Murder at Beaulieu Abbey is the 11th Hildegard of Meaux medieval mystery by Cassandra Clark. Released 1st June 2021 by Severn House, it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a beautifully written historical mystery. The story revolves around a background historical framework so seamlessly, it's not always apparent where real history shades over into fiction. The author writes authoritatively and accurately about the time period and includes characters who are three dimensional and believable. Although it's the 11th book in the series, it works quite well as a standalone.

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.

I was a bit let down about 2/3rds of the way through, being sure that I knew precisely what was going on. I was therefore delighted to find that I was more or less completely wrong. Well played, Ms. Clark, well played. The denouement is well written and satisfying. It's a solid period murder mystery and a good addition to the series.

Four stars. I really enjoyed it.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

When her Abbess requests that Hildegard travels to Beaulieu in the great forest to escort a young heiress back to Meaux, she is not overly keen but with the Great Schism causing consternation it is also a ruse to find the allegiances of the powerful House. On arrival the heiress, Elowen, is kidnapped and a young layman murdered. Hildegard determines to see the heiress rescued and the murderers brought to justice but this brings her into conflict with old adversary William att Wood and the local outlaw Black Harry.
I do enjoy Clarke's novels about the adventures of Hildegard of Meaux. They are twisty, entertaining and well-researched. it's not high literature but it is good fun with a deep knowledge of medieval history and politics interwoven. Here the focus is on the time when there were two Popes, one in Rome and one in Avignon, and how this was affecting monastic and secular life - very interesting.

Cassandra Clark involves Hildegard of Mieux in Murder at the Beaulieu Abbey; a missing heiress, a schism in the Catholic church between two rival popes, and the unrest under Richard II form the background of this historical mystery. Hildegard has to find where the heiress who is betrothed to the son of a local knight has disappeared. She trusts none of the actors around Beaulieu Abbey. Find out how she solves the mystery.

Engrossing medieval mystery!

I really enjoy Hildeguard of Meaux and the two fighting monks militant who accompany her on her missions, Brother Gregory and Brother Egbert.
Assigned by her Prioress to escort a betrothed young Cornish heiress back to Meaux Abbey from the Royal Abbey Beaulieu, until her future husband becomes older, all seems fairly simple. The heiress is engaged to the son of Sir William de Hutton, who lives near to Beaulieu. Beneath that is a more concerning matter that goes to the survival of Meaux Abbey. It’s 1390 and two leaders, Pope Boniface and challenger, anti-pope Clement, are locked in a struggle for supremacy. Hildegarde is charged to find out how the land lies during her stay at the Royal Abbey,
The simple escort assignment turns into a kidnapped heiress, the father of her betrothed raging around the Beaulieu area causing havoc, and an outcast Robin Hood type person dealing further unrest.
So many moving parts I wondered where the true story would lead.
I guessed at some things which of course I only realized when all was revealed.
I also love looking at these historical times through the eyes of the people—even if fictionalized.
Hildeguard is no backwater nun. She’s a woman of experience, astute and wise. I adore her.

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley

As luck would have it, I know this part of the world rather well. In another life, we owned a yacht and Beaulieu River was a favourite destination when cruising up and down The Solent. So I was especially keen to read this murder mystery set in this beautiful, atmospheric part of the world.

Hildegard is a sympathetic protagonist, who is clearly intelligent and courageous. I also liked the fact that she is a widow with grown children that brought a steadiness and experience she demonstrated throughout. It makes a nice change to have a female protagonist who is a bit older and past her physical prime. However, this murder mystery is clearly action led, despite being told from the viewpoint of a single protagonist. There are so many twists and turns and so much going on that at times Hildegard’s thoughts and reactions – other than those about the mystery – aren’t apparent, so by the end of the book I didn’t know her as well as I wanted. While she is in some very dangerous situations. I didn’t ever get the sense of her real fear, or her ongoing dialogue with God, which would have been the case in those days.

However, Clark’s depiction of the surroundings, infrastructure and all the topographical features are spot on. Once I realised the limits of the characterisation, I was perfectly happy to relax into the story and appreciate the plotting, which was very well done. Though three- quarters in, I was a bit dismayed to have worked out exactly what was going on – until the denouement when I realised that I was completely wrong. And that is always the mark of a cracking good plot. Checking back, I realised that Clark has not cheated her reader in any way while achieving such a volte-face, which is the mark of an experienced, skilled writer.

All in all, this whodunnit is a thoroughly enjoyable, well-crafted read. Though I would have preferred more insight into the character, it certainly wasn’t a dealbreaker and I would happily go on to read more books in this entertaining series. While I obtained an arc of Murder at Beaulieu Abbey from Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10

With Western Europe in turmoil because of two warring popes, Hildegard of Meaux is sent to the royal abbey of Beaulieu with a dual mission; collect and escort a young Cornish heiress north to meet her future husband… and find out where the monks of Beaulieu stand on the question of papal legitimacy. The first part of the mission is supposed to be simple, the cover story, but no sooner does Hildegard arrive than the heiress and the casket of gold which is her dowry is snatched right in front of her eyes. Now she’s on a rescue mission to find her charge.

This felt historically very grounded; I quite like that Hildegard as a nun wasn’t particularly pious, having chosen to take orders after being widowed rather than being forced into a second marriage to a man not of her choice. However, the murder referenced in the title was hardly the main focus of the plot, being a person we never met while alive and barely ever knew more about them than their name. Their murderer too was a nameless man-at-arms already dead (of plague) by the time the story wrapped up. Abduction at Beaulieu Abbey would probably have been a more fitting title.

