Regular marked price: $25.95Discount Price: $17.13
Cost Savings: $8.82 (34%)Price fluctuation possible.
How soon does it ship: Normal ship time within one day
Shipping? Absolutely FREE if you qualify for Super Saver Shipping.
Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN num: 9780399154645
ISBN number: 0399154647
Label: Putnam Adult
Manufacturer: Putnam Adult
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 384
Printing Date: January 31, 2008
Publishing house: Putnam Adult
Sale Popularity Level: 18562
Studio: Putnam Adult
Other books you might be interested in perusing:
Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Ariana Franklin combines the best of modern forensic thrillers with the drama of historical fiction in the enthralling second novel in the Mistress of the Art of Death series, featuring medieval heroine Adelia Aguilar.
Rosamund Clifford, the mistress of King Henry II, has died an agonizing death by poison-and the king's estranged queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, is the prime suspect. Henry suspects that Rosamund's murder is probably the very first move in Eleanor's long-simmering plot to overthrow him. If Eleanor is guilty, the result could be civil war. The king must once again summon Adelia Aguilar, mistress of the art of death, to uncover the truth.
Adelia is not happy to be called out of retirement. She has been living contentedly in the countryside, caring for her infant daughter, Allie. But Henry's summons cannot be ignored, and Adelia must again join forces with the king's trusted fixer, Rowley Picot, the Bishop of St. Albans, who is also her baby's father.
Adelia and Rowley travel to the murdered courtesan's home, in a tower within a walled labyrinth-a strange and sinister place from the outside, but far more so on the inside, where a bizarre and gruesome discovery awaits them. But Adelia's investigation is cut short by the appearance of Rosamund's rival: Queen Eleanor. Adelia, Rowley, and the other members of her small party are taken captive by Eleanor's henchmen and held in the nunnery of Godstow, where Eleanor is holed up for the winter with her band of mercenaries, awaiting the right moment to launch their rebellion.
Isolated and trapped inside the nunnery by the snow and cold, Adelia and Rowley watch as dead bodies begin piling up. Adelia knows that there may be more than one killer at work, and she must unveil their true identities before England is once again plunged into civil war . . .
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
This book takes up not long after where Mistress of the Art of Death leaves us, and while it's not necessary to have read the other very first (this book would work as a stand-alone, the story is not continuous and the character back-stories are summed up nicely) I would recommend it. Just because it will give you a good feel for the characters and the times, which is important to the story.
In this book, we see a lot more frailness in Adelia, a bending of her will in order to protect her child. While this does make sense, and I understand that given the setting and times even being somewhat independent is a bit dubious for a female character, it was nonetheless disappointing. In the end, though, I think she redeems herself as a strong female character. Her choices and actions may not make sense to someone living in the modern world, but taken in context I think she comes across as understandable, and there's a fair amount of sympathy for her position. She does make the best of it she can.
As far as historical accuracy, the author acknowledges there are some liberties taken. Rosamund and a few of the other characters are heavily fictionalized, though they did truly exist. I am unsure as to how much of Adelia's medical knowledge is what would have been known - even by the most enlightened - at the time, so that was taken at face value. If you are a stickler for history, this is not the book for you. I, myself, waffle on how much 'liberty' I can handle (I was less nice about The Girl with the Pearl Earring and its portrayal of the famous painter, though I know that is no different, but perhaps the greater passage of time makes it more acceptable - like digging up a mummy is somehow different from digging up a recent grave?).
However, if you like fictionalized history, alternate theories, etc, then this is a perfect book for you. It is a little slow and plodding at times, but is has a good, solid plot, interesting characters, and some good settings. Recommended for those who like a slightly heavier tome, but one that still has a fair deal of mystery and intrigue.
AUDIOBOOK NOTE: The reader does a wonderful, wonderful job with this. Her voice is very smooth and relaxing, and her reading style is wonderful. This is one I would definitely recommend the audio version of!
Rated by buyers -
I read the very first book in the series, "Mistress of the Art of Death", a few weeks ago, and when I found out there was a sequel I was ecstatic. The action centers around Adelia, an orphan who was adopted and trained by an Italian coroner, and who has traveled to Henry II's England to solve a series of murders. At the end of that story, Henry refuses to let her go home, he values her services so highly, and she is reasonably content to stay near the father of her child, new bishop Rowley. I loved that book and waited anxiously for the second in the series, but am somewhat disappointed with it. The story, the mystery, the setting -- all were inferior to the first, though I regret saying it. In the climactic scene of the very first I was scared witless; this was more repulsive but less scary. I was glad to have Gyltha and Mansur around, two great characters, but missed having Rowley around more. Henry's ultimate appearance was enjoyable, but not as magical as in the first. I didn't stay up late reading this one, though it was still a fine novel, I'm glad I read it and would do so again, and I will definitely check out others in the series. It just wasn't the masterpiece that the very first was.
Rated by buyers 
-
If you read the previous book, then you will undoubtedly be champing at the bit to read this newest installment. A great mystery to solve, good history tidbits, and just a great, enjoyable read!
Rated by buyers -
First Sentence: The two men's voices carried down the tunnels with a reverberation that made them indistinguishable but, even so, gave the impression of a business meeting.
King Henry II refused to let Adelia Aguilar return to her home at the School of Medicine in Sicily so she is living in the fens with her baby daughter Allie, companion and baby's nursemain Gyltha, the Saracan Mansur, who poses as the doctor allowing Adelia to treat patients without being named a witch, and her new dog Ward.
King Henry's mistress, Rosemund, has been poisoned and his wife, Queen Eleanor is being accused. Adelia, recruited by Rowley, must prove Eleanor's innocence before the country is brought to civil war.
In some ways, this seemed a much bigger story than Franklin's very first book (Mistress of the Art of Death) because of the themes.
Franklin presents a very real, unromanticized look at the time and the people in it, including Thomas Beckett and Queen Eleanor. She clearly illustrates how difficult it was to be a woman during the time as well as what life was like during civil war for those not of the ruling class.
Her descriptions are extremely visual and sometimes quite unpleasant but very effective. Although I had read the very first book, I appreciated the way Franklin provided a recapitulation of the plot and the character's backgrounds sufficient to bring readers up to current to this book. It's not all politics and description.
The plot is fascinating with good intrigue and suspense with bits of romance and humor. Yes, there are anachronisms, but they are small and I've willing to forgive them when viewed against the strengths of the story. In all, it was a fascinating book and a thoroughly good read.
Rated by buyers -
I really liked this book, as your not sure where its going, and its unusual for a woman in those times to be doing this kind of work. Loved it Easy to read
Find other books like this one:
