The Raven's Moon

In the Border region between Scotland and England in 1588, Mhairi Macrae waylays Rowan Scott, hoping to intercept the order to release her imprisoned brother to the English authority to stand trial for treason. For his part, Rowan not only suspects Mhairi of complicity in the crimes alleged against her brother, but must clear himself of the theft of Queen Elizabeth's Spanish booty, which disappeared on his watch. The cultural setting and balance of politics in the Border hills demand much reader attention, but it helps King (The Angel Knight) keep the tension high. Nonstop outlaw raids, bone-chilling storms, bonds of kinship, feuds, spies, betrayals and a divining stone (the Raven's Moon) that hints at Fate's moving hand all lead inexorably to an explosive resolution. (Feb.)