Synopses & Reviews
It is 1325 and there is turmoil in England, but the Prophecy of St. Thomas's Holy Oil just might save King Edward II. It is believed that the king who is anointed with the oil will be a lion among men: he will conquer France, unite Christendom, and throw the heathens from the Holy Land. Edwards reputation has been sullied following his rejection of his wifeQueen Isabellaafter which he confiscated her income, exiled her servants, and took away her children. Having escaped her husband and traveled to France, Isabella attempts to negotiate peace with her brother, King Charles IV. Meanwhile, Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and his friend Bailiff Simon Puttock return from France with an urgent instruction for the King. Before long Baldwin and Simon find themselves at the center of a deadly court intrigue involving the most powerful and ruthless men in the country who will stop at nothingnot the least murderto achieve their ambitions.
Review
"The most wickedly plotted medieval mystery novels." The Times
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"A gem of historical storytelling." Northern Echo
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"Memorable characters, steadily absorbing period background . . . a commendable achievement." Kirkus Reviews
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"Really difficult to put down." Historical Novels Review
Review
"This is another solid entry in a reliable series." Ellery Queen
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"Jecks does a good job of evoking the brutal and tempestuous society of the period." Publishers Weekly
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"Great characterization, a detailed sense of place, and a finely honed plot make this a superb medieval historical." Library Journal
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"Each page is densely packed with cuckolding, coarseness, lewdness, lechery, gore galore, but also with nobility. A heady mix." North Devon Journal
About the Author
"Jecks does a good job of evoking the brutal and tempestuous society of the period."
Publishers Weekly"Great characterization, a detailed sense of place, and a finely honed plot make this a superb medieval historical."
Library Journal"Memorable characters, steadily absorbing period background . . . a commendable achievement." Kirkus Reviews
"The most wickedly plotted medieval mystery novels." The Times
"Really difficult to put down." Historical Novels Review"Each page is densely packed with cuckolding, coarseness, lewdness, lechery, gore galore, but also with nobility. A heady mix." North Devon Journal
"A gem of historical storytelling." Northern Echo"This is another solid entry in a reliable series." Ellery Queen