Morson has written a series of medieval mysteries with William Falconer, a Master at Oxford of which this is the third. It is Christmas and a travelling group of actors has come to town to perform the Mystery plays. Master Falconer has received a message along with a letter for an alchemist from his friend Roger Bacon. But the message is cryptic. All this a several dead bodies have Falconer matching wits with both Bacon and a murderer.

The book has a map which helps to place the characters and there are quotes from "The fall of Lucifer," one of the famous Chester mystery plays rendered in modern verse, which sets the stage for the action.

All in all, a pleasant mystery with plenty of red herrings for the enjoyment of the reader. ( )