Sir Geoffrey Mappestone, home from the Crusades, is eager to return to Jerusalem to fight again. Unfortunately, he has fallen out with his patron, Prince Tancred, so a return to battle will be difficult. Besides, his sister, Joan, insists that Geoffrey should marry and produce an heir. But Geoffrey is focused instead on solving the mysterious death of his brother Henry six months earlier. Witnesses are reluctant to talk, and Geoffrey’s quest is frustrated at every turn. So when an old friend invites him to visit, Geoffrey welcomes the distraction. Then Geoffrey’s life is threatened and several other guests die, and he’s convinced that there’s a link to his investigation into his brother’s death. Or is there? Perhaps it’s something to do with his choice of a bride—the merging of the great estates through marriage can affect the politics of the region and even the country. When more deaths occur, Geoffrey knows he has stumbled into something dark and deadly. Meticulously researched, cleverly plotted, and rich in characterization and period ambience, this is another fine entry in Beaufort’s entertaining and enjoyable twelfth-century historical mystery series. --Emily Melton
Review
Sir Geoffrey Mappestone, home from the Crusades, is eager to return to Jerusalem to fight again. Unfortunately, he has fallen out with his patron, Prince Tancred, so a return to battle will be difficult. Besides, his sister, Joan, insists that Geoffrey should marry and produce an heir. But Geoffrey is focused instead on solving the mysterious death of his brother Henry six months earlier. Witnesses are reluctant to talk, and Henry's quest is frustrated at every turn. So when an old friend invites him to visit, Geoffrey welcomes the distraction. Then Geoffrey's life is threatened and several other guests die, and he's convinced that there's a link to his investigation into his brother's death. Or is there? Perhaps it's something to do with his choice of a bride--the merging of the great estates through marriage can affect the politics of the region and even the country. When more deaths occur, Geoffrey knows he has stumbled into something dark and deadly. Meticulously researched, cleverly plotted, and rich in characterization and period ambience, this is another fine entry in Beaufort's entertaining and enjoyable twelfth-century historical mystery series. --Booklist, 1st January 2010
