A Potion for a Widow (The Chronicles of Isaac of Girona) by Roe, Caroline(December 1, 2001) Mass Market Paperback

Chronicles Of Isaac Of Girona #5

by Caroline Roe

350pages. poche. Poche.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Medieval, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Spain, Historical

Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

About the author

Caroline Medora Sale Roe AKA Medora Sale

As Medora Sale, Caroline Roe has written six police procedurals, including an Arthur Ellis Award winner. These books are set in and about Toronto and feature homicide detective John Sanders and architectural photographer Harriet Jeffries. As Caroline Roe, Medora used her PhD research on religious diversity in medieval times to re-create the character of the Bishop of Girona's Jewish physician, a 14th-century doctor with important patients and a nose for wrong-doing.

Medora is a past president of both Crime Writers of Canada and the international board of Sisters in Crime.

Series:
* Chronicles of Isaac of Girona

Reviews

[Sandra S Kamann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chronicles of Isaac of Girona, of which this book is a part, are an excellent, well developed series, set in medieval Spain. Fans of Cadfael will be delighted to make its acquaintance. Only a few copies seem available. In all of the Cleveland system I found only one copy of the eight books, with one exception, where there were two. These great stories are being forgotten. They are well researched and seem to me to be much better than the fly-by-night fiction that sells so well today. So much of today’s literature appears to be flash, and maybe that’s what most people want; not me I prefer more substance. Kudos to Caroline Roe for this great series.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting setting in medieval Spain. I feel the religious aspect wasn't developed enough. The ending wasn't very satisfying either.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series so far. My favorite character spent too much of the story in different cities. They are better together.

[Taema Weiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plots are unnecessarily complicated. Important plot points are not well explained I love the characters and ideas of the book but I have to admit I am lost a lot of the time

[Spuddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

#5 Isaac of Girona medieval mystery featuring the blind Jewish physician in 1350's Spain and his family as well. Daughter Raquel is pining away for her betrothed, Daniel, who is off to Constantinople, and Isaac's Moorish apprentice Yusuf, a ward of the King, is sent to Sardinia for fostering to protect his status. Isaac and Raquel accompany the party on the first part of the journey, but before they can even leave the city gates, a man stumbles in with a knife in his back and dies. When it's discovered that the man was actually an agent of the King, the Bishop asks Isaac to look into things discreetly as he always does. Along the way, Yusuf's party meets up with a young girl posing as a boy hoping to get to Girona to find her family, and this girl ends up with ties to the man who was murdered.

I like this series, but the earlier ones were definitely better. There were too many strange coincidences, the plot was at once convoluted and too simplistic, if that makes any sense. We seem also to have lost the depth of the characters that was present in the first few books where I felt more of a real connection. I have two more of the last 3 books in this series and likely will read them if only to see how the family's lives pan out. This was an okay read--light and quick, just not something to rave about.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rather missed having Isaac in more of the story. While I like the other characters, I'd prefer to stick with the main character in this series.
I thought the story and solution were very coincidental. Too much so for me this time around.
I do like the setting and that it features a Jewish family. It makes for some interesting history.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isaac the Physicians protege, Yusef, is leaving to help the King in Sardinia. When they are preparing to leave Pasqual Robert is murdered. They find out that Pasqual had entire life that no one knew of.....and people that still needed protecting.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took dedication to get through. The plot just didn't flow like I wanted it to. Not at all the fun murder mystery I signed up for. Still, it was ok in the end.

[Roshni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book, complex with many twists and turns

[Ram Kaushik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable series steeped in historical atmosphere of a fascinating period in Spain. Highly recommended.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always have to read through 2 or 3 chapters of Roe's books before I get involved in the story. This one was a bit convoluted for my taste.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another good entry in this medieval mystery series.