Magdalene la Bâtarde was madam of the Old Priory Guesthouse in Southwark, where Baldassare, the messenger, was murdered. Sir Bellamy of Itchen, a most trusted knight, was sent to investigate who killed Baldassare, and why. Failing to succeed, Sir Bellamy could see the beautiful and mysterious Magdalene hanged for a crime she did not commit. Medieval Mystery by Roberta Gellis; originally published by Tor