The Heaven Tree: Edith Pargeter (Ellis Peters)

Book I of The Heaven Tree. England in the reign of King John- a time of beauty and squalor, of swift treachery and unswerving loyalty. Harry Talvace, master-mason and his foster brother Adam experienced injustice at a young age and fled to Paris where Harry's genius for carving drew him into a friendship with the enigmatic Ralf Isambard, Lord of Parfois and the beautiful Madonna Benedetta, a Venetian courtesan. In their company he returns to his native Shropshire to build a church for Isambard beside Parfois Castle. Soaring heavenward, the tower of stone becomes an arrow of light, but as it flowered darkening shadows presaged jealousy, pitiless revenge - and death.