An Instance of the Fingerpost - first US edition

by Iain Pears

The story of the death of a fellow of New College whose body is found in suspicious circumstances. Taking place in England in the 1660's after Charles II has been restored to the throne, following the death of Oliver Cromwell. As related by four witnesses, an Italian physician, the son of an alleged Royalist traitor, a master cryptographer and a renowned Oxford antiquarian, this is an ingenious, compelling historical mystery, set in 17th century Oxford.

Book is brown boards with black cloth spine, lettered in gold. Jacket is fine, with the cover artwork being a collage of 3 images: a dove by El Greco, a skull by Bruyn the Elder, and a book from a still life by an unknown artist.