Set in a 15th century English convent, this series stars the pragmatic Benedictine nun Sister Frevisse. She's in the Brother Cadfael vein, someone whose real-world experience prepares her for challenges outside the cloister, but she's unique, and not an imitation.
The devout novice Sister Thomasine, two weeks away from her final vows, is forced back to worldly concerns when her braying virago aunt Ermentrude arrives at the convent determined to wrench her away from her prayers. When Ermentrude dies the "crowner," (coroner) wants to sweep the case under due to Ermentrude's hard-living, hard-drinking life. When Frevisse proves that it's poison, Sister Thomasine then becomes the main suspect and the crowner is eager to hang her. In a wonderful scene, Thomasine claims sanctuary while the angry nuns sing Dies Irae in a face-off with the sheriff's men.
The convent life glows under Frazer's hands. Although it's all but impossible to believe the devouts loved their eight daily services, she makes us believe that they do. Her historical details are fascinating. Of note, her character Joliffe, a traveling actor who solves mysteries, made his appearance in a Frevisse novel and now has his own series.
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