This is the third in a series of "medieval mysteries", with the character Justin de Quincy (The Queen's Man) as our hero. With each book, we learn a little more of his background, fill in a little more of his character. Penman's adeptness as a historical writer, filling in the "gaps" in history with a rich imagination moves well into the realm of fiction as she adds some of the same to her invented characters.

I have to say I enjoy the author's notes as much as I do the stories themselves, as she explains the blend of known history and pure fiction that make up this world.