Secrets in the Stones

Dr. Tom Silkstone has just been involved in a duel.  When Lady Lydia Farrell called out his name just before shots were to be fired, Silkstone was distracted and took a bullet in the chest.  Later that night, Sir Montagu was murdered in the study at Boughton Estate.  Despite his condition, Silkstone rushes there to be with Lydia.  Who could have done such a thing?  The potential list of suspects is a long one because of what Montagu had done in the area.

Silkstone’s post mortem of Montagu reveals that he had been tortured prior to being killed.  What information was the killer wanting?  The local magistrate, a good friend of Montagu, orders the arrest of villagers who had protested the actions of Montagu.  Silkstone has to do something to prevent them from being scapegoats.

While in Oxford, Silkstone is urgently called back to Boughton Estate.  Lydia has discovered that her late husband’s grave has been disturbed and the diamond ring that had been on his hand was gone.  Silkstone is sure that whoever took the diamond also killed Montagu.  That person would be trying to sell the diamond in London.

It is in London that Silkstone’s old adversary, Nicholas Lupton, brings him evidence of who the killer might be.  However, that same evidence seems to suggest that the writer may have been responsible for the theft of the diamond, but not necessarily the killing of Montagu.

In London Lupton does indeed find the man behind the theft of the diamond, but in so doing, he brings about his own death.  When Silkstone does the post mortem on Lupton, he discovers where the man had been assaulted.  There he also finds the man behind the theft of the diamond; but he is dead.  During the autopsy, Silkstone discovers the diamond lodged in the man’s throat.  What is going on?  How many more people are to die before Silkstone can find the killer?

Author Tessa Harris’ historical murder mystery is full of plot twists and it takes the skilful analysis of the clues by Silkstone to figure out who the killer is, but will he act in time to prevent anymore?  A good read for fans of historical fiction.