‘Mr Williams in knowledgeable and delectable top form’ Sunday Times

During the festive period, the cathedral town of Litchester is more used to carols by candlelight than flames and intrigue. However, when the proposed sale of the town‘s 1225 copy of the Magna Carta causes a dispute between members of the cathedral chapter, there are far-reaching consequences.

Merchant banker Mark Treasure has been invited down to arbitrate the vicious disagreement, but finds himself dealing with more than he bargained for when the Dean’s verger is discovered murdered, his body left to burn along with the ecclesiastical library.

As Treasure‘s investigation progresses and the evidence points to mayhem and skulduggery, he discovers that Litchester, once a town associated with peace and harmony, is in fact full of sins and secrets . . .

‘An engrossing tale . . . all the elements of a classic mystery’ Library Journal

Mr Williams in knowledgeable and delectable top form * The Sunday Times *
An engrossing tale . . . all the elements of a classic mystery * Library Journal *

Stuart David Williams was a writer best known for his crime novel series featuring the banker Mark Treasure and police inspector DI Parry.

After serving as Naval officer in WWII, Williams completed a history degree at St Johns College, Oxford, before embarking on a career in advertising. He became a full-time fiction writer in 1978.

Williams wrote twenty-three novels, seventeen of which were part of the Mark Treasure series of whodunnits which began with Unholy Writ (1976). His experience in both the Anglican Church and the advertising world informed and inspired his work throughout his career.

Two of Williams' books were shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger Award, and in 1988 he was elected to the Detection Club.