Review of The Whispering Dead of Rewley Abbey

[Chris Alex Powell]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Whispering Dead of Rewley Abbey" by Dr. Peter Stephenson.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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"The Whispering Dead of Rewley Abbey" by Dr. Peter Stephenson provides a blend of mystery, suspense, and history set against the detailed backdrop of 13th-century Oxfordshire. The story begins with the gruesome murder of a young brother, and while investigations were still being carried out, a second murder occurs. The law enforcement are clueless as to the cause of these murders, and rumors have started making waves amongst the people about some occult practices and curses. In a bid to stop these rumors from spreading, the authorities seek the help of sisters in the convent who are well-grounded on cases of herbs and poison. Sister Agnes, a determined Benedictine nun, alongside Lady Beatrix, decides to take on this case. Join the author as he takes us on a ride into the world of Benedictine nuns, Cistercian monks, under-sheriffs, Templar knights, and college students affiliated in a complex web of murder and mysticism.

I loved how detailed the author was in his description. His attention to historical details, periodic illustrations, and chapter subheadings made it an insightful and easy read. He made it easy for me to apply my sense of imagery and be transported to the shadowy corners of medieval England. I was very impressed with the character of Sister Agnes. Her independence, intelligence, and determination in unraveling the mystery were admirable, especially since it was such a rare sight for women of their time. I also loved how the pacing of this novel was well balanced and gave space for character development despite the increasing tension that unfolded with each passing page.

However, I would say this book lacked any big plot twist. It was quite obvious to me who the killer was right from the beginning, but I enjoyed reading the unraveling mysteries, especially surrounding the sword that was used. So, I would only remove a star from my rating. This book ended in a cliffhanger, so I’m looking forward to what the author has next for us. My final rating for this book is 4 out of 5. I recommend it to those interested in historical mysteries.

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The Whispering Dead of Rewley Abbey
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[patricia MGBEMENA]

The mystery contained in the book's plot is really interesting and I would love to find out the person who is behind this reoccuring murders.

[Joe Alex 2]

The setting and the character of Sister Agnes stood out to me—she seems like a strong, interesting character for her time. I’m curious about how the author mixes history with the mystery and what role the nuns and knights play in it all. While the plot seems predictable, the cliffhanger at the end makes me interested in what comes next. I might check it out for the historical angle, but I’d want more surprises in the story.