A Play of Heresy
Authors: Margaret Frazer
Table of Contents
The Middle Ages Come to Life . . . to Bring Us Murder.
A PLAY OF PIETY
“[
A Play of Piety
] entranced me just as her books about Dame Frevisse did . . . This book abounds in authentic detail and intriguing, vividly fleshed-out characters. It gave me a sense of being carried back to medieval times. The precarious existence of traveling performers is realistically portrayed, and Joliffe is an engaging and resourceful protagonist. Without being archaic, the dialogue somehow rings true. The plot builds to a satisfying ending. All in all, this is a superb historical mystery.”
A Play of Piety
] entranced me just as her books about Dame Frevisse did . . . This book abounds in authentic detail and intriguing, vividly fleshed-out characters. It gave me a sense of being carried back to medieval times. The precarious existence of traveling performers is realistically portrayed, and Joliffe is an engaging and resourceful protagonist. Without being archaic, the dialogue somehow rings true. The plot builds to a satisfying ending. All in all, this is a superb historical mystery.”
—
Historical Novel Society
(Editors’ Choice 2011)
Historical Novel Society
(Editors’ Choice 2011)
“Margaret Frazer depicts the Middle Ages with such ease; there is nothing awkward about the setting or speech of the characters, giving an overall familiar feel and a strong sense of place.”
—
The Mystery Reader
The Mystery Reader
A PLAY OF LORDS
“Will entertain and confound you with its intricately plotted mystery and richly detailed writing . . . Ms. Frazer knows the fifteenth century and it shows . . . You’ll want to rush out and get the previous books in this wonderful series.”
—
The Romance Readers Connection
The Romance Readers Connection
“[An] amazing wealth of historical detail. While the mystery is compelling, and rooted in a fascinating historical period, it’s the details of everyday life that make the story and characters leap off the page . . . Will appeal to readers who enjoy historical mystery and historical fiction.”
—
CA Reviews
CA Reviews
A PLAY OF DUX MORAUD
“Deftly drawn characters acting in a stage of intricate and accurate details of medieval life.”
—
Affaire de Coeur
Affaire de Coeur
“A meticulously researched, well-written historical mystery that brings to life a bygone era . . . Historical mystery fans will love this series.”
—
Midwest Book Review
Midwest Book Review
“Wonderful . . . As always, the author provides a treasure trove of historical detail . . . Good, solid mystery.”
—
The Romance Readers Connection
The Romance Readers Connection
A PLAY OF ISAAC
“In the course of the book, we learn a great deal about theatrical customs of the fifteenth century . . . In the hands of a lesser writer, it could seem preachy; for Frazer, it is another element in a rich tapestry.”
—
Contra Costa Times
Contra Costa Times
“Careful research and a profusion of details, especially those dealing with staging a fifteenth-century miracle play, bring the sights, smells, and sounds of the era directly to the reader’s senses.”
—
Roundtable Reviews
Roundtable Reviews
“A terrific historical whodunit that will please amateur sleuth and historical mystery fans.”
—
Midwest Book Review
Midwest Book Review
Praise for the Dame Frevisse Medieval Mysteries by two-time Edgar
®
Award–nominee Margaret Frazer
®
Award–nominee Margaret Frazer
“An exceptionally strong series . . . full of the richness of the fifteenth century, handled with the care it deserves.”
—
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Minneapolis Star Tribune
THE SEMPSTER’S TALE
“What Frazer, a meticulous researcher, gets absolutely right in
The Sempster’s Tale
are the attitudes of the characters.”
The Sempster’s Tale
are the attitudes of the characters.”
—
Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
THE WIDOW’S TALE
“Action packed . . . A terrific protagonist.”
—
Midwest Book Review
Midwest Book Review
THE HUNTER’S TALE
“Will please both Frevisse aficionados and historical mystery readers new to the series.”
—
Booklist
Booklist
THE BASTARD’S TALE
“Anyone who values high historical drama will feel amply rewarded . . . Of note is the poignant and amusing relationship between Joliffe and Dame Frevisse.”
—
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
THE CLERK’S TALE
“As usual, Frazer vividly re-creates the medieval world through meticulous historical detail [and] remarkable scholarship.”
—
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
THE SQUIRE’S TALE
“Meticulous detail that speaks of trustworthy scholarship and a sympathetic imagination.”
—
The New York Times
The New York Times
THE REEVE’S TALE
“A brilliantly realized vision of a typical medieval English village.”
—
Publishers Weekly
(starred review)
Publishers Weekly
(starred review)
THE MAIDEN’S TALE
“Great fun for all lovers of history with their mystery.”
—
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Minneapolis Star Tribune
THE PRIORESS’ TALE
“Will delight history buffs and mystery fans alike.”
—
Murder Ink
Murder Ink
THE MURDERER’S TALE
“The period detail is lavish, and the characters are full-blooded.”
—
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Minneapolis Star Tribune
THE BOY’S TALE
“This fast-paced historical mystery comes complete with a surprise ending—one that will hopefully lead to another ‘Tale’ of mystery and intrigue.”
—
Affaire de Coeur
Affaire de Coeur
THE BISHOP’S TALE
“Some truly shocking scenes and psychological twists.”
—
Mystery Loves Company
Mystery Loves Company
THE OUTLAW’S TALE
“A tale well told, filled with intrigue and spiced with romance and rogues.”
—
School Library Journal
School Library Journal
THE SERVANT’S TALE
“Very authentic . . . The essence of a truly historical story is that the people should feel and believe according to their times. Margaret Frazer has accomplished this extraordinarily well.”
—Anne Perry
THE NOVICE’S TALE
“Frazer uses her extensive knowledge of the period to create an unusual plot . . . appealing characters and crisp writing.”
—
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Berkley Prime Crime titles by Margaret Frazer
Joliffe the Player Mysteries
A PLAY OF ISAAC
A PLAY OF DUX MORAUD
A PLAY OF KNAVES
A PLAY OF LORDS
A PLAY OF TREACHERY
A PLAY OF PIETY
A PLAY OF HERESY
A PLAY OF DUX MORAUD
A PLAY OF KNAVES
A PLAY OF LORDS
A PLAY OF TREACHERY
A PLAY OF PIETY
A PLAY OF HERESY
Dame Frevisse Medieval Mysteries
THE NOVICE’S TALE
THE SERVANT’S TALE
THE OUTLAW’S TALE
THE BISHOP’S TALE
THE BOY’S TALE
THE MURDERER’S TALE
THE PRIORESS’ TALE
THE MAIDEN’S TALE
THE REEVE’S TALE
THE SQUIRE’S TALE
THE CLERK’S TALE
THE BASTARD’S TALE
THE HUNTER’S TALE
THE WIDOW’S TALE
THE SEMPSTER’S TALE
THE TRAITOR’S TALE
THE APOSTATE’S TALE
THE SERVANT’S TALE
THE OUTLAW’S TALE
THE BISHOP’S TALE
THE BOY’S TALE
THE MURDERER’S TALE
THE PRIORESS’ TALE
THE MAIDEN’S TALE
THE REEVE’S TALE
THE SQUIRE’S TALE
THE CLERK’S TALE
THE BASTARD’S TALE
THE HUNTER’S TALE
THE WIDOW’S TALE
THE SEMPSTER’S TALE
THE TRAITOR’S TALE
THE APOSTATE’S TALE
THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
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South Africa
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA
Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada
(a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)
Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)
Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia
(a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)
Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India
Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand
(a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)
Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196,
South Africa
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