''I''d like to crown Ariana Franklin Queen of the Historical Mystery!'' TESS GERRITSEN

The King of England has called upon his Mistress of the Art of Death - anatomist and doctor Adelia Aguilar - to accompany 10-year-old Princess Joanna on her thousand-mile journey to marry the King of Sicily. They must take with them the legendary sword Excalibur.

And so Adelia sets sail with the golden princess and her lavish party of nobles, musicians, servants, laundresses, grooms, luggage and treasure. But when members of the procession begin to die and it looks as though Adelia is to blame, there are dangerous accusations of witchcraft.

Meanwhile one traveller, armed with a brilliant disguise and a personal vendetta, has been watching Adelia all too closely. This secret assassin wants her dead . . . but he wants her to suffer first.

''An excellent medieval mystery, full of colour and tension'' CHOICE

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Readers are enthralled by The Assassin''s Prayer:

''Great characters and a gripping plot packed full of historical detail'' *****

''Masterly . . . A mixture of history, mystery, a poignant romance and a gripping plot'' *****

''A totally engrossing medieval tale'' *****