The Anatomist’s Apprentice

The Dr. Thomas Silkstone Mysteries, Book 1

By: Tessa Harris

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

In the first in a stunning mystery series set in eighteenth-century England, Tessa Harris introduces Dr. Thomas Silkstone, anatomist and pioneering forensic detective.

The death of Lord Edward Crick has unleashed a torrent of gossip through the seedy taverns and elegant ballrooms of Oxfordshire. Few mourn the dissolute young man - except his sister, the beautiful Lady Lydia Farrell. When her husband comes under suspicion of murder, she seeks expert help from Dr. Thomas Silkstone, a young anatomist from Philadelphia.

Thomas arrived in England to study under its foremost surgeon, where his unconventional methods only add to his outsider status. Against his better judgment, he agrees to examine Lord Edward’s corpse. But it is not only the dead but also the living to whom he must apply the keen blade of his intellect. And the deeper the doctor’s investigations go, the greater the risk that he will be consigned to the ranks of the corpses he studies.

Tessa Harris, born in Lincolnshire, holds a history degree from Oxford University, and after four years of working with local newspapers she set her sights on women’s magazines. She is regularly heard on local BBC radio and over the years has interviewed such people as Margaret Thatcher, Jeffrey Archer, Anthony Hopkins, Susan Hampshire, Alan Titchmarsh, Jackie Stewart, Boris Johnson, and Uri Geller. She lives in Berkshire with her husband and their two children.

©2011 Tessa Harris (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“ CSI meets The Age of Reason…Welldrawn, intriguing cast of characters…Full of twists and turns…Vivid details…A pageturner!” (Karen Harper, New York Times best-selling author)

Sherlock Holmes would be impressed

Though starting a bit slow, it is an excellent story with a plot that becomes more complex with every chapter. Well performed, and overall an enjoyable mystery.

Cliche...

Ah yes the male main character falls in love with married female other main character instantly and decided to throw his reputation and future to the wind because of her “hauntingly beautiful” face. Riiigghhht.

enjoyable mystery

This was a fun, twisting mystery, although the female love interest is painfully simplistic, I appreciated the final twist.

Interesting story with a twist

I enjoyed this book, and was surprised at parties involved at the end. It kept me guessing. It will be interesting to see future books by this author.

Great story!

I really enjoyed this detective story set in the early days of forensics. While I read lots of mysteries, I don't have a solid understanding of the science behind some of the things you take for granted while reading a whodunit. Learning how doctors teased out the presence of different chemicals was fascinating. In addition to all the science, it is a proper mystery with dead bodies popping up everywhere as the story unfolds and I really enjoyed it. I see that this is the first in a series and I probably will not read another. The love interest of the detective is so insufferably dull and stupid I don't think I could manage another book with her as a lead. It wasn't enough to make me think less of the book, it's still a five star read, but one was enough of her.

Very enjoyable listen.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had not read or listened to this author’s books before. It was a great surprise to be so engrossed in the story. I will definitely listen to others.

kind of drags., I'm struggling to finish.

since it is included with my membership and this is a series(not sure if background reading is necessary). I will endeavour to complete this book. That will determine it I will continue to the next book or
not. I must say though, it take way too long to get to the point.i thought I could finish but I just don't care.....

Surprisingly surprising

The story is great and so full of surprises! So many twists and turns. Just delightful!

If you want really traditional characters...

...(a passive, fragile beauty as the fixation of several men who are vying for her), then I guess this book is for you.

grisly; good not great 18th C procedural

I downloaded this when it was part of an Audible promotion about promising new thrillers. Fortunately, I am not a big fan of thrillers. This is a so- so- historical mystery-procedural, with lots of detail of post-mortems --kind of an 18th century Anne Perry with corpses.

The upside - Although it's not a perfect evocation of 18th century England, the listen is was diverting enough (aside from the rotting corpses) that I would download further novels in the proposed series, hoping that the author perfects her craft and historicity as she goes. Good 18th century-set mysteries are rare.

As usual, Simon Vance makes the best of his material.

Another English-set, first-in-a-series mystery came out the same week might have been a better choice for the Audible list: Twelve Drummers Drumming - contemporary setting, but a more satisfying mystery.