Her Highness' First Murder

Corpses found on London streets conjure memories of Henry VIII's two unlucky wives, Anne Bolyen and Catherine Howard. When one of her own ladies is murdered, Elizabeth Tudor asks new friend Simon Maldon to help her find the killer. They join forces with Hugh, one of the king's Welsh guardsmen, who is at first sure he doesn't need the help of a princess and a physician's son. The murdered women are dressed as nuns, which might signal new religious troubles. Suspects include a madman, a courtier, a reformer, a well-known criminal, and even Elizabeth's castellan. Discovering he's good at the art of disguise, Simon plays various parts as they narrow the list. Elizabeth's role in the investigation is kept secret from the king, but it cannot be hidden from the killer. When he turns his attention to them, Simon, Elizabeth, and Hugh face a murderer who is beyond caring how many die, as long as he gets what he wants.