[.ca] Mistress Of The Art Of Death (ISBN 0143053094)

Cross the forensic science of a Kay Scarpetta with the historical background of Judith Tarr:
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 disappeared and the body of only one has been found. A rumor begins that Jews killed the child. In retaliation a mob went on a killing spree, bodily tearing apart two Jews while the survivors take sanctuary in Cambridge Castle. In Sicily the king at the request of Henry II sends three people (Simon a Jew, Mansur a Muslim and the doctor of the dead Adelia Agutar) to England to find the killer. When they arrive the dead bodies of the three children are waiting for their analysis. Adelia knows that all the victims were killed by the same murderer. Adelia who misses her native Salerno finds a place for herself in England and during the course of her investigation she teams up with tax collector Sir Rowley to find the murderer but not before he kills someone dear to her who was closing in on him. Cross the forensic science of a Kay Scarpetta novel with the historical background of Judith Tarr book and the reader will have some idea of what the MISTRESS OF THE ART OF DEATH is all about. Adelia is a great character, a female pioneer allowed to practice in the one country advanced enough to grant females that privilege. She is a plain speaker who seeks justice for the dead and has no tolerance for prejudice of any kind. She has more freedom than the average female in the Middle Ages and she knows how to use it to do what she wants. Readers will admire her and look forward to the next mystery starring this intrepid heroine.

Intriguing Novel:
Since two of my favorite authors endorsed this book (Kate Mosse, and Diana Gabaldon), I didn't think that I'd wind up unhappy with my purchase. The first few chapters of this book are EXTREMELY slow. I wondered what the heck I had bought...scenes from a pilgimage "Chaucer" style, and the introduction of so many characters that you couldn't keep track of who was who, made the first chapters almost unbearable, BUT it redeemed itself before I was a third of the way through, and after that point it was impossible to put down. I now can't wait to read the next book containing the same protagonist...but must say that this romantic was sorely disappointed when Adelia declined her offer of marriage.

Fantastic read:
Interesting, entertaining and well researched. I loved this book from beginning to end. History, science and mystery intermingled without dragging the story. I loved this book and would highly recommend it.

A Great Read!!:
I *loved* this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or wants to step back into medieval England. The characters are extremely well written, so much so that at the end I couldn't wait to see what happens next with the lead, the 'mistress of death' herself. She's a complex character with several bones to pick and huge challenges in her task yet she gets funnier and more likeable as the story progresses. Yes, the end comes too quickly and is a bit disappointing but that seems to be the case with so many mysteries. The rest of the story however, is well worth the read and will have you itching to buy Franklin's next book (starring the same lead character). I know I am!