Murder and political intrigue are the key elements in this mystery novel set in exotic and politically tense 13th century Sicily. "Murder at the Leopard" uses a detailed knowledge of the period and locale with many of the characters taken straight out of the mosaic of original 13th and 14th century Sicilian contracts. A glittering commercial prize in the wars and politics of the Mediterranean, Sicily has been variously ruled by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and the Holy Roman Empire. Ironically, the island's current peace and prosperity has come about only through the oppressive...