Murder in Advent

In his distinctively urbane and witty fashion, the British author chronicles again the adventures of London banker Mark Treasure, star of Williams's outstanding mystery series (Advertise for Treasure; Wedding Treasure. Treasure arrives in Litchester Cathedral Close after a fire destroys the library, burning the precious ""exemplification'' (copy) of the Magna Carta, dated 1225, and killing the verger. The tragedy makes moot the hotly argued issue of whether the document should be soldto maintain the church's staff and buildingsor kept as Litchester's precious heritage. Another death fixes Treasure's suspicions on a possible case of arson and murder, even on a doubt about the Magna Carta's authenticity. As a result of the amateur sleuth's questioning, startling facts concerning the many people involved emerge and give Treasure evidence that closes the case. (March)