Mistress of the Art of Death

A Novel

By: Ariana Franklin

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

The national best-selling hit hailed by the New York Times as a "vibrant medieval mystery...[it] outdoes the competition."

In medieval Cambridge, England, Adelia, a female forensics expert, is summoned by King Henry II to investigate a series of gruesome murders that has wrongly implicated the Jewish population, yielding even more tragic results.

As Adelia's investigation takes her behind the closed doors of the country's churches, the killer prepares to strike again.

©2007 Ariana Franklin (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., and Books on Tape. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"A fabulous read...irresistible." (New York Daily News)

"Vivid and engaging...succeeds brilliantly as both historical fiction and crime thriller. [A] terrific book...with a dozen twists." (Diana Gabaldon, Washington Post)

"One of the most compelling, suspenseful mysteries I've read in years." (New York Times best-selling author Sharon Kay Penman)

I love poodles

Loved it. What a great narrator. It kept me interested throughout. Combined medieval historical fiction with gruesome murder and a steamy romance. Can’t wait to start Book 2.

a MUST READ for picky readers!!!

I am the WORST when it comes to being a picky reader-especially when it comes to an audio-book. The author has to hold your interest so that your mind doesn't drift, while the narrator is charged with captivating the reader with their own dramatic interpretation of the literature. This book is superior in both aspects!! The story is intriguing and the characters are so real!!

There is NO WAY anyone could possibly be anything but beyond 100% satisfied with this book!!!!

If you like Law and Order: SVU, the History Channel, Lifetime movies, CSI, The Other Boleyn Girl, Sherlock Holmes, or even playing CLUE- you will LOVE this read!

A Rare Experience from Beginning to End

Ariana Franklin is one of my top 3 favorite historical fiction authors, and this book is only one of four reasons why. The sense of place and time is palpable, the characters alive and full of passion. But most importantly, the readers Ms. Franklin has chosen are exceptional.

Be sure to set aside several hours for these books because you'll not want to stop for any reason. A stormy night, some candles, a cozy chair, a warm drink and a lovely fire will certainly add to the atmosphere -- and if you can arrange a trip to England and a stay in a B&B in the Cotswolds or Lacock Village (don't miss the cloisters), you may find that you never want the books to end. They are simply perfection.

Good, but probably better in print

This book was good - very detailed, intriguing, and well written. There were some parts that dragged a little,though, and made me wish I had the print version so I could skim. The biggest problem I had was with the woman who read the book - the main character is supposed to be about 25 years old, and the story is told from her point of view, but the woman who read it sounded middle-aged, and I constantly had to remind myself that the main character was supposed to be much younger than she sounded. Overall, though, I'd recommend it!

very good book, fair narration

At first the narration irritated me and I left off listening to the audiobook for a while. When I returned to the book, the narrator took some getting used to, but the book was good enough to make it worth it. Eventually, I actually liked the narration, to some degree at least. The book was very interesting and (although I am not an expert) seemed well researched. The characters were interesting and I cared about (some of) them and it was very suspenseful. Well worth reading/listening to.

Very entertaining

I read this on a long drive over Thanksgiving. I mention this because, if the book were read is shorter pieces, it might loose something. The first book takes a long time to set the stage but, considering the 10th century setting, it's necessary.

I liked the protagonist, as well as the way the author wrapped the story up. I also ended up appreciating the narrator, though getting used to her old Cambridge English took a little time.

Good Story

I generally don’t read books set in the Middle Ages, but the premise for this one was too intriguing to pass up. I’m so glad I didn’t , because this story delivered. It was well written, suspenseful, with likable characters.
Contrary to popular opinion I’m not a Rosalyn Landor fan, but in this case her narration was more tolerable than previous experiences. Or the story was that good. Either way, I’m glad I listened.

Love this Series

I've listened to this series a number of times, and can't wait for the next to be released. For anyone who is a lover of mysteries and of English history, I highly recommend Ariana Franklin's 'Mistress in the Art of Death' series. The books take place during the reign of King Henry II, shortly after the Thomas à Becket incident. Henry is a prominent character throughout the series. What's even better? The audiobooks are performed masterfully, one of my favorites!

What can I say?

Would you try another book from Ariana Franklin and/or Rosalyn Landor?

Although the book was interesting as I got towards the middle, I dont think that this is my perfered genre of titles.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It seems like the book was told with such accuracy of women in that time, but I d think that the book started off slow and confusing.

What about Rosalyn Landor’s performance did you like?

I think her voice fit the story, But she seem to be reaading kind of slow and her voice ws sort of distracting while trying to understand what was going on. I choose to read the book instead of going with her recording of the story.

Do you think Mistress of the Art of Death needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I don't think that it needs a follow up, because it ended right for the story line that it was following.

Any additional comments?

Being forced to read the book for an assignment in class I think that it was an okay novel. It's not something that I would have picked up and read for myself though.

Outstanding

The reader is phenomenal. Her expertise certainly assists the listener with distinguishing the characters.
The author is to be commended for her research and the way she added just the right amount of contemporary to make the history blend well with the plot.
Kept me interested and guessing to the very end.