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Servant of Death
Book 1 in the Bradecote & Catchpoll series.
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Worcestershire, June 1143. Eudo, the feared clerk of Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester, is found bludgeoned to death inside Pershore Abbey and arranged before the altar like a penitent. His duties, arrogance and access to power have left monks, servants and visitors with reasons to resent him, but the enclosed abbey gives the killer little room to escape suspicion.
Serjeant Catchpoll is forced to work with Hugh Bradecote, the sheriff’s newly appointed undersheriff, whose rank and analytical habits initially irritate the experienced investigator. Their questioning exposes debts, concealed loyalties and the pressures created by civil war outside the monastery walls. The novel begins the partnership that will police Worcestershire during the Anarchy. It was previously published as The Lord Bishop’s Clerk.
