Root Of All Evil: A Mediaeval Mystery (Book 10)

March 1223: Edwin and Alys receive an unexpected visit from Edric, Alys's brother, whom they haven't seen for years. He has fled from his home in Lincoln to ask for their help he's been accused of murder, declared an outlaw and sentenced to death. Edric's story is so bizarre that Edwin thinks it can only be true; determined to help, he and Alys travel to Lincoln in an unauthorised attempt to discover what really happened. There, he grapples with his dislike of an unfamiliar, money-obsessed society, while she discovers that family reunions might not be as joyful as they were expected to be. Under the pressure of time Edwin is forced to take more risks than he usually would, putting Alys and her family in grave danger. Some people will do anything for gain, no matter how terrible the results for others: ambition might be expensive, but life is cheap. AUTHOR: C.B. Hanley holds a PhD in Medieval Studies specialising in warfare in the 12th and 13th centuries and its portrayal in contemporary vernacular literature. She has published an academic book and a number of scholarly articles on the period, and continues to write non-fiction history as well as novels. Between her first degree and PhD she spent some time working as a historical interpreter, which gave her a practical grounding in medieval life to add to her theoretical studies, which is very useful in adding background colour to her novels. She is also a freelance copy editor and proof-reader.