The Silence of the Girls

By Pat Barker

The first thing that strikes the reader in The Silence of the Girls is the controlled dread of young Queen Briseis as she describes the sack of her city Lyrnessus by Achilles and his Greek warriors near the end of the Trojan War. As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that Briseis is relating the story years, possibly decades, later, and time has dulled the terror she experienced that fatal day. She has lived as master to the slaves of her household, but fate and the fortunes of war cast her into the opposite role, as a slave herself, and that transformation is the vehicle for the central theme of the story—the dehumanization of slaves, females, and especially female slaves.
Just as royal families tend to marry only other royalty, the captured queen is thought to be of fitting rank to be concubine for the greatest Greek of all, Achilles. From that point, Briseis descends into a world completely alien to her, where she must play a multitude of roles—servant, literal sex object, and eventually pawn in a power struggle between her new master and his rival, the insidious Agamemnon. The novel masterfully portrays her harried attempts to adjust to each role in turn, where failure wouldn’t mean losing a job, but likely death.
There’s nothing of nobility in this treatment of war. There are young boys butchered before their mothers’ eyes, and fierce fighters alternating between elation at victory and abject terror the moment the tide of battle turns. Cowardice, greed, pride, and the thirst for glory stamp out the few noble sentiments surviving in both armies. The gods are no better than the men, as author Pat Barker weaves their shallow actions into the characters’ narrative with a weary undercurrent of disbelief.
The Silence of the Girls is not a fun read, but a compelling one. It forces readers to confront the nasty side of war and slavery stripped of their exotic trappings. It’s not a pretty picture that emerges. Perhaps that’s why combat veterans so often balk at sharing their experiences with others.

Cassandra Clark has nun Hildegard of Meaux sent the Whitby Abbey as penance for past misbehaviour and to purchase a holy relic from the abbey; instead she has to resolve Murder at Whitby Abbey. It is 1389, the crown sits unquiet on Richard II's head as his nobles jockey for power. The Abbey monks seek power and wealth rather than prayer and two men die, murdered. Excellent historical mystery.

The 10th book in a historical mysteries series i had not read before, I had no trouble getting into the story though and found the characters quite interesting. I can't wait to read the first nine

Murder at Whitby Abbey is the 10th book in the Hildegard of Meaux medieval mystery series by Cassandra Clark. Released 1st Oct 2019 by Severn House, it's 240 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.

I absolutely love historical mysteries. I was previously unfamiliar with this series and had no trouble keeping up with the characters or the plot. It works well as a standalone although references to plot developments from earlier books will likely affect my reading of them since there are some spoilers contained in this one.

The plotting is controlled and the story arc is interesting and immersive. The main characters are very well delineated, compassionate, and believable. I really like the setting and history, they come alive. The author has clearly done meticulous research about the daily lives and environs of people in and around religious orders of the 14th century in England. I wasn't slavish about looking up every date or historical character mentioned in the narrative, but the ones I did look up were correct and matched the known historical details. I'm not an historian (I'm a huge bio-nerd), but there were no glaring anachronisms which jumped out at me.

I really enjoyed Hildegard's practicality, intelligence, and wit. She works well with her 'team' and they complement one another's strengths. The book reminds me in a lot of ways of Brother Cadfael, although Ellis Peters' superlative series was set a couple of centuries earlier.

There is no especially graphic violence (it is a murder mystery) or rough language here. The denouement is satisfying. It's a well written period murder mystery and I will be seeking out the other books in the series.

It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

Five stars. I really enjoyed it.

Intriguing, historical mystery featuring Hildegard of Meaux. A mission to recover a holy relic takes Hildegard to Whitby Abbey where not everything is as it seems and when a body turns up Hildegard finds herself in the midst of a mystery. A compelling tale, well written, atmospheric and an engaging read.

A satisfying medieval mystery!

A troubled time in history. 1398, King Richard has no army of his own and amongst others he's up against Gloucester, Arundel and Lancaster, when they stop bickering, as one man so eloquently puts it.
Against this background the nun Hildegard of Meaux, of the Cistercian priory of Swyne, and her three associates from the Cistercian fold, have been sent north during the twelve days after Christmas to Whitby Abbey, part of the Benedictine order, to obtain a 700 year old relic, a lock of hair of Abbess Hild. Hildegard silently questions her Abbess' injunction, "to bring back as a prize a possibly fraudulent artefact at any price." Her escorts are a young priest, Luke, and two militant monks, Gregory and Egbert.
This mission is part of her continued penance for a grievous sin she has committed against the Abbot Hubert de Courcy and the Rule.
Not long after they arrive at Whitby a monk is found dead in the apple storage cellar. Along with this other disturbing factors are swirling around the Abbey and its inhabitants. Unfair rents and taxes, and the treatment of some of the townsfolk has the relations between the town and Abbey tinder dry. It will only takes a spark for the whole place to explode.
Hildegard and her companions are asked by the Abbot to investigate the death. This is just the beginning of a confusing and at times, harrowing sojourn.
I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere that Clark engendered, with touches of high drama, power struggles, and greed, offset by moments of compassion. Hildegard and her companions are a closely knit group that accept each other's strengths and weaknesses. This plays well into what they undertake.
There's a lot happening, including the not so implicit criticism about relics. That is a whole different thread of the story.
I haven't read any of Hildegard's previous tales. A fact I must remedy as I'm loving her wry humor, reflective thoughtfulness, fully human understandings and adventurous ways.

