Publisher's Synopsis
Despite his somewhat disreputable past, playwright and now theatre company owner Matthew Prior continues to make a reputation for himself in the London of Queen Elizabeth. Matthew stands high inthe Queen's estimation on account of his seemingly uncanny ability to solve puzzles and to subvert plots hatched against the Queen and her ministers.. Now Matthew is called into the presence of Queen Elizabeth in order to come into the titles and lands she bestowed on him secretly but as always it is not quite so straightforward. He will only become 'officially' the Marquis of Dalworth for a short time and even then only well away from the capital and up in his birthplace of Yorkshire. The Queen has a great problem. A substance known as alum is in short supply but is crucial for the wellbeing of England. Imports from the Continent have been stopped and that means potential ruin for many of the Queen's subjects and a desperate plight for England. The Queen tells Matthew that a source of alum has been found in Yorkshire but there are obstacles she believes only Matthew can remove. Once again Matthew Prior is catapulted into intrigue and danger, not least of all because he finds himself involved in the defence of three young women who who have been accused of witchcraft. With his new friend Jack, Matthew does his best to save the girls and to solve the problem caused by the alum shortage - but will his forays into the world of the mysterious 'owlers' cost him his life? Stand by for a captivating story, filled with mystery, romance and thrills. Matthew is out of London but is he also out of luck?
