John Blount has ordered Jack Blackjack to the palace at Woodstock to
murder a woman. With his own life in jeopardy, Jack is only too happy
to get out of London. Apparently the woman has been placed in Princess
Elizabeth’s household to spy on her for Queen Mary. The supporters of
the princess will not stand for this situation.
Shortly after arriving at the palace, Jack hears a noise and goes to
investigate. He tumbles over the body of a woman. He is shocked to
discover that her throat has been a slashed and that this is the woman
he was sent to kill. A few short moments later he is cornered by a man
with a knife. He is rescued from this predicament by a woman who clubs
the man over the head.
Fortunately, his innocence is proven when a maid who had been with Jack
at the time of the killing attests for him. So, who did kill her? And
why won’t Blount believe Jack that he didn’t kill her? Jack begins his
own investigation since everyone has been locked inside the palace until
the coroner arrives.
Once the coroner arrives, everyone meets in the grand hall. There, the
man supposedly hosting Princess Elizabeth admits that the deceased was
there to spy on the princess. The coroner establishes that she was
murdered and sets an exorbitant fine for the killing.
Jack has a number of suspects in mind, but how to prove it? It is a
very rough time for him, and he has a lot of confusing things going on
all around him. Who can he trust?
Author Michael Jecks has more trials and tribulations awaiting poor Jack
Blackjack before he can solve the mysteries at Woodstock Palace. The
reader is given a twist followed by a twist in another direction before
the story concludes. A very good historical murder mystery.
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