<h2>Enemies at every turn in this medieval mystery thriller perfect for fans of D. V. Bishop and S. J. Parris.</h2><h3>Florence, 1342. A city on the brink of chaos.</h3><p>Restored to favour at court, King''s Messenger <strong>Simon Merrivale</strong> accompanies an English delegation to Florence, the powerful centre of European finance, to negotiate a loan to offset <strong>King Edward III</strong>¿s chronic debt.</p><h3>A top secret plot, one to decide the fate of European control.</h3><p>But the delegation has another purpose: to set up an Englishman, <strong>Henry Stapledon</strong>, Bishop of Dorchester, as an anti-pope in Rome. If they can succeed, they will undermine the papacy and strike a hammer blow to French support across Europe.</p><h3>But one devastating betrayal will shatter their hopes.</h3><p>When disaster strikes, Merrivale finds himself alone, isolated and with a dozen different factions out for his blood. With no way to go but forward, he must plunge back into the s