Into the profound silence of the forest at midnight came a sound that should not have been there. The man raised his head. Still panting from his recent exertions, he tried to quieten his rasping breath. He waited: nothing. Shaking his head at his own foolishness, he renewed hid efforts. The sack was already getting nice and heavy; a little bit longer and he would - The sound came again. And this time, it went on. He stood up, the sweat of toil on his forehead and his back suddenly icy cold, his damp skin breaking out in goosepimples. In a flash of intuition he thought, I should not be here. As if some dark and ancient memory were stirring, he realised, with sick dread, that the midnight forest was a forbidden place. For very good reason did people fear to venture into it... Hardly aware of what he was doing, he began to move forward. Creeping stealthily through the undergrowth; enchanted, he was obeying a summons he barely recognised. Straight-backed, head held high, he strode through the ancient trees and the new green growth towards the open space that he could see ahead. And stopped dead in his tracks. Eyes round, mouth gone dry, he stared at the incredible sight. Lit by the full moon directly above the clearing, so that its bright rays bathed the scene as if intentionally, he watched in total amazement.

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“Following the success of Fortune Like the Moon, British author Clare shows in this sequel why many consider her a worthy successor to Ellis Peters. Clare's intricate, satisfying plot and her wide array of well-drawn minor characters help put her at the forefront of the medieval mystery field.” Publishers Weekly

“Written with verve and elan, this promises to be the beginning of a new series featuring Josse d’Acquin and Abbess Helewise. Long may they live in detecting history!” The Poisoned Pen

Published 2000: Hodder & Stoughton (UK), St Martin's Press (US), Aufbau Taschenbuch Verlag (Germany), Editorial Planeta S.A. (Spain).