Chaucer and the Vintry Ward Death

Geoffrey Chaucer Mysteries - Book Four 'Another great tale, full of wit and intrigue, highly recommended.' Richard Foreman, author of The Game's Afoot 1359. London Young Geoffrey Chaucer is a member of the royal household of Lionel, one of King Edward III’s sons. He and two household companions are about to embark for France and the unending war pursued by Edward against the French king. Firstly, however, Geoffrey returns to see his mother and father in London's Vintry Ward, stopping off on the way at a brothel and the Tabard Inn in Southwark. At home, Geoffrey finds his father dangerously ill and the sinister Nicholas Lombard in charge of the family wine-importing business. When Lombard is killed in seemingly impossible circumstances, Geoffrey wonders why the authorities want to cover up the affair. He determines to seek out the truth for himself. Death is in the air. Not only in relation to Lombard’s murder but in the strange tale which Chaucer hears in the Tabard Inn, a tale of three young men who go seeking death. Philip Gooden is a historical novelist and contributor to various short story anthologies. He lives in Bath. Praise for Philip 'Full of the sights and sounds of fourteenth-century England--and pleasingly free of tedious exposition and clumps of research--this lively novel is a fine example of how to get it right in a historical mystery. Chaucer himself is a well-realized and charming protagonist, and the series seems to be settling in for a long run.' Booklist 'An absorbing mix of history, suspense and romance, this tale brings one of Britain's most renowned literary figures to credible life.' Publishers Weekly