Magdalene la Bartarde is the madam of the Old Priory Guesthouse in Southwark.
People expect her and her women to indulge in a number of sinful activities, but bloody murder
isnt one of themuntil Baldassare, the messenger, dies.

The Bishop of Winchester, who was served for many years by Baldassare, puts Sir Bellamy of
Itchen, his most trusted knight, in charge of the investigation. Sir Bellamy, must find out how
and why Baldassare diedor watch the beautiful, yet mysterious, Magdalene meet her fate
on the gallows.

Brother Cadfael, move over and make room for Magdalene. A Mortal Bane vibrates
with sharp, witty, memorable characters; Magdalene and company are uniquely qualified as
historical detectives, and as always, Roberta Gellis is incomparable! This ones a page turner.
I couldnt put it down.
Amanda Scott, author of Dangerous Lady

Roberta Gellis has master's degrees in medieval literature and in biochemistry. She is the author of numerous novels and the recipient of many awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award for Historical Fantasy and the Romance Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement. Roberta Gellis lives on Long Island with her husband of more than fifty years and her Lakeland terrier, Taffy.

Nadia May has been nominated as an AudioFile Golden Voice five years running and is a winner of thirteen AudioFile Earphones Awards. She is the co-founder of TheatreFirst, a theater company in the San Francisco Bay Area where she currently lives.