Bøger af Alys Clare

Private investigators Lily Raynor and Felix Wilbraham have to hunt down an escapee from a French asylum, in this new, gripping World's End Bureau Victorian mystery from critically-acclaimed author Alys Clare. London, April 1882. When cool-headed Phyllida visits the World's End Investigation Bureau to offer a curious case concerning her fianc�, proprietor Lily Raynor is intrigued - and privately excited. For accepting the case means taking an unexpected trip abroad, to France. Phyllida's fianc�, Wilberforce, is currently in an asylum in Brittany, after a tragic incident which resulted in the death of his father. Did he kill him on purpose - or was it an accident? Wilberforce's innocence looks increasingly in doubt when another murder happens at the asylum - and the evidence points to Wilberforce being the culprit. Phyllida fears for Wilberforce's wellbeing, but she can't marry a murderer! With the engagement hanging in the balance, Phyllida wants to know the truth before it's too late. Lily and her assistant, Felix Wilbraham, journey to rural France to uncover the truth, but the case takes an unexpected turn when they discover that the accused man has escaped the asylum and is nowhere to be found. Soon the intrepid investigators are in over their heads with much greater and unexpected powers at play . . .

Queen Eleanor has summoned Abbess Helewise and her party to discuss the building of a chapel at Hawkenlye Abbey, dedicated to the well-being of the soul of her dear son King Richard. Meanwhile, Sir Josse d'Acquin receives secret orders that set him on the trail of a group of mysterious knights rumoured to be devil worshippers.

Eleventh century Cambridge is rocked by a series of brutal murders. Called out to attend a body found on a lonely stretch of river bank, its throat torn out, apprentice healer Lassair is sceptical of the sheriff's verdict that this was the result of a wild animal attack. But when a second body is discovered, similarly mutilated, rumours engulf the town that the legendary demon known as the Night Wanderer has returned to wreak havoc. Determined to stop the fear spreading and prove that the killer is human, Lassair and lawman Jack Chevestrier investigate. If they could only find out what links the victims, they would be one step closer to discovering the Night Wanderer's identity - and what it is he really wants. But when the killer turns his sights on Lassair herself, can she survive long enough to find out?

1199. Abbess Helewise has been summoned by Queen Eleanor to discuss building a chapel at Hawkenlye Abbey. Meanwhile, Sir Josse dAcquin is trailing a group of knights rumoured to be devil worshippers. As Helewise heads home, Josse follows his quarry to Chartres, where he meets the last person he expects: Joanna and she has grave problems of her own.

1604. Gabriel Taverner is surprised to receive an urgent summons from his old naval captain, who believes his ship is haunted by an evil spirit. Dismissive of the crew's talk of blue-skinned ghosts, Gabriel is convinced there must be a rational explanation behind the mass hallucinations. But matters take a disturbing turn when a body is discovered.

Early one morning, as Lassair leaves her Fenland village on a personal mission she discovers the body of a young woman. As Lassair wonders who killed the girl and why, she swiftly becomes mystified and frightened. Why did a sweet seamstress have to die? Suspicion soon creeps close to home; then another body is found. . .

Winter, 1211. Former abbess Helewise moves back to her cell near Hawkenlye Abbey, putting a strain on her relationship with Sir Josse D'Acquin, who is called to examine the bodies of three men, one of whom bears a complicated symbol carved into his chest.

A grove of huge oak trees in the Wealden forest is felled. And, as if some ancient curse is being brought alive, the man who wielded the axes meets with a violent end.The Sheriff claims the Forest People did it, but Abbess Helewise believes a supernatural solution is too easy an answer. She consults Josse d'Acquin, whose manor house in the Weald is now being renovated, and he, concerned about the safety of two girls from the abbey, enters the forest himself - to find something in this ancient part of Britain that terrifies even him.