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.