary Nicholas Wilton. Thoresby sends Owen Archer, a one-eyed spy, to uncover the truth. Posing as a soldier seeking a new beginning, Owen becomes an apprentice in the apothecary, now run by Wilton's intriguing young wife, Lucie, due to Wilton's illness.

As Owen delves into a convoluted past filled with scandal and tragedy, he stumbles upon a forbidden love that has morphed into an obsession over time. The woman he's falling for is his prime suspect. This novel is a rich tapestry of life, love, and death in medieval England, filled with suspense and intricate detail.

Death Comes as Epiphany

by Sharan Newman

"Death Comes As Epiphany" by Sharan Newman is the first book in the Catherine LeVendeur murder mystery series. The story introduces us to Catherine LeVendeur, a young scholar striving to overcome her pride at the Convent of the Paraclete, known for its learning, prayer, and its renowned abbess, Heloise. Trouble arises when a manuscript created by the convent for Abbe Suger goes missing, sparking rumors that it contains blasphemous content that could be used against Heloise's lover, Peter Abelard. Catherine takes it upon herself to locate the manuscript and identify who altered the text, a mission that could lead to disgrace, the Church's wrath, and a confrontation with an ancient evil. As she embarks on this journey, she must tread carefully to avoid losing her immortal soul. This narrative is a blend of mystery and romance set against the backdrop of 12th-century France.

The Queen's Man

by Saron Kay Penman

"The Queen's Man: A Medieval Mystery" by Sharon Kay Penman is a captivating tale set in the year 1193. The story unfolds with Eleanor of Aquitaine ruling England's throne, her son Richard Lionheart missing and presumed dead, and rumors of her younger son John's ambitions to claim the crown.

Amidst this royal turmoil, a penniless young man named Justin de Quincy becomes the unexpected recipient of a blood-stained letter from a dying man. This letter becomes his entry into the queen's trust and the epicenter of danger. As he chases a cunning killer and battles hidden traitors in Eleanor's court, he finds himself in a whirlwind of intrigue and mystery.

The Confession of Brother Haluin

by Ellis Peters

In the icy grip of winter, the Bendictine Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is under threat from the heavy snowfall, causing significant damage to the guest hall. The monks are tasked with repairing the roof, but the perilous conditions lead to a near-fatal accident for Brother Haulin. His injuries are so severe that he feels compelled to confess his past sins, revealing a tale of transgressions that seem unforgivable.

However, fate has other plans, and Haulin survives. Feeling the weight of his past, he embarks on a journey to make amends, with only one companion by his side. This journey, though meant for atonement, uncovers shocking truths and leads them down a path of murder.

Absolution by Murder (a Sister Fidelma Mystery)

by Peter Tremayne

In the year 664 AD, a significant gathering takes place at the Synod of Whitby, where the leading figures of the Celtic and Roman Churches engage in heated debates. However, the atmosphere thickens with the plotting of an assassination and a mysterious death within the Abbey of St Hilda. The murder of Abbess Etain, a prominent voice for the Celtic Church, stirs suspicion towards the Roman faction.

Among the attendees is a woman from the community of St Brigid of Kildare, who, as an advocate of the Brehon Court, is tasked with investigating the murder alongside a brother from the Roman faction. Their partnership is as unlikely as that of a wolf and a fox. As more deaths occur, the tension threatens to erupt into civil war. The resolution of these mysteries could be the only thing to prevent such a catastrophe.

A Plague on Both Your Houses (Matthew Bartholomew Series)

by Susanna Gregory

In the heart of the 14th century, as the Black Death casts a shadow over Europe, we find Matthew Bartholomew, a physician known for his unconventional yet effective approach, based at Michaelhouse college in medieval Cambridge. His concern grows as the deadly pestilence edges closer to England, but an unexpected event demands his attention - the sudden, unexplained demise of the Master of Michaelhouse.

Despite the University's clear reluctance to probe into the matter, but encouraged by the proctor, Brother Michael, Bartholomew's resolve to uncover the truth remains unshaken. His pursuit of answers leads him into a labyrinth of deception and intrigue, compelling him to question the integrity of those he holds dear, including his own kin. All this unfolds as the Black Death makes its grim entrance, adding a chilling layer to the unfolding mystery.

The Sanctuary Seeker

by Bernard Knight

In the chill of November 1194, Sir John de Wolfe, a battle-hardened Crusader handpicked by Richard the Lionheart himself, takes on the mantle of Devon's inaugural coroner. His duty leads him to the desolate hamlet of Widecombe, where an unclaimed corpse awaits his scrutiny. However, upon his return to Exeter, he's met with unexpected resistance. His own brother-in-law, the obstinate Sheriff Richard de Revelle, seems hell-bent on derailing the murder probe. The plot thickens when it's revealed that the lifeless body belonged to a fellow Crusader, a scion of one of Devon's most respected and noble families.

Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake series)

by C.J. Sansom

The year is 1537, a period of seismic upheaval in England, unmatched since the events of 1066. Henry VIII, having declared himself the Supreme Head of the Church, has plunged the nation into a new era marked by harsh laws, manipulated trials, and an unprecedented network of spies. At the behest of Thomas Cromwell, a squad of commissioners scours the country, their mission: to scrutinize the monasteries, inevitably leading to their dissolution.

