This is the latest Historical Murder Mystery by this Author that I have read and really enjoyed .
His ability to bring politics and peoples of the time and place to life is unparalleled .

It is Christmas Eve in 1176 at Fairmore Abbey ..... but the night prayer bell fails to ring .
Monk , Brother Maurice hastens to see why Brother Cuthbert has failed in his duty only
to discover his brutally murdered body .
Aelred Barling, clerk to the King’s justices, and his messenger Hugo Stanton , are sent to
investigate the horrific crime . They quickly discover that this House of Peace is anything
but that - full of rivalries and feuds - and soon another body is found , and then another,
just what is happening .?.
Barling and Stanton must keep their wits about them as they find patterns to the murders
which indicate they too might soon be targeted by the murderer .

This is a well crafted murder mystery with the plot weaving through murder after murder
drawing the reader in - invested in the outcome . The development of the Master to Pupil
relationship of Barling and Stanton into something along the lines of friendship was especially
well written
I look forward to reading more by this talented Author

I knew that Daniel was innocent!
What never occurred to me was who was the real murderer. The Murders of the Monastery is a book with many twists and turns that will keep the reader very entertained from the first pages.
The bonus is that in the end Barling tells his secret to Stanton... yes, that secret, the secret that has shamed him throughout his life and that he had never wanted to talk about before.
I am already looking forward to reading the third book in the series!

Aelred Barling and Hugo Stanton are the Kingsmen of King Henry II’s Justices summoned to Fairmore Abbey in 1176 by Abbot Philip to solve a murder set in a bleak snow bound landscape. This book really takes you into the daily lives of the White Monks (so called because they wore habits of undyed wool) and the lay brothers who provide the physical labour. This is an involved mystery for our Kingsmen with many twists and turns. You will be drawn into this bygone world who’s very remoteness provides the heart pounding moments that death brings. The Kingsmen are characters with depth and you really get a good glimpse of their past lives intertwined with this mystery. I will be waiting in anticipation for the next mystery involving our Kingsmen. I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The murder mystery was just as tricksy as the first novel. People getting murdered left and right! I loved getting a deeper insight into Barling's past. This series is a lot of fun. It is faced paced and I enjoy the banter between Barking and Stanton.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.

This is the second book in this series and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I thought it was well written, had some fantastic characters and a brilliant plot line. The author really transports you to the time period with the book and you feel as though you are completely immersed in the story - it really had me hooked!

This was a great addition to the series, and whilst it is the second book in the series, I did think that it was fine to read as a stand alone too.

Five stars from me - a brilliant historical fiction story - very highly recommended!!

I love E.M. Powell's novels and her Stanton and Barling mystery series has become one of my favorites - even with just two books out so far! I love that the author is so faithful to historical detail and still brings the characters and their environments to vivid life for the reader.

Hugo Stanton and Aelred Barling are such a fun duo! I really appreciate the humor this pair brings to the mystery as well as their somewhat contentious relationship and growing respect for each other. I hope that the author continues to write more of this mystery series.

There is some serious darkness in this latest mystery that the duo must solve. There is a brutal murder in an isolated monastery that requires the brains of Barling and Stanton to solve. The first murder quickly escalates into more equally bizarre and brutal murders. Naturally, nothing is quite as it seems in this isolated place. Everyone has their resentments and grudges and ample opportunities and access to have committed the murders.

The abbot of the monastery knew Barling from his student days and this provides the opportunity for Stanton and the reader to learn more about him. Rather than give away some really wonderful plot twists, I will simply state that I read the novel in about one day and I could not have been more satisfied with the ending. Powell always provides a great mystery with lots of twists, false leads, witty dialog and interesting characters.

I look forward to reading many more novels in the Stanton and Barling mystery series. I always highly recommend Powell's novels, and The Monastery Murders is no exception.

