This is more or less a Fourteenth century whodunit. The protagonist is a young widow in the city of York, and the country is in turmoil because Henry IV has deposed Richard II (described elsewhere as unjust, extravagant and faithless) and is hunting down and persecuting Richard's remaining supporters. Our widow unwittingly hosts a pair of fugitives alleged to be supporters of Richard, and then has to find out who committed a series of murders that her fugitives are unjustly accused of. The book has an enormous list of characters, and many are difficult to identify with, or have inconsistent or non existent motives. The narrative stutters as the book struggles through the intricacies of the interaction of all these characters. There were also a number of moments where the principal actors seemed to lack a moral compass. I wanted to care, but in the end did not. Not recommended. ( )

A fast paced medieval murder mystery that's so much more!

Kate Clifford, a successful York merchant, is confused by the disappearance of her friend and cook Berend. It's 1400 and what with the disastrous Epiphany Uprising, an attempt to return King Richard to his rightful place, the times are challenging and dangerous. What could have prompted his abrupt departure? In a measure Kate feels betrayed that her confidante might not have been as open as she had thought.
When a wounded Berend resurfaces, in hiding from the King's men, Kate is worried that he has been involved in the uprising. Then theres a further problem. A friend, Lady Margery, arrives distraught and alone except for one retainer, on Kate's doorstep. Kate has no choice but to take her in and hide her. An action that puts Kate's family in danger.
Meanwhile a spice seller has been murdered and all fingers are pointing towards Berend. A further death invokes more questions.
The Earl of Westmoreland's man, Sir Elric becomes involved in the search for Lady Margery and Berend. A man Kate feels drawn to and wants to trust but can she?
I do love Kate's two dogs and her relationship with them. More than anything else they make a statement about who she is!
Like all of Robb's works there are layers within layers. I do feel that the reading of the prior books in the series would have increased my understanding of some of the pressures on Kate and given me greater understanding about the complexity of the relationships between the characters. The relationship between Kate and her dead brother, who has somehow remained with her, is another question. Still, these factors did not in anyway hamper my involvement with the storyline, if anything it increased my desire to read the prior episodes in Kate Clifford's life.

A NetGalley ARC ( )