Mistress of the Art of Death (Mistress of the Art of Death, #1) by Ariana Franklin

Jan 27, 2012 Hayes rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012, tbr-challenge-2012

It was okay, I guess. Everyone I know adored it, so I guess I was expecting something different.

Another case of this:

We have Adelia, the woman doctor (she's blonde, too!), Mansur, the black assistant, and Simon, the Jewish investigator. *exasperated sigh*
At one point at the beginning of the book Adelia does an autopsy on three children and starts dictating her impressions to ~~Quincy~~ Sir Rowley, who writes them down on a slate. Oh, come on...

The second half of the book was better, but the resol...more

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Sep 20, 2008 Juushika rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: status-borrowed, genre-historical

Children are being kidnapped in Cambridge, England, and one body has been found; local Jews are being blamed for their deaths. In order to identify the true murderer, a doctor specializing in autopsies comes to Cambridge from Salernobut the doctor, Adelia, is female, and the year is 1171. A combination historical fiction and crime drama, Mistress of the Art of Death is a mediocre example of both: anachronisms litter the 12th Century setting, and the detective work is adequately plotted but unex...more Children are being kidnapped in Cambridge, England, and one body has been found; local Jews are being blamed for their deaths. In order to identify the true murderer, a doctor specializing in autopsies comes to Cambridge from Salernobut the doctor, Adelia, is female, and the year is 1171. A combination historical fiction and crime drama, Mistress of the Art of Death is a mediocre example of both: anachronisms litter the 12th Century setting, and the detective work is adequately plotted but unexceptional and forgettable. Hundreds of weaknesses dot the text, and as such I was neither pleased nor disappointed by this book: although readable, it's not good and it's far from memorable, and I don't recommend it.

There are a number of reviews that discuss the anachronisms that fill this book. I rarely read historical fiction and know little about this time period, but I still saw these inaccuracies and found them to be distracting. Adelia is intended to be a doctor before her time, whose education and perception have made her aware of things that others are far from realizing. When Adelia amazes us once or twice, she is an intelligent, compelling character; when there is a constant stream of minor miracles (boiling water, disinfecting wounds, bathing, eating salads, diagnosing cholera and obesity, using opiates as painkillers and sleep aids) the character is instead rendered foolishly impossible and the historical setting is destroyed. This is, on the whole, how Franklin writes her book: she makes attempts at various aspects--a historical setting, character creation, romance, a murder mystery--and then foils her own plans in a variety of little weaknesses and errors. No one of these foibles is huge, and even together they don't strictly ruin the book, but they do weaken it. The suspense of the mystery is mocked when the shadowy suspect is called "it" or the killer's face is revealed and recognized--but the killer's name is withheld until the last sentence of the chapter. The unlikely romance becomes entirely unbelievable after a mess of miscommunication and assumptions. Adelia is a forward-thinking female and an impeccable doctor despite her time period--except that viewing corpses still drives her to distraction. The villain is truly horrific, but that there is no motivation for his evil except than he is "sick." Even the writing style is on the whole competent, until it is interrupted by unexplained Latin and French phrases or changes in point of view or preposition use.

Despite all of these hundred little complaints, the book is not actually bad. The various aspects still function, the book is still readable and interesting, and on the whole it is competent if not wholly satisfying. In fact, if only one or two of the aspects were faulted, this book may even verge on good. After all, the premise has potential, and Adelia's (generally) rational, cool characterization makes her an unusual and compelling hero. Instead, the fact that every aspect lacks something, every aspect is somehow weak, makes this novel not good, not bad, but entirely mediocre. The strengths are perfectly balanced by these errors, and the result is a text so unmemorable that it is difficult to review--because I have no strong opinions one way or the other, and don't want to turn my thoughts to it. In a world with so many books that are worth reading and enjoying, I can't recommend one that I can barely think on two days after completing. By all means, if you want to, then do read this book. It goes swiftly and holds attention, and there is a certain amount of satisfaction in following the murder mystery to its conclusion (although even this is dampened by a too-long epilogue). It is wiser to borrow the book than buy it because it has limited reread potential. But I don't and can't recommend Mistress of the Art of Death, and ultimately I was disappointed--not because the book is poor, but because it is entirely mediocre, and left me with no redeeming factors to take away and enjoy.(less)

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Aug 25, 2008 Gary rated it 5 of 5 stars

Start with Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales." Throw in a cameo of a calculating and brash King Henry II straight from "The Lion in Winter." Add some medieval mystery on par with Umberto Eco's groundbreaking "The Name of the Rose". And finish it off with the forensics of "CSI", and you'll have some appreciation for Ariana Franklin's remarkable achievement in "Mistress of the Art of Death", a fresh and inspired twist of historical fiction and crime thriller, a blockbuster of murder and mayhem told thro...more Start with Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales." Throw in a cameo of a calculating and brash King Henry II straight from "The Lion in Winter." Add some medieval mystery on par with Umberto Eco's groundbreaking "The Name of the Rose". And finish it off with the forensics of "CSI", and you'll have some appreciation for Ariana Franklin's remarkable achievement in "Mistress of the Art of Death", a fresh and inspired twist of historical fiction and crime thriller, a blockbuster of murder and mayhem told through lively, darkly humorous prose that is as educational as it is entertaining.

