Bone of Contention Book

Ancient history trumps current events

When my tolerance for today's ugly version of American politics fails me, I like to retreat into the terror of 12th century England or Scotland. Roberts Gellis' series featuring Magdalene la Batarde provides a glimpse into the life of an independent woman of the times. Magdalene has a benefactor, William of Ypres, who backs her, but she runs her own business.with no interference from male relatives. (She is a whoremistress.) Gellis uses actual historical events as a subplot to the solving of a murder. In this case a disagreeable soldier has been stabbed in the back. Several more high born people might be involved, and Magdalene tries to solve this murder, initially to help two young lovers, but politics make the situation more dangerous. I finished the book, raised my head and discovered 2019 is still awful, so I am diving right back into number 4 in the series.