The Bells of Westminster

(Hardback, Main)

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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 EASTLondon, 1774. The opening of a royal tomb will end in murder... 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 but foolish 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. They wish to open the tomb of Edward I, each to investigate their own academic interests - whether it be rumours of the royal body's embalmment, an obsession with Arthurian legends or even a supposed Roman temple to Apollo beneath the abbey's undercroft. However, 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. 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 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.

Reviews

'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

Author Bio

Leonora Nattrass studied eighteenth-century literature and politics, and spent ten years lecturing in English and publishing works on William Cobbett. She lives in Cornwall, in a seventeenth-century house with seventeenth-century draughts, and spins the fleeces of her Ryeland sheep into yarn. Her first novel, Black Drop, was a Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of the Month. Her second, Blue Water, was a Waterstones Thriller of the Month. Her third novel, Scarlet Town, was shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger Award.