However, at Scarnsea, a monastery nestled on the Sussex coast, chaos reigns. Robin Singleton, Cromwell's representative, has been gruesomely murdered, his head brutally detached from his body, amidst other disturbing acts of sacrilege. Enter Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer and staunch advocate of Reform, dispatched by Cromwell to unravel the sinister mysteries shrouding Scarnsea. Yet, as Shardlake delves deeper, he finds himself questioning not only the information he uncovers but also his deeply held beliefs.

The Novice's Tale

by Margaret Frazer

In the serene autumn of 1431, the tranquil existence of the nuns at England's St. Frideswide's is disrupted as they prepare for the humble ceremony where the virtuous novice, Thomasine, is to take her sacred vows. Their peaceful world of prayer and beauty is shattered by the abrupt arrival of Lady Ermentrude Fenner, accompanied by her boisterous entourage of rowdy men, wayward women, and noisy hounds. The hard-living dowager, who even keeps a pet monkey for entertainment, demands wine and a feast, and shockingly, she also demands Thomasine.

Intent on boosting her wealth and reputation, Lady Ermentrude plans to arrange a marriage for the devout novice, utterly indifferent to the turmoil she leaves in her wake. However, her devious plans come to an abrupt halt with a bizarre and seemingly unnatural murder. As suspicion falls on the innocent Thomasine, it's up to Sister Frevisse, the priory's hosteler and an amateur sleuth, to untangle the webs of unholy desire and dark conspiracy that ensnare the novice, either to vindicate her or seal her fate.

The Nightingale Gallery

by Paul Doherty

The year is 1376, and England is plunged into uncertainty as the Black Prince succumbs to a dreadful illness, swiftly followed by his father, King Edward III. The English crown now rests in the hands of a young boy, attracting the attention of ambitious nobles who circle the vacant throne like ravenous wolves. The church's prelates and the influential Merchant Princes of London are soon embroiled in the power struggle. Among them, Sir Thomas Springall meets a grisly end just days after the old king's demise.

The task of unraveling this mystery falls to Sir John Cranston, London's coroner, aided by Brother Athelstan, a repentant Dominican monk. Their investigation takes them from the ominous backstreets of Whitefriars to the savage grandeur of the English Court, drawing them into a chilling web of intrigue.

Wine of Violence

by Priscilla Royal

The year is 1270, and England, much like its aging monarch, Henry III, is exhausted. The rebellion led by Simon de Montfort has finally ended, and the monks and nuns of the Order of Fontevraud, residing in the secluded Tyndall priory on the East Anglian coast, yearn for their peaceful routine. However, their tranquility is disrupted when the young and unseasoned Eleanor of Wynethorpe is appointed as their new prioress, a decision driven by politics and met with disapproval.

The very next day, the priory is shaken by the discovery of a monk's brutally murdered body in the cloister gardens. Soon after, Brother Thomas arrives, tasked with scrutinizing the Order's precarious finances while grappling with his own past crime that could lead to his execution. As Thomas wrestles with his new reality, Eleanorstriving to earn the trust of her fearful and resentful charges, must navigate a treacherous path of violence, desire, and greed to unmask a ruthless murderer.

The Name of the Rose

by Umberto Eco

In Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose", it's the year 1327, and whispers of heresy echo through the opulent halls of an Italian Benedictine abbey, drawing Brother William of Baskerville to its doors. His mission to investigate these allegations takes a chilling turn when seven peculiar deaths cast a shadow over the abbey. Morphing into a detective, Brother William wields the logic of Aristotle, the theology of Aquinas, and the empirical wisdom of Roger Bacon, all honed to perfection with a dash of dry wit and an insatiable curiosity. He gathers evidence, deciphers cryptic symbols and coded manuscripts, and delves into the abbey's haunting labyrinth, where the veil of night often conceals the most intriguing occurrences.

Knight's End: Wrapping Up Our Medieval Mystery Book Tour

And there you have it, fellow lovers of medieval mysteries books! We've embarked on an exhilarating journey through the captivating world of historical mysteries set in the enigmatic middle ages. From immersive standalone tales to addictive medieval mystery series that kept us turning page after page - we've explored murder mysteries and witnessed intrepid sleuths solve murders while unraveling secrets buried deep within the annals of history.

As we bid adieu, let's not forget the thrill of these medieval series that immersed us in their meticulously crafted worlds. Who can resist being drawn into a web of suspense as heroes navigate treacherous paths to expose dastardly villains? And let's not overlook those early books that paved the way for our insatiable appetite for gripping stories from this era. Whether it's unmasking a serial killer or deciphering cryptic clues, these tales have left an indelible mark on our literary souls.

So my friends, keep your eyes peeled and your minds open to endless possibilities within the realm of medieval mysteries! Until next time, immerse yourselves in thrilling adventures and embrace the allure of historical whodunits like never before!

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Author
Chris Beach

Hi, I'm Chris. My love of books started when I was a child visiting libraries with my Dad. The smell and feel of old pages still sparks something within me that can I can only express as an emotional attachment to books. Two decades later this evolved into a passion for collecting rare books, particularly 17th century early-English literature, and rare children's books. I believe every book has its own story and each one reveals something new about the world we live in.
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