The Good Death

The series gets better and better . . . a very credible medieval world . . . Oswald is such an appealing character, growing richer and deeper with every book - Andrew Taylor, author of Ashes of London

The Good Death by S D Sykes takes readers back to 1370. Oswald de Lacy was not always Lord of the Manor, or even meant to be. As the third son, he was destined for a life as a novice monk. Now, with winter closing in on Somershill, Oswald finds himself amid domestic turmoil: his wife is flirting with their houseguest, his sister contributes her opinions unhelpfully, and his mother continues to exert influence over his life even from her deathbed. Oswald is forced to confront a haunting secret from his monastery days.

In 1349, tasked by his tutor Brother Peter to gather herbs in the forest, 18-year-old Oswald encounters a terrified girl who tragically runs into a swollen river and drowns. In her village, he learns she is not the only young woman who has vanished—an alarming pattern that has elicited little concern from the authorities.

Convinced of their deaths, Oswald seeks help from the village women to find the murderer, particularly appealing to the beautiful Maud Woodstock, who stirs feelings in him that no monk should entertain.

Soon, another threat looms as plague descends, and the monastery seals itself away. Brother Peter insists Oswald abandon his search, but Oswald is determined to uncover a shocking truth that resonates through the years, reaching a climax with a letter clutched in the hand of his dying mother.