Two generations slain... but are there more to come? Spring, 1321. As Sir Baldwin Furnshill prepares for his wedding, he receives the news that one of his guests, Roger, Squire of Throwleigh has just died. The new master of Throwleigh is little Herbert, five years old and isolated by his grief, as his mother Katherine unfairly blames him for her husband’s death. At Lady Katherine’s visible rejection of her son, Baldwin feels deeply disturbed about the new heir’s apparent lack of protection. For having inherited a large estate and so much wealth, the five-year-old will doubtless have made some dangerous enemies... When Herbert is fatally hit by a horse and cart just a few days later, seemingly by accident, Baldwin and his friend Simon Puttock suspect foul play. Their investigation will lead them to the most sinister and shocking murderer they have encountered yet. A taut and chilling historical crime novel, perfect for fans of S. J. Parris, Susanna Gregory and S. G. MacLean. Praise for Michael Jecks ‘A torturous and exciting plot... The construction of the story and the sense of the period are excellent’ Shots ‘A gem of historical storytelling’ Northern Echo ‘Tremendously successful medieval mystery series’ Sunday Independent

The enormous explosion of crime fiction over the last decade means that more people are looking for a good mystery than ever before. This dictionary of fictional detectives helps readers learn about the series in which their favorite detectives are featured. Included are alphabetically arranged entries on roughly 150 fictional detectives, which provide information about the works in which the detective appears, the locales in which the detective operates, the detective's investigative methods, and other important information. Helpful bibliographical citations direct the reader to other interesting works. The volume closes with a selected, general bibliography; various appendices; and an extensive index. The enormous explosion of crime fiction over the last decade means that more people are looking for a good mystery than ever before. Many of the most popular mystery books appear in series, and these series feature carefully developed detectives.

Provide your mystery fans with background information on their favorite writers and series characters, and use this as a guide for adding contemporary titles to your collections. This book examines 100 of today's top mystery novels and mystery authors hailing from countries such as the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, South Africa, and Australia. Equally valuable to students writing research papers, readers craving new authors or more information about their favorite authors, and teachers seeking specific types of fiction to support curricula, 100 Most Popular Contemporary Mystery Authors: Biographical Sketches and Bibliographies provides revealing information about today's best mysteries and authors—without any "spoilers." Each of the accomplished writers included in this guide has established a broad audience and is recognized for work that is imaginative and innovative. The rising stars of 21st century mystery will also be included, as will authors who have won the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award.

The knights templar They were warrior monks, dedicated to the protection of pilgrims in the Holy Land -- until an avaricious king savagely destroyed the order. One knight, however, escaped the stake, vowing justice for his murdered brothers. A gathering of evil With scores of merchants streaming into Devon to participate in the Tavistock fair of 1319, a goodly amount of unlawful activity is expected. No one, however, anticipates a murder. The guests of Abbot Robert Champeaux, former Knight Templar Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Simon Puttock, bailiff of Lydford, have been asked by their host to investigate the grisly discovery of a headless corpse by a local butcher. Hunting a killer in the din and bustle of the fair could prove a daunting task, especially with the victim's identity a mystery. But Sir Baldwin and Simon are determined to unravel the complex weave of intrigue, rage, and violence that has brought death to Tavistock -- even if it means courting their own destruction.

Your students and users will find biographical information on approximately 300 modern writers in this volume of Contemporary Authors(R).

The pleasures of mystery novels and historical fiction double when the two genres meet in a single book. This detailed guide is the first to document and describe the diverse writings in the growing body of historical mystery literature. Organized alphabetically by author name and series title, the guide covers the works of approximately 70 authors, and contains descriptions of more than 700 works with crime themes (whether strictly in the mystery genre or a mainstream literary novel). For those who want to read historical mysteries in sequence, this is an essential guide; and for those seeking background information on historical mysteries to guide their reading or collection development choices, this book offers a level of detail that facilitates selection. The pleasures of mystery novels and historical fiction double when the two genres meet in a single book. This detailed guide is the first to document and describe the diverse writings in the growing body of historical mystery literature. Its focus is on the best, most representative, most current and easily accessible publications, with an emphasis on series novels. Most have been released in the past decade, with select classic historical mysteries (e.g., Christie's Death Comes as the End, 1945) also cited. Organized alphabetically by author name and series title, the guide covers the works of approximately 70 authors, and contains descriptions of more than 700 works with crime themes (whether strictly in the mystery genre or a mainstream literary novel). For those who want to read historical mysteries in sequence, this is an essential guide; and for those seeking background information on historical mysteries to guide their reading or collection development choices, this book offers a level of detail that facilitates selection. Each series entry names the scene of the crime; identifies the detective and his or her chief associates; notes the series premise; comments on characteristics, features, and overall series quality; and discusses the critical response. Individual series titles (The Cases) are then listed and described in series (or chronological) order. Additional access to titles is provided through detailed indexes: author, title (series and individual), characters, and settings (time and place). Academic, public, and high school librarians will welcome this guide as a valuable reference, readers' advisory, and collection development tool.