';[A] medieval mystery grounded in the intrigue spawned by the bitter rivalry among King Edward III's sons… An evocative and suspenseful whodunit' (Booklist). York, 1371. The Bishop of Winchester, William of Wykeham, is tasked with bringing home the remains of the powerful patriarch of the Pagnell family. But Wykeham's arrival is fraught with tension. The Pagnells are reeling from their father's death and they suspect Wykeham of having a hand in it. Days after his arrival, his townhouse burns to the grounda terrible accident, or a threat. When the charred body of a woman is found in the remains, Wykeham fears for his reputation and his life. The Archbishop of York, John Thoresby, turns to spy Owen Archer for help. Preoccupied by his wife's tragic miscarriage, Archer reluctantly agrees to investigate. But the story is bigger than anyone suspects. This tangled web includes knights, bishops, and even kings. And after Owen discovers the dead woman is a midwife, this dangerous plot starts to hit close to home… ';Lively… A convincing plot and a believable cast of characters.' Kirkus Reviews ';Thoroughly bolstered by a wealth of authentic historical detail.' Booklist
