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‘Memorable and utterly engaging’ – S.G. MACLEAN
‘Nattrass is a master storyteller’ – JANICE HALLETT
‘One of my favourite historical fiction authors’ – PHILIPPA EAST

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 spends her days within the confines of Westminster Abbey, one of many who live in the grounds of the ancient building. Her father, the kindly Dean of Westminster, is always busy keeping the many canons and vergers in check, when not being romantically pursued by forceful widows. Life at the abbey is uneventful, even after the unwelcome arrival of Susan’s cousin Lindley and his unusual scientific demonstrations. That is until the Society of Antiquaries come armed with a letter from King George III, demanding to open the tomb of Edward I.

As the Society prepares to open the tomb, a ghostly figure is seen walking the abbey cloisters, wearing the crown and shroud of the dead king. Then there is further uproar when one of the Antiquaries is found viciously murdered, and the corpse of Edward I is stolen. With her father’s position under threat from the scandal, Susan feels duty-bound to investigate these strange occurrences. Could one of the Society members be harbouring a murderous 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

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 An absolute page-turner, containing everything one could want from an historical mystery — J.M. Hewitt, author of THE LIFE SHE WANTS A Trollopian delight: historical murder mystery laced with delicious humour and delicate romance. Jane Austen meets Umberto Eco. Charming — Miranda Malins, author of THE PURITAN PRINCESS Delightful and intriguing. It takes a special skill to turn an abbey into a character in itself. The book crackles with an ingenious spark. Brilliant — S.W. Perry, author of THE ANGEL’S MARK Beautifully written, extremely funny, witty, charming and absolute treasure of a book — Siobhan MacGowan, author of THE TRIAL OF LOTTA RAE Reads like Barchester crossed with Agatha Christie with a light dusting of Austen… Fresh funny and beautifully done — Kate Griffin, author of KITTY PECK AND THE MUSIC HALL MURDERS Jane Austen meets Agatha Christie in this witty historical puzzler with a dash of gothic — Douglas Skelton, author of AN HONOURABLE THIEF Hands down Leonora Nattrass’s best yet. In Susan Bell, she’s found the most compelling voice in historical fiction that I’ve read in years. And I love the subtle subverting of period tropes. A joy — Oskar Jensen, author of HELLE AND DEATH Susan Bell is a captivating narrator who makes a delightful guide through this riveting murder mystery… A wonderfully eerie and suspenseful historical tour through the cloisters and tombs of Westminster Abbey, with several satisfying twists and surprising turns on the way — Anna Abney, author of THE MASTER OF MEASHAM HALL A delightful caper around the tombs of Westminster Abbey, with a curious king, a royal corpse, a murder victim and an endearing parrot. Wonderfully told, and hugely enjoyable — Guy Morpuss, author of FIVE MINDS Susan, the Dean of Westminster’s deliciously sharp-eyed daughter, guides us through this eighteenth century mystery; untangling an almighty knot of fact and fiction, science and religion, and of course, murder most foul. What more could one want? A parrot with the voice of a King, perhaps? — Simon Van der Velde, author of THE SILENT BROTHER