The setting is 12th century England. King Henry II, still smarting from the Church's reaction to the murder of archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket, is anxious to get to the bottom of the grisly murders of four children in Cambridge. The Cambridge townspeople, steeped in superstition and New Testament legend, blame the murders on the local Jewish population, who are banished to Cambridge Castle for protection against a mob bent on retribution. The wily Henry, coming to the Jews defense not from love but for the sake of continued tax revenue from his affluent moneylenders, reaches out for help from his cousin, the King of Sicily, and Italy's renowned medical school in Salerno. In response to this request, Adelia, a talented young female doctor in "the art of death" - essentially the forensics of the time - is sent to assist. In a time when women barely rate above stable animals and medical treatment is limited by an overwhelmingly powerful to relics and prayer, Adelia faces not only the formidable task of tracking down a serial killer who is obviously still on the loose, but also overcoming ignorance and prejudice in cracking a case of unthinkable evil. Notwithstanding some anachronisms - some noted and others ignored - Franklin delivers her tale with the historical authority of Edward Rutherford or Bernard Cornwell, while told in dialogue as engaging as Grisham, Forsythe, or Follett at the tops of their games. I found myself glued to the top notch "whodunit", while at the same time captivated by the vivid period detail and political intrigue of the time.

If this is not the best new fiction of 2007, it is certainly among the most original as it takes more than a few unsuspected twists in getting to a climax that is as insightful, ironic, and intelligent as it is white-knuckled. Well done, Ms. Franklin!(less)

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Sep 03, 2007 Beth (moonivy) rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: historical fiction/mystery fans.

Read 8/23-8/29/07

Mistress of the Art of Death tells the tale of Adelia, a "doctor to the dead" in the 12th century. Dispatched from her academic existence at the University of Salerno to medieval Cambridge to investigate the gruesome death of four
children, Adelia is forced to hide her true identity and attempt to blend in with the provincial English folk. Alternately horrified and fascinated, Adelia struggles to fulfill her mission, dodging danger and deceit at every turn, and maintain her sens...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Richard rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was a group read on LibraryThing...The Highly Rated Book Group sponsored it, with the game-though-gravid Vintage_Books leading us through some very trenchant questions about our impressions of both the book and the world it's set in...and thank goodness for that! It's a lot more fun to read a book in a group of like-minded people, ones who read on multiple levels like our brethren and sistern here on this site.

Adelia Vesuvia, our sleuth, is a forensic physician in a time when I didn't...more This book was a group read on LibraryThing...The Highly Rated Book Group sponsored it, with the game-though-gravid Vintage_Books leading us through some very trenchant questions about our impressions of both the book and the world it's set in...and thank goodness for that! It's a lot more fun to read a book in a group of like-minded people, ones who read on multiple levels like our brethren and sistern here on this site.

Adelia Vesuvia, our sleuth, is a forensic physician in a time when I didn't know such existed. The twelfth century is a time period I find extremely fascinating. I've read a fair bit about this time, focusing on English and French history and the Crusades (those horrific events!); Catholic Church history at this time, when the schism from Eastern Orthodoxy was new and the invention of religious primacy in matters of the state was being consolidated, is also an interest of mine.

This book's evocation of that time is appealing to me precisely because it's relatively new to my somewhat jaded sensibilities. Salerno as the primary focus of Western medicine is a well-trodden path; the fact that Salernitan physicians could be women is not well-trodden, and the simple IDEA of forensics in this time...! Irresistable pulls for me, the historian-who-hated-school.

So I was disposed from the giddy-up to like the book. The author's execution was the primary unknown quantity for me. I am thrilled and delighted with the execution because the characters, while displaying anachronistic ideas and ideals, are quite believably constructed and supplied with plausible motivations for their divergent social attitudes. I can willingly suspend my disbelief at every turn where the story requires me to do so. That's very high praise from me!

Characterization, in a series mystery, is make-or-break. Do I, the reader, like this group of people enough to continue inviting them out to dinner? (The price of a hardcover book being equivalent to the price of an entree at a tablecloth restaurant; the trade paper to an entree at Applebee's or TGIFriday's; the rack-size to a value meal at the local McDonald's; which restaurant am I willing to take these characters to?) The answer, while unique to each individual, is the source of the publisher's and author's income. It behooves all parties to the preparation and publication of a mystery to consider this. The good people at Putnam, now a tentacle of the Penguin empire, have done a very very good job of making this assessment and bringing a solid, interesting cast of regulars to my table at Le Cirque.

Sir Rowley, Adelia Vesuvia's English suitor, is a fine example. He's three dimensional in his pursuit of her, not simply presented as out to get some one thing; I think of some of the characters in Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael mysteries as contrasts to this quality of characterization. We're given to understand that Sir Rowley has goals and ambitions that Adelia Vesuvia can both forward and threaten in equal measure. His ultimate place in her life, and her in his, isn't a foregone conclusion. Both characters are presented as struggling with what the other means to them on multiple planes. That's just plain good storytelling. It will keep me buying hardcovers as long as Franklin keeps doing it.

