Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Mistress of the Art of Death


I've enjoyed Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin. The serial crimes are set in 12th century England shortly after Henry II had Thomas a Beckett killed. A fiendish murderer is abducting and killing children in Cambridge and Henry requests help from the King of Naples to find the murderer. A female doctor, Adelia Aguilar, is sent to England to use her knowledge of forensics to investigate the murders. She must conceal her true occupation for fear of being branded a witch and she encounters other prejudices. The Jews of the town have been blamed for the deaths and they have been persecuted. Finally the awful truth is revealed as Adelia discovers the murderer and also love. 4/5

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