The Star, the Cross and the Crown

This is the story of a true crime, the murder of the richest woman in England. A crime shrouded by 750 years of history. Unsolved. Until now.

1277—Licoricia, a powerful Jewish moneylender, is murdered in her home. Her vast wealth funded King Henry III’s projects and follies but could not protect her from England’s rabid antisemitism. A year later, her family has bribed their way up to the Crown for an investigation. For Florent—a cleric, disinherited by his bastard brother—this is his last chance to reclaim his birthright. He must pursue the inquiry but ruffle no feathers. On his path, he acquires an assistant with his own secrets. Florent digs deep, too deep, and unearths Licoricia’s secret relationship with Henry. The trail puts the lives of Florent and his family in danger; Florent must confront Henry’s widow, Dowager Queen Eleanor.