The Fabric of Murder by William Savage
Mr. Ashmole Foxe is something of an enigma in 1760 Norwich. He claims to be a bookseller, yet his shop, which stands next to his fine city house, is rarely open for business. He dresses in the most fashionable clothes, made from the finest materials. He is clearly a gentleman, well-educated and at ease in the company of peers and rich merchants, and his household includes a full complement of servants for a wealthy bachelor. Yet where his money comes from nobody knows.
How he spends his days is equally unclear. Every morning, he visits his favourite coffeehouse and walks in the city streets. After that, he is rarely seen. A few know that he finds time enough to enjoy the favours of the two Catt sisters, one a beautiful and popular actress in Norwich, the other the madam of the city's most expensive and fashionable bordello. No one knows what he does for the rest of the time.
So why, when a leading cloth merchant in the city is found murdered and disaster threatens Norwich's most important trade, do the mayor and aldermen turn at once to Mr. Foxe to solve the crime and rescue them from financial ruin?
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