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Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery
Publication Date: September 8, 2025
Estimated Page Count: 240
Standalone First Novel in the A Rebecca DeToledo Medieval Mystery series
Extract:
In Death at the School of Translators, a Jewish healer named Rebecca DeToledo is drawn into a dangerous investigation in 12th-century Toledo. Commanded by Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine to uncover the truth behind the death of a royal informant called Baruch, Rebecca needs to rely on her quick mind and sharp instincts, often clashing—and sometimes cooperating—with Sir John of Hampstead, a disgraced crusader assigned to guard her.
In this scene, Rebecca and John examine Baruch’s cryptic letters, searching for hidden meanings that might expose why he was killed.
Baruch’s letters
Rebecca rummaged in her pouch, taking out one and then another parchment, until she found what she was looking for.
“Look, Baruch even told Eleanor about a widow named Tirza from whom he rented his room, and that she raised the rent. Did anyone interview this Tirza about him? Was his death investigated at all by the local authorities?”
“The alguacil ruled it accidental. I suppose the answer is no,” he said, impressed by her attention to details and good memory. She’d said she’d read them only once.
Rebecca handed him another note. “See what you can make of this one.”
John read out loud. “Sir Roland is the rogue noble, he is the son of our country. He makes good wine although in pact with the others. The French will not always be king of the craft.”
“This is written oddly,” he growled.
“Here is another strange one,” Rebecca handed him another parchment. She looked much better, her cheeks rosier, her voluminous hair wild in the sea wind. “I told you, I think they are encrypted!”
That made sense.
My lady, greetings from Ignatius.” John read aloud. “As my friend, he completes me in every way. His words are tender, his work tremendous. There is also much interest in his services shown by all including the Church.”
He finished reading and stared at her, perplexed.
“My father used codes all the time.” Her hands flew expressively. “He used so many! Some were much more complicated than others. Some you needed the source to decipher. Say a book both you and the other person used. My father liked to have Hebrew as his base language, and then he coded that as well. But Baruch wouldn’t use Hebrew to write to Queen Eleanor. Let me think. What would he do?”
“The queen told me he worked at the cathedral and used the secure mail that is guarded and handled by her people,” John said, caught up in the game. These puzzles were intriguing. It was the first time in years he used his wits for something other than survival or deceit, and he had to admit he liked the exercise.
“Right! I didn’t know of this secure mail,” Rebecca nodded. “Go on.”
“So…I gather neither he nor the queen were too bothered about interception. He probably used something simple that wouldn’t take the queen too much time to decipher.”
“Let me look at it again,” Rebecca held the parchment first at arm’s length, then close, and then against the sun. “No, it will be the text itself,” she murmured. “Acrostic, perhaps, the first letter of every word or sentence, no…” She stared at the text for a few more minutes, worrying her lower lip.
“Wait, no, that can’t be true…it is simple. This is child’s play!”
He took the document from her and stared at the words, which still didn’t make sense to him. It irritated him that she got something he didn’t.
Can you guess the code?
Book blurb:
Ivanhoe meets Phryne Fisher in this medieval adventure of a woman sleuth.
Toledo, 1193: A city of scholars, secrets, and simmering tensions. When Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine’s Jewish spy is found dead, whispers of treachery reach all the way to England.
Rebecca DeToledo, a gifted healer and wealthy Jewish heiress, arrives under royal orders to investigate at the School of Translators. Her mission quickly turns perilous as she faces threats to her life and a sudden battle over her inheritance.
Assigned to guard her is Sir John of Hampstead, a disillusioned crusader burdened with knowledge that could threaten King Richard’s release from captivity. Forced into this partnership, he must protect Rebecca while grappling with his own orejudices.
As they navigate Toledo’s complex alliances, where Christians, Jews, and Muslims coexist in fragile peace, they uncover a web of secrets reaching deep into the cathedral. Can Rebecca and John unearth the truth before they become the next targets?
For fans of historical sleuths, slow-burn tension, and secret missions cloaked in royal intrigue.
Purchase Link
Author Bio – Esther Knight writes historical mysteries featuring a bold heroine who challenges the norms of her time.
Social Media Links – https://www.instagram.com/medieval.author
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57041953.Esther_Knight
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576873997012
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