The Tavern in the MorningMarket day, and the inn at Tonbridge has been busy since early morning. As night closes in, a man lies dying in the guest chamber, poisoned by a piece of pie made by Goody Anne herself. Josse d'Acquin, a regular vistor to the tavern and an admirer of Mistress Anne's culinary skills, arrives to investigate. He discovers wolf's bane in the remnants of the pie. And learns that, among all the strangers through the tavern that day, one stood out a

so abominable and terrifying

With an uncanny feeling for landscape

Lawrence finds himself a pawn in the power games between the local mayor

the cattle bellow with thirst

'Araminta is one of the most daring and intriguing writers working today

apparently determined

Inspector Adamat wants only to rescue his wife

'Luminous and enchanting

Through Francis

savage war against an ever-present enemy and a violent sea - in an arena known only to its embittered survivors as the killing ground

mythic strands in the novels of Iris Murdoch and Saul Bellow

and Erast Fandorin