Death of a Pilgrim

Michael Delaney has decided that a pilgrimage is in order to thank God for the life of his son, James who has recently recovered from a serious illness.  The pilgrimage will start at Le Puy-en-Velay in France and end at the cathedral where St. James the Greater is entombed in Compostela, Spain.  Delaney invites members of his extended family to join him.

The pilgrims have just arrived at their starting off point and are enjoying a fine dinner when they are interrupted by the police.  A body has been found, and it turns out to be someone who was to join them on the pilgrimage.  The local police sergeant is sure this is a suspicious death.  He plans on interviewing all of the pilgrims.  Because of the language difficulties, this is going to take some time.  The Americans call on their ambassador, who in turn call London to find an investigator who could help.  The English send Lord Francis Powerscourt.

Powerscourt and his wife, Lucy, provide translation services and begin an investigation.  However, the pilgrims cannot leave without making a few well placed bribes.  While the pilgrims prepare for the next stage in their pilgrimage, Powerscourt and Lucy review the information gleaned on each of the pilgrims.

A few days into their journey a pilgrim goes missing.  He is found later in a boat downstream.  He has been strangled.  Powerscourt suggests to the pilgrims that they abandon their journey, return home.  They vote to carry on.  But should they have?  For a bit further into their travels a third pilgrim has his throat slashed.

The French can't get rid of the pilgrims fast enough.  The first stop for the train they are on is Pamplona.  The Spanish police keep a tight grip on the pilgrims.  Here violence, death and resolution are to come in this murder mystery by author David Dickinson.  A good read.