The Monastery Murders is the second book in the Stanton & Barling medieval murder mystery series and I liked it just as much as the first book, but for very different reasons. What I really liked in this novel were the characters and the rich historical depictions of life in a monastery during 12th century England. The way the author describes events during this time period makes you understand the characters a bit better, but also serves to remind you of the century in which the story takes place, something a reader needs to keep firmly in their head as justice and the law are so, so, so different from today.

Fairmore Abbey is a monastery of the Cistercian Order and is where most of the action takes place. As most of the monasteries during this time place tend to be somewhat isolated, the author blends the history of several real monasteries together to create this fictional one in order to give the reader an idea of what a real monastery was like during this time period. Personally, I have always been fascinated by life in one and the discipline it requires to actually be a monk, and this monastery is no exception. Aelred Barling, and his assistant Hugo Stanton, head to the monastery to help the Abbot deal with a horrific murder, but they encounter much more than that.

I really liked Stanton's feelings with regards to life in the monastery simply because it seemed to mirror my own. While I understand the reasons for wanting that kind of life, I did tend to wonder about those men who didn't have a choice about being there, and this eventually became one of the themes of this novel. What I really enjoyed however, was the defining relationship between Stanton and Barling as they grew to respect each other, not just as co-workers, but as men as well, learning more about each other is such a confined space. Their characters are so different from each other, but they also tend to compliment each other, with their strengths and weaknesses balancing each other out. I also enjoyed the slight thawing in behaviour of Barling towards Stanton, with him even giving the younger man some praise now and again. While I am glad to see them getting along much better, their somewhat prickly relationship and their bantering does make them more fun to read so I hope it doesn't change too much.

The monastery is set in quite a harsh and unforgiving land and the author wrote about it in such a way that I felt like I was right there, could feel the cold drafts and the welcoming heat from the fires. The murders were somewhat grizzly but I really liked the premise of them, although I did feel at times I was reading a horror book and not a historical mystery novel. I did figure out who it was quite early on simply because it made the most sense, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. I often got caught up in the daily lives of these men, their reluctance to get up in the freezing cold to perform their duties, the lack of sleep, the days fill with labour and prayer. So well researched.

The Monastery Murders is a fascinating medieval murder mystery set in quite a bleak land, one that made me reach for my blanket and snuggle deep as I was reading, grateful for my warmth. I thought the author did a fantastic job describing the medieval nature of the abbey, the men's lives, and what it would have possibly been like to live during that time. And while I enjoyed the mystery, I did feel like the murders were too much at one point, taking away from the lovely mystery the author had set up making me feel like I was in a horror novel instead. I thoroughly enjoyed the developing relationship between Stanton and Barling and look forward to more adventures featuring these two men. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves medieval history with a twist.

Take a remote monastery frequently cut off from the outside world in bad weather, an insular community where it’s not all brotherly love between the inhabitants, add a dash of frustrated ambition, a few secret vices and the harsh realities of monastic life and – as it turns out – you have all the ingredients for murder. Actually, no, you have all the ingredients for a series of murders. And quite gruesome murders they are too.

Finding the culprit is the stern task that faces King’s justice, Aelred Barling, and his assistant/messenger, Hugo Stanton. Their arrival at Fairmore Abbey is definitely not greeted with enthusiasm and they find just about everyone reluctant to help them with their investigation. Barling and Stanton are a sort of medieval Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Barling is all application of method and logic (most of the time) whereas Stanton is better at dealing with people and judging character (most of the time). Together they form an effective, if at times slightly discontented, partnership – albeit one in which Barling is definitely in charge.

Coming in at the second book in a series can sometimes be a problem but not in this case. Although there are hints about events in the first book and little insights into the past histories of Barling and Stanton, there’s not much given away. In fact, just the opposite. The few enticing nuggets the author does give certainly piqued this reader’s interest in reading the first book, The King’s Justice.

The harsh, remote atmosphere of the monastery is really well conveyed. As a reader, you can almost hear the wind whistling round the Abbey walls and feel yourself shivering along with the monks in their draughty dormitories as they reluctantly rouse themselves from sleep to perform the religious offices. As a pattern to the murders starts to emerge (echoes of Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose here), can you blame the monks for wondering who’ll be the next victim or indeed whether the Devil himself stalks the Abbey?

