A Murdered Peace (Kate Clifford Series #3)

by Candace Robb

Overview

It is deep winter in York, 1400, the ground frozen, the short days dimmed with the smoke from countless fires. The sun, when it shines, is low in the sky. It is rumored that the Epiphany Uprising, meant to relieve the realm of Henry IV, the usurper, and return King Richard II to the throne, has, instead, spelled Richard's doom. As long as Richard lives, he is a threat to Henry. So, too, the nobles behind the plot. A perilous time, made worse for Kate Clifford by the disappearance of Berend, her cook and confidante, shortly after Christmas. He said he was honor bound to leave. Honor bound—to a former lord? One of the nobles who led the uprising? Is he alive? She is hardly consoled when Berend reappears, wounded, secretive, denying any connection to the uprising, but refusing to explain himself. When he is accused of brutally murdering a spice seller in the city, Kate discovers a chest of jewels in his possession. Some of the jewels belong to her old friend Lady Margery, wanted by the king for her husband’s part in the uprising. For the sake of their long friendship, and the love she bears for him, Kate wants to believe his innocence. If only she trusted her heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681779270
Publisher:	Pegasus Books
Publication date:	12/11/2018
Series:	Kate Clifford Series , #3
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	396,892
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Candace Robb is the bestselling author of 13 crime novels set in 14th century England, Wales, and Scotland, including the acclaimed Owen Archer series and the Margaret Kerr trilogy. Writing as Emma Campion, Candace has published historical novels about two fascinating women she encountered while researching the Owen Archer mysteries: Alice Perrers (The King's Mistress) and Joan of Kent (A Triple Knot). Candace lives in Seattle, Washington.

Editorial Reviews

★ 08/27/2018
Set in York in 1400, Robb’s superior third Kate Clifford mystery (after 2017’s A Twisted Vengeance) puts the redoubtable heroine in considerable peril. Richard II has been deposed and succeeded by his cousin, Henry IV. After Henry survives a plot to return the throne to Richard, the sovereign sees conspirators everywhere. Kate, who runs a guesthouse whose upper chambers are frequently rented to the wealthy for private assignations, finds herself between a rock and a hard place when an old friend, Lady Margery Kirkby, appears at her door seeking shelter. Lady Margery’s husband, Sir Thomas, sought to persuade Henry to improve the conditions of Richard’s imprisonment, but ended up branded an enemy of the crown and decapitated. Kate takes the new widow in, but the risks to herself increase after her former cook, who’s suspected of being a threat to Henry, is accused of murder. Robb effortlessly integrates the era’s intrigues into a whodunit framework and peoples the plot with a wide array of characters readers will come to care about. Agent: Jennifer Weltz, Jean V. Naggar Literary. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

"Excellent."

Seattle Times

"A detailed and haunting historical saga. Kate begins unraveling a maze of mysteries in this compelling and rich page-turner."

Woman's World

"A fine flowing narrative and a genuine sense of mystery and peril."

Writers & Readers

"A Murdered Peace is an absorbing addition to Robb’s Kate Clifford series: it serves up timeless issues in a fascinating medieval setting."

Criminal Element

"Robb deftly weaves in historical background and details, ranging from political context to facets of daily life. Kate Clifford is an intriguing character in Robb’s oeuvre, privileged enough to mix with the upper classes, yet streetwise and welcoming to the poor. Through her, readers are afforded a well-rounded view of 15th-century life, as well as a page-turner of a tale."

Historical Novels Review

A historical mystery well worth your time with its satisfying, textured characters and hard-to-guess-where-it’s-all-going plot.

Criminal Element [praise for the Kate Clifford novels]

A compelling female lead and solid historical details make this a satisfying read.

Mystery Tribune [praise for the Kate Clifford novels]

Kate Clifford is a wonderful creation, hard-nosed in some respects, compassionate and caring on the other. I look forward to the next installment of this delightful series!

Historical Novels Review [praise for the Kate Clifford novels]

Robb is a compelling writer, skilled in conjuring a feel for life back then—both the sweeping backdrop of history and the day-to-day workings of a household in that turbulent period.

Seattle Times [praise for the Kate Clifford novels]

"A compelling female lead and solid historical details make this a satisfying read.”

Mystery Tribune

2018-07-31

Those who meddle in the affairs of kings live to regret it.

But sometimes they have little choice. Mistress Kate Clifford has already faced danger (A Twisted Vengeance, 2017, etc.) in Henry IV's victory over his cousin Richard II, who's been imprisoned. She finds it difficult to refuse when Lady Margery Kirkby begs her to hide her in her guesthouse in York, if only for a night. Lady Margery's husband, who'd been trying to broker a peaceful settlement between the cousins, was killed by a mob in Cirencester, and she barely escaped with her life. Kate's overcome a difficult marriage and the deaths of most of her family to thrive financially in York, where she's raising a niece and her late husband's two bastard children. Her mother's also living in York, where she keeps a house for women who are devoted but not pledged as nuns. But Kate's confidant and servant, Berend, has left without a word, and she's not sure that she can trust Sir Elric, a knight who keeps watch over York for his lord, the Earl of Westmoreland. The king has ordered a search for Lady Margery. Kate's still keeping secrets from Elric, who swears he'll defend her and Berend, who has reappeared. Protected by her wolfhounds and her considerable skill with ax and knife, Kate travels the town, using her many sources to learn more, especially after a man is murdered and Berend is suspected. In a world filled with deceit, Kate must tread a cautious path as she seeks the killer in order to clear Berend, who plans to escort Lady Margery to safety. Although Kate and Elric have both been burned by Kate's lack of trust, they still love each other, and she must depend on him and the men he commands to help her.

A convoluted tale of love and murder set in a turbulent period when death and betrayal lurk around every corner.

Kirkus Reviews