Relics of the Dead (Mistress of the Art of Death 3)
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Review
An exhilarating whodunit and my favourite book of the year. I'd like to crown Ariana Franklin Queen of the Historical Mystery
--TESS GERRITSEN
--TESS GERRITSEN
Review
Franklin is one of the very best creators of medieval whodunits writing today
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
First Sentence: "And God was angry with His people of Somerset so that, in the year of Our Lord 1154. pm the day after the feast of Saint Stephen, He caused an earthquake that it might punish them for their sins..." Thus wrote Brother Caradoc in Saint Michael's chapel in top of Glastonbury Tor, to which he'd scrambled, gasping and sobbing, so as to escape the devastation that God with his earthquake had wrought on everything below it.
King Henry II is fighting to suppress the rebellious Welsh, who still believe the Ancient King Arthur will rise up to rescue them. One of Henry's prisoners tells of a vision his uncle had 20 year's earlier of seeing monks bury Arthur at Glastonbury. Henry orders that there be an attempt to find Arthur's bones and sends for Adelia to make the verification.
When an Ariana Franklin book shows up at my door, all other life stops. Franklin is an author from whom I know I shall get a wonderful story. This book was no exception.
With historical mysteries, I always start by reading the Author's Notes. I like knowing what is historically accurate and what liberties have been taken. In this case; there were not many. The depth of research is evident and educational. Herbs, weapons, law, forensic science, and medicine during this period are masterfully woven into the story.
Franklin's writing is so visual; it is as if watching a film. The descriptions are rich and, even when the scenes are unpleasant, so well done. I liked the use of lucid dreams, the inclusion of Excalibur and a very nasty version of Robin Hood and his men.
The characters are wonderful. Adelia is smart, strong and caring. Although focused on her task at hand, she is even more concerned about her friend, Emma, who, along with her son and staff, has disappeared. All the characters are three dimensional and believable, although I shall always hear Henry II as having Peter O'Toole's voice.
The dialogue is often funny providing laughter amidst the drama, as is true in life.
Is this a perfect book? No, as there are a few too many coincidences. Is it a great read? With humor, drama, suspense and a dash of romance: Absolutely!
King Henry II is fighting to suppress the rebellious Welsh, who still believe the Ancient King Arthur will rise up to rescue them. One of Henry's prisoners tells of a vision his uncle had 20 year's earlier of seeing monks bury Arthur at Glastonbury. Henry orders that there be an attempt to find Arthur's bones and sends for Adelia to make the verification.
When an Ariana Franklin book shows up at my door, all other life stops. Franklin is an author from whom I know I shall get a wonderful story. This book was no exception.
With historical mysteries, I always start by reading the Author's Notes. I like knowing what is historically accurate and what liberties have been taken. In this case; there were not many. The depth of research is evident and educational. Herbs, weapons, law, forensic science, and medicine during this period are masterfully woven into the story.
Franklin's writing is so visual; it is as if watching a film. The descriptions are rich and, even when the scenes are unpleasant, so well done. I liked the use of lucid dreams, the inclusion of Excalibur and a very nasty version of Robin Hood and his men.
The characters are wonderful. Adelia is smart, strong and caring. Although focused on her task at hand, she is even more concerned about her friend, Emma, who, along with her son and staff, has disappeared. All the characters are three dimensional and believable, although I shall always hear Henry II as having Peter O'Toole's voice.
The dialogue is often funny providing laughter amidst the drama, as is true in life.
Is this a perfect book? No, as there are a few too many coincidences. Is it a great read? With humor, drama, suspense and a dash of romance: Absolutely!
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ariana Franklin's Mistress of The Art of Death series has got to be one of the best around. I've read all three and have found them entertaining and have never been disappointed. In the third, Relics of The Dead, Adelia has moved on from the Cambridgeshire Fens to Glastonbury, where she is investigating the appearance of two skeletons, believed to be those of King Arthur and Guinevere. Naturally things are not what they seem.
The series has attracted a great deal of criticism, due mainly to Adelia's anachronistic traits. Yes she does have some feminist ideals that don't sit well in twelth century England, but she was brought up in a different culture by 'enlightened' parents. I find it incredibly hard to believe that feminism suddenly appeared from nowhere in the late ninteenth century - keep in mind women such as Aphra Behn and Mary Wollstoncraft, both pre-19th century, both with feminist leanings. There have always been people ahead of their time, otherwise the human race would have never moved on.
As to the cleanliness issue, there was actually a physician practising in fourteenth century Nottingham, called John of Aderne, who used anaesthetics and believed in good hygiene, long before Florence Nightingale was even heard of.
I'm not suggesting that this series is perfect and with any book it's very much about personal taste, but if you enjoy interesting well rounded characters and good plots that contain both serious issues and humour, then give these a try.
