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Summary
Summary
England still in tumult at the start of the fifteenth century, as Kate Clifford finds herself working to prove the innocence of her longtime confidante.
It is deep winter in York, 1400, the ground frozen, the short days dimmed with the smoke from countless fires, the sun, when it shines, low in the sky. It is rumored that the Epiphany Uprising, meant to relieve the realm of the Henry the usurper and return King Richard to the throne has, instead, spelled his doom. As long as Richard lives, he is a threat to Henry. So, too, the nobles behind the plot. The ringleaders have been caught, some slaughtered as they fled west by folk loyal to Henry, and the king's men now search the towns for survivors.
A perilous time, made worse for Kate Clifford by the disappearance of Berend, her cook and confidante, shortly after Christmas. Her niece saw his departure in a dream--he said he was honor bound to leave. Honor bound--to a former lord? One of the nobles who led the uprising? Is he alive? She is hardly consoled when Berend reappears, wounded, secretive, denying any connection to the uprising, but refusing to explain himself. When he is accused of brutally murdering a spice seller in the city, Kate discovers a chest of jewels in his possession. Some of the jewels belong to her old friend Lady Margery, wanted by the king for her husband's part in the uprising. For the sake of their long friendship, and the love she and her wards bear for him, Kate wants to believe his innocence. So, too, does Sir Elric. And he has the powerful backing of the Earl of Westmoreland. All she need do is confide in him. If only she trusted her heart.
Author Notes
Candace Robb lives in Seattle, Washington.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (2)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Set in York in 1400, Robb's superior third Kate Clifford mystery (after 2017's A Twisted Vengeance) puts the redoubtable heroine in considerable peril. Richard II has been deposed and succeeded by his cousin, Henry IV. After Henry survives a plot to return the throne to Richard, the sovereign sees conspirators everywhere. Kate, who runs a guesthouse whose upper chambers are frequently rented to the wealthy for private assignations, finds herself between a rock and a hard place when an old friend, Lady Margery Kirkby, appears at her door seeking shelter. Lady Margery's husband, Sir Thomas, sought to persuade Henry to improve the conditions of Richard's imprisonment, but ended up branded an enemy of the crown and decapitated. Kate takes the new widow in, but the risks to herself increase after her former cook, who's suspected of being a threat to Henry, is accused of murder. Robb effortlessly integrates the era's intrigues into a whodunit framework and peoples the plot with a wide array of characters readers will come to care about. Agent: Jennifer Weltz, Jean V. Naggar Literary. (Dec.) c Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Those who meddle in the affairs of kings live to regret it.But sometimes they have little choice. Mistress Kate Clifford has already faced danger (A Twisted Vengeance, 2017, etc.) in Henry IV's victory over his cousin Richard II, who's been imprisoned. She finds it difficult to refuse when Lady Margery Kirkby begs her to hide her in her guesthouse in York, if only for a night. Lady Margery's husband, who'd been trying to broker a peaceful settlement between the cousins, was killed by a mob in Cirencester, and she barely escaped with her life. Kate's overcome a difficult marriage and the deaths of most of her family to thrive financially in York, where she's raising a niece and her late husband's two bastard children. Her mother's also living in York, where she keeps a house for women who are devoted but not pledged as nuns. But Kate's confidant and servant, Berend, has left without a word, and she's not sure that she can trust Sir Elric, a knight who keeps watch over York for his lord, the Earl of Westmoreland. The king has ordered a search for Lady Margery. Kate's still keeping secrets from Elric, who swears he'll defend her and Berend, who has reappeared. Protected by her wolfhounds and her considerable skill with ax and knife, Kate travels the town, using her many sources to learn more, especially after a man is murdered and Berend is suspected. In a world filled with deceit, Kate must tread a cautious path as she seeks the killer in order to clear Berend, who plans to escort Lady Margery to safety. Although Kate and Elric have both been burned by Kate's lack of trust, they still love each other, and she must depend on him and the men he commands to help her.A convoluted tale of love and murder set in a turbulent period when death and betrayal lurk around every corner. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.