The minor characters, eg Gyltha the housekeeper and Mansur the Moor, are deftly drawn as well. They don't, in contrast to many series mysteries, come across as convenient mouth-pieces for the author's needed plot developments. (*cough*PhryneFisher'sDot*cough*)

Finally, the integration of real political developments like Henry II's move to take control of the Church's legal framework in his empire, is seamless enough to take a moment to recall as factual instead of created. It's necessary to move this plot forward. But it's also the historical reality. Well done, madam! Seldom achieved in fiction, still less the less-respected "genre" fiction that mysteries are published as.

This is a four-and-a-half star recommended book. Sally forth and procure it from yon bookery. (less)

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Oct 20, 2008 Alison Looney rated it 3 of 5 stars

Being a feminist reader of historical fiction is to invite inner turmoil. Excessively plucky female characters seem inaccurate. Some are constantly winking at the reader, as if to say, "after graduating with my degree in women's studies, I opted to spend a few months time traveling so I could offer enlightened commentary on unenlightened times. I hope you appreciate my presence in your book!"

But, without those characters, I'd be even more annoyed (and depressed) by the frighteningly woman-unfrie...more

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Nov 14, 2009 Aimee rated it 5 of 5 stars

In coming to the decision to purchase this book, Mistress of the Art of Death, I did my background research first. I visited a fair few blogs that had reviewed the book, and found that the reviews were so entirely positive that I couldn't wait to get my grubby paws on the book myself. The bloggers were not wrong (thank the gods). This novel is a gloriously delicious read.

Set in the Middle Ages as a medieval mystery, our protagonist has been asked to travel to Cambridge (United Kingdom) from the...more In coming to the decision to purchase this book, Mistress of the Art of Death, I did my background research first. I visited a fair few blogs that had reviewed the book, and found that the reviews were so entirely positive that I couldn't wait to get my grubby paws on the book myself. The bloggers were not wrong (thank the gods). This novel is a gloriously delicious read.

Set in the Middle Ages as a medieval mystery, our protagonist has been asked to travel to Cambridge (United Kingdom) from the Middle East, to research the mystery behind a group of local children who have been tortured to death and mutilated in a similar manner to one another. Short in stature, Dr. Vesuvia Adelia Rachel Ortese Aguilar of Salerno is a strange and unlikely heroine, and a Doctor of the Dead, meaning she is a medically-qualified examiner of dead bodies. Fiesty and scientifically-minded, Dr. Aguilar has little other choice than to work undercover, considering this is medieval England where female doctors are few and far between because of society's view of women. Add to this the fact that she can apparently derive messages from the bodies of the dead and Dr Aguilar's the perfect candidate to be accused of witchcraft and set to burning. And so, under the wing of her valiant protector and old friend Simon of Naples, Dr. Aguilar acts as the servant assistant to her own Arab slave, Mansur, who plays the role of 'Doctor' to all external prying eyes.

As a particularly valuable doctor's assistant, our headstrong protagonist struggles with the case of the mutilated kidlets on both a personal and professional level, and her search for the killer becomes more and more desperate, as further children are picked off by an unknown murderous beast. But could the animal be closer than she thinks?

I read this book in one sitting. That in itself should alert you to how much I enjoyed this read, considering I have the attention span of a gnat when the book waives from awesomeness for longer than a few pages. And the book is 507 pages long. So, I think you'll agree - no mean feat.

The reason it's such a robust dish of perverse playfulness, I believe, boils down to the expert writing. It's a perfect balance of detail and sparseness, and makes you forget that this medieval period could have been a bit boring for the casual reader of history. That's if anyone less expert had written this book. In fact, the style reminds me a bit of another little masterpiece, Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth (little?! Hah!), although Mistress of the Art of Death is less focused on lifetimes and more focused on moments. It's what makes a fast-paced story, I guess! If you like the sound of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales with a splash of The Da Vinci Code then this book is for you.

Besides being a cracker of a crime thriller, Mistress of the Art of Death is an intensely satisfying historical read too. There are so many paths this book could explore further - the persistence of a little disease called 'cholera', Jewish/Islamic/Christian fireworks, gallant knights returning from crusade, scientific enlightenment intruding on religious fervour, corrupt and ignorant priors and prioresses...the list is extensive. YES, I will admit - there are some historical follies rather than facts, but I promise you the story's entertainment will have the most uptight historian turning a blind eye to its mistakes. And as it's set in the period when mighty Plantaganet Henry II was occupying the throne, the author puts a fascinatingly rare and positive spin on the reign of a king who has only been known to history for commanding the murder of Thomas Becket, the then Archbishop of Canterbury.

If you really want though, you can go barging past all this historical 'nonsense', and there's still a bloody good read to be found under the rubble.

As for characterisation, Dr Aguilar herself is amazing - I don't quite understand, being a hopeless romantic myself, why I am drawn to this woman who has 'no time for love' and little time to be emotionally swayed by the horror of the children's tortured bodies. She is so far beyond the submissive sterotype of a Middle Eastern woman it seems to make perfect sense to put her into a doctor's role in the middle of the 12th century. She is fighting against prejudices that not even modern time can necessarily remedy, but of course as it is with the most admirable women of sense, strength and integrity guard inner empathy and vulnerable hope. And yes, for all the romanciphiles out there - there're a few heated moments for your imagination to enjoy.

