The Witch of Godstow Abbey (Murders in the Abbey, Book Two) by Lady Harriet & Peter Stephenson

The Witch of Godstow Abbey

(Murders in the Abbey, Book Two)

By Lady Harriet & Peter Stephenson

Publication Date: 18th October 2025

Publisher: Historium Press
Page Length: 266

Genre: Historical Fiction / Thriller

A widowed academic investigating these strange historical practices gets drawn back in time and into the year 1290 in Oxford. Join a cast of compelling characters-nuns, novices and outsiders-as they battle the forces of darkness. Enter their struggle against evil, clandestine organizations. Join their life-threatening fight to protect each other, be willing to die for each other, and occasionally fall in love.

Will heroic love and righteous pursuit of justice triumph? Will the horror-inducing villain be found out and overthrown? Or will the courageous troop of those fighting for what is good be overpowered and taken captive?

Set in Oxford, England, in the year 1290, a struggle takes place between the sisters of the local convent and a strange, terrifying local evil society. They discover a secret organization of men who perform unspeakable deeds. The lives of several sisters are in danger.

Join Mother Alice, Sister Agnes and Isabel, along with Lady Beatrix and Lady Harriet, as they confront and do battle with an evil, secret society intent on attacking them, taking over the convent and sacrificing a young woman.

If you love stories that keep you turning pages while imparting fascinating accounts of the past, this latest mystery in the "Murders in the Abbey" series will tingle your spine.

Pick up your copy of

The Witch of Godstow Abbey

(Murders in the Abbey, Book Two)

HERE!

Lady Harriet

Harriet Elizabeth Taggart, writing under the pen name Lady Harriet, holds the legal title “Lady of the Manor,” as defined under English law, and traces her ancestry to Charlemagne’s royal line.

A lifelong reader and devoted genealogist of nearly 50 years, Harriet has always had a passion for stories, whether buried in the past or found in the pages of a good book. She is the co-author of We Are Manx, a self-published family saga that explores her Manx heritage and the history of the Isle of Man in rich detail.

She’s also a photographer who prefers being behind the lens, a word-lover addicted to word games, and a wooden jigsaw puzzle fanatic. She has traveled extensively, with a deep appreciation for history, other cultures, and the unexpected joys found away from home. Her career spanned volunteerism, real estate and systems administration, but now she happily devotes her time to creative pursuits—supported and inspired by a large and loving family.

As she puts it: “I’m old enough for Medicare, but not quite old enough to get a birthday card from King Charles—were I a Brit.”

The Witch of Godstow Abbey, written in collaboration with Dr. Peter Stephenson, marks her first (but hopefully not last) foray into historical fiction. With photography she creates books of images; with storytelling, she creates images made of words.

Connect with Lady Harriet 

Publisher's Website

Dr. Peter Stephenson

Dr. Peter “Doc” Stephenson is entering the realm of historical fiction after a 50-year career in technology during which he authored or contributed to over 20 books on computing, computer investigation, and computer security topics.

In addition to writing, Dr. Stephenson has been playing blues music for 70 years and it is through performing, and after earning a PhD, that he was given the appellation, “Doc” by the owner of one of his performance venues.

Having visited Oxford several times, it was only natural that he would set his tales in Oxfordshire. His academic experience in Oxford Town sealed the deal and resulted in his first novel, The Whispering Dead of Rewley Abbey. 

“Whispering Dead” is the first in a series of murder mysteries, called “Murders in the Abbey”, that follow the carryings-on in Rewley Abbey (monks) and Godstow Abbey (nuns) from the end of the 13th century to the dissolution of convents and monasteries by King Henry VIII in the 16th century. 

Dr. Stephenson lives with a 15-year-old dog and two Savannah cats on a pond in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Connect with Dr. Peter Stephenson:

Publisher Website