The Merchant of Death

New York: St. Martin's Press, 1995. BH4 - A first edition (stated with complete numberline) hardcover book in very good condition in very good dust jacket. Dust jacket has some wrinkling and chipping on the edges and corners, fold/vertical crease on the front flap, dust jacket and book have some bumped corners, light discoloration and shelf wear. Although not marked in any way, this copy comes from the personal collection of Otto Penzler, legendary editor and founder of the Mysterious Press, an award-winning icon in the genre. Being the Third of the Canterbury Tales of Kathryn Swinbrooke, Leech and Physician. 8.5"x5.5", 182 pages. Satisfaction Guaranteed. The third novel in the acclaimed series featuring medieval physician and chemist Kathryn Swinbrooke opens just before Christmas in 1471. Snowstorms have blanketed the city of Canterbury. Kathryn and her cook Thomasina are busily preparing for the holiday, when terrible news arrives: The painter Richard Blunt has confessed to killing his young wife, along with two men who were dallying with her. Kathryn is disturbed by Blunt's serene demeanor, but before she can articulate her suspicions, another death in his room at Wicker Man tavern, and the King's monies have been stolen. Kathryn quickly determines that the collector was murdered, perhaps by poison, and beings questioning the guests at the tavern. Kathryn's inquiry dovetails with the investigations of Colum Murtagh, a soldier for the Crown who must locate the missing tax monies. The two banter even as they work, quoting from Chaucer and kindling a mutual attraction. Kathryn's primary suspect is the tax collector's clerk, a shifty little man named Vavasour - but she revises her opinion when he vanishes, presumably drowned under mysterious circumstances in a pond behind the tavern. Meanwhile, there are patients to be cared for, a practice to build, and a household to maintain - but Kathryn must put aside these pleasant duties if she is to find the link between Richard Blunt and the strange events at the Wicker Man tavern.. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.