For true lovers of crime fiction, some of the twists aren't all that surprising, but it'll still keep you entertained for long enough to see if you figured out the clues correctly. If you're not into crime fiction this doubles as a fantastic historical fiction novel as well - just don't take it too seriously. If you're a fan of neither genre, I still challenge you not to enjoy this book.

Yep, I gobbled this book up, and then licked each of my fingers afterwards. It's that good.

Rating: 5 perfectly scrumptious stars for Mistress of the Art of Death.
(less)

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Mar 24, 2009 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

You know what I have really missed in my life? A Librarian. Not a librarian, small l, but a Librarian - that mystical, magical woman who watches what you read, and what you check out again and again, and who one day says to you: "You know what? I think you'd like THIS."

I like THIS. It's a mystery, set in medieval Cambridge; its heroine is a doctor, no, a coroner; there's a big mystery about murdered children (the Jews are being accused!), and also a charming (and unlikely) romance to add to the...more

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Jan 05, 2009 TonyAlmeida rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Whoever loves historical fiction

Shelves: authors-uk, historical-fiction, language-portuguese, libraries, read-2009, 13th-century, middle-ages

Um livro a medida daqueles que gostam de ler um romance histórico.

Tal como diz a autora na nota final do livro, escrever um romance histórico, em particular quando a acção decorre no século XII, pode ser complicado e por vezes os anacronismos se tornam inevitáveis. Alguns foram introduzidos voluntariamente para permitir uma melhor leitura do texto (que raio! não é um livro de História), outros poderão ter sido colocados inadvertidamente. Em qualquer dos casos, a compreensão da Idade Média não fi...more Um livro a medida daqueles que gostam de ler um romance histórico.

Tal como diz a autora na nota final do livro, escrever um romance histórico, em particular quando a acção decorre no século XII, pode ser complicado e por vezes os anacronismos se tornam inevitáveis. Alguns foram introduzidos voluntariamente para permitir uma melhor leitura do texto (que raio! não é um livro de História), outros poderão ter sido colocados inadvertidamente. Em qualquer dos casos, a compreensão da Idade Média não ficou a perder por causa do enredo deste romance.

Em poucas palavras, o romance é uma espécie de "CSI", em que Adelia, uma médica especialista em "interpretar os mortos", é solicitada para acompanhar a investigação do assassinato de várias crianças na cidade de Cambridge. Os judeus, conhecidos por sacrificarem crianças, são imediatamente tidos como culpados pela população que pretende fazer justiça pelas suas próprias mãos (muito habitual na altura, pelos vistos). Qual é o problema: os judeus são precisamente a principal fonte de rendimento para a coroa inglesa, pelo que Henrique II não vê com bons olhos a eventualidade de perder dinheiro, não sem antes apurar a verdade por detrás das mortes que têm ensombrado aquela comunidade inglesa. E ainda por cima, tudo leva a crer que o judeus nada terão a ver com os crimes...

Uma narrativa fluída e nada aborrecida, onde falha na previsibilidade de algumas acções - digamos que uma história que envolve a morte de crianças e que coloca bem no meio do enredo uma criança que acompanha a personagem principal dá para perceber rapidamente o que pode vir a acontecer - mas que ganha algum interesse devido à reviravolta final (que também não é nenhuma surpresa, uma vez que o leitor já tinha sido previamente informado de tudo o que é dito, no entanto a forma quase hipnótica como é feito deixa-nos agarrados ao livro).

Apenas uma ressalva sem grande importância sobre o enredo: o tradução do título do livro. Sendo título original "The Mistress of the Art of Death", que está em perfeita sintonia com a história que é narrada, eu gostava de saber que é que teve a ideia peregrina de traduzir para "O Anjo da Morte". Mais uma daquelas que nem lembra ao diabo. Vá lá, vá lá, a tradução do texto não é má.(less)

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Aug 18, 2012 Cory rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: historical fiction & crime fans

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery, crime, medieval, 4-stars, reviewed

When I bought this book in our local bookstore it was handed to me with the words "Good choice! It's a GREAT book!" by the cashier.
Needless to say I expected a lot from it.
As a fan of historical fiction I love these kind of books: Give me some medieval turbulences mixed with some well thought-out crime, a little bit of romance but PLEASE not too much of it and I'm happy!
Fortunately I didn't get disappointed at all!
Unfortunately it took me far too long to finish this book, which totally was all...more

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Oct 08, 2011 Deborah Coates rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book!

I'd looked at it a couple of times and thought it wasn't a book for me. It's a mystery, which I always like, but a woman doctor in the 12th century in England seemed not my sort of thing. But it was! It was totally my thing. It has lush writing and terrific interesting characters and an off-beat romance. The mystery wasn't terribly mysterious, but it was a pleasure getting there.

