Falconer and the Death of Kings: A Master William Falconer Mystery

Set in early 1273, Morson's solid eighth Master William Falconer mystery (after 2010's Falconer's Trial) takes the Oxford regent master to France to study how a bishop's attempt to curtail the teaching of Aristotle has affected the University of Paris curriculum, a mission that fortunately coincides with a summons there from his old friend Roger Bacon, a friar obsessed with scientific experiments. Before Falconer sets sail, Sir Humphrey Segrim, whose wife Falconer was accused of murdering in the previous book, asks the Oxford teacher to probe whether the Knights Templar were behind her murder. On reaching Paris, Falconer ends up investigating the suspicious death of a student who fell from the top of a cathedral as well as some cold cases involving the English royal family. Morson smoothly juggles the numerous plot lines up to the gripping conclusion. (Apr.)