The Straw Men (A Brother Athelstan Medieval Mystery)"Medieval mystery fans have cause for rejoicing with the return of Brother Athelstan" Booklist on Bloodstone January, 1381. Guests of the Regent, John of Gaunt, Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston have been attending a mystery play performed by the Straw Men, Gaunts personal acting troupe, when the evenings entertainment is rudely interrupted by the sudden, violent deaths of two of Gaunts VIP guests, their severed heads left on stage. The Regent

sister and stranger

In a peaceful retirement village

whose presence could herald the return of the Empire she spent her entire life fighting

compounded by the religious doubts of the time

working as a bodyguard to Nasenko's wife

But that body on the roof is about to spark off a week that will spill the city's secrets

soldier and civilian

closely guarded and long hidden

and his every move is watched: a two-way mirror in his bedroom

a crew of uniquely skilled miscreants

It is 1370

SUNNYSIDE follows three overlapping fortunes: Leland Wheeler