The characters are well-drawn and sympathetic and the author takes her time introducing them and show...more

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Oct 02, 2011 Jackleen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: catholic-church, england, thriller, historical-mystery, middle-ages, medical, 1200s, favorites

Four and a half stars.
A historical thriller, The Mistress of the Art of Death, will rival modern day forensic medicine novels. The story combines medieval England in the 1200 century, crusader knights, questionable nuns, suspicious monks, and, a sly King Henry II, not to mention, four horribly mutilated dead children and the Jewish community that stands accused of these atrocities. The people of Cambridge believe the Jews have crucified their children in a passover rite. Then, add to this explos...more Four and a half stars.
A historical thriller, The Mistress of the Art of Death, will rival modern day forensic medicine novels. The story combines medieval England in the 1200 century, crusader knights, questionable nuns, suspicious monks, and, a sly King Henry II, not to mention, four horribly mutilated dead children and the Jewish community that stands accused of these atrocities. The people of Cambridge believe the Jews have crucified their children in a passover rite. Then, add to this explosive situation, the main character, Adelia, a woman Italian doctor, unusual in itself considering the times, who further specializes as a mistress of the art of death, the for runner to a pathologist or forensic medical examiner. An occupation not for the faint of heart.
Specializing in forensic anatomy, Adelia, works in this select area of medicine that is beyond most men, never mind a young woman, and excels. This chosen occupation is all well and good for Adelia, while working under the protection of the King of Sicily in the open minded cosmopolitan city of Salerno, a medical mecca of it's time. However, Adelia professional security is about to be altered in unforeseen ways. At the request of Henry II, who grieves for his lost income from his rich Jews, if not for the poor tortured children, The King of Sicily sends his best Master of the art of death, Adelia. However, Cambridge, England, is not forward in it's thinking, and Adelia must hide her talents, for fear of being taken as a witch. Joined in this espionage, is Simon of Naples, a top rate investigator and a Jew himself, sent to save the Jewish population of Cambridge, now holed up in the castle, in constant danger of attack from the town folk, outraged by the attacks on their children. The third party in this team is the Muslim eunuch, Mansur, Adelia's servant and protector, who becomes, to his surprise, the community doctor, to deflect the suspicions of the community from Adelia.
The three setup shop as a medical team, with Mansur as Doctor and Adelia as his assistant, while investigating the many potential murders found within the small town. The number of potential suspects is startling high, and includes prominent citizens of Cambridge, making caution the byword of Adelia, Mansur and Simon. As the three willow down the suspects, Sir Rowley Picot, a former Crusader knight, friendly and attractive, pops up unexpectedly and repeatedly at the sites of investigation, inducing both suspicion and unwanted feelings within Adelia. Rowley offers frequent aid and support within this difficult investigation and soon learns of Adelia'a secret skills. Questioning Roley's motives, Adelia, normally set apart from her colleagues in Salerno and even lonelier here in England, is confused about being attracted to a potential murder suspect.
Unexpected deaths and unexpected alliances add to the solid plot of a very good crime novel. Set within the historical backdrop of Cambridge, England and packed with many well sketched characters, The Mistress of the Art of Death is an Excellent who done it with class.
In addition, Ariana Franklin presents a vary valid reason for Henry II argument and subsequent murder of Archbishop Thomas of Canterbury that is both surprising yet so completely sensible that the reader can not help but have one of those light bulb moments so rare in literature.
The only detraction for this novel is the confusing number of characters that are thrust upon the reader within the first 30 pages. The initial flipping back and forth, to determine 'who is this again', cost Franklin the half star. But, reader be patient because once Franklin hits her stride in this book, you will be carried along in a surprisingly good top notch story. And, like all good detective stories, the ending is a complete surprise. So no peaking at the end. (less)

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Nov 15, 2011 Jamie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-mystery, medieval, historical-fiction

This is an intriguing medieval murder mystery, set in Cambridge, England during the reign of Henry II. Several children have been gruesomely murdered, and the townspeople are blaming the local Jews. Henry is disturbed by the interruption of his revenue stream, so he sends for a medical expert to investigate the deaths and exonerate the Jews.

No one expects a female expert, of course, even if Adelia hails from the famous medical school in Salerno. We get to see how medieval Englishmen are even mor...more

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Feb 23, 2011 Marleen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

'The Mistress of the Art of Death' is a riveting read. It took me a while to get into it though. In my opinion that’s partly due to me being a Dutch native speaker and having to adjust the author’s sophisticated and skillful use of the English language, but once I was fully immersed, I couldn't put it down. The story really kicks off after what happens the night of the Grantchester feast (if you read it, you'll know what I mean), and from there on I read it in one night and into the early mornin...more

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Jul 01, 2011 Esther rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-mooches, mystery-thriller, historical, jewish-israeli, 2011, 2011-from-my-own-shelf, lent, england, given-away

I both enjoyed and was dissappointed by this story.

I'm sure this book was originally recommended to me because of the Jewish aspect but although they did provide a little (a lot less than I expected) background colour, for the most part I felt their inclusion was a Macguffin, useful in that the frequent historical Blood Libels gave the author a good excuse for gory child murder.

