King Edward IV trembles as he decides the fate of his sibling.

And Richard, Duke of Gloucester, plots, trying to find a way to save George from being put to death by their eldest — and powerful — brother, the King. So when the Duke sees his old and loyal servant, monk-turned-travelling salesman Roger the Chapman, among the crowd at the trial he recognises that he has a chance. If only the chapman-sleuth could prove that the kinswoman of the King’s favorite leman hadn’t poisoned her taciturn husband.

If Isolda Bonifant, the daughter of a well-established London goldsmith, were innocent and her name cleared, then Edward’s chief mistress — cousin of the accused Isolda — would be more than willing to do the wily Duke’s bidding. But Roger the Chapman must act fast and, in a complex case like this one and with the pressure of Richard of Gloucester upon him, he can’t simply rely on his intuition.

“Detailed descriptions of London streets, houses, food and goldsmithing techniques combine with convincing characters in a lively story sure to please existing fans and attract new ones”

“Smoothly honed plotting by Sedley; for all collections”