From Publishers Weekly
In this engrossing tale of 14th-century England, a runaway nun dies and is buried, but is subsequently found alive under mysterious, and worldly, circumstances. As several related murders follow, the Archbishop of York, who is also Edward III's Lord Chancellor, sends his spy and agent Owen Archer, most recently encountered in The Lady Chapel, to unravel the mystery. Archer must determine the links between the nun, Dame Joanna Calverley, and her dubious saviour, Will Longford, former member of the Free Companies and possible traitor in England's looming war with France over the Spanish crown; also at issue is traffic in stolen relics. Owen's pregnant wife, apothecary Lucie Wilton, becomes involved when she is asked to help heal the now mad Joanna. A murder in Joanna's family and the possible involvement of the highly placed Percy family deepen the mystery. Imbued with the flavor of English medieval life, Robb's story melds true events with fiction to create a gripping historical mystery. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Medieval mystery aficionados will especially appreciate Owen Archer's third appearance. Archer's "boss," the Archbishop of York, asks him to investigate a nun who claims to have returned from the dead. Unfortunately for Owen, his search uncovers multiple murder. Fine work.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Ellis Peters [has] a cohort of pretenders snapping her heels. Most impressive of the bunch is Candace Robb." --Time Out (London)

"A gripping historical mystery." --Publishers Weekly

"Excellent...Ms. Robb has brought [actual historical characters] to life with great style."
--Mostly Murder

ANNOTATION

Spring 1366, Beverley, England--a ghostly pale young woman claims to be the resurrected Joanna Calverley, a nun who died of a fever some months before. It would be a matter for the Church alone, were it not for the murders that seem to follow in her wake. Owen Archer finds this case a frustrating one that places his family in grave danger. Martin's Press.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When a young nun dies of a fever in the town of Beverley, England, in the summer of 1365, she is buried quickly, for fear of the plague. The following year, the Archbishop of York is concerned to learn that a woman who claims to be the resurrected nun is talking of relic-trading and miracles. When murder follows in her wake, Owen Archer must undertake his third case. Traveling to Leeds and Scarborough to try to unearth clues, Owen finds only a trail of corpses. A meeting with Geoffrey Chaucer, spy for King Edward, establishes a connection with mercenary soldiers and the powerful Percy family. Meanwhile, Owen's wife, the apothecary Lucie Walton, pregnant with their first child, has won the mysterious woman's confidence. But the troubled secrets that start to emerge will endanger them all.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Continuation of the Owen Archer series of medieval English mysteries, in which a young nun apparently returns from the dead. (Oct.)

Library Journal