The Second Crusade: the Crusades

Fifteen years after the collapse of the Second Crusade, young Prince Dietrich is sent on a mission that may shape the future of his kingdom. At his dying father’s command, he must seek out three unlikely veterans—each carrying a brutal tale of loss, betrayal, and survival.

As Dietrich journeys across lands haunted by war, he begins to question everything: Why did the Crusade fail? What drove men to fight? And what truths lie with the devout Muslim warriors who stood against them?

But the past isn’t the only threat. A deadly conspiracy takes shape, forcing him into a game of intrigue and survival. What he uncovers will test his faith, loyalty, and understanding of honor—and may change his future in ways he never imagined.

Mark Butler is a veteran, historical fiction enthusiast, and longtime writer of epic, character-driven tales. The Second Crusade is his ninth novel in the Crusade series.