This is 2nd of an historical fiction series that was presented on audio in reverse order; but each book stands well on its own merit. Which says a lot..Show More » for any book that is part of a series these days.

This is a believable historical portrayal of Richard I era England, accompanying delightful characterizations in an intriguing adventure / mystery. There is action, a smattering of sex, a good deal of philosophy about the concept of "honor" in people of both noble and ordinary birth, all without too much agonizing over ideas when they can be shown in the deeds of the characters, from lowest to highest in the social order. There is also a sample (a bit too much for my taste) of the torture of victims of the royal jail, albeit realistic for the times. But the characters win the day, especially the "disgraced" and former knight, Crispin Guest, and his child side-kick, Jack (who provides a charming "Greek chorus", while being a good foil for our hero).

Overall enjoyable enough to make me want to hear the entire series. And the most excellent reading of Michael Page carries me along into these stories nicely!


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This series just keeps getting better. I didn't realize that the Edict of Expulsion issued in 1290 banished Jews from England over usury. Jews could o..Show More »nly stay if they converted to Christianity , but many still worshipped in private. Oliver Cromwell overturned the Edict in 1657.

This time the hunt is on for missing parchments written in Hebrew. Young boys are being murdered and mutilated, possibly by a monster who was created using the missing parchments.

I love this series. As usual, Michael Page does a fine job narrating.

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