Customer Reviews

The Serpent's Tale: A Novel

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.