Saturday, May 30, 2020

Why Kings Confess

Surgeon and anatomatist, Paul Gibson has just stumbled on a badly injured woman.  When he checks on her, she asks him to check on her friend, which Gibson does.  He is shocked not only to find him dead but cut open and his heart removed.

The man was a French doctor newly emigrated to London, Gibson finds out based upon his papers.  He is unsure whether the woman will survive.  So, he calls upon his friend, Viscount Devlin, for help.

Going to the site of the killing, Devlin is unable to find much, until he is just about to leave.  He discovers a footprint in blood.  Surprisingly it is the footprint of a woman’s shoe.  Later that day Lord Jarvis warns Devlin off his investigation.

In an attempt to help a French woman’s child, Devlin and Gibson learn from her that there seems to be a connection to Marie-Therese, daughter of the late Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.  Having travelled to speak to Marie-Therese, Devlin and Tom, his tiger, are set upon by highwaymen.  Fortunately, they escape, but Devlin is sure that someone is wanting him dead.

There are more deaths to come.  Is it an attempt to upset the peace feelers that Napoleon is trying to establish with Britain or is there something more sinister?  What is the connection to Devlin? 

Author C. S. Harris has those answers awaiting Devlin and Gibson in the remaining pages.  Another good rollicking read in this series by this historical novelist.

No comments:

Post a Comment