Genre: Historical fiction/mystery

Lady Philippa, the wife of Sir Aymer – a knight of the realm – disappears while travelling from her husband’s manor to Bampton. She and her maid are travelling in an enclosed wagon, whilst her husband and his grooms and a squire are mounted. When the party arrives at Bampton Castle neither the lady nor her maid are within the enclosed wagon: they have simply vanished. As the disappearance may have happened while the travellers were on Lord Gilbert’s lands, his surgeon and bailiff, Hugh de Singleton, is assigned to discover what has happened to the lady. Has she been taken? Her has she fled her husband? A few days later her husband receives a ransom demand, and Hugh is named to deliver the money. Why him? The ransom is paid, but the lady is not returned. Can Hugh help find her, or is it already too late?

This is twelfth in a series which I had not read before. The story covers the travels of Sir Hugh as he attempts the discover the fate of Lady Philippa.

There are a few lovable characters in this book and I enjoyed getting to know them. There are numerous additional characters who I assume are present in the rest of the series.

The book provides insight in to how gangs and criminals operated in medieval times.

Overall I found this an easy read and quite enjoyable. I would consider reading more of the series.

Rating: 3/5

This was a review copy provided by NetGalley but my opinion is my own.