cover image Chaucer and the Doctor of Physic

Chaucer and the Doctor of Physic

Philippa Morgan, . . Carroll & Graf, $24.95 (256pp) ISBN 978-0-78671-824-5

Intrigue involving "land pirates," who plant false lights to lure merchant ships to their doom on the rocky English coast, is the focus of Morgan's atmospheric third mystery to feature Geoffrey Chaucer (after 2005's Chaucer and the Legend of Good Women ). When the San Giovanni goes down oddly without casualties, the unfortunate ship's master accuses William Bailey, the arrogant mayor of Dartmouth, of plundering its cargo. Chaucer, in his role as diplomat and crime solver, investigates, since the disaster carries political and economic implications for English-Italian relations. His mission is complicated during his stay at lofty Semper House by scheming within the family of the eponymous physician, Richard Storey, who recently remarried to the dismay of his brooding son, Edgar, and wily ex-mother-in-law, Bridget Salt. An absorbing mix of history, suspense and romance, this tale brings one of Britain's most renowned literary figures to credible life. (Oct.)