Description
The Black Rood of Scotland, stolen.
A coroner of York, murdered
An evil worse than plague itself, at large…
1361, York. As the country recovers from the war with France, and whispers that the pestilence has returned to England grow louder, fear is in the heart of every nobleman and commoner alike. Sir Ralph de Mandeville, ex-solider and newly appointed Justice of the Peace is sent to Langbarugh, just outside York, to investigate the murder of Coroner Sir Boderick de Whitby.
More deaths quickly follow, and while these are swiftly dealt with as plague victims, Sir Ralph and his two assistants Merek and Peter soon uncover something altogether more horrifying… A greater evil is at large in the northern wapentakes.
As panic escalates and the lines between plague and murder blur, Sir Ralph is thrust into a desperate race against time. Every shadow hides a potential killer, every cough could be a death knell. Can he unmask a murderer lurking in the terrifying shadow of the Black Death before they’re all consumed by a terror more sinister than any plague?
A gruesomely wicked medieval mystery, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom, Paul Doherty and E. M. Powell.
My Thoughts
Moray offers a twisted story set in England in the dangerous times post-plague when survivors lived in fear of the pestilence returning and good men could be forced to do unspeakable things by persuasive, megalomaniacal evil-doers.
Moray does an excellent job of conveying the sheer terror people felt when faced with the possibility of the pestilence returning. Protecting themselves and what family that remained was paramount, and Moray communicates that very well. However, he also demonstrates the opposite effect of a world-shifting event like the Plague on people who become so used to death that taking a life becomes no big thing. While this is an historical mystery, the author writes a fascinating commentary on how people respond to a terrible, life-changing event.
Fans of historical mysteries will appreciate Moray’s seamlessly blended research with well-developed characters who will make your skin crawl. The story will suck you in right away and keep hold as you plow through the plot because you have to know what happens and who gets their comeuppance. There are some gross descriptions, but overall this is a good one.
Recommended.
Publication Date: October 17, 2025
Published By: Boldwood Books
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy
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