Brother Alcuin is sure that the dead brother he is praying over has been
murdered. Bruno did not slip on a set of stairs and bash his head in
as Father Prior has determined. Alcuin also knew that the killer had
meant to kill him, not Bruno. However, Alcuin’s prayers would not be
answered, for he was to disappear as he prayed.
Elsewhere Sir John Cranston has been challenged by the Lord of Cremona
to solve a mystery. John of Gaunt has guaranteed the thousand crown
sum, which the Lord has bet. If Cranston were to lose, he will beholden
to Gaunt, and he does not want that. He only has a short time to solve
the conundrum.
And at Athelstan’s church, which is under renovation, a skeleton holding
a crucifix is found beneath the altar. Unfortunately, the church
records have disappeared, so they have no idea to whom the skeleton
belongs. When Cranston arrives, he takes the opportunity to examine the
skeleton. He determines that it belonged to a young woman and that she
had been strangled. He also is sure that she has only been there for
no more than fifteen years.
The following day a man claims that he had prayed alongside the
skeleton’s coffin, and now his arm was healed. Athelstan’s parishioners
believe that they have a saint on their hands. Athelstan is not so
sure.
Prior Anselm of Blackfriars comes with Cranston and asks Athelstan to
investigate the mysterious deaths, which are happening, for Bruno’s
death is not the only one now. One of the first things that Athelstan
discovers is blood on a candlestick, despite the friars stating that one
of the friars has simply fallen from a ladder and bashed in his head.
Unfortunately, the night they are there, one of the friars apparently
commits suicide, however, Athelstan and Cranston quickly determine that
it is another case of murder.
Can they stop further murders from occurring and also solve the puzzle
given to Cranston, or will he be forced into a life of penury?
Author Paul Doherty has written an amusing, yet complex murder mystery in this thriller. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
No comments:
Post a Comment