Roberta Gellis, acclaimed author of The Roselynde Chronicles, brings medieval London to life--and death--with this tale of splendor and squalor.
Magdalene la Batarde is the madam of the Old Priory Guesthouse in Southwark. She and her women are expected to engage in a number of sinful activities, but bloody murder isn't one of them--until Baldassare, the messenger, dies. Magdalene and her women refuse to allow his death to go unavenged, aware that if they don't find the killer, they will be assumed guilty, because they are whores.
Into this sea of intrigue steps the handsome Sir Bellamy of Itchen. The bishop of Winchester, who was served for many years by Baldassare, has put Bellamy, his most trusted knight, in charge of the murder investigation. Bellamy is convinced that Magdalene is involved right up to her beautiful eyebrows, but he is unable to believe that his captivating chief suspect is a killer. Now, he must find out how and why Baldassare died--or watch the mysterious Magdalene meet her fate on the gallows.
About the Author :
Roberta Gellis has master's degrees in medieval literature and in biochemistry. She is the author of numerous novels and the recipient of many awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award for Historical Fantasy and the Romance Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement Award. Roberta Gellis lives on Long Island with her husband of more than fifty years and her Lakeland terrier, Taffy.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.
Review :
"Brother Cadfael, move over and make room for Magdalene. A Mortal Bane vibrates with sharp, witty, memorable characters; Magdalene and company are uniquely qualified as historical detectives, and as always, Roberta Gellis is incomparable! This one's a page turner. I couldn't put it down."
-- "Amanda Scott, author of Dangerous Lady"
"In A Mortal Bane, Roberta Gellis has created a medieval cozy with a wonderfully unique cast of characters."
-- "Kathy Lynn Emerson, author of Face Down Among the Winchester Geese"
"In this top-notch production [Wanda McCaddon] uses different cadences to effectively denote different characters. Her mellifluous voice and accents are perfect for the story. The authentic historical detail, mystery, romance, and well-defined characters work together to create a memorable story."
-- "AudioFile"
"In Gellis' new series, she has created a superb female medieval sleuth with a sexy knight for a sidekick. You'll love every minute of this tightly woven mystery."
-- "Catherine Coulter, New York Times bestselling author of The Edge"
