Murder and justice!

Murder's Snare (A Brother Athelstan Mystery #23) by Paul Doherty       

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Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston, Lord High Coroner of London have a truly horrific problem to solve. In 1358 Free Companies were formed by English lords who ravaged their way across Normandy unchecked, pillaging, robbing and killing all before them, including women and children. Now some thirty years later those same  lords are being dealt with, in appalling and horrific circumstances.

The French government has sent a diplomatic party to claim justice against one company, the Via Crucis, but someone is beating them to it.

It’s the Feast of the Epiphany and masques are to be held at Athelstan’s parish of St Erconwald’s in Southwark. Later King Richard is viewing a masque performed by the men and women who’d been children taken from Normandy to England at those times of the Free Companies rampage.

Brother Athelstan has his hands full governing his unruly flock. He’s frequently attending to them at what he calls his second parish church, The Piebald Tavern.

The horrendous deaths of so many lords is puzzling and frightening. The little friar and Sir John are looking for murderers and traitors at every turn.

Another fascinating, yet awful look at the times. Athelstan’s prodigious ability to discern the truth just may save the day. Mind you he’s at risk as death stalks him just as vigorously as it does the Via Crucis.

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.