Second in the Gil Cunningham historical mystery series set in 15th century Glasgow, Scotland. When a student at Glasgow University ends up murdered during the Nicholas Feast celebration, the Dean asks Gil to investigate—and since the boy was a Montgomery, a family at odds with the Cunninghams, it promises to be an interesting task, even though William was a bastard child. When it’s learned he had a penchant for extortion, the suspect list grows longer and longer and includes most of the faculty, fellow students and even the servants. However, when Gil realizes that those with the strongest motive had no opportunity, and those with opportunity no motive, he knows that someone’s lying and sets out to find the culprit with the help of his betrothed, Alys, and his future father-in-law, Peter Mason. A couple of finely placed red herrings had me fooled for most of the book, and I enjoyed the setting and the main characters were interesting and well-fleshed, too. Well done and looking for the next in series. ( )

The second installment in the Gill Cunningham mysteries fails to be a disappointment. Like its predecessor, this follow-up to [the harper's quine] has wonderfully strong characters and impressive period details which transports the reader to medieval Glasgow.
As Gill struggles to eek out a living by being a lay notary, Alys his intended is quick to soothe any troublesome worries away. With the strong support of her father the master mason, the couple plan to wed just as soon as the financial matters can allow - and of course there is also the problem of Gill's mother.
As Gill prepares to go to the St Nicholas feast of his old educational establishment at Glasgow, no one could possibly foresee the disaster that is about to strike. For some time during the celebratory evening, a foul deed is committed; a young man is found murdered. The purpose is not clear, nor is the intent. However, Maister Cunningham is soon on the case, guided by the wise Alys and a very clever dog indeed. ( )