The Monastery Murders is a well-crafted, engaging historical mystery with plenty of twists and turns and a wealth of possible suspects that kept me guessing right to the end.

Aelred Barling is a scholar and scribe to King Henry. He is sent to a remote abbey in Yorkshire where one of the monks has dies in suspicious circumstances, taking his servant Stanton with him. The Abbot is an old acquaintance of Barling, Father Philip, and Philip knows some of Barling's secrets from their shared time as scholars in Paris. As winter closes in on the isolated Abbey, more and more deaths occur until both Philip and Barling are in danger but who is the murderer?
The historical crime fiction genre is a packed one and this book is definitely not one the best I've read however it is not without redeeming features. Whilst none of the characters are explored in great detail the crimes rack up quickly and there is a bit of a twist in terms of the ending. Unfortunately, although ultimately I did enough the story it was only OK.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author E M Powell, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of The Monastery Murders in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
I thought the book was very well written with engaging characters. It was packed with intrigue and suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't wait to read more in this series. Very entertaining.

The second outing for the talented detective team of Aelred Barling, royal clerk to Henry II, and his assistant Hugo Stanton is full of chilling atmosphere, both literal and figurative. At the request of Ranulf de Glanville, Justiciar of England in 1177 AD, both are sent north from London, a ten days’ ride in darkest winter, to the remote Cistercian house of Fairmore Abbey in Yorkshire. On Christmas Eve, the mild-mannered sacrist, Brother Cuthbert, was found murdered in a pretty horrific way.

Abbot Philip, who’d known Barling during their youthful studies in Paris, requests his help specifically. While Stanton’s an easygoing sort who enjoys ale, convivial gatherings, and women, Barling is a straitlaced fellow who prefers time at his writing desk. When it comes to their feelings about this mission, though, they’re in agreement: neither wants to go.

When they arrive at the monastery, which is nestled deep into a rocky valley, they discover the place in turmoil, although few openly admit it. Tension spills out from multiple avenues. The older monks chafe at Philip’s election to his current role, the lay brothers resent being treated like mindless workhorses, and many feel uncomfortable breaking their vows of silence to respond to outsiders’ questions. Then a second murder occurs, and another. Each is creatively gruesome.

This strongly plotted mystery is definitely not a cozy! The thawing relationship between Barling and Stanton, already begun after their joint success in The King’s Justice, helps lighten their increasingly heavy investigative burden. Barling sees it as his duty to impart periodic lessons that Stanton hates, but they acknowledge the other’s strengths and gifts. The final outcome, which arrives after a high body count, depends on their bond of mutual trust and is gratifying in that sense, and others.

The cast list isn’t solely male, and the presence of women in this highly regulated masculine environment creates disarray that’s first entertaining, and later dangerous. Hints at secrets about Barling’s past, which he’d rather not think about, contribute another intrigue-filled layer. Sometimes later volumes in a mystery series reveal the truth about earlier whodunits, but fortunately this isn't the case here. Readers who haven’t picked up book one, which I also recommend, won't discover any clues about how that mystery was resolved.

(Reviewed at Reading the Past)

Ailred Barling and Hugo Stanton return for another Mystery when they are called away from the Christmas festivities in London to investigate the murder of a monk in a Cistercian monastery in the remote Yorkshire countryside.

This second installment once again delivers a mystery with twists, turns and red herrings which will keep mystery buffs guessing until the end, and a rich historical background. The last story was set in a village, this one details life in a 12th century Cistercian monastery, an order known for its strict routine and rules.
Who knew that it was so strict the monks were not even supposed to have rich illustrations in their manuscripts? Regardless, no monastery was above petty internal strife and vicissitudes of human nature.

I also liked the way that the characters reflect their time, so that unlike in other stories this one does not impose modern ideas, outlook, beliefs, and aspirations onto the past. Well, for the most part, anyway.
As before though, it bears mentioning that numerous murders feature in this story, and the crimes are quite gory and graphic. These stories are not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach, but they're great if you can get past that.

