Ariana Franklin - Mistress of the Art of Death (2007)
Reviewed by Rae Helmsworth
Ariana Franklin will tell you that her very favorite period of history is the second half of the twelfth century: "the nicest period of all the Middle Ages, the kindest, the most pleasant in its weather, the years when, in England, nobody, neither witch nor heretic, was burned at the stake, when a priest could have a wife or at least live with his "housekeeper" without raising too many eyebrows, when courtly love entered the lists, when law began to be equated with justice."
Ms. Franklin's affection for the twelfth century shines through in Mistress of the Art of Death, the excellent follow-up to her widely praised 2006 novel, City of Shadows. While that earlier book focused on post-WWI Berlin, Mistress of the Art of Death is the first in a series featuring Adelia Aguilar, a coroner from Salerno, Italy. A female coroner in the 12th century, you ask? It's not such a stretch as one might think: Salerno in the 12th century was one of the principal cities in a Norman realm remarkable for the harmony among its Muslim, Jewish, and Christian citizens. Salerno's school of medicine was famous, and it accepted women.
So, when Henry II of England has a problem with some mysterious deaths, Salerno becomes a logical source of forensic help for him. Christian children are being murdered, and Jews are being blamed: Jews who are the source of much of Henry's revenue. Henry, who is portrayed here as a pragmatic but open-minded and openhearted ruler, is certain that there's no "Jewish conspiracy" at work. But he needs help to prove it, and an expert from the acknowledged capital of medical science will bring both credibility and objectivity to bear on the issue at hand. What Henry doesn't expect is that his help will come in the form of a small, plain, feisty woman, who's no happier to be sent to backwards England than backwards England is to have her there.
Adelia journeys to Cambridge with Simon and Mansur, her two friends and companions; and before she even arrives, has endeared herself to Prior Geoffrey, head of one of the two abbeys that are rivals for the affections of the citizenry, by providing some emergency medical attention. And she hasn't been in town very long before she comes under the scrutiny of Sir Rowley Picot, a tax-collector, and someone who's very interested in her activities. The question is, why? Is he simply supporting the King's efforts, or does he have his own, perhaps sinister, agenda?
It's not long before another murder occurs, and the populace is thrown into turmoil. Adelia, accustomed to Salerno's sophisticated civility, is astonished by the locals' mob mentality, and appalled by their leaders' willingness to whip them into a frenzy for a variety of reasons, many of which are somewhat less than altruistic.
Adelia pursues her inquiries and thus, the killer, with what we soon learn are her trademark characteristics: stubborn intelligence, dogged determination, and a terrifying disregard for her own safety.
Mistress of the Art of Death has it all: intricate plotting, dense context, and wonderfully engaging characters, all wrapped up in a marvelous story. There are twists and turns galore, a heart-stopping climax, and a surprise that will have readers eagerly anticipating Adelia's next adventure.
Posted by Rae Helmsworth in Book Reviews | Permalink
Comments
very difficult syntax in first third of book,making for hard reading
Posted by: althea BEYERSDORF | Mar 27, 2008 8:59:33 PM
I fell in love with this book, and the characters. (Especially Adelia of course)but also the others. The language, the imaginery, Knights! Mystery! wow. I am so enamored with this story, I can hardly wait to read another of Ariana's tales....I love her style of writing, and the interesting descriptions, even if there were words that had me puzzled, it only made the scene more real....and felt "authetic"...she has become my favorite writer....I just read the City of Shadows, another great story, but it doesn't hold the magic for me, like "Mistress" does...I would love to be able to email the aurthor..know of any way to do that?! thanks! -Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Ruth | Jul 7, 2008 4:18:47 PM
