Winner of the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Crime Award 2007.

A medieval thriller about a serial killer, this is just as brutal as any modern day psycho thriller and the lead character is an absolute joy. Adelia Aguilar is a doctor, not a common female occupation at this time, and she specialises in the study of corpses, hence the title of the book. She is a feisty, intelligent, sexy heroine who gives as good as she gets. An unputdownable read.

Mistress of the Art of Death series:
1. The Mistress of the Art of Death
2. The Death Maze
3. Relics of the Dead
4. The Assassin's Prayer

Synopsis

In Cambridge a child has been hideously murdered and other children have disappeared. The Jews, made scapegoats by the all-powerful Christian clergy, have been forced to retreat into the castle to avoid slaughter by angry townspeople.

Henry, King of England, is displeased. The Jews provide a large part of his revenue and therefore the real killer must be found, and quickly. A renowned investigator, Simon of Naples, is recruited and he arrives in town from the continent accompanied by an Arab and a young woman, Adelia Aguilar.
 

There are few female doctors in twelth century Europe, but Adelia is one of them, having qualified at the great School of Medicine in Salerno. What’s more, her speciality is the study of corpses; she is, in fact, a mistress of the art of death, a skill that must be concealed in case she’s accused of witchcraft.

Adelia’s investigation takes her deep into Cambridge, its castle and convents and in a medieval city teeming with life, Adelia makes friends and even finds romance. And, fatally, the attention of a murderer who is prepared to kill again…

Reviews

'Entertaining, well researched and well written.' Joanne Harris

'...a morbidly entertaining novel that outdoes the competition.' NY Times
 
'Terrific... Wonderfully plotted. It's a historical mystery that succeeds brilliantly as both historical fiction and crime-thriller.'
Diana Gabaldon, WASHINGTON POST

'Great fun! Franklin succeeds in vividly bringing the 12th century to life with this cracking good story. Expertly researched, a brilliant heroine, full of excellent period detail.'
Kate Mosse, author of LABYRINTH

About the Author

Ariana Franklin was born in Devon and, like her father, became a journalist. Having invaded Wales dressed in combat uniform with the Royal Marines for one of their military exercises, accompanied the Queen on a royal visit, missed her own twenty-first birthday party because she had to cover a murder, she married, almost inevitably, another journalist. At this point she decided that staying married was a good idea so she abandoned her career in national newspapers and settled down in the country to bring up two daughters, study medieval history and write. Ariana was the author of the acclaimed, award-winning Mistress of the Art of Death series. She passed away in 2011.   Author photo © Mary Jane Russell More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation