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Mistress of the Art of Death

By Ariana Franklin

(15)

| Hardcover | 9780399154140

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Book Description

A chilling, mesmerizing novel that combines the best of modern forensic thrillers with the detail and drama of historical fiction. In medieval Cambridge, England, four children have been murdered. The crimes are immediately blamed on the town's Jewish community, taken as evidence that Jews sacrificContinue

A chilling, mesmerizing novel that combines the best of modern forensic thrillers with the detail and drama of historical fiction. In medieval Cambridge, England, four children have been murdered. The crimes are immediately blamed on the town's Jewish community, taken as evidence that Jews sacrifice Christian children in blasphemous ceremonies. To save them from the rioting mob, the king places the Cambridge Jews under his protection and hides them in a castle fortress. King Henry I is no friend of the Jews-or anyone, really-but he is invested in their fate. Without the taxes received from Jewish merchants, his treasuries would go bankrupt. Hoping scientific investigation will exonerate the Jews, Henry calls on his cousin the King of Sicily-whose subjects include the best medical experts in Europe-and asks for his finest "master of the art of death," an early version of the medical examiner. The Italian doctor chosen for the task is a young prodigy from the University of Salerno. But her name is Adelia-the king has been sent a mistress of the art of death. Adelia and her companions-Simon, a Jew, and Mansur, a Moor-travel to England to unravel the mystery of the Cambridge murders, which turn out to be the work of a serial killer, most likely one who has been on Crusade with the king. In a backward and superstitious country like England, Adelia must conceal her true identity as a doctor in order to avoid accusations of witchcraft. Along the way, she is assisted by Sir Rowley Picot, one of the king's tax collectors, a man with a personal stake in the investigation. Rowley may be a needed friend, or the fiend for whom they are searching. As Adelia's investigation takes her into Cambridge's shadowy river paths and behind the closed doors of its churches and nunneries, the hunt intensifies and the killer prepares to strike again . .

Critics

  • The Best Reviews: Ariana Franklin, Mistress of the Art of Death

    "forensic mystery in the Middle Ages" In 1171 England, the Jews were given a haven under King Henry's rule, not because he liked them but they paid one seventh of the monies in the royal treasury. In the town of Cambridge, four children have disappea ... (read full critics)

    thebestreviews published on Thu, 16 Sep 2010

  • Mistress of the Art of Death By Ariana Franklin

    Four children turn up murdered in 12th-century Cambridge, England, and the restless Catholic townspeople immediately pin the blame on local Jews. As the Jews flee to the safety of the castle, King Henry II seeking the truth as much as the return of h ... (read full critics)

    bookpage published on Thu, 16 Sep 2010

4 Reviews

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  • Set in 11th century England, a female doctor and a Jewish investigator from Salerno, Sicily attempt to clear the Jews of Cambridge of a particularly gruesome series of child murders. Some historical liberties are taken, but nothing that detracts too much from a very good story with indelible charac ... (continue)

    Set in 11th century England, a female doctor and a Jewish investigator from Salerno, Sicily attempt to clear the Jews of Cambridge of a particularly gruesome series of child murders. Some historical liberties are taken, but nothing that detracts too much from a very good story with indelible characters. The love side-plot does slow the book down a bit towards the end, and comes across as padding, but nonetheless a wonderful debut.

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    Jason said on May 22, 2009 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • I bought this while on holiday in Cambridge mainly becuase it takes place in Medieval Henry II era Cambridge. I read through it in one night I couldn't put it down!

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    michelleamanda said on Dec 29, 2008 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Set in 1056, Adelia is what we would now call a pathologist. She's sent to Great Britain (I think it is) to solve the brutal murders and mutilations of children which are currently being credited to the Jews, even though they were locked up during most of the murders. I could hardly put it down.

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    Missmath144 said on Sep 22, 2008 | Add your feedback

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9780399154140 Hardcover $25.95 -- The Book Depository
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