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The Colour of Darkness

by Toni Mount

A Sebastian Foxley medieval murder mystery

MadeGlobal Publishing (26 July 2025)

Midsummer in medieval London brings not joy but fear—plague spreads, tempers flare, and danger stalks the streets. Amid fire, theft, and death, artist and reluctant sleuth Sebastian Foxley faces peril close to home.

When a beguiling woman casts a spell over the city and sinister wax dolls appear, panic and whispers of witchcraft follow. Sebastian must uncover the truth behind the chaos before it destroys those he loves.

The Colour of Darkness is the thirteenth book in the acclaimed Sebastian Foxley series. Based on meticulous historical research, the series brings the 15th century vividly to life. This instalment features compelling characters, including a cross-dressing male prostitute inspired by a real historical figure. Toni Mount, a historian from Gravesend, Kent, weaves real events—sometimes adapted—into richly atmospheric murder mysteries praised for their authenticity and engaging portrayal of medieval life.

Research Notes

My new book features compelling characters, including a cross-dressing male prostitute inspired by a real historical figure.

John (or Eleanor) Rykener, was a 14th-century sex worker arrested in December 1394 for performing a sex act in London's Cheapside, (close to Seb Foxley's home) while wearing female clothing. We know all about their life from this document which is the record of an interrogation made by the mayor of London after the arrest. Although never actually charged Rykener was questioned on two offences: prostitution and sodomy. Prostitutes were not usually arrested in London during this period, while sodomy was an offence against morality rather than common law and so normally dealt with by the church courts. Homosexuality was not a crime until Tudor times so the Mayor had nothing to charge him with.

During the interrogation John recalls that he spent some time living with a man as his wife and it was this snippet that led me to include him in my book

Illustration is from Corporation of London Records Office, Plea and Memoranda Roll A34 m2 1395 the interrogation of John Eleanor Rykener at The Guildhall, London, in December 1394 – January 1395