the murders of richard iii by elizabeth peters

Someone in the group-or maybe a virulent anti-Ricardian party crasher James Strangeways-decides to play a series of practical jokes on the group by reenacting the murders that have been ascribed to Richard by Shakespeare and some historians. Here, Sir Richard and Liz are mutually attracted. And if you know your history of this period, you know that there were rumors of an affair between King Richard and his niece Elizabeth. The cousin’s lovely daughter Liz is Elizabeth of York. Others include his cousin who is built like a battleship who is supposed to be Richard’s consumptive wife, Anne Neville. The members of the society each assume the identity of people associated with King Richard.

She is quick witted and adept at solving mysteries as well as defending herself with a weighty purse which she wields with lethal precision. Jacqueline Kirby is among the house guests but not a member of the Ricardian group, having being invited by her love interest, Thomas.

That letter had been lost for centuries and the recent unearthing of the letter purportedly contains additional pages clearing Richard III of the murders of her brothers, the Princes in the Tower. Sir Richard Weldon hosts a meeting of fellow devotees of Richard III at his English Country House for purposes of reading of some scholarly papers, a medieval themed banquet and costume ball, and, most importantly, to announce the re-discovery of a letter from Elizabeth of York in which she declares her love for her uncle Richard.

The murders of richard iii by elizabeth peters