One lone detective faces down a twisted medieval web of spies and intrigue.October, 1338. A great war has begun, one that will define Europe for a century.King's Messenger Simon Merrivale returns to England in disgrace, his life barely intact, after a bid to create a pro-English state in Savoy goes disastrously wrong.With the battle lines drawn, a new and overwhelming threat emerges.King Edward III has assembled an uneasy alliance of European powers to enforce his claim to the throne of France. But corruption is rife both at home and abroad, emptying the king's war chest. Lack of money could cripple everything that has been built.Enemies lie hidden amongst the ranks of friends. Wolves in sheep's clothing.Faced with the difficult task of not only discovering the traitors but recovering his position and respect, Merrivale has a complex and potentially deadly mission at hand. For if just one conspirator escapes justice, all will fall.A totally gripping historical mystery, perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom, S. J. Parris and Andrew Taylor.

Enemies at every turn in this medieval mystery thriller perfect for fans of D. V. Bishop and S. J. Parris.Florence, 1342. A city on the brink of chaos.Restored to favour at court, King's Messenger Simon Merrivale accompanies an English delegation to Florence, the powerful centre of European finance, to negotiate a loan to offset King Edward III's chronic debt.A top secret plot, one to decide the fate of European control.But the delegation has another purpose: to set up an Englishman, Henry Stapledon, Bishop of Dorchester, as an anti-pope in Rome. If they can succeed, they will undermine the papacy and strike a hammer blow to French support across Europe.But one devastating betrayal will shatter their hopes.When disaster strikes, Merrivale finds himself alone, isolated and with a dozen different factions out for his blood. With no way to go but forward, he must plunge back into the seething torrent of Florence's cutthroat streets, and dangers greater than any he has ever faced before, if he is to survive.

One lone detective faces down a twisted medieval web of spies and intrigue.October, 1338. A great war has begun, one that will define Europe for a century.King's Messenger Simon Merrivale returns to England in disgrace, his life barely intact, after a bid to create a pro-English state in Savoy goes disastrously wrong.With the battle lines drawn, a new and overwhelming threat emerges.King Edward III has assembled an uneasy alliance of European powers to enforce his claim to the throne of France. But corruption is rife both at home and abroad, emptying the king's war chest. Lack of money could cripple everything that has been built.Enemies lie hidden amongst the ranks of friends. Wolves in sheep's clothing.Faced with the difficult task of not only discovering the traitors but recovering his position and respect, Merrivale has a complex and potentially deadly mission at hand. For if just one conspirator escapes justice, all will fall.A totally gripping historical mystery, perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom, S. J. Parris and Andrew Taylor.

Enemies at every turn in this medieval mystery thriller perfect for fans of D. V. Bishop and S. J. Parris.Florence, 1342. A city on the brink of chaos.Restored to favour at court, King's Messenger Simon Merrivale accompanies an English delegation to Florence, the powerful centre of European finance, to negotiate a loan to offset King Edward III's chronic debt.A top secret plot, one to decide the fate of European control.But the delegation has another purpose: to set up an Englishman, Henry Stapledon, Bishop of Dorchester, as an anti-pope in Rome. If they can succeed, they will undermine the papacy and strike a hammer blow to French support across Europe.But one devastating betrayal will shatter their hopes.When disaster strikes, Merrivale finds himself alone, isolated and with a dozen different factions out for his blood. With no way to go but forward, he must plunge back into the seething torrent of Florence's cutthroat streets, and dangers greater than any he has ever faced before, if he is to survive.