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Mistress of the Art of Death (Mistress of the Art of Death, #1)

Ariana Franklin

Discussion: January 2020: Thriller

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January 2020: Thriller

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By Anita · 1 post · 36 views

last updated Jan 01, 2020 07:02AM

My Sister, the Serial Killer - 4 stars
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last updated Jan 24, 2021 04:27PM

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What Members Thought

Aug 31, 2012 Booknblues rated it it was ok

Shelves: series, mystery, medieval

It grieves me to give this book such a lukewarm review as a had read a later book in the series, Grave Goods and quite enjoyed it, so I was quite excited to read the first one of Arianna Franklin’s series, Mistress of the Art of Death.

I work as a preschool teacher and find the common use of the theme sensationalized pedophilia/murder in literature offensive. This overused theme was not even well done in this book, though it loosely stems from a case of William of Norwich, not Cambridge.

We are in ...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Linda C rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery, european

In 1171 in Cambridge, England 4 children have been brutally killed. Mistakenly the local Jewish community is accused and has received sanctuary from King Henry II. But to quell the threatening Christian community answers need to be found. Into this mix comes Adelia Aguilar, prodigy female doctor of death (forensic coroner), Simon of Naples (investigator), and Mansur (Adelia’s Arab bodyguard). On the road to Cambridge Adelia saves the life of the local Prior and his gratefulness is their access t ...more

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Jan 01, 2020 Olivermagnus rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, historical-fiction

Adelia is a forensic pathologist trained at the Salerno School of Medicine in 1178. She joins two others, Simon of Naples, and Mansur, Adelia's bodyguard and Muslim eunuch, at the request of the King of Sicily to travel to Cambridge, England and find out who has been killing village children. The Jews have been blamed and are now hiding in an area that is protected by King Edward II. Edward wants them to either be cleared of the crime or he will dispose of them all.

I love historical mysteries a ...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Regina Lindsey rated it liked it

When children from Cambridge disappear and are later found heinously murdered the community's Jews are blamed. After a mob execution of the most notable Jewish family, King Henry II enlists assistance from Salerno where the brightest physicians are found hoping to track down the true killer. Although set in medieval times, the most notable "forensic" physician is a female. Adelia and her two companions, a Jew and an Arab, make the journey to Cambridge to investigate.

I don't typically read this ...more

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Nov 06, 2010 LibraryCin rated it it was ok

Shelves: murder, england, year-read-2010, historical-fiction, from-shelfari, 12th-century, mystery, religion, medicine, middle-ages

2.5 stars

It is the 12th century. Adelia is a medical examiner from Italy, who has traveled to England to help investigate the murders of four children.

I can't really say I liked it, although there were parts that were o.k. I did find the investigation itself kind of interesting, and the book picked up again at the end. But most of the in-between didn't interest me at all. My mind wandered so much, I don't even know who most of the characters were. I couldn't even say what actually happened throu ...more

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Apr 23, 2014 Lisa rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, botm-suggestions

This book was pretty good. I loved how it takes place in England during the 12th century. Very fascinating, especially since the doctor investigating the murder is a woman.

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