A Trade of Blood

Two of the Empire's great families face each other in the canton of Sapirdad, hundreds of retainers with swords drawn, and one drop of blood could plunge the whole empire into starvation. Peace depends on proving that one family's eldest son did not commit a gruesome murder, though every piece of evidence says he did. So the brilliant, eccentric Ana Dolabra rides into a dusty town with her assistant Din, at great speed and with little dignity.

This third outing for the pair, after the award-winning The Tainted Cup, takes them across wild ranges, sprawling ranches and reeking slaughterhouses. Each new suspect turns up dead, an ancient magical technology lies behind the killings, and Din finds his loyalties divided. A treat for anyone who likes fantasy built like a classic detective story.