Book
Cruel as the Grave
First published 1998
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.
Historical Periods
More from this period
5 more top-rated novels about Angevin Empire
Ranked by rating and voting volume; books already shown on this page are omitted.
More by the author
Other books by Sharon Kay Penman
Discover more
Authors similar to Sharon Kay Penman
Recommended from shared genres and periods.
Elizabeth Chadwick
26 books
Cecelia Holland
20 books
Conn Iggulden
22 books
Griff Hosker
195 books
Ellis Peters
19 books