Murder at Meaux

Book Nine – MURDER AT MEAUX

It is midnight when Hildegard disembarks at Ravenser on the last leg of the long journey home to Meaux. Accompanied by Abbot de Courcy and the two monks militant, Egbert and Gregory, she has left Avignon, Salisbury and Netley Abbey behind. But before the group reach the Abbey of Meaux, they are met by a cortege in the darkening fog, bearing a body to an unconsecrated grave. The Abbot is shocked to hear that the dead man was found in the locked scriptorium at Meaux. As soon as he lifts the coffin lid he orders the cortege to return to the abbey at once. Hildegard is grief-sricken the next morning to learn that her childhood sweetheart, Ulf of Langbar, is to hang for murder.

With help from the renegade minstrel Pierrekyn Haverel and the two monks Hildegard sets out to save Ulf and discover the secret of the body at Meaux. But Abbot de Courcy steps in and threatens her with excommunication. “If we were in France I could have you burned as a witch!” What has she done? And, more, how can she save Ulf from the hangman and discover the secret of the body in the locked chamber? Meanwhile, as ever, King Richard’s enemies tighten their control over the realm of England and the young king walks in fear for his life..