I also found Adelia's character a little flat and distant. She kept telling me how she felt about things but I rarely...more

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May 05, 2011 Chrissie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, european-royalty, hf, kirkus, text-checked, not-finished

I started this 5 days ago. I was worried from the start that it would not be my cup of tea. For five days my head is telling me: Be patient! Don't be rash. Give this book a chance. You know those books that you cannot put down? Well this belongs instead with those books that you cannot motivate yourself to pick up. That is how it has been for me. Now this is only my opinion, and I am pretty darn sure that I am the "odd ball out" here! Why? Well because generally I do not like crime stories, but...more

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Apr 18, 2008 Annie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008_books

Despite the authors note at the back about the importance of historical authenticity, this book didn't seem historically authentic at all. Jewish-raised, Greek foundling, Sicilian female doctor in 12th century England unmasks a serial-killing sexual deviant, hangs out with Henry II, and endears herself to everyone around (except the serial-killing sexual deviant...SPOILER!)? Wouldn't it be better to just say: I know this situation is totally implausible, but the setting is historically accurate?...more

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Mar 26, 2008 Meagan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I almost didn't get this book. Rather, I almost didn't let Chris buy me this book. I wasn't sure of the present tense opening and the first person view of "we." However, this is only how the book begins (and ends.) In between is something that I would describe very much like reading an episode of CSI, only more enchanting.

The story takes place in 1170 in Cambridge. (The author uses the modern name for clarity.) Our heroine is a female doctor, something very rare, only practiced in Salerno, and l...more I almost didn't get this book. Rather, I almost didn't let Chris buy me this book. I wasn't sure of the present tense opening and the first person view of "we." However, this is only how the book begins (and ends.) In between is something that I would describe very much like reading an episode of CSI, only more enchanting.

The story takes place in 1170 in Cambridge. (The author uses the modern name for clarity.) Our heroine is a female doctor, something very rare, only practiced in Salerno, and looked down upon. Even by some in Salerno. At any rate she is also a doctor of death. She examines bodies of the dead to determine how they have died.

But, back to Cambridge.
Awful murders are taking place. Children have gone missing only to be discovered later dead and horribly mutilated. The king demands an expert and he is sent Adeila, a very modernized woman in a very not so modern time, and Simon, a "fixer" or rather, a detective.
We follow them and Mansur (her manservant/body guard who must pose as the doctor giving orders in Arabic) and an assorted other characters after the evidence and to a startling conclusion.

Though at times the narration is in a way brief, (in someways if felt more like reading a script, and later knowledge gained I can attribute this to the author being a former reporter) it is very engaging. The deeper I got into the story the more reluctant I was to set it down.

I would not call this a mystery book, although there is a mystery to be solved certainly, nor would I call it a thriller. It hangs delicately in between the two and manages to be intelligent, insightful, and while at some moments predictable, still surprising.

I recommend it to anyone not scared of a little dark literature and the amusing banter between a love/hate love affair that, though it seems both reluctant and suddenly, does ensue. Also if you like to think, try and figure it out I also recommend it. Besides the evidence that they discuss in the book and is laid out for us and clearly marked "evidence" there are also many subtle hints that lets you play detective yourself, however the book is enjoyed both by searching it and not.

In fact my only real complaint about the book is the issue of the affair. While brought upon suddenly (as the great ones always are) and with such respect! it also, sadly, is left suddenly. Though its conclusion/continuance is hinted at I was expecting something more clear from a story that otherwise ties everything up in a neat little bow around a particularly messy package and a sadly truthful message.

That aside very enjoyable, I recommend it.
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Apr 09, 2008 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: CSI fans, historical fiction, crusade fiction, 11th century Europe, Medieval Murder Mystery

Shelves: adult-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The story was slow getting started and excruciatingly slow wrapping up. However, the middle 250 pages or so engaged me in a fun and absorbing Medieval mystery. Another reviewer had said that this book is like CSI for the Middle Ages, and I tend to agree. The general plot was episodic, with quick witty dialogue by a sassy female detective, and a gushy romance story laced in between. Much research went into this novel, creating a detailed history lesson about forensic science, the Crusades, and th...more

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Jan 19, 2008 Coffcat rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm not normally a big fan of mysteries but since this book seemed so different I gave it a shot.

First of all I was surprisingly pleased about the lack of descriptions of the people in the book. While there were a few adjectives here or there, you (as a reader) weren't bombarded with a complete description of every character from the tops of their heads to their toes. I was delighted to be able to use my imagination for a change. I think the only thing I knew...more I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm not normally a big fan of mysteries but since this book seemed so different I gave it a shot.

First of all I was surprisingly pleased about the lack of descriptions of the people in the book. While there were a few adjectives here or there, you (as a reader) weren't bombarded with a complete description of every character from the tops of their heads to their toes. I was delighted to be able to use my imagination for a change. I think the only thing I knew of the main character was that she was short, blond haired, and had horrible fashion sense. Same with the other characters, you had a basic sense of hair color, height and body shape. It was fun :) Unfortunately there has been a tendency, especially with romance novels, to completely describe every stitch of clothing a character was wearing while (in my opinion) just saying that someone was well dressed would have been a suitable alternative. I just don't feel that I need a history of clothing every time I pick up a book.

I also enjoyed the depth of the characters. While I didn't feel like I understood the heart and soul of each person, I felt that the thoughts and emotions of each character were perfectly given for each moment in the book. I never felt like I was guessing. I also liked how the main character stayed true throughout the book, sometimes authors like to change a character midway through a book just for a plot twist. That tends to bug me, makes me feel like I've been tricked with a bait and switch.

