Karen Maitland crafts compelling medieval thrillers, drawing deeply from the era's myths and magic. Her fascination with the Middle Ages is informed by a doctorate in psycholinguistics and a unique, firsthand experience of medieval life, having lived in a rural Nigerian village without modern amenities. Her novels plunge readers into dark historical periods, exploring the brutal and enchanting aspects of medieval society and its mindset with a captivating narrative style.
1564, Lisbon. The Inquisition displays its power and ruthlessly spreads fear. Heretics are tortured and burned. Any who oppose the Church's will realize that silence is preferable to a slow and agonizing death. Isabela, daughter of the Falconer at the Royal Court, is about to be caught in the Church's terrifying schemes.