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Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mystery #10
The Colour of Darkness
Midsummer in medieval London should be a time of revelry, but for many, there is nothing to celebrate. Death stalks the sweltering streets as plague raises its hideous head, livelihoods crumble, and trust wilts in the heat. Fire, theft, and murder loom over the city, and once again, artist and reluctant sleuth Sebastian Foxley finds danger perilously close to home.
When a beautiful young woman enchants the men of London, suspicion soon follows. The discovery of waxen dolls spiked with pins sends the city into a frenzy, convinced that witchcraft is to blame. With dark secrets lurking too near for comfort, Sebastian must unravel a tangled web of deceit and suspicion. Can he uncover the truth and protect those he loves before it’s too late?
Join Sebastian Foxley for another richly woven medieval mystery where peril lurks behind every shadow and the colour of darkness hides deadly truths.
When a beautiful young woman enchants the men of London, suspicion soon follows. The discovery of waxen dolls spiked with pins sends the city into a frenzy, convinced that witchcraft is to blame. With dark secrets lurking too near for comfort, Sebastian must unravel a tangled web of deceit and suspicion. Can he uncover the truth and protect those he loves before it’s too late?
Join Sebastian Foxley for another richly woven medieval mystery where peril lurks behind every shadow and the colour of darkness hides deadly truths.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2025
32 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Toni Mount
31 books110 followersToni Mount is a writer, teacher and speaker, specialising in ordinary lives and fascinating characters from history. She has an MA by Research from the University of Kent. Diplomas in European Humanities, Literature and Creative Writing and a first class honours degree from the Open University.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 6, 2025
If your a fan of Medieval Mysteries then you will love this series #KindleUnlimited
August 19, 2025
What manner of troubles must Seb Foxley face in June 1481? They include the threat of contagion in the Foxley household and a commission to discover the culprits who robbed William Caxton, destroyed his printing press, and set fire to his house. Meanwhile, the neighborhood is thrown into a tizzy by the appearance of a gorgeous young woman who is niece to the local apothecary, Bess Chambers. The men, including our Seb, can’t stop daydreaming about her, and the women are at best indifferent but many are jealous and even hostile. Playing upon their fear and ignorance, one particularly spiteful woman convinces her neighbors that Bess and her niece are witches, whipping them into a frenzy leading to the destruction of their apothecary during a riot.
The story centering around Caxton is interesting, although it is not a mystery in the sense that the reader knows from the beginning who the culprits are. It is just a matter of watching Seg trying to figure it out. With all the other distractions Seb’s investigation into the crimes against Caxton proceed slowly, and Caxton is not pleased, eventually even accusing Seb of being complicit in the crimes. All in all Caxton does not come off here as a particularly admirable character, but what should we expect, given that Anthony Woodville is his patron? As always, the author is able to immerse us in the life of a late 15th century London family—Seb’s family, creating a colorful array of characters in the process. Even the maid Nessie (Agnes) gets her own little storyline. In the past she has been in the background, a cartoonish character, dim-witted and ill-tempered. Here the reader develops some sympathy for her when, in looking out for her best interests, the ever-kind Seb must step in to break off her relationship with a very ill-suited young man. Nessie’s story is only a small side story, but the book features Seb’s embittered brother Jude and Jack Tabor, the street urchin Seb took in. I have to confess that I can’t stand either character but they are well-drawn : the self-pitying Jude and the amoral, directionless Jack. While reading this, I kept wishing that they never make another appearance, but then I realized that Jude’s storyline is a thread woven through the fabric of Seb’s life. Maybe the same can be said of Jack but I wouldn’t miss him if he does disappear from the series.
The story centering around Caxton is interesting, although it is not a mystery in the sense that the reader knows from the beginning who the culprits are. It is just a matter of watching Seg trying to figure it out. With all the other distractions Seb’s investigation into the crimes against Caxton proceed slowly, and Caxton is not pleased, eventually even accusing Seb of being complicit in the crimes. All in all Caxton does not come off here as a particularly admirable character, but what should we expect, given that Anthony Woodville is his patron? As always, the author is able to immerse us in the life of a late 15th century London family—Seb’s family, creating a colorful array of characters in the process. Even the maid Nessie (Agnes) gets her own little storyline. In the past she has been in the background, a cartoonish character, dim-witted and ill-tempered. Here the reader develops some sympathy for her when, in looking out for her best interests, the ever-kind Seb must step in to break off her relationship with a very ill-suited young man. Nessie’s story is only a small side story, but the book features Seb’s embittered brother Jude and Jack Tabor, the street urchin Seb took in. I have to confess that I can’t stand either character but they are well-drawn : the self-pitying Jude and the amoral, directionless Jack. While reading this, I kept wishing that they never make another appearance, but then I realized that Jude’s storyline is a thread woven through the fabric of Seb’s life. Maybe the same can be said of Jack but I wouldn’t miss him if he does disappear from the series.
August 3, 2025
Mount still on a pedestal
Another brilliant mystery,from Toni Mount. Plenty of twists and turns as Sebastian Foxley,tries to piece together the clues. Only Mount seems to have the knack of keeping you reading,and not putting down the novel,till the end. Onwards and upwards. Brilliant.
Another brilliant mystery,from Toni Mount. Plenty of twists and turns as Sebastian Foxley,tries to piece together the clues. Only Mount seems to have the knack of keeping you reading,and not putting down the novel,till the end. Onwards and upwards. Brilliant.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews