Shakespeare’s Blood (Mercedes Mysteries 1)

Vacationing in Britain, Mercedes Maxwell discovers a corpse in an old castle. When her traveling companion is murdered soon afterward, Mercedes is shocked. She’s even more distressed when the police seem to suspect her. 
Later, the discovery of an old journal connects the two crimes, and Mercedes becomes determined to figure out its secrets. Soon she is spun into a world of terror. Desperate to get the journal, the killer chases her across Britain, leaving corpses posed as Shakespearean characters in his wake. 
By chance--or perhaps not--Mercedes meets Colm, a handsome actor who seems to want to protect her. Though she’s attracted to him, there’s something going on she doesn’t understand. As they travel England tracking down clues, the feeling Colm knows things he isn’t telling her won’t go away, and eventually she leaves him behind. There’s an odd-looking man following her as well, along with a woman who was probably once Colm’s lover. There’s also a young policeman who seems to want to help her but isn’t willing to step outside the law to do so. 
In Salisbury, England, Mercedes finds David, an elderly scholar who knows much of what she needs to find out. He wants to help solve the mystery--at least that’s what he says. 
Who can a girl trust when Spanish gold is involved? 
In this thriller you’ll meet ancient spies, learn the location of a huge cache of Spanish treasure, and, most amazing of all, uncover secrets of England’s greatest playwright: the truth of SHAKESPEARE’S BLOOD.