The Serpent's Tale
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4.2 • 58 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
The follow-up to Mistress of the Art of Death- in the national bestselling series hailed as "the medieval answer to Kay Scarpetta and the CSI detectives."
When King Henry II's mistress is found poisoned, suspicion falls on his estranged queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. The king orders Adelia Aguilar, expert in the science of death, to investigate-and hopefully stave off civil war. A reluctant Adelia finds herself once again in the company of Rowley Picot, the new Bishop of St. Albans...and her baby's father. Their discoveries into the crime are shocking- and omens of greater danger to come.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in 12th-century England, Franklin's mesmerizing second historical delivers on the promise of her first, Mistress of the Art of Death (2007). When Rosamund Clifford, Henry II's mistress, is poisoned, Dr. Vesuvia Adelia Rachel Ortese Aguilar must draw on her formidable forensic skills to try to uncover the killer. The prime suspect is Henry's estranged wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who once plotted to overthrow the king. Adelia reunites with Rowley Picot, now a bishop as well as the father of Adelia's child, and the two set out on a dangerous journey, during which they brave a blizzard and Eleanor's band of ruthless mercenaries. Franklin, the pen name of Diana Norman, brings medieval England to life, from the maze surrounding Rosamund's tower to the royal court's Christmas celebration, with ice skating on the frozen Thames. A colorful cast of characters, both good and evil, enhance a tale that will keep readers on edge until the final page.
Customer Reviews
Terrific
May be even better than "Mistress in the Art of Death". Makes all the characters come alive, but Adriana is especially vivid and real.
There are a number of typos in the Apple e-version.
Tailing the Serpent
Franklin crafts her tales with wit, care, precision, humor, and humanity. Her characters, starting with Odelia herself, are multi-faceted enough to provide interesting surprises, while still cut from the whole cloth that gives them credulity.
The murder mystery is taken to several new levels: historical novel, love story, adventure, and character study. And it never hurts that the characters you want to like deserve it in the end.
Enjoy!