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

My thanks to Severn House Publishers for an eARC via NetGalley of Cassandra Clark’s ‘Murder at Whitby Abbey’ in exchange for an honest review.

This is the tenth in Clark’s Hildegard of Meaux series of medieval mysteries set in the late fourteen century. While I haven’t read any of the earlier books this didn’t really cause a problem. I also visited Clark’s website that provided background on Hildegard and her world.

Over the Christmas of 1389, Hildegard is ordered to travel as an act of penance to Whitby Abbey, where she is to barter for a Holy Relic. She is accompanied by two monks and a young priest. They discover that the Whitby guesthouse is teeming with visitors all very keen on obtaining the relic. Then the body of a young monk is found and Hildegard becomes embroiled in an investigation into his murder. ...

I enjoy reading historical mysteries, especially when they are as well written as this; not only in terms of plot and characters but in the sense of being immersed in details of the period, including the daily lives of ordinary people. Religion played such an important role and Clark clearly demonstrates this in the responses of her characters.

I have already obtained the first in the series and look forward to reading more about Hildegard, her world and adventures.

Late December, 1389. Ordered to undertake a gruelling three-day journey to bleak Whitby Abbey in the far north of England in a bid to purchase the Abbey’s priceless Holy Relic – a lock of St Hild’s hair, said to be 700 years old – Hildegard of Meaux and her three companion monks arrive to find the Abbey a decidedly unwelcoming place, a place of strange customs and practices very different to their modest lifestyle at Meaux. Before the bidding war can begin, a body is discovered in the monastery’s apple store shed, and once again Hildegard is plunged into a baffling murder investigation where nothing is as it first appears.
This is the first book I’ve read in the series & I now need to go & read the series from the start to fully appreciate it. I was a little lost at the start but once I’d read a few pages I was engrossed & totally hooked. The pace was very good as were the characters. I liked Hildegard but felt as this was our first meeting I had much to learn. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery & the brilliant ending
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The late 14th century world of KIng Richard II is brought to brilliantly life in this Abbess of Meaux mystery, the eleventh (including a short pre-quel) in the series. Cassandra Clark's deep knowledge of the world she writes about infuses every page, and the characters and situations come alive as a result. Rich scene setting, intricate but credible plotting, and a thoroughly intriguing set of main characters, including the leading nun Hildegard, make Murder at Whitby Abbey an engrossing page-turner.

As penance for previous misconduct, Hildegard is sent on a trying and increasingly dangerous quest to Whitby to bid on a supposedly precious relic, a lock of hair she immediately suspects is a fake - mere horsehair., Accompanied by the sterling cohort of mature Cistercian monks and a naive young priest, for her protection, the brave band are caught in a perilous situation. Whitby's religious leaders are set on an autocratic thrust for power which alienates them from the local community they are supposed to serve.. Add in two mysterious murders, and attempted rape and the turbulence of the times is brought very close to the seclusion of the cloisters.

Cassandra Clark has been enthusiastically praised for her ability to bring history alive, and Murder at Whitby very convincingly shows she's lost none of her clever crafting touch. A thoroughly enjoyable journey into the past, informative as well as entertaining.

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Who killed the monk in the apple storage room- and why? Hildegard, a widow who is now a nun, is doing penance for a love affair by heading off to Whitby Abbey to retrieve a relic. Things rapidly become much more complicated in that way they do. I'd not read this series before, which I don't think was an impediment to my enjoyment of this complex mystery with lots of interesting intrigue. If you aren't familiar with the politics of 1389 (I wasn't), you'll learn something too. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Fans of Clark will like this very much I'm sure (and I bet she has a lot of fans) while new readers, like me, now have a new series.

I jumped into the Sister Hildegard series for the first time with book number 10. I definitely missed the back story that was hinted at, but it was still an engaging read. Hildegard is sent on a mission to obtain a relic from Whitby Abbey, a relic about which she is quite dubious. She and her monk companions find themselves in the midst of a town vs abbey controversy which leads to several murders and a great deal of hostility. Set in 1389, the novel is full of the history of England and the church.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In her latest novel, Murder at Whitby Abbey, Cassandra Clark does an excellent job of describing daily life in the Abbey. She captures the hierarchy and corruption of the Catholic Church most succinctly. Her description of how her main character, a woman, is invisible and of no worth to society is aptly described.

