by Lorie Lewis Ham

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of Sword of Shadows through NetGalley and a cute little knight ducky. You will also find a link to purchase the book from Amazon, and an indie bookstore where a portion of the sale goes to help support KRL.

You probably know by now that the Crispin Guest books by Jeri Westerson are some of my absolute favorite mysteries–they are a perfect combination of the world of knights and castles and a great mystery. In Sword of the Shadows Jeri adds in one of my number one obsessions, King Arthur!

For those who aren’t familiar with the series, Crispin is a disgraced knight who turned his talent for finding things into a profession as a Tracker (basically a private detective) to make a living. Over the years he has become quite good at it and developed a reputation for getting the job done. Crispin’s life is in a much better place in the last few of books–he has a nicer home and a family of sorts now that his apprentice Jack Tucker, who is a grown man now, has a wife and children. He drinks less, and is far more content with his life.

In Sword of Shadows Carantok Teague hires Crispin to go on a treasure hunt with him to find the legendary sword Excalibur. While Crispin doesn’t completely believe the sword is real, the possibility of it intrigues him and he agrees. He and Jack go with Carantok to the Tintagel ruins where Carantok is certain there is a clue to the whereabouts of the sword and maybe even the sword itself. Instead, what they find is a dead body and the man turns out to be one of the men at arms at the castle. Crispin sets out to find the killer as he can’t shake the feeling that the murder is tied to the treasure even when he learns that the man had many enemies, including several local women who planned to marry him. To further complicate things, a former love interest of Crispin’s, a thief named Kat, just “happens” to be in the town as well with a troupe of actors. Crispin is certain that it is no coincidence.

Suspicious locals, suspects who aren’t very forthcoming with the truth, another body, and a village of pagans that the villagers fear, make Crispin’s search for the killer and the sword all the more difficult.

Jeri’s books are always filled with such wonderful and complex characters and great plots with plenty of twists and turns. I have enjoyed taking the journey through all of this series with Crispin and Jack through the years and feel like each book just keeps getting better. Throw in Excalibur and this is a book you won’t want to miss!

Jeri will be having a live discussion about Sword of Shadows on YouTube on June 28, you can find out more on KRL’s online/streaming mystery event page.

In case you missed it, an earlier episode of Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast features an earlier Crispin Guest book, Deepest Grave. If you would like to listen to the first chapter you can find it here. You can also listen on the player below.

To enter to win an ebook copy of Sword of Shadows (be aware that for this one you must join NetGalley to get your copy-but NetGalley doesn’t cost anything) and a cute little knight ducky, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “sword,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 27, 2020. U.S. residents only and you must be at least 18 to enter. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Be sure to check out our new mystery podcast too with mystery short stories, and first chapters read by local actors. A new episode goes up next week.

Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

Sword of Shadows

You can also use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and a contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie’s mystery writing at Mysteryrat’s Closet.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases using those links. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.