The Bishop's Tale — Margaret Frazer

MOURNING DARKENED A MEDIEVAL MANOR... AND SO DID MURDER

Death, the pious say, is the great mystery, and Sister Frevisse finds it puzzling indeed. She has come to Ewelme Manor to rieve for her uncle; Bishop Beaufort arrives to mourn his old friend. Neither expected querulous Sir Clement Sharpe to stand at the funeral feast, dare God to strike him down--and then collapse. Since other guests have supped on the same meat and wine without ill effect, all believe the Lord's hand smote Sir Clement.

The wily bishop, however, secretly orders Frevisse to snoop from the kitchens to the chapel for an unusual poison. But the clever nun has her eyes open for something else: a killer with a venomous hatred...or a diabolic love.