In a medieval mystery, Geoffrey de Mappestone tries to uncover who in his family might be a traitor, loses his father to murder, and finds out that the danger reaches all the way to the king When Geoffrey Mappestone returns from the Crusades to his family's castle in Wales, he is not exactly welcomed by his feuding brothers and sisters-in-law or his cruel father, who is convinced that someone is trying to murder him. Soon Godric Mappestone really is dead, and Geoffrey must defend himself against a murder charge while uncovering the scary truth of his beloved sister's death. Taut, quick-paced, and full of excellent characterization, this sequel to Murder in the Holy City (LJ 12/98) is another winner. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. Battle weary and disillusioned with the Crusades, Sir Geoffrey de Mappestone leaves the Holy Land and returns to his native Wales in order to make peace with his rapidly failing father before he dies. When Geoffrey discovers that both his father and his beloved sister have been poisoned to death, he initially suspects his three older brothers of foul play. Though it is widely known that the de Mappestone heirs have been feuding over the division of the family estate for years, it soon becomes evident that the murderer had an even broader and more daring agenda. At the behest of the king himself, Sir Geoffrey undertakes an investigation to expose a murderer and uncover a treasonous plot to topple the royal house. The twists and turns of the meticulously crafted plot will keep readers guessing until the last page. Margaret Flanagan The second in a series by the pseudonymous Beaufort (an acclaimed mystery writer). It's the 11th century, and back to England comes Sir Geoffrey de Mappestone, done with the Crusades. He's been gone 20 years, having left when he was 12. If you ask him, though, 20 years isn't long enough, since hearth and home have never signified more than casual abuse, general neglect, and dismal memories. Only the fact of a dying father could have drawn him away from civilized France, his country of choice. Not that Geoffrey has much feeling for this harsh, intemperate parent who had always paid him so little attention. It's duty that matters. And in this, he is certainly an atypical Mappestone. None of his five siblings cares a hoot about duty. What they all care about is the vast family estate and how it's to be sliced up once the old man succumbs. Now, Geoffrey's siblings (of surpassing nastiness) plus spouses are gathered to await the last breath. But to Geoffreya warrior, a scholar, and, most importantly, a sleuth (Murder in the Holy City, 1998)it's clear that at least one Mappestone is champing at the bit. Mappestone pre, he's convinced, is being steadily, skillfully poisoned. Is it the same poison that Geoffrey himself was tricked into imbibing? Accusations, protestations, universal detestation among this cheerless, charmless, wearying brood followand long before it all gets straightened out you may find yourself rooting for the poisoner to widen his field. Okay period detail overwhelmed by endless repetition. Who would have thought the old 11th century had so much talk in it? -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. Simon Beaufort is a historian who lectures at the University of Cambridge.