A Play of Isaac

Sister Frevisse leaves her Oxfordshire priory to help her cousin Lady Alice with a traveling troupe of players visiting the town of Oxford. The players are to perform a mystery play about Abraham and Isaac during celebrations for St. Frideswide's feast day. As Sister Frevisse settles into town life, she discovers tensions between townsfolk, students, and players. The atmosphere grows darker when a young man is found dead, and Frevisse must investigate while navigating complex relationships between all involved parties. Medieval theater and its role in both entertainment and religious life forms a central backdrop to this historical mystery. The novel portrays the intersection of sacred and secular life in 15th century England through the lens of traveling players and their performances. This sixth entry in the Dame Frevisse series explores themes of faith, family loyalty, and the sometimes blurry line between performance and reality in medieval society. The historical setting serves as more than decoration, becoming integral to the story's examination of truth and deception.

Readers describe this mystery as slower-paced compared to others in the Dame Frevisse series, with more focus on historical detail than action. Many reviewers appreciate the authentic portrayal of medieval theater and town life, while noting the murder investigation takes time to develop. Liked: - Accurate historical atmosphere - Complex character motivations - Insights into 15th century theater practices - Educational value about medieval life Disliked: - Slow start to the mystery - Less suspense than previous books - Multiple plotlines can be confusing - Some found the theater details excessive Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (235 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (42 ratings) Sample review: "The historical research shines but the mystery meanders. Worth reading for the theater background but not the best entry point to the series." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers note this book works better as historical fiction than as a traditional mystery novel.

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco A medieval monk investigates murders in an Italian monastery while navigating church politics and theological debates.

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin A female forensic doctor from Sicily solves murders in medieval Cambridge at the request of King Henry II.

Wine of Violence by Priscilla Royal A young prioress in thirteenth-century England uncovers the truth behind a murder at her newly appointed priory.

The Devil's Door by Peter Tremayne An Irish religious woman in 7th century Ireland uses her legal training to solve a murder case involving church property.

The Novice's Tale by Margaret Frazer Dame Frevisse investigates the death of a young nun in this first entry of the Sister Frevisse medieval mystery series.

🎭 "A Play of Isaac" is part of the Dame Frevisse medieval mystery series' spin-off, The Player Joliffe Mysteries, blending historical fiction with crime solving. 📜 The book explores the world of medieval traveling players, who performed religious plays called "mystery plays" in town squares and church yards. ⚜️ Author Margaret Frazer (real name Gail Frazer) extensively researched medieval England, even participating in Society for Creative Anachronism events to better understand the time period. 🎪 The story takes place in 1434 Oxford, during a time when traveling players were often viewed with suspicion by authorities but were vital in bringing entertainment and religious education to common people. 🏰 The book's plot revolves around the murder of a scholar during the feast of Corpus Christi, a significant religious celebration in medieval England that often featured elaborate theatrical performances.