The Law of the Land

A CONSTABLE THOMAS LINCRAFT OMNIBUS"An entertaining and lively mystery, which delves into the murky world of crime and the justice system in provincial Elizabethan England." Paul Walker, author of State of TreasonSHE DIED UNSHRIVENNottingham, 1571.Coroner Sir Henry Greville is conducting an inquest, following the discovery of the body of a girl, believed to have been promiscuous domestic servant Amy Brindley. The scant evidence implicates her former employer.Constable Thomas Lincraft is not convinced, and begins his own search for the truth, even though he risks being dismissed from his office by doing so. However, Thomas Lincraft is no ordinary Constable. His tenacity and intelligence provide him with a fierce sense of justice - and his deeply held religious beliefs shape his attitude towards the investigation.As the Constable begins to gather evidence and interview fresh witnesses, Lincraft uncovers secrets that others would prefer to keep hidden.WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOURNottingham, 1571Senior Constable Tom Lincraft has been summoned to view the body of local miller Edward Franklin, found hanging from a beam in his own mill as the result of a seeming suicide. With him is his junior colleague Giles Bradbury, a ladies' man who is intrigued by Tom's policy of never accepting the assertions of others until he has investigated them for himself. Tom has grounds for suspecting that this is no suicide, and when he and Giles make further enquiries regarding the furtive activities of a man recently arrived at a local inn, they are set upon by three men who become their main targets in their investigation.Then just as they are about to make arrests, they receive a visit from a shadowy figure who claims to be acting on royal authority, and they are diverted from a simple murder enquiry into an intrigue with grave implications for the welfare of Queen Elizabeth and the nation.THE QUEEN'S CONSTABLES1574.Catholic priests are being smuggled into England as part of a plan that threatens the rule of Queen Elizabeth.The Queen's spymaster, Francis Walsingham, turns to Senior Constable, Thomas Lincraft, to uncover the plot and identify the conspirators.Summoned to the capital, Lincraft revisits the streets of London, and ventures into its criminal underworld, ably assisted by his friend and fellow Constable - Giles Bradbury.Assuming various false identities, and narrowly escaping the enemy's clutches, the Queen's Constables pick up the trail of the smugglers.For Lincraft, his duties open old wounds as he finds himself reacquainted with a figure from his past, and confronting harrowing memories from his youth. It is finally a chance to settle an old score and see justice served.The smuggled priests are pursued to their ultimate destination but will it be the constables, rather than their quarry, who must face the executioner's noose?Author David Field is a retired criminal lawyer. His background experience has also led to the creation of contemporary crime investigator DCI Mike Saxby, in a series of novels also published by Sharpe Books.Praise for David Field: 'Gritty and unsettling ... A promising start to a new crime series.' Thomas Waugh'Field continues to deliver the goods... Another gripping story full of depth and character.' Shaun Baines, author of Woodcutter