Vous voulez voir cette page en fran�ais ? Cliquez ici.

10 used & new from CDN$ 3.76

See All Buying Options

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

See larger image

Share your own customer images

Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.

The Serpent's Tale (Hardcover)

3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.

3 new from CDN$ 30.71 7 used from CDN$ 3.76

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Grave Goods

by Ariana Franklin

4.7 out of 5 stars (3) CDN$ 17.52

Mistress Of The Art Of Death

by Ariana Franklin

4.4 out of 5 stars (7) CDN$ 12.15

City Of Shadows

by Ariana Franklin

4.2 out of 5 stars (4) CDN$ 9.89

Terra Incognita

by Ruth Downie

5.0 out of 5 stars (1) CDN$ 12.05

Medicus

by Ruth Downie

3.7 out of 5 stars (3) CDN$ 12.05

› Explore similar items

Product Details

Hardcover: 384 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399154647
ISBN-13: 978-0399154645
Product Dimensions: 23.9 x 16.5 x 3.8 cm
Shipping Weight: 567 g

Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Amazon.ca Sales Rank: #191,130 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

This is item 2 in The Mistress of the Art of Death Series.

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.

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

(What's this?)

Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)

historical fiction(2)

historical mystery(2)

ancient rome(1)

ruth downie(1)

What do customers ultimately buy after viewing this item?

	67% buy the item featured on this page: The Serpent's Tale 3.3 out of 5 stars (3)
	11% buy Mistress Of The Art Of Death 4.4 out of 5 stars (7) CDN$ 12.15
	9% buy Grave Goods 4.7 out of 5 stars (3) CDN$ 17.52
	6% buy Terra Incognita 5.0 out of 5 stars (1) CDN$ 12.05

Explore similar items

Customer Reviews

3 Reviews

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

3.3 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

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)

This review is from: Serpents Tale (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

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)

This review is from: Serpents Tale (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

5.0 out of 5 stars More Adelia please!, Mar 21 2009

By	R. D. Agnillo "Rosanna" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Serpents Tale (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 3 customer reviews...