Friday, September 2, 2022

Season of Blood by Jeri Westerson

August 26, 2021

Season of Blood by Jeri Westerson

England 1390 - Disaster has occurred at Hailes Abbey: their most precious relic, a vial of Jesus' blood, has vanished from the locked cabinet where it was kept. The relic's power was to take liquid form when touched by the innocent and the worthy, and remain in powder form for sinners and the unrepentent. Relics were important revenue sources for churches, monasteries, and other religious houses, since the faithful came to venerate the relics and leave a donation for the privilege.

Following the relic's disappearance, two monks are found murdered. Crispin Guest is summoned to locate the relic and solve the mystery surrounding the monks. He finds the relic and attempts to return it, but it keeps finding its way back to him. In addition, the monks at Hailes Abbey are in dispute with the monks at Westminster  Abbey regarding who is the rightful owner of the relic. Crispin becomes involved with a beautiful and dangerous woman (he should really steer clear of them) while trying to prevent a former adversary from being charged with murder. Crispin must sort through the tangled layers to find the truth.

Another great entry in the Crispin Guest series, this one with Crispin trying to help the monks at an abbey as well as one of the former sheriffs who enjoyed plaguing him in the past. Jack Tucker and his wife Isabel are prominently featured, as well as their growing brood (who adore Crispin). Crispin finds himself unexpectedly assuming the role of patriarch in their lively household.


An example of a reliquary containing a saint's blood


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