The Book of Fires

A miracle has occurred at St. Erconwald!  A man who was badly scarred in an accident has had a full recovery while visiting the church.  Meanwhile, in London, three men have died after being covered with an oily substance and then lit on fire.  The most recent one occurred right in front of the coroner, Sir John Cranston.

Athelstan and Cranston meet at Cranston’s favourite pub and exchange stories.  The Regent wants the pair to investigate the killings by Greek Fire, while the Bishop’s Curia will investigate the miracle at St. Erconwald.

Fingers are pointed at the clerk of a man who had apparently been poisoned by his wife.  She had been executed for his death, but the clerk has disappeared.  He may well be the person responsible for the fiery killings.  An attack on Athelstan and Cranston results in a torchbearer being burned to death.  Who was the real target?

Can the pair find the killer before they are killed?  Will there be more deaths?  What role do the Upright Men have in all of this?  It will take some serious deductions by Athelstan before he can find the truth.

Author Paul Doherty has written another excellent historical thriller, and doesn’t hint at nor reveal the killer until the dying pages.  Be prepared to be surprised with the revelations, for indeed the story is based on Revelations.