A MORTAL BANE

When a papal messenger is murdered on the steps of a church in twelfth-century London, the first to be suspected are the women of the adjacent Old Priory Guesthouse. The Guesthouse, run by Magdalene la Bartarde, is a genteel kind of whorehouse occupied by women who all have disabilities but excel at their trade. Sir Bellamy of Ichen, the prime investigator, develops a chaste relationship with Magdalene as they seek the murderer, who continues to kill. In this top-notch production Nadia May uses different cadences to effectively denote different characters. Her mellifluous voice and accents are perfect for the story. The authentic historical detail, mystery, romance, and well-defined characters work together to create a memorable story. D.T.H. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 03]