Excellent historical fiction set at the end of the Third Crusade, with some murder thrown in! However, this is less mystery than historical fiction, so if you are expecting something like Lindsey Davis' Falco you might be disappointed. ( )

I have to agree with all the other reviewers so far. This is a really good story for anyone who likes medieval fiction taken from historical fact. As a lover of historical fiction, usually the medieval stories are pretty grim. Although this certainly has its horrific events, the story is told through the words of a "fool" which makes the word play and the observations witty and insightful. The character of the dwarf, Scarlet, will always be one of my favorites. If you like the middle ages and mystery with a dash of humor, this is it. ( )