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The Serpent's Tale
 
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The Serpent's Tale (Paperback)

by Ariana Franklin (Author)
3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 24.00
Price: CDN$ 17.52 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 39. Details
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The Serpent's Tale + Grave Goods + Mistress Of The Art Of Death
Total List Price: CDN$ 61.50
Price For All Three: CDN$ 47.19

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  • Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin

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Product Details


Product Description

From 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. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


From AudioFile

Uniqueness of character and writing deserves Kate Reading's outstanding narration. Her well-paced, robust delivery takes us to the period of King Henry II at a time when his mistress has died and his estranged wife, Queen Eleanor, is suspect. Enter Adelia, sleuth, forensic specialist, and new mother. Reading gives Adelia the perfect portrait--her inquisitive and feisty confidence is layered with the tenderness of motherhood. Reading shifts easily to describe Adelia's faithful Muslim servant as well as her cocky, ribald lover--the father of her child--Bishop Rowley Picot. Minor characters are just as vivid. Reading succeeds at a formidable task: crossing genres of history, mystery, and politics; vividly transporting us to a foreign time and place; and credibly portraying Adelia's inner battles between feminism and passion. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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The Serpent's Tale
67% buy the item featured on this page:
The Serpent's Tale 3.3 out of 5 stars (3)
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Customer Reviews

3 Reviews
5 star:
 (1)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
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Average Customer Review
3.3 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most helpful customer reviews

 
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars More of the same, Sep 25 2009
By Prairie Pal (Winnipeg, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   
Beware of your desires, for you shall surely attain them. Those lovers of Ariana Franklin's first Vesuvia Adelia Rachel Ortese Aguilar mystery, Mistress of the Art of Death, who longed for a sequel have it here. In The Serpent's Tale the Middle Ages' most modern female detective is at it again, investigating the death of Henry II's concubine, the Fair Rosamund. Now a single mother, having born a bishop's out-of-wedlock child, Adelia displays her usual array of late-20th century feminist quirks and talents to solve what turns into a string of murders and save Angevin England from civil war. For those who like this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing they will like. Those looking for a female sleuth who more accurately reflects the time period in which the mystery is set will have to keep searching.
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3.0 out of 5 stars Medieval England to Life, May 15 2009
By Toni Osborne "The Way I See It" (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   
Also under the title "The Death Maze"

Book 2 in the series "The Art of Death"

This is an interesting and compelling story that follows "Mistress of the Art of Death"

In this sequel, almost two years have passed since Adelia moved to England, now a single mother and currently living contentedly with her friend, Gyltha. When the King's favourite Rosamund Clifford dies an agonizing death by poison, Henry11 points his finger at his estranged wife Eleanor of Acquitaine. Suspecting that she is hatching a plot to overthrow him, Henry summons Adelia to uncover the truth. She has to move with urgency to identify and expose the culprit and avoid any ramification that may lead to a civil war.

We find a never ending intrigue, tricky subplots and colourful characters as the story reunites Adelia with Rowley Picot eventually bringing them to Oxford. During this dangerous journey, the party falls into the hands of Eleanor's band of mercenaries, who subsequently imprison them in the Abbey. At this point, the author brings medieval England to life with amazing descriptions of the travels through the maze surrounding the towers. To add dynamics to this unusual relationship, a bit of sexual tension comes to light between Adelia and Rowley who is the Bishop of St-Alban and father of her child.

The author offers a rich mix of murder, medical science and evil plots in a modern day language and terminology. I enjoyed my time spend reading this novel.
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5.0 out of 5 stars More Adelia please!, Mar 21 2009
By R. D. Agnillo "Rosanna" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Such a wonderful heroine and such awesome storytelling; you will not be disappointed. What I find shocking is just how much Franklin's books are so much more interesting and well written than the other top writers of this genre. They can learn a lot from her pacing, sense of drama and characterization. I can't wait for more in this series.
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