A Dead Man's Secret

January 3, 2011
In Beaufort's intricate, meticulously researched eighth historical featuring Sir Geoffrey Mappestone (after 2010's The Bloodstained Throne), Henry, the English king, orders the former crusader knight to southern Wales in the fall of 1103 to deliver letters to local dignitaries and assess rival church leaders. Henry, whom Sir Geoffrey considers "devious and dangerous," also charges him with discovering the secret held by a Norman knight who died seven years earlier in the Welsh port of Kermerdyn. Before the start of the journey, someone fatally stabs the scribe who wrote the letters. Sir Geoffrey, an honorable man, must put up with disagreeable traveling companions, whose duplicity and self-interest he finds difficult to stomach—and whose machinations leave men wounded, ill, and poisoned. A surprise twist leads to a shocking conclusion. Subtle clues allow the reader to figure out what's going on before Sir Geoffrey does.

February 1, 2011

Life in 12th-century England is often brutal and short, especially when you're at the mercy of a devious, capricious monarch.

Sir Geoffrey Mappestone and fellow knight Roger of Durham are on their way to Geoffrey's Welch border estate when King Henry orders Geoffrey to deliver several letters. While they're kicking their heels waiting for the scribes to finish drafting the letters, Eudo, the king's clerk, is murdered. Geoffrey is forced to include among his party a volatile group of fellow travelers including Delwyn, a scheming monk; two arrogant knights, Sear and Alberic; and the amiable but weak Edward. They arrive at Geoffrey's manor to find his wife Hilde and sister Joan entertaining a number of guests, including Richard fitz Baldwin, whose saintly brother William was murdered, possibly to discover the secret that had turned him into such a beloved ruler. The enlarged group travel together to Kermerdyn. Along the way they are constantly harassed by armed men and are lucky to escape with their lives. Once Geoffrey delivers his letters, he still has the task of trying to discover William's secret for King Henry. More murders and machinations put Geoffrey in a very dangerous position.

Beaufort's series (The Bloodstained Throne, 2010, etc.), based on real people and events, continues to supply a pleasing combination of historical detail and mystery.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

March 1, 2011
Welshman William fitz Baldwin is saintly and much loved. So its a shock when he dies an excruciating death after eating rancid (or poisoned?) butter. The mystery of his death is never solved. Seven years later, Crusader and knight Sir Geoffrey Mappestone is commanded by King Henry to deliver confidential letters to several of the kings Welsh subjects. Capitalizing on Geoffreys reputation as a sort of medieval detective, the king also commands him to unravel the mystery of fitz Baldwins death. Knowing the kings requests are never straightforward, Geoffrey reluctantly agrees. His first hint of trouble comes when King Henrys chief scribe is murdered. Then Geoffrey is attacked on the road to Wales. Geoffrey is convinced the letters hes carrying are the target but has no idea why. Arriving in Wales, he realizes he has once again been pulled into one of King Henrys diabolical political conspiracies. Beauforts latest is meticulously researched, cleverly plotted, full of enticing period details, and packed with rollicking adventureplus its a fine murder mystery to boot.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)