THE CARGO FROM NEIRA

A good deed may forever change Dr. Gabriel Taverner’s life in 1605.

Living in Devon with his sister, Celia, the respected doctor has been a great help to the coroner in solving mysterious deaths. When coroner’s assistant Jarman Hodge shows up at Gabriel’s home after finding a woman in a nearby creek, the harsh laws pertaining to suicide make both men uncertain what to do. The body is that of a lovely pregnant woman, who, it turns out, isn’t a suicide because she’s not dead, though she does seem to be in a deep sleep. But the pair are still hesitant about lying to coroner Theo Davey and Gabriel’s best friend, vicar Jonathan Carew, about the circumstances in which she was found. While waiting for their mystery guest to recover, Gabriel is called to view a body found in a cesspit, a man who was struck on the head and his mouth stuffed with nutmegs. Merchants from rival countries have formed trading companies to make fortunes from the exotic spices of the East, and nutmegs are worth more than gold. The rescued woman, Artemis Brownyng, turns out to have been exaggerating her sickness so she won't have to talk to anyone, but she eventually tells Celia some of her story. After someone tries to break into the house, the terrified Artemis reveals more of her woes. When she tries to pay for her care with nutmegs soon after Jonathan finds a headless man near the house, Gabriel is convinced that all the deaths are connected. Much questioning reveals a fierce competition to find a ship loaded with nutmegs and the location of the island where they grow. Gabriel, drawn back to the seafaring life he had to give up after an injury, must make a big decision.

A historically detailed mystery full of action and philosophizing.