The one thing that disappointed me about this book is that the last tiny bit of the book seemed rushed. Everything was tidied up and seemed to leave no chance of a sequel to the story (which I found out later that there is a second book).

All in all though I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a nice solid book to read. The story was good, the characters interesting and the setting unique.
In the mean time if you enjoy this book and would like something similar, you might try a book called Elegant Witch by Robert Neill (the English version is called Mist over Pendle). It's an older book-but of similar vein.

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Dec 10, 2007 LJ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, historical, england, middle_ages_5th_cent-1558, female_author, 1100s

MISTRESS OF THE ART OF DEATH (Historical-Adelia Aguilar-England-1170) – Ex
Franklin, Ariana (aka Diana Norman) – 1st in series
Bantam Press, 2007, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 9780593056493
First Sentence: Here they come.
*** A child has been murdered and residents in Cambridge claim he was crucified by the Jews. The Jews provide Henry II with a large part of his revenue and requires that the real killer be quickly found. From Naples come Simon of Naples, an renowned investigator, Mansur the Saracen, and a...more

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May 07, 2008 Matthew rated it 3 of 5 stars

Not my usual fare, this historical fiction was recommended to me by a guy standing next to me in the bookstore while I was looking for a fantasy novel. I'm not sure why he thought that my looking for a book about elves meant connected with a historical fiction piece about a women doctor investigating a serial child killer in the time of Henry II but it worked out pretty well.

Although he doesn't make many appearances in the book I was very amused and pleased by the portrayal of Henry. Reminded me...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Kerri rated it 4 of 5 stars

A thriller/mystery set in 12th century England under the reign of Henry II. This murder mystery follows Adelia, a female forensic pathologist, summoned from Salerno, Italy to help discover a serial killer in Cambridgeshire. Adelia uses her medical knowledge to track down the monster who has brutally tortured and murdered four children. This deadly pursuit is complicated by the fact that autopsies are considered sacrilegious as is attending to sick people unless you are a cleric.....any woman ten...more

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Jan 25, 2009 Bonny rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mysteries, cultures, forensic-science, historical-fiction

Historical fiction that grabs your interest and holds on to it! A murder investigation set in the time of Henry the second where the investigators are as diverse and creative as the cultures they come from. Together they form an eclectic team using cunning, psycholohy and the very beginning of the art of forensic science.

A captivating read!

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Apr 11, 2009 itpdx rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An interesting and fun read. The book is set in Middle Ages in England. Henry II of England has requested from his friend, the King of Sicily, an investigator and, what we would call today, a pathologist to investigate the murder of one child and the disappearance of three others. The Cambridge locals have decided that the local Jews are responsible for the murders. The team that arrives consists of Simon, the Investigator and a Jew, Adelia, a pathologist trained in Salerno, and Mansur her body...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Lorna added it · review of another edition

If you like Ellis Peters' Cadfael novels, or any other medieval murder mystery, you'll like this - not surprisingly as it was a winner of the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Award.

Set in twelfth-century Cambridge, the story begins with the appointment of a young woman called Adelia to investigate the murder of a young boy. Adelia hails from Sicily, possibly the one place at the time where it's possible for a woman to become a doctor. Adelia's specialism is as a 'mistress of the art of death' - or, i...more

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Apr 20, 2010 Joyce Lagow rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

The time is 1170-1171 C.E., after the disastrous civil war between Maude and Stephen that left England shattered, and well into the reign of Maude's son, Henry II, a year after the murder of Thomas Beckett. [return][return]In Cambridge, children are disappearing, turning up brutally murdered. Since the first child was murdered at Easter time, the townspeople are whipped into a frenzy against the Jews with the cries of "Ritual murder." Two Jews are dead at the hands of the mob; the others have fl...more The time is 1170-1171 C.E., after the disastrous civil war between Maude and Stephen that left England shattered, and well into the reign of Maude's son, Henry II, a year after the murder of Thomas Beckett. [return][return]In Cambridge, children are disappearing, turning up brutally murdered. Since the first child was murdered at Easter time, the townspeople are whipped into a frenzy against the Jews with the cries of "Ritual murder." Two Jews are dead at the hands of the mob; the others have fled to safety in the sheriff's castle, where they are protected; Henry, an enlightened ruler for his time, has guaranteed the safety of the Jews in England because, practical ruler that he is, he realizes how much revenue the Jews produce for the royal coffers.[return][return]Tax-paying citizens cooped up inside of castles are not revenue-producing citizens, so Henry consults with a friendly ruler to solve the problem.[return][return]Salerno, in the Kingdom of Sicily, is a sophisticated, multi-racial, multi-cultural city that is a seat of learning, with the most advanced medical school in Europe. Not only are all races and religions tolerated, but the school certifies women as physicians as well. In addition to physicians to the living, Salerno also trains physicians to the dead--Masters of the Art of Death--or what we would call pathologists today. One such is Adelia, foster daughter of two of Salerno's most notable physicians, and a teacher in her own right. She is suddenly ordered by the King of Sicily to go to England accompanied by a Jewish diplomat/spy/fixer in the royal pay and her personal bodyguard, a Saracen. [return][return]That's the back story/ summary of an outstanding medieval mystery. Franklin's command of the history of the era just shines on practically every page--not obtrusive, just enriching the story enormously. For example, those who have read Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth have one view of the murder of Thomas Beckett and the Church's reaction. Franklin presents Henry's point of view--and it's germane to the plot.[return][return]Her character are very well drawn, each with a distinctive voice. What makes them even more interesting is that, while they are many things--brave, fearful, fanatical, hate-filled, indifferent, practical--they are never solemn. Franklin has a light-hearted touch with her characters and it is extremely appealing. Adelia is a great protagonist--a tough, strong woman, easily irritated by the fools of the world, demanding--yet tender of her living patients and grimly protective of her dead ones. She's a complex character with a sense of humor.[return][return]And that's another trait of Franklin's writing--there are truly funny sections in a pretty brutal story. In fact, there are parts of the story that animal lovers in particular will find a little heavy-going. But Franklin both remains true to the era and also handles those scenes with surprising delicacy. She knows her audience.[return][return]The plot is very good but it's hard to separate it out from the ambience of the historical period, and it probably can't be done. What makes the book different and compelling are the characters who are perfectly embedded in their time and place.[return][return]There's a surprising amount of exposition in one part of the story--pages of it--but it's a tribute again to Franklin's writing and her sure grasp of the era that not only doesn't it slow the story down but it also is compelling in its own right--that section is in itself a real page-turner.[return][return]This is the first of a projected series. Both the circumstances and the characters, some of whom are non-recurring, combined to make this an exciting beginning. It remains to be seen if Franklin can carry on to such a high standard. But meanwhile, this is a not-to-be-missed book for fans of the genre. Highly recommended.(less)

