In Vain: A Prequel to The Averillan Chronicles

Barbara Reichmuth Geisler
Lost Coast Press (2011)
ISBN 9781935448056
Reviewed by Tyler Tichelaar for Reader Views (2/11)


“In Vain” is a prequel to Barbara Reichmuth Geisler’s Averillan Chronicles series, of which two have so far been published. I have not read the other novels, but they are apparently set during the years of Civil War in England when the Empress Matilda and King Stephen vied for the throne. “In Vain” takes place prior to this in 1128 when King Henry I still reigns and is concerned about who will succeed him since his only legitimate son, William, has drowned. Henry I never makes an appearance in the novel, except in the Abbess Cecily’s memories, yet his power is felt throughout the book’s pages.

I assume that Dame Averilla, a young nun at Shaftsbury Abbey, is the central character in the other novels, but she’s somewhat pushed to the side in this novel. The book begins with the story of how the Abbess Cecily was forced by the king to become an abbess against her will. That was many years ago and now Cecily has become a powerful abbess, determined to show her power by building an impressive church that the abbey can barely afford but which she deems necessary to get the nobility to visit and donate funds. When two members of the nobility visit, one of them, Lady Beatrice, dies and is quickly believed to have been poisoned.

Investigating the murder is Sir Tirel, the bastard brother of Cecily, while Dame Averilla serves as his sidekick. Truthfully, Sir Tirel and Cecily get most of the attention in this book including their personal pasts as readers come to understand how their histories entwine with a plot against an heir to the throne.

I was less interested in the mystery aspect of this novel than just taking a trip back into the twelfth century and imagining what it would have been like. I’m an enthusiast for English history and genealogy and can trace my family back to Henry I, not necessarily a mark of pride considering how he is depicted in this book, but I found it fascinating to learn more about these distant ancestors. At times, I felt the story moved a bit slowly. It doesn’t have the pacing of an Agatha Christie novel or the humor of the Father Dowling mysteries, but rather is a fairly introspective look into the hearts of its characters while never letting the reader forget the role of God in their lives. The title itself refers to using God’s name in vain, with some variations. The characters self-doubt and spiritual struggles were what interested me the most.

Besides the story itself, I appreciated the author’s inclusion of a short summary of each historical person in the novel, as well as the glossary, timeline, maps of the church and town, and the daily schedule of the abbey. Finally, I love the beautiful artwork on the cover of “In Vain” which may not be noticeable if viewed online but is a beautiful bas relief of angels with a golden jeweled cross imposed on it.

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