The King's Spies: An 11th Century Mystery

This is a wonderfully written book full of interesting, and mostly fact-based characters; Geoff who'd rather be back at the Crusades, his loyal friend Roger who is not always the sole of discretion, the gay squire Durand, Bishop Maurice of London who insisted his frequent need for sex was a medical necessity, and the Belleme women who practice witchcraft and fight as knights. This was a fascinating time in British History and Beaufort does an excellent job of using that period as a backdrop to what is essentially a murder mystery. Fans of historical mysteries will enjoy this.

When King Henry I calls him home from the First Crusade, Sir Geoffrey Mappestone knows the result can only be trouble. Henry doesn't especially like Geoffrey, but he does have some control over him--because of Geoffrey's English estates. What Henry demands is that Geoffrey infiltrate an enemy Earl's camp and ensure the destruction of his fortress. Since Earl Robert de Belleme already hates Geoffrey, this isn't an easy task. And the task is made that much tougher when Geoffrey comes across Belleme's nephew--recently hung to death--and becomes a suspect in the murder himself. Belleme has heard of Geoffrey's sleuthing abilities, though, and gives him a week to find the true killer. Of course, Geoffrey has to stay alive for that week first, and things look increasingly dicey as the reign of murder continues. Author Simon Beaufort explores a fascinating historical period--when Normans and Saxons still jostled in England, when the Crusades were at their very beginning when all things seemed possible, when magic was a very real force, and when the English crown rested uneasily between Henry and his older brother, the Duke of Normandy. Beaufort dresses up his story with Greek fire, female knights, a gay squire, Geoffrey's loyal but not-so-bright friend Roger, and Belleme's beautiful but dangerous sisters. Fans of medieval historical action and of historical mystery are certain to enjoy this well written story.