Edward III had died. John Gaunt was regent for Richard. Richard, nephew to Gaunt, son of the Black Prince, was the new king.
Brother Athelstan, besides being the priest for a church in Southwark,
has also been assigned to be clerk and scrivener to Sir John Cranston,
coroner of London. Chief Justice Fortescue has just given them an
assignment to investigate the poisoning of Sir Thomas Springall. He
tells them that Gaunt believes that the poisoning is meant to hinder his
regency.
They begin their investigation at the home of the deceased. The clerk
of the dead man had been in argument with him and later found hanged in
the attic of the house. Witnesses stated that he had taken a goblet of
wine to the victim, therefore he had killed himself in remorse.
Cranston is prepared to declare a case of suicide, but Athelstan isn’t
so sure. The following morning they are informed of another suicide of a
member of Springall’s household. After checking on the second suicide,
Athelstan is sure that the suicides were also murders, too. He can’t
say why, though. And, where was the proof?
They gather evidence of murder, and have suspects, but once again no
damning proof. A few days later another member of the same household is
dead. The investigators are sure that another murder has occurred.
How are they going to get the proof needed. Author Paul Doherty has
Athelstan soul searching, and in the process he comes up with some of
the answers. Together with his heavy drinking coroner friend, they find
the solution. A good, fun read.
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