Crucible of Secrets
On sale
1st March 2012
Price: £10.99
Knowledge is power, and when it gets in the wrong hands it can be lethal. Alchemy and murder combine in a gripping race against time from the CWA award-winning author of The Seeker.
‘One of the best writers of historical crime’ The Times
Aberdeen, 1631. University librarian Robert Sim takes receipt of a gift of books recently arrived from overseas, mysterious works on alchemy and hermetics – the pursuit of ancient knowledge. By nightfall he has been brutally murdered.
His colleague and good friend Alexander Seaton is left with the task of hunting for clues as to his killer’s motive, as well as locating the missing books. What did Sim discover in the package, and what makes these books so dangerous?
‘One of the best writers of historical crime’ The Times
Aberdeen, 1631. University librarian Robert Sim takes receipt of a gift of books recently arrived from overseas, mysterious works on alchemy and hermetics – the pursuit of ancient knowledge. By nightfall he has been brutally murdered.
His colleague and good friend Alexander Seaton is left with the task of hunting for clues as to his killer’s motive, as well as locating the missing books. What did Sim discover in the package, and what makes these books so dangerous?
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Reviews
A book for C J Sansom fans - tackles religion, superstition and murder. Intelligent and engrossing
A gripping and well-written treat
The period detail is excellent; the Aberdeen of the time is richly imagined, and the dialogue is terrifically subtle. The characterisation too is accomplished with both major and minor characters clearly and enjoyably distinct
The grim murder of the college librarian initiates a puzzler of intrigue, politics and religion, particularly the growing fascination with mysterious brotherhoods
Admirers of MacLean's earlier novels will not be disappointed by the latest appearance of her Scottish sleuth. Newcomers to the series be warned! You will find yourselves plunged into the claustrophobic society of 17th century Aberdeen, where fear stalks the corridors of academia and student battles besmirch the public beach ... Crucible of Secrets has a satisfying plot, but more importantly it has satisfying characters and a setting that educates as well as entertains.
