It is 1325, and an atmosphere of dread and suspicion hangs over England like a thick fog. The last years have been racked by treachery and mistrust, and even the mightiest in the land have been affected. In the gilded cage that is the Palace of Westminster, Queen Isabella is troubled by court intrigue. Her jealous husband, King Edward II, has removed all her privileges, including her regal status and even access to her children. When Isabella is dispatched to France to negotiate peace with the French, Sir Baldwin de Furnshill is sent along to ensure her safety. No one, it seems, can be trusted, not least the Queen’s own retinue. Murder, betrayal, adultery, and cold, calculating evil soon litter Baldwin’s tempestuous journey.
Michael Jecks gave up a career in the computer industry when he began writing the internationally successful Templar series. There are now twenty books starring Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock, with more to follow. The series has been translated into all the major European languages and sells worldwide. The Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association for the year 2004-2005, Michael is a keen supporter of new writing and has helped many new authors through the Debut Dagger Award. He is a founding member of Medieval Murderers, and regularly talks on medieval matters as well as writing.
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