This is a superb historical novel set in 16th century Spain. The country is wracked by the conflict between the old Catholics and the Moriscos, Muslims professing Catholicism. The Inquisition* is in full bloom, a national institution that knows no limits, and which literally takes no prisoners because just about everyone they interview winds up on the rack and at the stake. When a corrupt, evil priest is murdered in Aragon, near the French border in the Pyrenees, Bernardo Mendoza, a Royal magistrate, is sent to investigate. Aragon is torn between the Moriscos and the Old Catholics. The priest's murderer has declared himself to be the Redeemer, a Morisco avenging against evil. But it turns out that he is a Catholic trying to stir up conflict and start a full-fledged assault on the Moriscos and foment civil war. Mendoza skillfully navigates the twists and turns as he tracks down the numerous evil-doers and brings them to justice. The author is a historian who has turned to novels. I hope he has plans to make this a series.
*It is somewhat shocking to read a reference to the Index of Forbidden Books and its prominent role in the infliction of medieval terror upon unwary souls. I am reminded that the Index was still alive and well during most of my Catholic education and not terminated until 1966.
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