A purloined relic is lost in Paris and Catherine and her family are drawn into hunting it down. Characters and relationships are further developed as this book has more of a focus on Catherine's Jewish relatives. We also see more of Edgar's Saxon pride and pride in his workmanship, although it is not fitting for a man of his station. Part of Newman's talent is creating intriguing and well paced mysteries within a larger story of a developing family and the politics of the time. The third installment in Sharan Newman's Catherine LeVandeur series does not disappoint. ( )

This installment brought us a lot more insight into the lives of French Jewry in the late 12th century (I think it's the first book where the dates that head each chapter are given in Gregorian and Jewish calendars.) The details of medieval life, work and industry are not only interesting, they're integral to the plot -- good plotting.

Newman continues to develop her main characters -- Solomon and Edgar, especially, get some new wrinkles in this volume. I continue to be impressed by Newman's ability to use historical characters seamlessly and gracefully. I was surprised to find, in the Afterword, how many incidental characters are plucked from the annals!

Audiobook note: I do still enjoy Donada Peters's narration, but I am a little surprised that as of this book (the third) the French Catholic characters suddenly have French accents. It means the narrator and the handful of British characters are the only ones without a put-on accent. She does them well, but I find it somewhat offputting, especially since it puts a little distance between me and Catherine, who is after all the ostensible protagonist. ( )

Third in the Catherine LeVendeur medieval mystery series, this one set in Paris. A relic has been stolen from the Salisbury Cathedral, the arm of St. Aldhelm, a Saxon bishop. Catherine and her husband Edgar are implored by her father to assist in finding it and bringing those who stole it to justice. Meanwhile, a shady member of the Jewish community appears on Elizar’s doorstep asking a favor and is turned away, only to die a few days later in Elizar’s basement—on top of Catherine, who had gone down there to get some beans from a crock for dinner. Suspicion against Elizar by his own people puts a big strain on family relations. Very enjoyable book in the series, difficult to put down. ( )

A solid entry in the Catherine LeVendeur series, with effective detective work adding to the usual pleasures of authentic historical detail and description of Jewish life in 12th Century France. ( )

1.5 stars ( )