Good historical mysteries like this are rare; often they are just romance in disguise. But here's a really good one that reminds me a bit of 'Mistress of the Art Death' in the authentic way the author writes about different times and peoples, this one is medieval. It does help a bit if you are familiar with Chaucer's pilgrims, but isn't really necessary - don't be put off by that. A great tale of a medieval healer and the Canterbury Cathedral. Women were important in English medieval medicine, but were later excluded as professionals - and much was lost. This is a bawdy and earthy tale of terrible murders linked by doggeral poetry. A great page-turner.

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