Description

* A TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR *
* A SUNDAY TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION PICK OF THE MONTH *

‘A splendid romp from a wonderfully clever historical novelist’ – TELEGRAPH
‘An exhilarating voyage into another era’ – FINANCIAL TIMES

He looked as if he had just received some very bad news. In that he was certainly right, for he was perfectly and incontrovertibly dead…

London, 1774. Susan Bell – daughter of the kindly Dean of Westminster – enjoys a pleasantly uneventful life within the confines of the abbey. That is until a group of scholars from the Society of Antiquaries comes armed with a letter from King George III, giving them permission to exhume Edward I and examine his body.

As they prepare to open the tomb, a ghostly figure is seen wandering the cloisters, wearing the crown of the dead king. Then one of the Antiquaries is found viciously murdered, and the corpse of Edward I is stolen. With the abbey in uproar and her father’s position under threat from the scandal, Susan feels bound to investigate. Could one of the Society’s members be harbouring a deadly secret, or is one of the abbey’s own a killer?

The new historical mystery from the bestselling author of Black Drop, Blue Water and Scarlet Town. Perfect for readers of Andrew Taylor, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and S.J. Parris.

Publisher Review

One of the wittiest and most entertaining historical crime novels of the year * The Times * At last, a mystery story with an original crime at its heart: royal body-snatching… A splendid romp from a wonderfully clever historical novelist * Daily Telegraph * There’s plot a plenty in Nattrass’s standalone historical thriller but it’s the vivid characters and wonderful descriptions of Westminster Abbey that make her fourth novel sparkle * Daily Mail * An exhilarating voyage into another era, crammed with persuasive detail * Financial Times * Susan’s wit and unwillingness to play the role that 18th-century society expects of a clergyman’s daughter sustain her through a series of dangers and unwelcome revelations in this entertaining historical mystery * Sunday Times * A vivid tale of Westminster Abbey past * Church Times * Georgian London and the great Gothic mausoleum of Westminster Abbey provides a backdrop for Nattrass’s new historical romp… A teenage William Blake, a garrulous parrot named Cuthbert, the exhumed remains of Edward I and a bunch of antiquaries make for a rich mix * Saga * A jaunty 18th century mystery * Sainsbury’s Magazine * Engaging * Crime Monthly * Another thrilling, unpredictable slice of historical gothic fiction for cold autumn nights, as gripping as Nattrass’s debut Black Drop * Buzz * A deliciously spooky romp… Leonora Nattrass is a master storyteller. She brings this world to vivid life with her sharp, lively and irreverent prose. A book that is funny, delightful, unnerving, intriguing and essential — Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEAL A hugely enjoyable book, filled with memorable and utterly engaging characters who come to life in the vastness, galleries, cloister walks and hidden stairways of their world. The mystery, rooted in the competing contemporary theories of science, antiquarianism and folk belief, is garlanded with enticing depictions of the abbey’s treasures. I hope to hear more of Susan, Lindley and especially the marvellous Cuthbert, the parrot — S.G. MacLean, author of THE BOOKSELLER OF INVERNESS The Bells of Westminster delivers everything you would want from a historical crime novel. A wonderfully rendered period setting, a cast of sympathetic characters, and a compelling puzzle, one with great historical resonance. All told using the most delicious prose. A delightfully immersive historical mystery — Vaseem Khan, author of THE UNEXPECTED INHERITANCE OF INSPECTOR CHOPRA A cast of wonderfully unique characters, a beguiling mystery, a beautiful and atmospheric setting, historical accuracy and masterful storytelling… An intriguing and highly amusing read, which I highly recommend — Louise Fein, author of PEOPLE LIKE US A hugely entertaining page-turner, with wonderful characterisation and an immersive setting all woven around a brilliantly intriguing murder mystery. Leonora Nattrass remains one of my favourite historical fiction authors — Philippa East, author of LITTLE WHITE LIES