Book Two in Belinda Lawrence Amateur Sleuth mystery series.
Two startling murders that replicate the death of a mediaeval English king and the discovery of a mysterious ancient tapestry lead Belinda Lawrence and her associate Hazel Whitby into a vortex of suspense involving a bizarre religious cult, an enigmatic academic, a group of monks devoted to aggression and clues to a thrilling conspiracy
nearly a thousand years old.
Are the Godwins, self-proclaimed spiritual leaders, really devoted to their religious group?
Is Sir Gerald Taylor, revered university don, as benign as he appears?
What is the origin of the puzzling tapestry discovered in the old country house?
It is the murder of a local villager that ensnares Belinda and Hazel in this web of intrigue and as they follow up each clue they little realise that their own lives are to a greater
extent in danger. Although pessimistic, Mark Sallinger, Belinda's lover, is coaxed into aiding the women as they attempt to solve the riddle, a riddle that creates more uncertainty at every turn. And each perilous turn brings the trio closer to an electrifying
climax and imminent death.
Following on from Capable of Murder this is the second in the Belinda Lawrence Mystery Series and continues the lively young Australian's adventures in England with the same degree of wicked humour and heart-stopping excitement.
Praise and Reviews
Book
Review: The Embroidered Corpse, by Brian Kavanagh; Genre:
Contemporary Mystery
‘The
Embroidered Corpse’ part of a series of mysteries by Brian Kavanagh weaves
together a bit of history with the mystery. Belinda Lawrence, a most
definitely contemporary woman, is both clever and admirable. The conundrum she
stumbles into at the acquisition of what seems an archaic piece of tapestry
provides a puzzle that starts off seeming fun, then perhaps curious… and
maybe deadly. The first ‘threads’ that weave this tale together are in a
controversial tale reflected by a recreation of a medieval-era tapestry.
The tale threatens the very fabric of the history it depicts. Further,
the revelation of a present –day A murder makes Belinda realize that
while she was on a quest for the quaint, she and her best buddy, were perhaps
the last people to see the victim alive.
From William the Conqueror to good King Harold, uncovering the plot means figuring
out some historic details; details that might well be exposed as lies, by
the tapestry itself. Authentication of information is the cloth that
drapes a good piece of this puzzle, from William the Conqueror to good King
Harold, and on to quite an assortment of present-day characters, including a
group of monks…who most assuredly couldn’t be guilty of murder – could they?
The
British antique hunt kicks it all off with quaint flavor. Dialogue is
clever, believable, and occasionally has some fun with word choice. The
agreeable Mark seems the perfect guy for Belinda too, and you’ll find yourself
hoping for more in that realm, throughout.
The medieval connection is vital to the puzzle, and more detailed than than one
imagines at the outset – but interesting throughout. The Embroidered
Corpse features a most-definitely contemporary setting, history buffs will
especially enjoy this mystery. It’s as rich as the steaming
date pudding with chocolate sauce they mention … now where will I find a recipe
for that?
Mrs. Hudson declares Kavanagh’s ‘The Embroidered Corpse,’ a jolly good read.
The Baker
Street Clarion
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