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Book Details
Death At the School of Translators, A Rebecca DeToledo Medieval Mystery
Ivanhoe meets Phryne Fisher in this medieval adventure of a woman sleuth.
Toledo, 1193: A city of scholars, secrets, and simmering tensions. When Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine’s Jewish spy is found dead, whispers of treachery reach all the way to England.
Rebecca DeToledo, a gifted healer and wealthy Jewish heiress, arrives under royal orders to investigate at the School of Translators. Her mission quickly turns perilous as she faces threats to her life and a sudden battle over her inheritance.
Assigned to guard her is Sir John of Hampstead, a disillusioned crusader burdened with knowledge that could threaten King Richard’s release from captivity. Forced into this partnership, he must protect Rebecca while grappling with his own orejudices.
As they navigate Toledo’s complex alliances, where Christians, Jews, and Muslims coexist in fragile peace, they uncover a web of secrets reaching deep into the cathedral. Can Rebecca and John unearth the truth before they become the next targets?
For fans of historical sleuths, slow-burn tension, and secret missions cloaked in royal intrigue.
Purchase Link
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-School-Translators-DeToledo-Medieval-ebook/dp/B0FBWW9XSR
Excerpt
In Death at the School of Translators, the fate of kingdoms rests on secrets hidden in Toledo’s famed library. Rebecca DeToledo, a gifted healer from Toledo, has spent weeks at her dying father’s side, then was summoned to treat Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine’s wound. Now, twice in the same day she finds herself alone with the intimidating queen.
Bold and outspoken, Rebecca’s sharp retort to the queen could have sealed her fate. Instead, Eleanor laughs—and sets Rebecca on a path that will change her life.
In this excerpt, their meeting sparks both conflict and unlikely respect, as the queen entrusts Rebecca with a dangerous mission.
The Mission
“You are a healer,” Eleanor stated. “I heard you never turn down an ailing man, and you do not insist on getting paid. That is not the way of your people.”
For weeks, her days and nights had been long, sitting with her dying father. She had ventured out today for the first time, found herself in the royal tent, and then was dismissed and whisked away like a criminal. Now, this intimidating nightly visit.
Rebecca snapped.
“And is it the way of Christians to work for no pay? If you know of such a one, please send him my way.” Her voice rang, too loud, too defiant, and the queen’s wide mouth opened in shock. Rebecca smacked her treacherous mouth with her palm.
Miriam, her mentor, had always admonished her that she was too haughty, too proud for her own good. She braced for a royal shout for the guards. Imagined being cuffed and led to the Tower, that most horrible of prisons.
Queen Eleanor guffawed loudly. “Oh, child, it’s been a while since I’ve been rebuffed.” She laughed so much she started coughing. “Ogh, so refreshing!”
Rebecca swayed, weak with relief.
Distant bells chimed the eleventh hour. The queen straightened her back and clapped her unbandaged hand on her knee.
“Now, we haven’t much time. You were born in Toledo. I am sending you back there.”
Rebecca stared at the queen. Questions crowded her mind. How could she leave everything behind? Why Toledo? Why her? To avoid fidgeting, she prepared another batch of warm herbal drink, the scent of menthe overcoming the somewhat sour smell the queen spread. Her composure seemed to please the queen, who nodded with approval.
“Have you heard of Toledo’s School of Translators?” Eleanor asked.
“Yes, a little. They translate works from Arabic and Hebrew to Latin and Castilian.”
“True. My grandfather took Toledo from the Muslims a hundred years ago. He loved the Arab poets and wished for Toledo to remain a peaceful community where all three religions, Christians, Jews, and Muslims, could co-exist. There is a great library at the Toledo Cathedral, where most of the School is situated. From there, the translations are spread throughout Europe, influence opinions, and shape stories. It is more than a place of learning; it’s a seat of power.”
Eleanor paused to take a breath and sip her tea. Rebecca loved books. Not just Greek mythology, but books of learning as well, and most of all Herbals—books of plants and medicine.
“One of the Jewish translators there worked as a spy for me,” Eleanor said. “I received word last night that he was found dead on the street with a nasty bash on his head.”
Rebecca inhaled sharply. The queen narrowed her eyes and continued talking.
“The official verdict by the alguacil, that is their sheriff, the head of the City Guard, was death by accident. I am not convinced. Killing Baruch, my spy, is a direct threat to my interests. Toledo is important. I need to know what happened to him.”
Author Bio
Esther Knight writes historical mysteries featuring a bold heroine who challenges the norms of her time.
Social Media Links –
https://www.instagram.com/medieval.author
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57041953.Esther_Knight
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576873997012
Giveaway
Giveaway to Win a $15 Amazon Gift Card (Open INT)
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Win a $15 Amazon Gift Card (Open INT)
