Picture of author.

Ariana Franklin (1933–2011)

Author of Mistress of the Art of Death

33+ Works 10,348 Members 569 Reviews 34 Favorited

About the Author

Ariana Franklin is a pen name used by Diana Norman. She is a British author and journalist writing historical fiction and non-fiction. She was born in Devon, England. She is married to the film critic Barry Norman. (Bowker Author Biography)
Image credit: Mary Jane Russell

Series

Works by Ariana Franklin

Mistress of the Art of Death (2007) 4,002 copies
The Serpent's Tale (2008) 1,773 copies
Grave Goods (2009) 1,366 copies
A Murderous Procession (2010) 951 copies
City of Shadows (2006) 707 copies
The Siege Winter (2014) 373 copies
A Catch of Consequence (2002) 280 copies
The Vizard Mask (1994) 138 copies
Taking Liberties (2003) 133 copies
Death and the Maiden (2020) 122 copies
The Sparks Fly Upward (2006) 89 copies
The Pirate Queen (1991) 66 copies
Blood Royal (1998) 56 copies
The Morning Gift (1985) 53 copies

Associated Works

Tagged

12th century (262) 2008 (43) 2009 (50) Adelia Aguilar (96) audio (43) audiobook (58) British (56) Cambridge (110) crime (146) crime fiction (66) ebook (64) Eleanor of Aquitaine (53) England (440) fiction (956) forensics (194) Germany (39) Henry II (254) historical (364) historical fiction (1,145) historical mystery (279) history (77) Jews (50) library (66) medieval (341) Medieval England (51) Middle Ages (144) Mistress of the Art of Death (86) Mistress of the Art of Death series (41) murder (134) mysteries (46) mystery (1,150) novel (96) own (51) read (141) series (154) suspense (59) thriller (67) to-read (711) unread (61) women (58)

Common Knowledge

Legal name
Norman, Diana
Other names
Franklin, Ariana
Narracott, Mary Diana (birth name)
Birthdate
1933-08-25
Date of death
2011-01-27
Gender
female
Nationality
UK
Birthplace
London, England, UK
Place of death
Datchworth, Hertfordshire, England, UK
Places of residence
Torquay, Devon, England, UK
Hertfordshire, England, UK
London, England, UK
Occupations
author
journalist (freelance)
magistrate
historical novelist
biographer
Relationships
Norman, Barry (husband)
Awards and honors
CWA Dagger in the Library (2010)
Ellis Peters Historical Dagger (2007)
Agent
Helen Heller Agency
Short biography
Ariana Franklin was the pen name of British writer Diana Norman. A former newspaper journalist, she wrote several critically acclaimed biographies and historical novels under her own name. She used the pen name for more recent historical thrillers.

Members

Discussions

Group Read (January) - A MURDEROUS PROCESSION in The 11 in 11 Category Challenge (January 2011)

Reviews

It was a bit more graphic (sex and violence ) then I expected, but it held my interest and the plot and characterization were good
 
Flagged
cspiwak | 94 other reviews | Mar 6, 2024 |
A bit torn on this one. It is my 3rd mistress of the art of death book and I enjoy the series. The use of the Arthurian legend is very effective, and characters were all fun and interesting. I found the monks death inthe opening of the book especially moving…. The denouement/ solution was less satisfying to me… as a rapid change of heart by the one character seemed a bit of a stretch to me.
Still, all in all a great read
 
Flagged
cspiwak | 82 other reviews | Mar 6, 2024 |
This mystery was too long and the love story was not an asset. The concern about plague was a bit out-of-sync since the black death was around 150 years away, though plagues did occur before. And the convolutions to get our heroine to England when Sicily has many tales to tell was way Anglo-centric for me.
 
Flagged
quondame | 249 other reviews | Dec 25, 2023 |
review pending - sent to Cheesy cause it is on her wishlist.
 
Flagged
Kiri | 249 other reviews | Dec 24, 2023 |

Lists

Awards

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Associated Authors

Statistics

Works
33
Also by
1
Members
10,348
Popularity
#2,296
Rating
3.9
Reviews
569
ISBNs
259
Languages
10
Favorited
34

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