Mistress of the Art of Death (Mistress of the Art of Death, #1) in Crazy Challenge Connection

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

Shelves: mystery, european, historical-fiction

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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Apr 04, 2017 Susan rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, set-in-europe, 2017, gritty-mystery, mystery, adventure-thriller

I very much enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the introduction of the protagonist, Adelia and her friends. I appreciated Adelia's spirit, intelligence, and unorthodox views. I also enjoyed reading as her personality and views developed over the book as she interacted with her colleagues and the people of Cambridge.

I found the plot took a little bit of time to get going but overall engaging and intriguing. The idea of forensic type of investigations being done in those times is interesting. Admittedl ...more

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

Shelves: historical-fiction, 2020

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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