Cruel as the Grave

England, April 1193. With Richard I held for ransom and John testing support for rebellion, Eleanor of Aquitaine sends Justin de Quincy to help negotiate during a confrontation over Windsor Castle. Justin is also asked by a Welsh peddler to investigate the murder of his young daughter.

The two inquiries lead through London households, taverns and court politics. Justin must pursue justice for a victim who possesses little social power while serving a queen trying to prevent civil war, and the novel contrasts the public crimes of princes with private violence that can be ignored when the victim is poor.