In Dan Abnett’s short story Backcloth for a Crown Additional, inquisitor Eisenhorn turns paranormal detective as he investigates the unexpected and increasingly suspicious death of Lord Aen Froigre, head of one of the ancient noble houses of Gudrun. An old friend of Eisenhorn, Froigre’s death is enough to drag Gregor and Bequin away from a precious moment of peace and quiet. What might otherwise have been a simple, if emotional, investigation proves to be rather more complex when it’s revealed that Froigre died of terror, and Eisenhorn detects a trace of warpcraft on the Froigre estate.
Taking place, like Missing in Action, between the novels Malleus and Hereticus, it shows a slightly more personal side to Eisenhorn than usual; it’s all a bit more low-key than usual, from the mystery itself to the locations and characters involved. There’s no real sense of danger to this story, so it’s quite relaxing to sit back and enjoy spending time with Eisenhorn and Bequin, and comfortably watch as the mystery unravels. There’s a slightly different tone to this than usual, but that’s part and parcel of the Eisenhorn series which is able to span so many different types of stories and remain consistently enjoyable.
Click here to see how this fits into the wider Eisenhorn/Ravenor/Bequin arc.
Check out Backcloth for a Crown Additional on Amazon; alternatively check out The Magos & the Definitive Casebook of Gregor Eisenhorn on Amazon or as an audiobook on Audible; anything you buy via these links will help to support Track of Words.