THE RIVERWOMAN'S DRAGON

The year 1375 brings the plague and lesser killers back to York with a vengeance.

Owen Archer and his wife, apothecary Lucie Wilton, have returned from London, where they were on royal business, only to find York boiling with fear of the plague and the church inciting people to take action against healers, including their friend Magda. Magda’s bitter daughter, Asa, has suddenly appeared along with Einar, another relative, who seeks to learn and imitate Magda’s mystical powers. A new healer calling himself Bernard has come to York and is stirring resentment against Magda. Owen’s first concern, however, is investigating the death of Sam Toller, whose body was found in the river. Sam was employed by the merchant Guthlac Wolcott, who didn’t entirely trust his son to run their business and whose health is deteriorating under Bernard’s care. Both put the blame on Magda. Asa, whose past with Bernard she refuses to discuss, resents her mother’s talents, which she thinks she should have inherited. The arrival of the plague causes many to blame people like Magda; even midwives are under attack in a society that doesn’t value women. Magda goes about her business without fear, helping the poor and sick while under the protection of her mystical dragon, while Owen tries to make sense of the murder, a fire at Guthlac’s warehouse, and the puzzling relationship between Guthlac’s son and his father’s young wife.

Magda, who’s appeared in many of Owen’s adventures, is the rightful star of this tale of murder, betrayal, and superstition.