A local man is found beheaded by the riverbanks and Eleanor is pretty sure a ghost did not do it, but more likely the man’s son.  Eleanor learns more about the family, including a disagreement over who a young cousin should marry.  More deaths occur and draw young Brother Thomas into Eleanor’s world.

Brother Thomas is on a mission from the church transporting a valuable manuscript to the priory for repair.  Someone is trying to steal this manuscript and Thomas decides to mingle with the locals to see if he can learn who.  With Thomas and Eleanor out of their usual settings, the two find themselves quite drawn, inappropriately, to each other, also somewhat inexplicably to Thomas who has been grappling with his homosexual tendencies.

Justice for the Damned is a very detailed historical mystery with much social history, much focusing on beliefs and mores of sexuality in medieval times, may be too much reading for some, but others will enjoy the authenticity and attention to detail. Eleanor for all her aplomb still has many childlike qualities and innocence, making her a character many want to protect, though she proves herself time and again to be a strong, intelligent young woman.

There are two mysteries running for most of the book.  While readers will expect all the pieces to fall into place at the end, they may be surprised how the murders, the manuscript and the ghost do fit together in the end. Not a light, quick read, Justice for the Damned is rather a very detailed history with some very somber overtones.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry