Cruel as the Grave by Sharon Kay Penman
Series: Justin deQunicy Mysteries #2
Published by Henry Holt and Company on October 22, 2010
Genres: Fiction / Historical / Medieval, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Historical
Pages: 272
Format: Hardcover
Source: Bookstore
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April 1193.

England's King Richard Lionheart languishes in a German prison, and treason scents the air. Richard's younger brother, John, seizes Windsor Castle, and Dowager Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine summons her trusted personal "queen's man," Justin de Quincy, to do the impossible - mediate a truce with her rebel son.

Amid such fateful events, the murder of a Welsh peddler's daughter seems small. But the cruel demise of the beautiful Melangell so troubles Justin that not even a threatened French invasion can keep him from investigating her death. Yet can he bring Melangell"s craven killer to justice?

⭐ 

Cruel as the Grave

 by Sharon Kay Penman (5★)

Penman’s gift for historical accuracy and compelling storytelling shines here. Cruel as the Grave blends medieval mystery with emotional complexity in a way that makes you feel like you’re walking alongside Justin de Quincy through the dark alleys of London. The layered plot, rich atmosphere, and moral ambiguity make it more than just a whodunit—it’s a thoughtful exploration of justice, loyalty, and the burden of truth.