Cruel As the Grave - first US edition

by Sharon Kay Penman

Second in the historic mystery series about Justin de Quincy, the queen's man. In this novel, working on behalf of Eleanor of Aquitaine, he is tasked with finding her missing son, Richard, while avoiding the attention of Prince John, the usurper of the throne. Is there a connection between the commonplace murder of a child in a London churchyard and the power politics of the royal court? Will bringing the killer to justice open new doors for Justin? Wonderful intrigue bringing to life 12th century London against a backdrop of memorable historic characters.

Book is purple boards with black cloth spine, gold stamped lettering, read once, in fine condition. Dust jacket, designed by Raquel Jaramille, is also in fine condition.