The Witch of Godstow Abbey
(Murders in the Abbey, Book Two)
By Lady Harriet & Peter Stephenson
(Murders in the Abbey, Book Two)
By Lady Harriet & Peter Stephenson
Publication Date: 18th October 2025
Publisher: Historium Press
Page Length: 266
Page Length: 266
Genre: Historical Fiction / Thriller
A widowed academic investigating the 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.
"The Witch of Godstow Abbey", the second instalment in the Murders in the Abbey series by Lady Harriet and Peter Stephenson, draws the reader back into a world where quiet devotion sits uneasily beside old fears of The Adversary—a devil-worshipping cult. What unfolds is a mystery shaped with the steady hand of seasoned storytellers, blending rich detail with a slow-rising tension that proves utterly compelling.
Rumours drifting through Oxford are disquieting enough, but when the sacrificed piglets are discovered within the Abbey's gardens, whispered unease gives way to stark alarm. The abbey attempts—without much success—to keep the matter quiet, but soon everyone knows, and the sense of fear and accusations curls through its halls like smoke. The plot develops with admirable assurance, each chapter revealing another sliver of truth. There is a trust in the reader here: the authors allow the shadows to gather gradually, confident that we will follow where they lead.
The ritual pyre found on the hillside is particularly striking, an image that lingers long after it is described. It signals a shift in the narrative, hinting that something older, darker, and far more evil is moving beneath the surface. Friar Thomas’s arrival brings this unease into sharper focus; his rigid authority and thinly veiled suspicion add both political and personal strain to an already fragile situation. Alexis’s sudden return, long thought impossible, hints at a world beyond the abbey walls far stranger—and far more perilous—than anyone dares admit.
The pacing is carefully judged. Moments of quiet contemplation are allowed to breathe, offering insight into the characters’ inner lives, while scenes of heightened tension tighten the narrative at just the right moments. A few conversations run a touch longer than strictly necessary, but even these offer glimpses of personality, doubt, and motive, so they never feel misplaced.
The setting, however, is where this novel shines brightest. Godstow Abbey is brought to life with such care that it becomes a character in its own right. From the cool hush of the workroom to the cloister garden—now boasting a few rather poisonous plants that certainly weren’t there before—the abbey feels lived-in and authentic. Beyond its walls stretch fens wrapped in the golden glow of sunlight, brooding woods, and the haunting remnants of an old Templar house—a landscape that seems to breathe with its own quiet secrets. These elements enrich the story with a tangible sense of place, never overwhelming the narrative but instead deepening its texture.
The characters are equally engaging. Sister Agnes remains the calm centre of the tale—learned, observant, and quietly formidable. Isabel, a young lay sister, continues to grow into a capable investigator, her courage and compassion making her instantly sympathetic. Mother Alice steers her community with a blend of strength and gentleness that marks her as a truly memorable figure. Lady Beatrix brings sharp intelligence and decisiveness to the investigation, while Friar Thomas, unsettling in both presence and purpose, feels as though he has stepped straight from the pages of history. Alexis, enigmatic as ever, adds a dreamlike shimmer to the narrative—an unsettling reminder that reason and belief do not always sit comfortably together.
The dual timeline adds another intriguing layer. Away from the abbey, we follow Lady Harriet in her role as a genealogist, delving into her family’s past. Her discoveries shed new light on the historical figures woven throughout the novel, enriching the reader's understanding of both her lineage and the events echoing across the centuries. This thread binds past and present in a way that feels organic and satisfying, giving the novel an added depth.
Beneath the twists and revelations runs a thoughtful exploration of belief, loyalty, and the fragility of sanctuary. Godstow may be a place of peace, yet it is increasingly hemmed in by external pressures and older, more primitive evils that could destroy everything.
Richly atmospheric and quietly gripping, "The Witch of Godstow Abbey" is a worthy addition to your bookshelf. Lady Harriet and Peter Stephenson have crafted a mystery that lingers long after its final page—evocative, immersive, and beautifully wrought. It is, quite simply, a joy to read.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
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The Witch of Godstow Abbey
(Murders in the Abbey, Book Two)
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.
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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.
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