The Burgundian's Tale

the long version

Roger the Chapman series #14 Things aren't going too well at home for Roger the Chapman and his wife, Adela. Their fourth child has died only days after being born and Roger fails to conceal his feelings of relief at having one less mouth to feed. Adela resents his attitude and bitter arguments become commonplace. Roger decides that the best thing he can do to restore harmony is take up his pack and once again leave Bristol to trade his goods in the surrounding countryside. Almost as soon as he makes this decision, he receives a message, summoning him to London to assist in the investigation into the murder of the son of one of the ladies-in-waiting to Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy, who is on a triumphant return visit to London. It seems Roger has no choice but to head for the dirty, crowded streets of London, where he soon meets a surprising number of people--royalty, servants and workers alike--who all have a motive for murder.