Chalice of Darkness

October 1, 2018
In the third Phineas Fox mystery, the professional music historian and researcher is asked to resolve a debate concerning the provenance of an opera scheduled to be performed at Cresacre Abbey School in honor of the school's bicentennial. There is a concern that the opera might have been plagiarized from an earlier work; resolving the debate takes Fox deep into the school's history, where he uncovers a 200-year-old mystery that will challenge his sleuthing skills like no other mystery has. The Phineas Fox novels are markedly different from the author's popular Nell West and Michael Flint Haunted House series. Phineas is a more nuanced character than Nell and Michael; we sense there are many layers of his personality and life yet to be revealed. Equally important, the mix of music and history provides a refreshing backdrop to Fox's amateur sleuthing. This series started strong and keeps getting stronger.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

February 1, 2023
In 1908, Jack Fitzglen, who runs a London theater and has a lucrative sideline in stolen goods, proposes a new production about the Talisman Chalice, which once belonged to Richard II. Rumor has it that the chalice is held by Maude Vallow, a mysterious Northumberland woman who has disappeared. Jack decides to combine both of his professional interests by traveling to Maude's home to find (and steal) the chalice, certain that if he can get his hands on the treasure, he will not only be able to launch a profitable production, but also might attract the attention of the Royal Family, purported to be the chalice's rightful owners. He soon discovers, however, that the prophecy surrounding the chalice--if it's taken by someone with no right to it, that person will face mortal peril--may be more than legend. As Jack delves further into the chilling backstory, he realizes that only by putting the chalice into the hands of its rightful owner will he be able to break the deadly curse. In this taut, Gothic-style mystery, Rayne offers a gripping plot with plenty of suspense and period ambience.

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