Falconer and the Face of God (Master William Falconer Medieval Mysteries Book 03)

It is Christmastide in 13th-century Oxford when a troupe of jongleurs arrives to perform in a Mystery Play. William Falconer, Professor and astute crime solver, is embroiled in some protracted and committed research for his mentor Roger Bacon, and is not in want of distraction. An attempt is made on the life the jongleurs head actor, the unscrupulous Stefano de Askeles, a man disliked by all his fellow players. De Askeles survives the fatal blow, but his stand in is not so fortunate. William Falconer reluctantly finds himself the given the role of the unpopular head actor's protector.Amazon.com ReviewIf you'd like to sample Ian Morson's excellent historical series about William Falconer, a 13th-century professor and astute crime solver, try this beautifully detailed story. Someone is trying to kill off the head actor, the supremely nasty Stefano de Askeles, in a traveling morality play that arrives in Oxford just as Falconer is doing some down-and-dirty research for his mentor, Roger Bacon. De Askeles survives a fatal blow, but his unlucky stand-in doesn't, which makes Falconer the actor's reluctant protector. As always, Morson captures the feel of the period, and avoids adding modern touches that would jar readers out of their hard-earned propinquity. From Library JournalWhen Oxford teacher (and amateur sleuth) William Falconer witnesses the murder of an on-stage actor, he becomes involved in the second murder affecting a traveling troupe of jongleurs. The third in a well-written series. It is Christmas in Oxford when Stefano de Askeles brings his troupe of jongleurs to town. Things have not been going well for him - poor Gyles de Multon was killed on stage in Winchester, and Stefano's pawing of Margaret the tumbler has her husband wild with jealousy. But with a new venue to play, they are hopeful that matters will improve. Master William Falconer, meanwhile, has been scouring the back alleys of Oxford in search of an alchemist who can help his exiled mentor, Roger Bacon, with his research. Thus it is that he witnesses the final rehearsal of de Askeles's play - and the death of an unfortunate stand-in. It seems that someone wants de Askeles dead and Falconer is the only one who can save him. "It is Christmastide in 13th-century Oxford when a troupe of jongleurs arrives to perform in a Mystery Play. William Falconer, professor and astute crime solver, is embroiled in some protracted and committed research for his mentor Roger Bacon, and is not in want of distraction. An attempt is made on the life of the jongleurs' head actor, the unscrupulous Stefano de Askeles, a man disliked by all his fellow players. De Askeles survives the fatal blow, but his stand-in is not so fortunate. William Falconer reluctantly finds himself given the role of the unpopular head actor's protector."--Page 4 of cover It is Christmas in Oxford, and Stefano de Askeles has brought his troop of jongleurs to town. Master William Falconer witnesses the final rehearsal of de Askeles' play - and the death of an unfortunate stand-in. Someone, it seems, wants de Askeles dead