The Mortal Sickness

by Andrew Taylor Book 2 in the Lydmouth Crime series.

First published 1995

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A parish spinster is found bludgeoned to death in St John’s church, and the valuable Lydmouth chalice has vanished. Suspicion falls on the troubled new vicar, whose household already provides the town with material for gossip and judgement.

Jill Francis becomes involved before she can remain a detached reporter, while Inspector Thornhill uncovers private griefs behind the public accusations. Their antagonism sharpens into attraction as the investigation shows that the missing church treasure is only one part of the community’s concealed history.