Murdering the Messenger - (Bloody Mary Tudor Mystery) by Michael Jecks

About the Book

March 1557 Jack Blackjack is back in London enjoying a sedentary life. But his new parish of St Helen's has different ideas for him. . . a week after laying eye on the tempting Miss Rachel Nailor, she turns up horribly dead on the church vestry floor. . . and someone is trying to frame him for her murder!

Book Synopsis

"Superb. . .a fast-moving and gripping plot" Publishers Weekly Starred Review of The Merchant Murderers

March, 1557. Jack Blackjack is back in London and enjoying a sedentary life - after his treacherous voyage back to his beloved city the previous year, he desires nothing more than the simple pleasures - women, wine, beer and more women.

But his new parish of St Helen's has different ideas for him. . . a week after first laying eyes on the tempting Miss Rachel Nailor, she turns up horribly dead on the church vestry floor. . . and someone is trying to frame him for her murder!

A fellow Lady Elizabeth sympathiser, it appears Rachel Nailor was a woman with many secrets. But was she murdered in a fit of lustful rage, or was it part of a wider political play? Who would want Rachel dead - and Jack hanged for it? The suspects are plenty and Jack is running out of time.

With his master breathing down his neck, and old foes crawling out of the woodwork to add to Jack's wine-fuelled headache, Jack has never been in more danger!

Review Quotes

Diverting . . . The main draw is high-spirited Jack, with his Bertie Woosterish commentary. Fans of offbeat Tudor mysteries will clamor for more-- "Publishers Weekly on Death Comes Hot"

Fans of the series will enjoy Blackjack's familiar quick wit and appealing joie de vivre-- "Booklist"

Jecks brings the seamy side of Tudor London to life through rich, atmospheric descriptions of its taverns, brothels, and streets-- "Publishers Weekly on A Missed Murder"

Superb . . . a fast-moving and gripping plot-- "Publishers Weekly Starred Review of The Merchant Murderers"

The comical hero provides an amusing instrument for exploring the mores and history of the period-- "Kirkus Reviews on The Merchant Murderers"

The improbably and delightfully humorous protagonist moves the story to a surprising conclusion-- "Kirkus Reviews on The Dead Don't Wait"