Clark's story line follows the traditional story arc. This reviewer was disappointed by what she considered to be a major flaw in the plotline – why didn't the murdered man notice that the windows had all been covered up? Surely the chamber would have been dark and he would not have been able to find his apples?

On the other hand, Clark's, descriptions of the local area, geographical descriptions and even the steps leading up and down to the abbey are very accurate and makes one aware of how easy it is to travel in Northern Yorkshire today – except for those damn 199 steps!

I have come late to the adventures of Abbess Hildegard of Meaux, Cassandra Clark's worthy Cistercian nun. I was so drawn to this fascinating woman I immediately ordered the first 2 books in Clark's series. Growing up in a village established in the 14th century, Clark was inspired to pursue studies into this period of history. Her research is such that a reader might believe they have time traveled back to the time of King Richard.

In her 1oth volume in this series, Hildegard is still recovering from the grief filled adventure with Sir Ulf of Langbar. As penance the Abbot of Meaux has ordered her to Whitby Abbey to negotiate the price of a precious Relic. Traveling with her are her loyal monks militant Egbert and Gregory. In addition, the very young and very innocent Brother Luke will accompany her as her confessor.
The time of year is part of her punishment. They must travel to the Benedictine Monastery during Twelve Night; a time of heightened revelry, feasting and sanctioned chaos.

Upon arriving at the Abbey Hildegard is once again caught up in a mysterious death. This time it is a monk who is found dead of unknown causes. He is more than a monk, however, he also has fathered a child who is now a ward in the Abbey. The apparent hypocrisy of monastic life -- at times more like current political lives carries the plot forward. A reader will not only be entertained by a great mystery, they also will become better informed of life in medieval times. Hildegard is intrepid, I look forward to reading more of her adventures.

Highly recommended

Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this title from netgalley.com and Severn Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for this opportunity.

Hildegard is still doing penance for her misconduct, so the abbot sends her on a winter journey to the Whitby Abbey to buy a relic that will increase the amount of tourists they receive at their abbbey. More tourists means more money for the abbey expenses.

Severn House and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published October 1st.

When she examines the hair clipping from the saint, she thinks it's horse hair so she's not disappointed when another abbey gets it. Then she finds a group ready to leave and they tell her they've won the bid and have the relic. It seems if you pay enough anyone can have the relic...

Then there are two murders. Hildegard and her monks are trying to find the guilty party. The others in the abbey try to convince her it was unfortunate accidents but she knows better. She's a nun but she has her share of trouble with the men at the abbey. She's attacked by two of them in separate incidents. Then she goes into a construction area with scaffolding just to think. One of those men was hiding there and comes after her again. She climbs a ladder to the scaffolding to try to reach safety. He follows her with the intent to have his way with her and then kill her...

The ending is very exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The murderer was very devious and greedy. You won't be bored with this one.

I enjoy medieval mysteries and even if had not already enjoyed several of the Sister Hildegard books, it would be hard to resist a mystery set in Whitby Abbey.

Hildegard of Meaux is sent to Whitby Abbey to bid on a a lock of St. Hild's hair, a relic purported to be more than 600 years old. The year is 1389, and the ancient relic (if genuine) would be a prize for who ever succeeds in the bidding war.

Accompanied by Father Luke and Gregory and Egbert (militant monks who have been on the crusades), the entourage from Meaux find a very different and unpleasant atmosphere at Whitby--and that is before the body of a monk is discovered. Things get decidedly worse and dissension between the abbey and the town intensifies.

A Medieval whodunit with a strong female lead, an interesting plot, and a glimpse of the struggles to keep the Church honest.

Read in July. Blog post scheduled for ??

NetGalley/Severn House
Medieval Mystery. Oct. 1, 2019. Print length: 240 pages.

My thoughts
Though I had never read any of the previous books in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Here’s a few reasons why:

1. A well-plotted mystery

Clark captured my attention with an intriguing prologue that raised multiple questions. Hildegard and the others have walked into a place where they are neither wanted nor welcomed. The dangers and intrigues at Whitby are real. Various characters have conflicting agendas, and some are willing to kill to get what they want. Someone might be a friend or foe–or both.

The mystery isn’t straight-forward. The whys and whos and whens are in question, of course, but so is the how: was the monk’s death an accident or murder? If he was deliberately killed, as Hildegard and her friends suspect, how did he die? No spoilers, but it’s one of the most unusual murder methods that I’ve read!

2. Fascinating historical background

Clark deftly weaves historical fact and fiction. The young king and his conflict with the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke’s condemnation of those who shelter heretics, Wycliffe’s disciples: characters speak reference them as easily as we might reference our current batch of politicians.

