Book Synopsis

Is nowhere safe in York? As the plague wreaks havoc on the city, Owen Archer must solve a puzzle involving scandal, theft and murder sweeping through a local hospital.

York, 1369. As pestilence rages through the city of York, strange things are afoot at St. Leonard's Hospital. Corrodians are dying in mysterious circumstances and riches belonging to the hospital have been stolen.

AN EVIL THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS.

When a fire claims the life of a corrodian and badly injures another, it's clear it was no accident - both men were violently attacked. With a suspicious death and a lay sister suspected of being behind the thefts, Sir Richard de Ravenser, Master of St. Leonard's, appeals to his uncle, the Archbishop of York, for Owen Archer's help.

A RIDDLE WITHIN A RIDDLE . . .

Can Owen restore harmony to the hospital? To solve the riddle of St. Leonard's, Owen must first solve a puzzle linked to one of the victims . . .

From the Back Cover

York, 1369. As pestilence rages through the city of York, strange things are afoot at St. Leonard's Hospital. Corrodians are dying in mysterious circumstances and riches belonging to the hospital have been stolen.

AN EVIL THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS.

When a fire claims the life of a corrodian and badly injures another, it's clear it was no accident - both men were violently attacked. With a suspicious death and a lay sister suspected of being behind the thefts, Sir Richard de Ravenser, Master of St. Leonard's, appeals to his uncle, the Archbishop of York, for Owen Archer's help.

A RIDDLE WITHIN A RIDDLE . . .

Can Owen restore harmony to the hospital? To solve the riddle of St. Leonard's, Owen must first solve a puzzle linked to one of the victims . . .

"Gripping and believable . . . you can almost smell the streets of 14th-century York" Prima
"Robb writes lyrically, as always, and her characters are vivid and believable" Kirkus Reviews

Review Quotes

Gripping and believable . . . you can almost smell the streets of 14th-century York as you delve deeper into an engrossing plot-- "PRIMA"

Meticulously researched, authentic and gripping-- "Yorkshire Evening Post on Vigil of Spies"

Robb is uncommonly good at period atmosphere, immersing the reader in the everyday horrors of the plague; but she distinguishes herself, too, by putting together an engrossing puzzle-- "Publishers Weekly"

Robb reinforces her place among the top writers of medieval historicals-- "Publishers Weekly Starred Review of The Fox in the Fold"

Robb writes lyrically, as always, and her characters are vivid and believable-- "Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author

Candace Robb has read and researched medieval history for many years, having studied for a Ph.D. in Medieval & Anglo-Saxon Literature. She divides her time between Seattle and the UK, frequently visiting York to research the series. She is the author of the Owen Archer mystery series, three Kate Clifford medieval mysteries, the Margaret Kerr trilogy and two historical novels written as Emma Campion.