Siege of Heaven - Tapa dura

'Tom Harper writes with strident clarity in this epic tale of murder and betrayal, bloodshed and romance. Gripping from the first page, the reader is swept up in this colourful and convincing portrayal of an Emperor and his realm, under siege. Well-researched, and cinematic in its imagery, this is a fast-paced and exciting debut.' Ink. 'Tom Harper's speciality is a hitherto unvisited era in historical crime fiction- It's a world which Harper brings exuberantly to life, clearly revelling in its teeming, tumultuous extravagance.' Yorkshire Evening Post. 'Harper effortlessly draws the reader into the court intrigues and conspiracies of 11th-century Byzantium in his outstanding debut' Publishers' Weekly

This story is set in August, 1098. Having destroyed Kerbogha's army, the crusaders are at last secure in Antioch. But internal quarrels still consume them: Raymond and Bohemond are almost at war over who should possess the conquered city, and with Adhemar dead there is no-one with authority or inclination to enforce unity. Meanwhile, Demetrios Askiates longs to return home to his family. But he has come too far, and the only way home now leads through the holy city of Jerusalem. But first the Franks must be prised out of Antioch. With the princes deadlocked, Demetrios reluctantly enlists the help of the visionary preacher Peter Bartholomew, finder of the holy lance. When Peter rouses the peasants who make up the mass of the crusaders, the bickering princes are forced to listen, and the crusade at last sets out. But Peter is a dangerous ally, and his newfound power begins to derange him. A year after the capture of Antioch, the crusaders reach Jerusalem. And when at last, after a three-day onslaught, the city falls, Demetrios must find his family while the crusaders' journey reaches its terrible apotheosis in a nightmare of violence, bloodshed and slaughter.