This is the second in the Abbess of Meaux series with an engaging female heroine intent on solving mysteries. Hildegard is a nun in a Yorkshire convent. She gives up her quiet life to travel to the continent on a quest to bring back the Cross of Constantine.
Her task becomes even harder when a murder occurs soon after crossing the sea. Someone does not want her mission to succeed. Political concerns are involved - and the English crown is at stake. Who is trying to kill who? What is the secret of the red velvet turnshoe?
A mystery which spans countries - to Italy and back again - before all the answers are revealed. A good story, which will appeal to anyone who enjoys history mysteries, or historical fiction in general.
It gives interesting insights into medieval life such as the way in which a nun can travel on her own across Europe accompanied only by a bodyguard and her dogs! The cast of characters is fascinating - from traders through to clergy, kings to commoners.
Hildegard is a young and wealthy widow who has chosen the life a nun partly because it offers a path to independence, political influence and personal power. I look forward to further stories featuring this intrepid heroine.
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