Synopsis:On a November night in 1283, when Walter Lechlade (or de Lecchelade), the Chaunter of the Cathedral, was attacked and killed on his way home from prayers. This violent act appears to have resulted from political tensions between supporters of the Bishop, Peter Quivil, and the Treasurer of the Cathedral. Now 40 years later, more deaths are occurring. Is the first an accident? The second is surely murder, brutal and foul. Once again vicious slaying has polluted the Cathedral close, but this time the killer will not be so easy to capture and execute. The victim, Henry Potell, a wealthy saddler, was feared and hated - he held secrets that some were keen to keep hidden and others wanted to see him destroyed for his savage deeds all those years ago. For Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and his friend Bailiff Simon Puttock, the truth is increasingly mysterious. Who among Henry Potell's companions could have wanted him dead? Was it someone whose ties to Potell are dark and sinister? What first appears to be a matter of lust or greed soon grows much more troubling as Baldwin becomes aware of the disturbing and ominous Chapel of Bones, built long ago in reparation for a terrible murder.
Review: Nicely complicated, this mystery has a touch of romance and continues to point out how difficult life was in the 15th century. ( )

I have virtually all of Jecks' works. I am new to Library Things so am not going to go into great detail except to say that he has given me many hours of reading pleasure and largley give him 5 stars. Although it has been some years since I found one of the later stories, I was, at the time, prompted to find the first in the series, etc. It is grand that both his former publisher and his new publisher (Simon & Schuster UK) are republishing his books in print and other formats. I have given Jecks 5 star reviews over the years since I stumbled on to him. As to his research, historically it is from primary sources wherein he writes plausible tales into the historical setting. ( )