The Law of Angels

Library Journal: Abbess Hildegard's quiet stay in rural medieval Yorkshire is disrupted when Brother Thomas brings her two young girls to protect. Clearly, her charges need protecting because soon the small religious community is on the run, their peaceful home destroyed by villains on horseback. The secrets one of the girls carries endanger them all, so the nuns and their charges find shelter in nearby York, which is set to celebrate a summer religious feast. Against a backdrop of pageantry and political intrigue, Hildegard survives enough close calls and knife attacks to make any contemporary protagonist proud. VERDICT Social injustice and intrigue are irresistible in a mystery dripping in medieval history. The third entry (after Hangman Blind and The Red Velvet Turnshoe) in this stellar series can be read as a stand-alone work, but most readers will want to learn more about the intrepid Hildegard's earlier exploits. We know more are in the making. Highly recommended for fans of medieval mysteries like Ellis Peters's Brother Cadfael series. [Library marketing.]