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Description
When the Black Death reappears in England in 1361, Oswald de Lacy knows that the safest place for his wife and young son is the island-fortress of Eden, where his eccentrically pious friend Godfrey has invited the family to stay to wait out the plague during the long, dark winter. But Oswald has barely had time to settle in when a brutal murder shocks the household and it soon becomes clear that the castle is not the stronghold of security that they were so desperately looking for.
Oswald knows the castle isn’t safe, but neither is the plague-infested countryside outside its walls. His only hope is to solve the mystery of the murder before the killer strikes again. With a cast of characters like something out of Chaucer—a lord and lady, a knight, a religious radical, a court jester, a drunk, and a couple of traveling craftsmen are just some of the suspects Oswald must reckon with—and the all-consuming threat of the plague hovering just outside the castle walls, the newest novel in the Somershill Manor Mysteries is the most brilliant and frightening yet.
When the Black Death reappears in England in 1361, Oswald de Lacy knows that the safest place for his wife and young son is the island-fortress of Eden, where his eccentrically pious friend Godfrey...
When the Black Death reappears in England in 1361, Oswald de Lacy knows that the safest place for his wife and young son is the island-fortress of Eden, where his eccentrically pious friend Godfrey has invited the family to stay to wait out the plague during the long, dark winter. But Oswald has barely had time to settle in when a brutal murder shocks the household and it soon becomes clear that the castle is not the stronghold of security that they were so desperately looking for.
Oswald knows the castle isn’t safe, but neither is the plague-infested countryside outside its walls. His only hope is to solve the mystery of the murder before the killer strikes again. With a cast of characters like something out of Chaucer—a lord and lady, a knight, a religious radical, a court jester, a drunk, and a couple of traveling craftsmen are just some of the suspects Oswald must reckon with—and the all-consuming threat of the plague hovering just outside the castle walls, the newest novel in the Somershill Manor Mysteries is the most brilliant and frightening yet.
Advance Praise
“We are plunged into Sykes’ rich soup of Venetian intrigue; period detail; and increasingly intricate plotting, all with the deeply realized character of Lord Somershill fighting his own demons while investigating. A brilliant addition to the Somershill Manor Novels.” - Booklist (starred) [Praise for the Somershill Manor Mysteries]
“Sykes’s gamble in putting Oswald in unfamiliar terrain pays off, as she again blends a detailed immersion in the time period with a clever mystery plot line.” - Publishers Weekly (starred) [Praise for the Somershill Manor Mysteries]
“With political intrigue and the social barriers of the Middle Ages in play, Sykes adds an intricate and intriguing debut to the ever-widening pool of medieval-era mysteries. Thrilling plot twists and layered characters abound in this rich tale of murder and mystery in 14th-century Kent.” - Library Journal [Praise for the Somershill Manor Mysteries]
“We are plunged into Sykes’ rich soup of Venetian intrigue; period detail; and increasingly intricate plotting, all with the deeply realized character of Lord Somershill fighting his own demons while...
“We are plunged into Sykes’ rich soup of Venetian intrigue; period detail; and increasingly intricate plotting, all with the deeply realized character of Lord Somershill fighting his own demons while investigating. A brilliant addition to the Somershill Manor Novels.” - Booklist (starred) [Praise for the Somershill Manor Mysteries]
“Sykes’s gamble in putting Oswald in unfamiliar terrain pays off, as she again blends a detailed immersion in the time period with a clever mystery plot line.” - Publishers Weekly (starred) [Praise for the Somershill Manor Mysteries]
“With political intrigue and the social barriers of the Middle Ages in play, Sykes adds an intricate and intriguing debut to the ever-widening pool of medieval-era mysteries. Thrilling plot twists and layered characters abound in this rich tale of murder and mystery in 14th-century Kent.” - Library Journal [Praise for the Somershill Manor Mysteries]
I've been reading the Sommershill Manor Series since the first title came out, so it's no surprise that I found this book enjoyable. Sykes has a knack for creating historical settings and for putting into those settings characters whose world-view resonates for present-day readers. The book's central character is a man of his time—but a man of his time who asks questions and wrestles with doubts. One can simultaneously enjoy the experience of living in another era while reflecting on truths about one's own time. The mystery at the book's center is solid and keeps readers guessing. The development of secondary characters is carefully portrayed, making the book interesting not just for what happens, but for who is involved.
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Featured Reviews
Sarah-Hope P, Educator
I've been reading the Sommershill Manor Series since the first title came out, so it's no surprise that I found this book enjoyable. Sykes has a knack for creating historical settings and for putting into those settings characters whose world-view resonates for present-day readers. The book's central character is a man of his time—but a man of his time who asks questions and wrestles with doubts. One can simultaneously enjoy the experience of living in another era while reflecting on truths about one's own time. The mystery at the book's center is solid and keeps readers guessing. The development of secondary characters is carefully portrayed, making the book interesting not just for what happens, but for who is involved.
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