Desolation

Publication date: 17/10/2025

Reader community: The Murder List

Series: A Ralph de Mandeville Mystery

Desolation

Keith Moray

RRP: £18.99

ISBN: 9781837034284

Duration: 9 hrs, 43 mins

RRP: £11.99

ISBN: 9781837034321

376 pages

RRP: £26.99

ISBN: 9781837034338

520 pages

ISBN: 9781837034260

Duration: 9 hrs, 43 mins

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is "Desolation" about?

A BRAND NEW wickedly dark medieval mystery from Keith Moray. If you like your murder truely gruesome - this series is for you! ☠️ ️

The Black Rood of Scotland, stolen.

A coroner of York, murdered

An evil worse than plague itself, at large…

1361, York. As the country recovers from the war with France, and whispers that the pestilence has returned to England grow louder, fear is in the heart of every nobleman and commoner alike. Sir Ralph de Mandeville, ex-solider and newly appointed Justice of the Peace is sent to Langbarugh, just outside York, to investigate the murder of Coroner Sir Boderick de Whitby.

More deaths quickly follow, and while these are swiftly dealt with as plague victims, Sir Ralph and his two assistants Merek and Peter soon uncover something altogether more horrifying… A greater evil is at large in the northern wapentakes.

As panic escalates and the lines between plague and murder blur, Sir Ralph is thrust into a desperate race against time. Every shadow hides a potential killer, every cough could be a death knell. Can he unmask a murderer lurking in the terrifying shadow of the Black Death before they’re all consumed by a terror more sinister than any plague?

A gruesomely wicked medieval mystery, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom, Paul Doherty and E. M. Powell.

What readers are saying abut Keith Moray...

'Dark and wonderfully addictive!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'For any one who loves Phillipa Gregory and Kate Mosse, this is a must read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'An excellent blending of poison, murder and the historical events' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'Comparable to other murder mystery books by well known others such as Ellis Peters or S.J Parris.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'An exciting historical fiction novel that’s well worth your time!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

Who wrote "Desolation"?

"Desolation" was written by Keith Moray.

Keith Moray was born St Andrews and studied medicine at the University of Dundee, then lived and worked in Wakefield in Yorkshire for 40 years, within arrow-shot of the ruins of a medieval castle, the base for a series of historical novels. He writes grisly, gruesomely wicked Medieval mysteries for award-winning publisher Boldwood Books, often drawing on his medical background.

 

Is "Desolation" part of a series?

Yes, "Desolation" is part of the "A Ralph de Mandeville Mystery" series.

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