The characterization is also excellent. Stanton in Barling are in a way a classic detective duo: they are a perfect mixture of complement and contrast. Both characters certainly develop more though in this story: Barling now seems to have taken his messenger Stanton under his wing, and considers him a true pupil to train up, but he is more willing to listen and respect him as well.

There is a scene towards the end which might have shaken my opinion of Ailred Barling a little, but it does wrap up some of the loose ends about his past, and I don't think it makes me like him any less.

I requested this title from Netgalley, and purchased the audiobook of my own volition. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

This is the second outing of EM Powell's Stanton & Barling mystery series - the King's Justice being the first, and one I did not read beforehand.

The series is set in the time of Henry II, in this instance, after the murder of Thomas a'Becket, for which Henry is still atoning. The two are sent to the far flung Cistercian monastery of Fairmore in Northern Yorkshire to investigate the mysterious and gruesome death of one of the monks.

Along the way, and throughout, we are given a glimpse into the lives of these two - master and pupil - which also provides enough of a backstory to the first tome (though I still wish I had read it nonetheless). Far from being welcomed, the two - considered outsiders - are treated with suspicion and contempt.

As the investigations continue, more is revealed about the monks and life in the monastery; the truth lies in the past, and more than one secret is revealed.

Great story-telling - I kept thinking, how will this end, will the body count rise, will our two come close to solving this mystery before becoming victims themselves. I love this period of history, and this sort of mystery novel / series is right up my alley.

This medieval murder mystery series by EM Powell with senior court clerk, Aelred Barling, and his invaluable assistant, Hugo Stanton, is getting better and better. I recently read the first book, The King's Justice, and this one is a more than a worthy follow up. Whilst Barling and Stanton's relationship has improved considerably, the differences in their characters still gives rise to tension between them. It is 1176 in the austere Cistercian brethren run Fairmore Abbey, situated in a remote, desolate and isolated setting of North Yorkshire. It is Christmas Eve, and the Abbey is rocked by the particularly brutal murder of Brother Cuthbert, the sacrist. An unsettled and unhappy Barling is sent to investigate, but he is not looking forward to meeting a man who knew him in his previous life in Paris and that the case is not subject to King Henry's justice but under the authority of the Church. Amidst freezing weather and snow blizzards, Barling and Stanton, arrive at the Abbey to be greeted by the recently appointed Abbot, Philip de Franingeham.

The arrival of the King's men is greeted with hostility from the monks, and it does not take long for Barling and Stanton to become aware of the deep undercurrents of resentment and conflict in the Abbey, with many unhappy with the Abbot's appointment and the manner in which he runs the Abbey. It does not take long before another horrifying murder takes place, raising the levels of tensions and fear in the Abbey's community and further murders follow. People begin to feel unsafe, and Stanton's efforts to bring in outside help is foiled by the raging snow storms. There is no escape for the inhabitants of the Abbey and even the King's men find themselves surrounded by danger. There appear to be indications that the manner of the deaths seem to be replicating those from a book that had been scribed by Brother Reginald under the rule of the previous Abbot.

EM Powell begins to reveal the background and previous life of Aelred Barling, and how he came to bury himself in the dry emotionless world of the law in a bid to escape his emotionally distraught experiences in Paris, where he was a very different man. As he reveals his past to Stanton, he expects to be judged but this merely serves to build close and stronger ties between the two men. I imagine we might learn more of what lies behind Stanton's troubling past in the next book. Powell's attention to the historical details of the time, and the level of research that underpins this series is to be admired and lends authenticity to this fascinating series. I found this a highly enjoyable and engrossing piece of historical crime fiction with great character development. Highly recommended! Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK for an ARC.

