The Alehouse Murders

After years of captivity in the Holy Land, Templar Bascot de Marins escapes with injuries to his body and soul. Now on sojourn at Lincoln Castle, he hopes to regain his strength, and mend his waning faith-but not even the peace of God's countryside is safe from the mortal crimes of man...

When four victims are found slain in the town alehouse, Bascot discovers that what appears to be the grisly end to a drunken row is in fact a cunning and baffling case of murder. Bascot tracks his quarry from bawdy-house to baron's keep, once again risking his life for the justice of God's will.

**

Fans of quality historical mysteries will be delighted with this debut from Ash, the first in what will hopefully be a long-running series of Templar Knights whodunits. Bascot de Marins has returned to England from the Crusades wounded in body and spirit, but he finds a new mission when he takes leave from the order of Templar Knights to serve the Lady Nicolaa de la Haye, de facto ruler of the town of Lincoln. When four corpses are found in a local alehouse on the eve of a great festival, de Marins turns sleuth to identify the killer. One of the victims is believed to be the illegitimate son of a local nobleman, suggesting that the murderer's motive may be connected to a large inheritance, which ropes in a number of likely suspects and sets off an absorbing investigation. Though a clichéd denouement is something of a letdown, Ash's period detail and plotting are first-rate, superior to many other representatives of the rarified subgenre. (Sept.)
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Maureen Ash was born in London, England, and has had a lifelong interest in British medieval history. She now lives on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.