The Poisoned Chalice

Name: The Poisoned Chalice
Rating: 4.18 (2015 reviews)

by Bernard Knight

Book 3 in the Crowner John Mysteries series.

Buy the book from:

Amazon World of Books

4.2

In Exeter in December 1194, the rape of a merchant’s daughter is followed by the murder of Lady Adele de Courcy shortly before her marriage. Suspicion falls on silversmith Godfrey Fitzosbern, who is connected with both women, but Crowner John must protect him from vengeance until evidence can establish whether he is guilty.

John questions the victims’ families and follows the movement of Adele through the poorest part of the city, aided by Nesta and hindered by Matilda and Sheriff Richard de Revelle. A further act of violence overturns the apparent solution and forces him to reconsider who has used Godfrey as a convenient target.