It's a good historical mystery and I appreciated the atmosphere and the solid plot. The historical background is vivid and quite well researched.
There's templars but they're the Middle Age knigts and not the mythical cross between Indiana Jones and a group of wiazrds
Well done
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This book by Dr Peter Stephenson, published by Historium Press, is, for me, an interesting blend of 13C murder mystery in Oxford and arcane Satanic rutuals. What not to love? The characters are drawn from the Church, the Convent and the town and that creates an intriguing blend of beliefs and priorities. It also features strong women – which is also a bonus. Slight irritation over typos, but not enough to distract. I look forward to the sequel.

Firstly, I am very surprised by how many reviewers on Netgalley have said that this is a good book and given it 4-5 stars. I can only assume that they are very easily pleased. It is a good book if taken at face value and not scrutinised, but in terms of compiling a review, it is far from perfect.

Firstly, the setting of place and time were not particularly accurate. None of the characters seemed to behave as people in their various stations would have done in the middle ages. At a time when social status was all, we have the Lady of the manor dabbling in forensics and detection, which one can concede otherwise the premise of the book would not work. However, we then see this Lady being ordered around by the mother superior of a convent, and she obeys without a murmur. Also, the author seems to have little idea about the setting he is writing about. We see one cloistered nun oversleeping, missing vespers and breakfast. In such an environment this would never happen (nor would it in a nunnery nowadays). She would have been sought by other nuns as soon as she missed the first office, even if for no other reason that to see whether there was anything wrong. It is not as though she is Lady Beatrix, who can lie abed as long as she likes.

There is very little 'show not tell' throughout this book, which makes it a very unsatisfying read. We are told everything, rather than being shown by the speech and actions of the characters. As a result, there is no depth to any of the characters and the relationship between Beatrix and Agnes is not developoed at all, let alone any of the other characters. The writer's writing style is also unsatisfactory, again as a result of the prevelance of tell rather than show. Some things are explained and described in great detail, while others are skimmed over with a brevity that is bewildering. Also the action moves so fast that so many of the events in the story are unexplained, and conclusions seem to come from nowhere. A good example of the author's apparent lack of knowledge about his chosen setting is the matter of the trial of the culprit. There is a dispute between two factions regarding his being tried in an ecclesiastic court rather than a secular court. This should never have been an issue since the man in question was not in holy orders of any kind, so an ecclesiastic court could not have tried him. Not even for heretical views, as the author attempts to claim. There was no Inquisition in England, nor was heresy a crime in England at this time.

There is so much more to be said, but enough now. In terms of a historical mystery novel that is full of flaws, this is certainly one. Would I recommend it? No, I would not. Not if you like your historical mystery fiction well written, tightly plotted and historically accurate. If you don't, then this is ideal.

I enjoyed this story and will probably read the next in the series. The historical details were very interesting and informative. The characters of sister Agnes and Lady Beatrix were particularly pleasing; I hope to learn more about them as the series progresses. I did find the style of writing to be quite exact and slow at times and wonder if the whole story could benefit from an experienced editor. Nevertheless, it was still a worthy debut novel and I hope the author continues to give us more titles.

I received this book from Books Gone Social on Netgalley. This is my honest review.

An interesting book and mystery. This book is apparently first in a series (and the ending of this one sets us up for book 2).

There's murder in medieval Europe, and Sister Agnes is just the person to help the Sherrif find out who the murderer is. Interestingly enough, we know who the murderer is, and even the motive for the murder(s). But Sister Agnes needs to figure out why. A nice twist on the typical murder mystery.

The language is a bit poetic in the beginning but settles down. I liked the mystery, but there were a few things that kept me from 4 stars.
First, who was the mysterious man that approached Sister Agnes on the way to see Brother Ambrose, and secondly, who killed the Bard? If these were answered they went right over my head.

Anyway, an enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this book. Peter Stephenson did an excellent job with this historical mystery. It was a good read that you can tell was well plotted and the characters were amazing. I highly recommend this book to other mystery readers out there...especially the historical fiction readers. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you Net Galley ARC, Books go social, and Peter Stephenson

The Whispering Dead of Rewley Abbey is a spellbinding start to a historical mystery series that masterfully combines intrigue, history, and suspense. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of 13th-century England, the novel plunges readers into the shadowy world of Rewley Abbey’s Cistercian monks and Godstow Abbey’s Benedictine nuns, where secrets are as plentiful as prayers.

The story centers on a determined and resourceful nun who steps into the role of an investigator, unraveling the sinister deaths that haunt the abbeys. Her intelligence and tenacity make her a compelling protagonist, and her perspective provides an intimate glimpse into the cloistered lives of medieval religious communities. Through her eyes, readers experience not only the chilling mysteries but also the tensions and power struggles within the abbeys, which are rife with deception and intrigue.

