Predestination

From Absolution: A Question of Conviction: “Frost had painted Trinity College’s courtyard in crystalline silence. The flagstones of the perimeter path twinkled as though studded with a thousand diamonds, whilst the square central lawn revealed the hurried path of students who had dared cut its corners and in one case completely bisected the grassy expanse … Read more

From Restitution: Fire and fury: “Thomas Seymour plucked an iron cannonball from a crate containing dozens. “This one?” he asked. Ned Founder, the ironworker, nodded vigorously as he replied, “A good choice, my lord.” He added hastily, “That looks like one of the better ones.” Wiping his soot-streaked hands on his leather apron, he avoided … Read more

From Resurrection: The Heresy of a Jesuit: “John Dee loved the city of Leuven; He loved the quality of the evening light. He loved the grand buildings and the tolerant population. He loved the Catholic university with its hundreds of students. Here he felt important and useful, more so than he ever did in dreary … Read more

From Divination: A Conspiracy of Blood: “Outside the church, Dee blinked in the sudden brightness of the midday sun. His doublet was dusty from his explorations, and he brushed it off as best he could before setting off towards college. He had just turned onto Trinity Street when he spotted one of the college servants. … Read more

From Absolution: A Question of Conviction: “The ancient oak had stood sentinel over the crossroads for centuries, enduring harsh Norfolk winters, wet springs, and all too brief summers. If it could have a favourite season, it would be autumn, with golden light and the pleasant buzz of insects. But not the autumn just past. No, … Read more

From Speculation: Undercurrents of Treachery: “The afternoon sun fought a losing battle against the heavy clouds gathering over the Suffolk coast, leaching the colour and vibrancy from everything in their shadow. Inside the gloomy chamber at the rear of the Half Moon Inn, Dee and Goodwife Harewell worked with desperate concentration, their hands moving between … Read more

From Restitution: Fire and fury: “Thomas Seymour plucked an iron cannonball from a crate containing dozens. “This one?” he asked. Ned Founder, the ironworker, nodded vigorously as he replied, “A good choice, my lord.” He added hastily, “That looks like one of the better ones.” Wiping his soot-streaked hands on his leather apron, he avoided … Read more

From Restitution: Fire and fury: “Cristóbal Navarro had been working at Sudeley Castle for weeks, posing as one of the stonemasons who were modifying a storeroom in the basement. He had observed Baron Seymour’s furtive movements and his paranoid security. All of which suggested a man with secrets. And secrets intrigued Cristóbal. Now, from his … Read more

From Insurrection: Weddings can be murder: “He crawled a little closer to the edge of the rood loft, intent on concealing himself between the newly replaced statues of Christ on the cross and the Virgin Mary. He cursed as a jagged splinter from the roughly hewn loft floor speared into the palm of his hand. … Read more

From Divination: A Conspiracy of Blood: “The bruised Cambridge sky threatened to ruin the day of any students unlucky enough to venture outdoors. I’ll be glad when spring finally arrives, thought John Dee, as he hurried across Trinity College courtyard, his scholar’s gown billowing behind him like a sail. He was late, again, and this … Read more