Adam Bareham

Ash returns to Mardan, where the Corps of Guides has been fighting across the border. British envoy Cavagnari signs a treaty with Afghanistan's emir and establishes an embassy in Kabul. Wally leads a force to secure the legation, while Ash accepts an assignment to spy among the natives.

Seen on the PBS Mystery! series, this riveting tale stars Sir Derek Jacobi as Brother Cadfael, the intuitive crime-solving monk of medieval Shrewsbury. Father Ailnoth, the new parish priest, earns the scorn of all his parishioners. After refusing to baptize the illegitimate baby of a local woman, the priest is found dead in the river. With plenty of suspects but a shortage of clues, Cadfael confounds even his good friend Beringar, the Under Sheriff, in revealing just how the priest lost his life.

After making a last stand at the embassy, Ash journeys home. There, he learns that Anjuli's husband is near death; she and her sister, Shushila, will have to commit suttee, immolating themselves on his funeral pyre. Ash concocts a desperate plan to save his lover.

The procession arrives at Bhithor, where negotiations with the rana do not go well. Forced to camp in a militarily indefensible position, the convoy seems to be at the prince's mercy, but Ash has a few tricks up his sleeve. He also urges Anjuli not to marry the rana.