Roberta GELLIS : A mortal bane - Magdalene la Batarde #1

Magdalene la Batarde is the madam of the Old Priory Guesthouse in Southwark. She and her women are expected to engage in a number of sinful delights, but bloody murder isn’t one of them—until Baldassare, the messenger, dies. Though Baldassare wasn’t a regular client of the Old Priory Guesthouse, Magdalene and her women refuse to allow his death to go unavenged. Of course, their efforts aren’t completely altruistic. Chances are if they don’t find the killer, they will be assumed guilty because they are whores, and they will be gutted and hanged.
Into this sea of intrigue steps the handsome Sir Bellamy of Itchen. The bishop of Winchester, who was served for many years by Baldassare, orders Bellamy, his most trusted knight, to investigate the murder and tells him that Magdalene has been accused of the crime. Bellamy is instantly captivated by his chief suspect but is also convinced that she is hiding something. Sure that she is involved in the messenger’s death right up to her beautiful eyebrows but unable to believe she’s a killer, Bellamy must find out how and why Baldassare died--or watch the mysterious Magdalene meet her fate on the gallows.

 

This is a nice introduction to a series taking place in the Middle Ages in England, at the time when there was a battle for the throne between Stephen and Matilda.

 

It takes place, mostly, in a whorehouse near (very near !) an old priory, hence the name "Old Priory Guesthouse" rented to Magdalene. Magdalene is a former noble lady whose past is tied to a murder that she was accused of. We don't learn exactly what happened, just that she had to escape, change her name, become a prostitute, then she became the favourite of William of Ypres who settled her in this house where she doesn't have to service clients any more. The women who work for her (and are exceptionally well treated) are Sabine, blind, Letice, dumb and Ella, a gentle half-wit. Dulcie, their servant/cook, is half deaf. One night, a traveller comes to their house but is later found dead near the door of the church nearby, so Magdalene, with the help of Bellamy of Itchem, appointed by the bishop, sets out to find out the murderer if she doesn't want (her and her girls) to end up charged with murder.

 

There is intrigue, murders, romance (apparently, Roberta Gellis was a famous romance writer who had masters' degrees in biochemistry and medieval literature) and it's an captivating story, so what more is there to ask for ? I have book #3 in the series on my shelves but not book #2, so I'll finish the stories later - TBR clearout first ! No book buying as much as possible !