The series has attracted a great deal of criticism, due mainly to Adelia's anachronistic traits. Yes she does have some feminist ideals that don't sit well in twelth century England, but she was brought up in a different culture by 'enlightened' parents. I find it incredibly hard to believe that feminism suddenly appeared from nowhere in the late ninteenth century - keep in mind women such as Aphra Behn and Mary Wollstoncraft, both pre-19th century, both with feminist leanings. There have always been people ahead of their time, otherwise the human race would have never moved on.
As to the cleanliness issue, there was actually a physician practising in fourteenth century Nottingham, called John of Aderne, who used anaesthetics and believed in good hygiene, long before Florence Nightingale was even heard of.
I'm not suggesting that this series is perfect and with any book it's very much about personal taste, but if you enjoy interesting well rounded characters and good plots that contain both serious issues and humour, then give these a try.
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Adelia - Mistress of the Art of Death - has been asked to find out whether two skeletons unearthed at Glastonbury are Arthur and Guinevere. Henry wants to convince his rebellious Welsh subjects that Arthur really is dead and not about to come to life and lead them into battle against him. Adelia and her entourage set off towards Glastonbury having joined forces with the widowed Lady Emma Wolvercote and her small son who are travelling in the same direction.
Identifying the skeletons is not as easy as it might have appeared and Adelia must brave many dangerous situations before her task is complete. There are vested interests in Glastonbury who do not want Adelia to find out the truth and Emma and her companions disappear. This is an exciting story which brings the twelfth century vividly to life. There is a useful author's note at the end of the book which explains the changes the author has made to historical fact to suit the mechanics of her plot.
Even if you haven't read the two previous books in this series you can still enjoy this one as each story is self contained. There is some violence in the book but it is part of the story and is not graphically described. In this book Adelia is mainly dealing with skeletons so there is minimal description of decaying bodies.
It's good to see the Bishop of St Albans is still very much alive and kicking and he plays quite a large part in this story as does Henry II himself. I love the characters in this series; even the villains have their good points and no situation is ever black and white. I shall look forward to the next episode.
Identifying the skeletons is not as easy as it might have appeared and Adelia must brave many dangerous situations before her task is complete. There are vested interests in Glastonbury who do not want Adelia to find out the truth and Emma and her companions disappear. This is an exciting story which brings the twelfth century vividly to life. There is a useful author's note at the end of the book which explains the changes the author has made to historical fact to suit the mechanics of her plot.
Even if you haven't read the two previous books in this series you can still enjoy this one as each story is self contained. There is some violence in the book but it is part of the story and is not graphically described. In this book Adelia is mainly dealing with skeletons so there is minimal description of decaying bodies.
It's good to see the Bishop of St Albans is still very much alive and kicking and he plays quite a large part in this story as does Henry II himself. I love the characters in this series; even the villains have their good points and no situation is ever black and white. I shall look forward to the next episode.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great series
Loved all these, totally accessible, not too high falutin' and she's not scared of the occasional anachronism (not the right word, but I struggled to find the right one! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lawrie
absorbing read!
I loved this book! I struggled with the second "Mistress of the Dead" book but really feel she picked up again. I was so very sad to hear of the Author's death - what a loss.
Published 5 months ago by CambridgeBlue
Not the best read ever
This book could be about time travel, the idea of the mysteries, the foreign doctor ...was compelling, but the "tone" of her thoughts and feelings was completely out of... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Delia Martin Lahidalga
If you liked the earlier ones.....
......... you should like this one too. The relationships between the heroine, her Saracen sidekick, the explosive King,and her Bishop lover continue to power the narrative, and... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Steamdreamer
Historical mystery
Having really liked the previous books in the Mistress of the Art of Death series by Ariana Franklin, I was a little underwhelmed by Relics of the Dead. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Michael Finn
Brilliant historical novel
Such an intriguing and well written novel. One of the best historical novels I've read for a long time. Its local as well - I live in the Fens so recognise many places. Read more
Published 15 months ago by numbercruncher
The best yet
This is one of my favourite recent series and I have greatly enjoyed reading this third book. What has attracted me most to these books includes their originality and the... Read more
Published 20 months ago by J. Cooper
Marvelous middle age mystery
A wonderful mystery book from the "Mistress of Death" series. As usual a deep immersion into the middle age with yet another adventure full of twists and turns.
Published 22 months ago by RamiMC
Excellent service - as always
I buy many things from Amazon, and I am always very happy with the service I receive. This was no exception. And the book is fabulous.
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by Diana M. Wilson
Exceedingly Good Quality
Personally I've loved Ariana's previous novels so you can pretty much bet that I had to grab this offering fairly quickly to enjoy the full extent of the overall story arc present... Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2009 by Gareth Wilson - Falcata Times Blog
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