The Tournament

But once there, the two find more danger than they left behind. Theres a killer on the loose and a Catholic cardinal has already been found mutilated. Ascham is asked by the Sultan to investigate the crime. But as he and Elizabeth delve deeper, they find dark secrets, horrible crimes and unheard-of depravity. Things that mark the young princess for life and define the queen she will become. Adventure fiction. England, 1546. A young Princess Elizabeth is surrounded by uncertainty. The Black Death stalks the land and with it deadly conspiracies against her. She is not currently in line for the throne, but she remains a threat to her older sister and brother. In the midst of this fevered atmosphere comes an unprecedented invitation from the Sultan in Constantinople. He seeks to assemble the finest players of chess from the whole civilised world and pit them against each other. The prize? Fabulous wealth but also the honour of Christendom. Roger Ascham, Elizabeth's teacher and mentor, is determined to keep her out of harm's way and also continue her education in the art of power and politics. Ascham resolves to take Elizabeth with him when he accompanies the English chess champion to the Ottoman capital. But once there, the two find more danger than they left behind From Global Superstar Matthew Reilly Comes A Gripping Historical Thriller; A Tale Of Murder, Passion And Intrigue Set In The Majestic City Of Constantinople. England, 1546. A Young Princess Elizabeth Is In A Dangerous Position As Her Older Siblings Jostle For The Throne. Roger Ascham, Elizabeth's Teacher And Mentor, Is Determined To Keep Her Safe. So When He Receives An Unusual Invitation From The Sultan In Constantinople, Asking Him To Take Part In The Greatest Chess Tournament The World Has Ever Seen, He Resolves To Take The Princess With Him. But Death Stalks The Streets Of The Glittering Ottoman Capital - A Cardinal Has Been Found Mutilated. Ascham Is Asked To Investigate, But As He And Elizabeth Delve Deeper, They Uncover A Secret That Marks The Young Princess For Life. And A Darkness That Defines The Queen She Will Become.