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Mar 23, 2009 April Hamilton rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Review based on Audible audiobook.

This is the tale of a female forensics doctor living in the 1100's, long before the days of coroners or even much understanding of how the human body works, called from Salerno to Cambridge to help catch a child killer. The many criticisms I've read about the author's anachronisms are true, but didn't bother me much because I'm not terribly knowledgeable about the time period in question and in fact chose the book partly to get a 'slice of life' sort of look at...more Review based on Audible audiobook.

This is the tale of a female forensics doctor living in the 1100's, long before the days of coroners or even much understanding of how the human body works, called from Salerno to Cambridge to help catch a child killer. The many criticisms I've read about the author's anachronisms are true, but didn't bother me much because I'm not terribly knowledgeable about the time period in question and in fact chose the book partly to get a 'slice of life' sort of look at that period in history. Anyway, I liked the protagonist, and the historical setting held my interest very well, but the main murder mystery is solved about 3/4 of the way through and the book just fell apart for me after that. I didn't even bother listening to the last two hours of the audiobook because it seemed like they wouldn't have much to offer.

There's no analysis of the murderer's psyche or motives, once captured the murderer is simply written off as a "freak". There are also no passages told from the murderer's point of view, which could have enriched the story overall quite a bit. I think my worst criticism is that after building the protagonist, Adelia, up to be totally pragmatic, intellectual, fiercely independent and unconventional in her attitudes about love and marriage---basically, she sees love and marriage as the shortest, surest path to oppression for women, and in those days she would've been right---, the author undoes everything that's terrific about Adelia by having her fall silly-in-love with a guy who started out as her prime suspect.

It's not at all clear why she falls for him, especially since he doesn't treat her all that differently than a typical man would treat a typical woman of the time. When he berates her for having gone off after the killer alone and proclaims that she is "his woman," despite the fact that she's badly hurt and has only just been rescued from the killer's clutches, Adelia adoringly melts into his arms. At the point where I stopped listening, while bathing her and noticing her many bruises and cuts, he'd proposed marriage, she'd accepted, and they'd consummated the proposed union prematurely---despite her broken ribs and likely concussion, she even insisted they do it twice. I had to wonder...who is this woman, and what has she done with Adelia?!

Overall, I did enjoy most of the audiobook----that is, the portion I listened to. The narrator was very good, giving each different character a different voice and in some cases, even a different accent or dialect. If there had been a bit more exploration of the killer and Adelia had been allowed to remain true to the character she was originally set up to be, I would rate the book higher. (less)

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Feb 25, 2013 Walt rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime-fiction

There is a great deal of mystery and suspense in this medieval murder mystery. The plot is complex and made more complicated by a wide variety of characters (and suspects). There is no shortage of mystery and perhaps some gothic as there is horror and suspense; but very little that is truly frightening. This is no Stephen King novel. The mystery aspect would help if the clues would point to cast suspicion on one character or another. Instead, the forensics do little to point to anyone. Just when...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Monty rated it 4 of 5 stars

I haven't enjoyed listening to a book like this in a long time--I think that listening to this recorded book made it more enjoyable because of the British accents. This historical mystery, thriller, suspense novel takes place in 12th Century England. I especially liked the historical setting and paid attention to eating habits, lack of cleanliness, superstitious thinking, prejudice, sexism, lack of democracy and ultimate power of the Church and the King, and more. Adelia was a strong female char...more

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Goodreads Librari...: series order for combined translation editions	9	62	Feb 22, 2012 01:10am
Ladies & Lite...: Official September 2011 Read Discussion: The Mistress of the Art of Death	30	36	Oct 29, 2011 01:14pm

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