The setting is historical England and more particularly an abbey in the wilds of Yorkshire. The King's men are sent to help in the solving of a murder at the abbey. That murder soon becomes a veritable landslide of bodies. The narrative is well written it captures both the setting and the time in which it is set. The characters are interesting and add to the complexity of the narrative. I haven't read the first in this series but would happily go back to it and didn't feel not having done so impacted on this storyline which is in itself intact. I think it would appeal to both those who like Historical Fiction and to the Crime book lovers

Thanks to C J Sansom and S J Parris always looking for more historical thrillers this is another welcome addition will now go back and read the 1st in the series

An excellent read! Having read several in the Brother Cadfael books, I acquired a taste for medieval mysteries and was pleased to find this book on offer from Netgalley. Ms Powell writes a terrific story and although this is the second in the series, it wasn't hard to catch up and carry on. It's not particularly long and easily read in an afternoon, or over several evenings.

Barling & Stanton are sent to Yorkshire in this book, to investigate a rather gruesome murder that has taken place at a remote monastery. They arrive to find the Father is a university compatriot of Stanton (and who knows a secret about Stanton) and who is obviously concerned about the well-being of his charges. Whilst they are there - not warmly welcomed by the brothers - another murder happens! And then a third! Someone is obviously angry with the brothers, but no one can figure out who or why.

There is some very clever detecting to get the desired (or undesirable?) result whilst the number of bodies continues to mount (I found this part a BIT convenient), and the mystery is wrapped up well.

It was an easy read, well plotted and paced, and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series. Fortunately, I can start from the beginning as it appears I've got it in my TBR pile already!

Riveting!

Fascinating medieval murder mystery featuring Aelred Barling and Hugo Stanton. It's 1177, Barling, a senior clerk of King Henry's court and his assistant Stanton will find themselves trekking through the wilds of North Yorkshire to a puritanical Cistercian community at Fairmore Abbey, rather than spending the new year ensconced in the celebrations of London (much to Hugo's dismay!)
A White Monk has been found foully murdered. The community has no idea of how such a thing could happen. Barling, as the King's man has been requested by Ranaulf de Glanville, the King's Justice, to investigate the murder at the instigation of Abbot Nicholas from the great Cistercian house of Linwood Abbey. Abbot Philip of Fairmore Abbey had mentioned a preference for Barling as an astute investigator. He had been struck by Barling's fine handling of a previous incident.
What Barling and Stanton find is just the beginning of a gruesome tale where a murderer is loose. The Abbey, situated in an inhospitable location, becomes cut off by deep snows and biting cold. An unholy pall of death and fear encompasses all.
The cut and thrust of the situation and the investigation of potential culprits mesh together as the King's men find themselves flummoxed at every turn. The body count continues to rise, accompanied by sinister, half guessed at clues. Grim indeed is the outlook!
I really liked the way Barling and Stanton grow in their interactions with each other. Powell paints a vivid, rather despairing picture of the Abbey and its surrounds, and the picture of the Abbey community is one that can't hep but show man's frailties.
The medieval flavour of the times, the daily occurrences, indeed the overall picture is masterfully presented.

A NetGalley ARC

Barling is sent to a monastery that has had a horrendous killing. He takes Stanton with him because they do well on solving murder mysteries together. He has no idea what he will be facing when he gets there...

Thomas Mercer and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It has been published.

Winter is setting in when they arrive and it's a dangerous trek to the isolated monastery but they make it safely. Barling is unpleasantly surprised by the abbot who is an old enemy of his. But he intends to find the murderer. He's told no one in the monastery can be guilty, they've all been questioned already. But he's not so sure...

When there are more murders even while they are there, it becomes a more frantic search for the killer. When they find the killings are following a text in the library, it becomes even more scary because there are more to come...

This is a nasty killer who has no feelings for those he destroys. His greed is driving him. And I never would have guessed who it was. This is a well written mystery that sent a chill down my spine. What do you think of it?

An interesting book, set in a Cistercian monastery in Yorkshire in the 12th Century just after Xmas. A bleak, cold place where life was hard enough without someone murdering the monks. One of the king's investigator's is sent to find the murderer - at that time there was only on monk had been killed. Once he arrives all hell breaks loose - literally. Will he be able to solve the mysteries before all the monks are killed?

Read it and find out.