The novel’s greatest strength is its richly detailed setting. The author vividly recreates the medieval world, blending historical accuracy with an atmospheric, almost gothic tone. The looming specter of King Henry VIII’s eventual dissolution of the monasteries adds a layer of dramatic irony, making the abbeys’ secrets feel all the more urgent and fragile.

The mystery itself is tightly plotted, with clues and red herrings artfully woven into the narrative. As the protagonist deciphers cryptic clues and navigates danger, the reader is drawn into a labyrinth of hidden motives and deadly stakes. The novel’s pacing is well-balanced, allowing moments of quiet reflection and character development to contrast with the escalating tension.

Suitable for both young adults and seasoned readers, The Whispering Dead of Rewley Abbey is more than just a historical thriller—it’s a meditation on faith, power, and the human capacity for both good and evil. Fans of Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael series or C.J. Sansom’s Shardlake novels will find much to love here. With its memorable characters, gripping mystery, and immersive historical detail, this is a series to watch.

4 stars

This book is an interesting blend of mysticism, occultism, Catholicism, and emerging scientific knowledge all working in combination to create a fascinating murder mystery set in 13th century Oxfordshire. Nuns and monks, under-sheriffs and Templar knights, college students and gentrified nobility - they're all included in this riveting storyline.

If you enjoy historical fiction and mysteries, this is a pretty well-written and researched entry to the genre. It is apparently the first of a series, which I'm excited about because I thought the majority of characters were quite likeable and would relish reading more about the adventures of Sister Agnes and the rest of her Benedictine nun cohorts. (The only caveat I have here is that the jacket blurb for the book says it's recommended for "both young adult and seasoned readers", but I don't know that I would recommend this one for many younger readers - I consider both the language and the subject matter to skew towards more mature readers. But I certainly don't want to gatekeep anything!)

Thanks to NetGalley, author Dr. Peter Stephenson, and BooksGoSocial for giving me access to an eARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

Set in the 13th century amongst a Cistercian monastery and an Abbey of Benedictine nuns going Upto the dissolution of monasteries and convents in the 16th century, this story of mystery and murder was a page turner in many ways, just like a story from a more recent vintage.

A murder of a young Brother is the start of the story. It leads to the enquiry why this seemingly harmless young man was brutally murdered. The second death was equally brutal and the lawmakers are left with no clues, whilst peasants and rabble rousers talk of mystical curses and occult practices. Before hysteria strikes the lawmakers call on the help of the Sisters from the convent, well versed in the herbal arts and poisons. Also a logical mind to work out the detection of how and why these men were murdered. A bard who gives clues to the murder, and details of a murder to come in verse, is also murdered and it is to the Lady of the Castle, an authority in the area and Sister Agnes to find out who the murderer is and prevent any further bloodshed.

It was the historical research that had gone into this story, coupled with the detailed descriptions of life in a monastery and abbey that added so much depth and layers to the story. Medieval England was still difficult but the work and knowledge found in the abbeys and monasteries were under estimated.
I found the entire book fascinating.

227 pages

4 stars

This book is a wonderful example of a classy historical mystery. Even though I learned the suspect early on, I enjoyed the investigation led by the constabulary, the nun and the lady.

I enjoyed the references to various historical figures such as the Templars and so on. I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes historical mysteries with well-fleshed characters and an intriguing story line.

I want to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocialfor forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions cited in this review are solely my own.

I liked this novel a great deal. It was a different writing style, pace and format which spoke of great research and historical knowledge, but done in such a way that this reader wasn’t lost with these details, it wore its learning lightly.
There is a list of characters at the beginning that sets out their role in this murder mystery. Each chapter tells you of what the author intends to show you and the arguments for the guilt or presumed innocence of this person, or perhaps a clue to an item or a revelation about a person, that is relevant in some way that is to be determined.
There are references to the Dark Arts, arcane matters of the occult, and scientific discoveries and investigations. Rituals are performed, very similar to the Musgrave Ritual in a Sherlock Holmes story.
There is also medical and forensic knowledge, provided by Sister Agnes, who is a skilled practitioner of herbalism, a healer, nurse and an anatomist, unusual for a Nun in Holy orders, but this helps to create a well rounded female character, who carefully chooses the battles she can win.
We have references to The Knights Templars and their crusades against the Saracens, and their fight to regain the city of Jerusalem. The existence of secret tunnels and a great horde of wealth creates a plausible motive for murder.
Latin is used when trying to perform an exorcism of evil spirits that have infected a possible murderer, luckily, the phrases have been translated.
I loved the reference to the use of hallucinogenic drugs by a Sage, as a retired Nurse, I remember when we used to call Scopolamine the Truth Drug, especially when patients were recovering from anaesthetics following surgery. There were some hilarious confessions to be heard!!
I did guess the killer, but a gentle hint, pay special attention to the spelling of similar names.
A good historical novel, with very likeable central characters. It was a gripping read for an armchair detective, and a promising start to a new series. I am looking forward to the next book.
A five star read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers BooksGoSocial for my ARC, freely given for an honest review.
I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.