Overview

Baldwin and Simon uncover a deadly assassination plot in Michael Jecks' latest novel in his hugely popular medieval crime series. 1325: Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and his friend Simon Puttock are in France guarding King Edward's son on his perilous journey to meet the French King, Charles IV. But they are unaware that King Edward s wife Isabella is so disaffected that she has begun to plot her revenge. What at first appeared a simple diplomatic mission is in danger of becoming lethally dangerous. Meanwhile, two murders in Paris are causing alarm. Is there a connection between the killings and the shadowy King of thieves? Before long Simon and Baldwin discover that the future of the English crown is at risk, and to protect it they must put their own lives in jeopardy...

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Reviews

Really difficult to put down. -- Historical Novels Review

A gem of historical storytelling. Northern Echo Complicated, well-populated, written with cross-cutting gusto, and accompanied by scholarly extras. Ellery Queen Each page is densely packed with cuckolding, coarseness, lewdness, lechery, gore galore, but also with nobility. A heady mix. North Devon Journal Fans of well-researched historicals will welcome Jeck's 26th Knights Templar mystery. Publishers Weekly Memorable characters, steadily absorbing period background . . . a commendable achievement. Kirkus Reviews Really difficult to put down. Historical Novels Review The whole series belongs in any collection where historicals are popular. Library Journal A gem of historical storytelling. -- Northern Echo Really difficult to put down. -- Historical Novels Review

It's 1325. Medieval detective Sir Baldwin de Furnshill embarks with his friends Simon Puttock and Sir Richard de Welles on a perilous trip to France.King Edward II is hated in his country because he's under the thumb of his adviser, friend and possible lover Sir Hugh le Dispenser, a man of towering greed and viciousness. The King must go to France and pay homage if he wants to keep his lands there. Fearing for his life, however, he sends instead his son Edward, recently created Earl of Chester. Edward's mother Isabella, sister to Charles IV of France, is already waiting at his destination. Bishop Walter II, who accompanies the delegation, has agreed to cover Isabella's expenses, but only if she returns to England. Upon arrival the three find themselves investigating several murders for which Bishop Walter may be blamed. The three comrades are forced to use their finely honed detective skills as they tangle with a wily Cardinal, Paris's King of Thieves, his deadly executioner, a beautiful and evil prostitute, and members of the King's court. Although all three despise Despenser, they must remain loyal to their King even when Isabella, who has been cruelly treated, is determined to remain in France with her son until England is rid of Despenser. Not only do they solve the brutal murders, they avoid getting fatally entangled in the even more dangerous affairs of monarchs.Jecks's painstakingly researched medieval whodunit (The Templar, the Queen and her Lover, 2008, etc.) is neatly enfolded in the continuing saga of Edward's tumultuous reign. (Kirkus Reviews)

Author Information

Michael Jecks gave up a career in the computer industry to concentrate on writing and the study of medieval history, especially that of Devon and Cornwall. He lives with his family in northern Dartmoor.

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