Death Takes a Knight

by Sharon Lynn

When American intern Maddie McGuire receives an invitation to go sightseeing in Glastonbury, she expects a lot of things. An Arthurian knight floating in a pool at the Chalice Well, a broadsword through his chest, isn’t one of them. Maddie realizes that turning to the police only sets in motion a series of moves designed to frame her trusted companion for murder, knocking him off the board permanently. With her dashing boyfriend, Constable Edward Bailey, too close to the case to be allowed to investigate, it’s up to Maddie to figure out who the mastermind is that is forcing her to play a game of life and death.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2026

About the author

Sharon Lynn was raised in Arizona, but it was living in England as a teenager, and every return trip since that inspired the setting of her first novel. As a professor of theater, film, and writing she coaches and mentors aspiring artists. Her short stories can be found in anthologies from Malice Domestic and Desert Sleuths. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Author’s Guild. Please sign up for her news updates at www.sharonlwrites.com.

Death Takes a Bath, Sharon Lynn’s debut novel, was released in 2022 by Level Best Books. Sharon’s mystery short stories in anthologies by Malice Domestic include The Professor’s Lesson (2022), Final Curtain (2020); Carne Diem (2019) in the Anthony Award-winning Mystery Most Edible. Also, Death on Tap (2017) is featured in Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths’ anthology SoWest: Killer Nights. Sharon also has recipes and writing tips included in Recipes to Kill For.
Death on Tap and Carne Diem are available as standalone short stories on Kindle.

Reviews

[Anne Louise Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Sharon Lynn. I love that her heroine, Maddie McGuire, is getting savvier. Seeing the Cotswods through her eyes is also such a treat, and I couldn't put it down.

[Sherrill Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sharon Lynn’s Cotswold Crimes series even more than I love scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam! Death Takes a Knight, Book 4 in the series, brims with history, British culture, danger, romance, and intrigue. American student and reluctant amateur sleuth Maddie McGuire seems to be a corpse magnet, stumbling upon bodies without trying. She would rather focus on her internship at the ancient Roman Baths in Bath, England.

This time, Maddie and a friend find a skewered knight turning Glastonbury’s Chalice Well even bloodier—and she is certain the wrong person has been charged with the crime! As the frightening case unfolds, Maddie sustains injuries, is attacked by criminals, a hot poker, and explosions. But help comes from a dog/co-sleuth named Milo, the loving arms of her handsome police officer boyfriend, Edward, and other friends, common and aristocratic. Maddie’s clever chess theory sets the stage for a compelling story that sizzles and will have the reader hopping around the board until the last page. When will Book 5 be available?

[Christine DeSmet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definition of delightful, this fast-paced, often funny mystery features Maddie McGuire, a young U.S. archeological college student in England who stumbles onto a body at a historical site. The plot works well because Maddie’s innocence and newness to the area lead her to explore and collect fascinating clues that might otherwise be ignored. A cadre of suspects is balanced by interesting friends including an earnest young man on the local police force who happens to be Maddie’s romantic interest. While Maddie goes about sleuthing, the reader gets information about England that is integral to the plot but doesn’t overwhelm the fun escapades. In addition to a resident pet rabbit at the home where Maddie stays, it appears a rescued dog may stay around, too, for more books, adding to the appeal of this humorous series. Well-written and highly recommended as are all books in the Cotswold Crimes Mystery Series.

[Jeannée Sacken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like so many readers, I’m thrilled that Maddie McGuire is back for another Cotswold Crimes Mystery. Smart, quick thinking, and courageous—often too courageous for her own good—Maddie is an American archaeology student working at the Roman Baths and always up for helping her hunky constable boyfriend solve the latest murder. Not that he necessarily wants her help. So, of course, when she discovers an Arthurian knight dead in Glastonbury’s famed Chalice Well, she quickly comes up with suspects and theories, most of which are wrong. But eventually, she latches onto the right theory and bad guy only to put herself in the crosshairs of serious danger. A perfectly charming setting with a cast of quirky, yet sympathetic, characters, this cozy twists and turns from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down.

[Colleen Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy this series and am happy to report that this latest addition builds wonderfully on the previous books. Maggie McGuire is up to her old tricks of finding bodies as she goes about her daily life and Death Takes a Knight begins with her and a friend discovering a dead Knight floating in a pool at the Chalice Well. A reluctant sleuth, she nevertheless lives through danger, false leads and confusion to come out victorious in the end. Her cast of unique characters is what makes this series so enjoyable and especially Maggie's to-die-for boyfriend Constable Edward Bailey who seems surprisingly understanding about her knack for uncovering bodies. In Death Takes a Hike, I particularly enjoyed Milo, her canine companion. A great addition to the series!

[Carl Vonderau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Lynn has crafted another in this very entertaining mystery series with her delightful sleuth, Maddie McGuire. A man costumed as an Arthurian knight turns up murdered and her friend is accused of killing him. Maddie is too spirited to let that slide and immediately is hot on the trail of the killer. Her very understanding beau discourages her from pursuing it, but that only makes Maddie more determined than ever. Which leads her into more trouble. The book is filled with eccentric characters and snappy dialogue. It also tells interesting history about England and Roman archeology. This cozy story is nicely written with lots of twists and turns. And the main character is lots of fun. Don’t miss it, or the other books in the Cotswold Crimes Mystery Series.

[Margaret Mizushima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Takes a Knight is my favorite so far in Sharon Lynn’s Cotswold Crimes Mystery series. American intern Maddie McGuire is sightseeing in Glastonbury when a cosplaying Arthurian knight turns up dead in a pool at the Chalice Well. It’s obvious to her that her friend is being framed for the murder, which turns Maddie into sleuthing mode to find the true killer. It seems that trouble follows Maddie wherever she goes, and the relationship between her and her handsome policeman boyfriend, Edward Bailey, is sweet. The dialogue is clever, the characters quirky, and the prose lively. This is a unique cozy mystery that you won’t want to miss.

[Valerie Biel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each new entry in this series raises the bar, and Death Takes a Knight is a standout. The story unfolds with a delightfully twisty plot that showcases the author’s remarkable storytelling skill. What truly elevates the book, however, is the cast of characters—one of the most engaging ensembles in contemporary mystery. Their lively, intelligent banter had me laughing out loud one moment and leaning in to savor the subtlety of their exchanges the next. Beautifully written, skillfully plotted, and irresistibly entertaining—an absolute delight to read!

[Tracey Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read! This book has all my favorite things! England, Roman Baths, murder, chess references, King Arthur history, and a knight in shining armor. Ok, well, he's a dead knight. Maddie's escapades continue to intrigue me. She is funny at times, witty and so human as she stumbles across dead bodies, fumbles with English protocols, and is a good friend. Thanks for another great armchair-traveler read, Sharon Lynn.

[G.P. Gottlieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Lynn nails another charming, witty mystery starring a young American intern in England who stumbles into a game of life and death. She’s visiting Glastonbury, and although her friend is first to notice the dead knight, Maddie McGuire is first to imagine a mastermind behind increasingly frustrating and scary events.

[Laurie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smart, page-turning mystery, Death Takes a Knight hits every mark with a suspenseful, "stay-up-all-night" plot. Sharon Lynn excels at placing Maddie in impossible situations, forcing readers to feel every pulse-pounding moment. It’s a captivating, must-read addition to the series.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun lighthearted mystery with a cool setting