3. Well-developed characters

The characters feel true-to-life for their time period and circumstances. Clark steers clear of historical anachronism in their attitudes.

Hildegard, for example, has fallen into disgrace from a brief love affair. She does not respond with rebellion or question the need for penance. She is truly disappointed in herself for breaking her vow of celibacy, hurting her abbot, and sorrowful in heart.

Luke is a fascinating character. He’s innocent and endearing. Early in the novel, Hildegard notes that it doesn’t take much to shock him in the confessional. Yet as the novel progresses, his faith in the human nature is shaken. He hasn’t been out in the secular world like the widowed Hildegard or the former crusaders Gregory and Egbert. He’s shocked by the excesses and extravagances in the Whitby Abbey monastics, and through his shock, we realize how appalling their behavior is and how far it is from what it ought to be.

He’s also shaken by his sudden sexual desire for a beautiful woman and realizes for the first time what his commitment to celibacy means. I’ve read a few other medieval monastic novels where this is an issue: the person takes a vow of lifelong celibacy either before he or she realizes what it means or when he or she is temperamentally unsuited for it. It’s sad. But he rises to the occasion beautifully.

I also enjoyed young Torold, a boy who is savvy beyond his years.

4. Compassionate characters

One final thing. I appreciated how Hildegard, Luke, and their friends act toward Sabine, a woman of dubious virtue, and Anna, a new widow with young children who has been kicked out of her house. Their compassion isn’t only words; they live it through their actions. Their intercession and help make a difference in these women’s lives. Here, the monastics take the Scriptural injunction to care for orphans and widows as seriously as they take their vows of celibacy and poverty. It is a beautiful thing to see.

Overall, this is a well-written, engaging novel. If you enjoy historical novels or mysteries set in medieval times, you’ll enjoy Murder at Whitby Abbey.

Thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for a copy of Murder at Whitby Abbey in exchange for an honest review.
(Note: This review will be posted to my blog on September 30, 2019.)

It's the first book I read in this series and won't surely be the last.
It's a well written, engrossing and gripping story that kept me hooked till the end.
I liked the well researched historical background, the fleshed out characters and the plot.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I do like a rollicking murder and I do love me some gripping historical fiction and this my friends has both!

This is a new Author for me and always a bit tentative when starting to get read someone I have no read before, especially when the premise sounds good like this one does.

This is not the first book of this Charecter Hildagard, a nun. I remember sitting and watching Cadfael, loving the mix of faith, murder and the era in which it was set and this is not far from it.

I have always wanted to visit Whitby, so after reading this, I am more determined than ever to do so.

Enjoyable, but I think it would be better starting at hte beginning of the series.

It's 1389 and for her penance Hildegard of Meaux, accompanied by her three companions, Gregory, Egbert and Luke, have left Swyne to travel to Whitby Abbey to acquire at all costs a relic. The situation is complicated by not knowing that there will be competition for the item. It is not long before a Brother of the Abbey goes missing and then is found murdered. But there also seems to be gold missing from the Abbey coffers. Events are made worse by the animosity between the Abbey and the townsfolk.
Although tenth in the series I found I could easily read this as a standalone story.
This is an enjoyable and interesting well-written mystery with its cast of very likeable characters.

Dark Age monastic thrillers have been around for a while, ever since the days of Brother Cadfael (and possibly before) and while I wouldn't say I’m an insatiable fan, I dod enjoy them. Cassandra Clark’s Murder at Whitby Abbey, is the first I’ve met featuring a nun, and i have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Sister Hildegard is sent with a young monk and two seasoned older monks (veterans of the Crusades and so termed “monks militant”) to Whitby Abbey to bid for a holy relic, a lock of hair purporting to be that of St Hilda of Whitby. When the quartet they discover a monastery at increasingly violent odds with the local townsfolk, three other contenders for the ownership of the relic — and a mysterious death. The death turns out to be murder — but who killed Brother Aelwyn and why? Hildegard and her companions are determined to find out.

The book was a slow starter and in places I found it confusing, but once the pace picked up it turned into a really gripping read, with moments of heart-stopping fear as Hildegard faced not only an unknown adversary determined to stop her unmasking the murderer, but also risks to her own virtue in a world where being a nun was no guarantee of respect.

Set in the late fourteenth century against the background of raucous Christmas revels and rising civil unrest, the book is full of local colour. What made it for me, though, was the characters. Hildegard is no saint, a real woman paying penance for past misdemeanours; devout Luke falls in love with a prostitute; and the two monks militant, Egbert and Gregory, were action heroes of a most unusual type. (I confess: I think I possibly fell a little bit in love with them both.)

Though it’s the tenth in the series and I haven’t read any others (though I now will) it worked fine for me. Apart from the slow start I thought it was a terrific read and the conclusion was both clever and satisfying.

Thanks to Netgalley and Severn House for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.