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LibraryThing recommendationsMember recommendations
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will love Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.  Rhondda | Dec 31, 2009 |  In spite of gruesome detail that reminds me of the recently popular Steig's books, this is a well written and interesting historical mystery. Take care to read the author's notes, as she admits to taking some license with geography, naming conventions, etc., but otherwise a fascinating introduction to the early twelfth century in England--medicine, law, status of the Jews, the church, etc. (  ) CaptainsGirl | Dec 29, 2009 | Really enjoyed this. Forensics meets the 1400s. Not super deep, but some interesting things to think about in terms of how women were limited by their gender. Readermom68 | Oct 6, 2009 | It has been a long time since I read a mystery that has drawn me in so completely. I enjoyed the wonderfully varied characters, and especially loved the history the author incorporated into the story. The 1100's is not 'just' a basic backdrop for the story, but instead is richly detailed and pulls the reader into the story as much as the characters and plot. Ariana Franklin weaves history and fiction together in this novel almost seamlessly. After reading this book I immediately went out to get the next book in the series. (  ) dcolby | Sep 9, 2009 | I was both delighted and entertained by Ariana Franklin's "Mistress of the Art of Death" After reading some other reviews of the book, I realized that some readers were less than pleased with the plausibility of a woman in the role of a forensic investigator. In addition, the romance between Adelia and Rowley bothered the more feminist readers, who disliked the fact that she went all "girly" when he came into the picture and she was able to sort out her feelings. Despite what may be considered flaws by some, I can only say that I fully enjoyed this suspenseful novel. The characters were fully fleshed and the scientific and medical facts provided an intriguing background to the mystery of the murdered children. I know that I like a book when I can't stop reading and turning pages even when it's time to cook supper or get up for work. If you like mystery, suspense, forensics and a feisty main character, you will like this book. I was thrilled to find out that there are more books in the series. Right now I am reading another book by the same author, although not one that is part of the series featuring Adelia. ( ) mmignano11 | Sep 9, 2009 |  no reviews | add a review
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| Book description |
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(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:17 -0400)
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Wikipedia in English
Adelia was found abandoned and adopted as an infant on Mt. Vesuvius by a man and wife, both of whom were doctors, in Salerno, the center of the world's medical knowledge. This was the only place that did not scorn to train women as doctors. Her father was a Master of Death and so she became one as well.
Shortly after this odd trio arrives in England the corpses of the three missing children are found and all have also been savagely mutilated. Adelia indeed does find clues from the pitiful remains, and the investigation begins to take shape. Meanwhile Sir Rowley Picot, one of the King's tax collectors, keeps insinuating himself into the investigation. What is his reason for keeping such a close eye on Adelia and Simon? Is he working for the king, or a suspect? Some of the problems that restrict Adelia's efforts to solve the murders - the superstitions of the time (eg. women doctors are suspected of witchcraft) and her association with a Jew and a Muslim eunuch - many foreigners who are not welcome in England. It forces Adelia to team up with Sir Rowley and their combined efforts piece the real story about what is happening. (