There were some intriguing twists and turns but I found the ending quite disappointing; there was definitely an air of ‘and everything ended happily ever after for all the nice people and the others got their just desserts’! It felt very rushed, and being the first book I’ve read by this author, I’m not sure if this is just the way they wrap up their books or if this is an anomaly. This is the 11th book in this series and I think you could pick up here fine; there are really only three characters to meet who have apparently carried on from previous books. A decent story, but the fact that it wasn’t actually really about the murder at all and the ending was so far off the mark, means I’m giving it three stars.

Hildegard is being sent to the Abbey at Beaulieu by the Prioress to act as escort to the young heiress so that she arrives safely but also to see what the monks think of the new abbot. She doesn't really want to go but she has to obey the command. She is lucky that her two favourite monks will be accompanying her on the journey. Egbert & Gregory are more than happy to go with Hildegard as this trip. But everything doesn't go well when the young heiress is kidnapped and no one knows who took her. Can Hildegard find the girl before it is too late?
The journey is filled with adventure and death but Hildegard never loses her faith throughout but will she survive Black Harry or will she fall under his spell as well?
A good interesting read. Loved the characters especially Hildegard what an amazing woman.
I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

Intrepid Nun Hildegard together with Brother Gregory and Brother Egbert travel to Beaulieu Abbey to check its allegiance to the newly Elected Pope or the new challenger. When there a Cornish heiress is abducted. Sir William the father of the betrothed seems more interested in hunting than looking for the girl. Local gang leader Black Harry also has an interest. With many interested parties there are plenty of twists and turns in this mystery. Hildegard is a strong character who stands out in this very involved mystery.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

It is February 1390 , the Cistercian Order is being torn apart over who is the rightful Pope - Pope Boniface IX was the Roman claimant to the papal seat, whilst Clement VII maintained the Roman Curia in Avignon, France.

The Prioress at Swyne, part of the Abbey of Meaux in Yorkshire, calls upon Hildegard to travel to the Beaulieu Abbey in attempt to ascertain which Pope the the monks are drawn to .
Hidegard , along with her travelling companions , the monks Brother Gregory and Brother Egbert, use the excuse of escorting a young Cornish heiress home to her intended - one of the sons of the powerful and hated Sir William de Hutton .
Her arrival finds Elowen abducted , murdered bodies , an injured man and an armed band in the Abbey grounds - her task has become seriously dangerous .
Finding Elowen unharmed , and the gold she was in possession of , is proving to be a task that she might not be able to complete - her own life and that of her companions are in grave danger ........... just who is behind the abduction and the murders ?

This is another excellent mystery , featuring Hildegard , full of twists and turns .......... the Author has the ability to
bring the times , politics and the lives of ordinary people to life .

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

Its 1390 and while king Richard II is barely clinging to his wobbly throne and Western Europe is being devoured by the Great Schism, the genial nun Hildegard of Meaux is sent southward by her prioress to the Royal Abbey of Beaulieu in Hampshire to fetch and bring back a young Cornish heiress engaged to be married to a local lord's son. Unfortunately the young lady is kidnapped upon her arrival and it will be up to the fearless nun and her two travelling companions Brother Egbert and Brother Gregory to untangle all the twisty threads around the kidnapping and eventually save the day..... An action-packed medieval mystery and a welcomed addition to the Abbess of Meaux Mystery Series. You will probably need the map provided by the publisher because the story is fast moving and takes place within the limited grounds of the Royal Abbey. A dark and menacing plot at times a bit confusing and an ending that I found a little bit disappointing.... But I will get over it because I'm a great fan of the series😉👍

Many thanks to Netgalley and Severn House for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful novel

This murder mystery, eleventh in a medieval mystery series featuring the nun Hildegard, is set during the Papal Schism, a split within the Catholic Church over who was the rightful pope. At the time of this story, in 1390, Pope Boniface IX was the Roman claimant to the papal seat, while Clement VII maintained the Roman Curia in Avignon, France.

As the story begins, the Prioress at Swyne, part of the Abbey of Meaux in Yorkshire, calls upon Hildegard to travel to the Beaulieu Abbey near the French border to see what she could find out about how things stood: it was reported that the monks there were torn between the two papal factions. The possibility that the French pope would prevail threatened the survival of their Cistercian Order. So when suspicions grew about the fate of Beaulieu Abbey, the Cistercians wanted to determine their true allegiance.

As an excuse for being there, Hildegard would be meeting twelve-year-old Elowen, the intended bride for one of the sons of the powerful and hated Sir William de Hutton, who had a manor near Swyne. Elowen was coming over from Cornwall and due to stop first at Beaulieu. Hildegard would then escort Elowen back to Swyne, where Elowen would stay until she came of age.

Hildegard protested, but the Prioress told her:

“It’s your own fault. . . . You’re clever, capable and if I may say so, surprisingly good in a fight. The latter is not a quality many of the nuns here at Swyne can claim.”

The Prioress would send the monks Egbert and Gregory, recent veterans of the Crusades and friends with Hildegard, to accompany her.

At Beaulieu, Hildegard was thrust into, as she said, “the drama of an abduction, with a wounded man, a body and a murderer, and the added danger of an armed band at large in the purlieus of a royal abbey. It was not what she expected.”

Complicating matters, the Beaulieu Abbey provided lifelong sanctuary to any felon who was able to find a way through the woods without being arrested by the sheriff’s men before reaching its grounds.

Elowen was carrying a large amount of gold - part of her dowry - with her when abducted. Hildegard tried to discover who was behind the abduction and whether they get Elowen back unharmed, and then she herself gets into grave danger.

Evaluation: I enjoyed this book, and welcomed the opportunity to learn more about medieval history and the workings of monasteries. It was quite entertaining.