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)

AMAZING STORY!

If you like Sherlock Holmes, you will be so glad to be able to "graduate" to the big league in forensic science. Dr. Thomas Silkstone does amazing things in medicine in the 18th century, before the microscope or any of the most basic tools that scientists relied on during Holmes" era. The book is great read with numerous twists and turn, keeping you guessing on who is good and who is bad. A good lesson on watching your back at all times!

Good historical fiction and a murder to solve.

This wasn't a great book, but it was a good book. The plot was interesting and, while I don't think the "murder mystery" was solvable by the reader, it was still intriguing. I liked the depth and breadth of the characters but was especially taken with the historical setting and the "old medicine" that is practiced. It is an interesting and entertaining look at medical practice and police procedure of the late 18th century.

The narrator did a nice job, with a good range of voices. As is usually true, I find a male narrator does a less than great job with female voices, but his were less bad than most. I expect to look into more of the Silkstone Mysteries.

meh

This book was enjoyable if you didn't think too hard about anything that happened. Obviously the writer did a lot of excellent research and knows her subject matter (early forensic science) very well. My big problems with this book are: some continuity errors (aka the doctor is beaten almost to death, but ten pages later injuries don't bother him and is never mentioned again) and some of the motivations for character's actions are a bit stretched. The romance seems quite forced. By the end of the book, it almost feels like the author is throwing in extra stuff just to make the book longer, or in an effort to make the plot twistier, which isn't necessary. Anyway, fun enough if you're on a long drive, but don't expect excellence.

liked it

mildly predictable, but an enjoyable read. characters were drawn well.. will check other Silkstone books

Tons of Twists and Turns

Loved this story. Kept me guessing right up to the end. Fantastic cast of characters that the narrator skillfully brought to life. I will definitely continue to listen to the series. The only thing that occasionally elicited an eye-roll from me, was how often the female lead was dramatically overcome to near swooning. With that said, I can't wait to listen to the next book in this series!

Lots of twists

Interesting, layered mystery. Excellent narration. A few implausible or overlooked issues, but with suspended belief, it was easy to not let them stall the flow too much. It was a slow at times, and the reading was slow, so I often listened at 1.2 and 1.4 speeds, especially toward the end when I felt the story could have ended in multiple places. It kept going on for yet more twists. Especially of interest is the anatomist angle and history. Worth a read, though I don’t think I’ll read it a second time.

Intriguing Forensic Mystery

This was a great Forensic mystery with all of the investigation you would expect. Great descriptions of anatomy and disease processes while also having a great story line. Plenty of villains to go around and a wonderful damsel in distress. The setting and time period showed the characters in their true light. I enjoyed the twists and turns of this mystery and was curious to the end. The ending was strong and was quite a surprise. If you like medical history with an English flair, this is a great book!

Mystery is good

I thought that the mystery and anatomy details are very good in this, but the characters are a little dry. I wasn't even sure there was a romance between the doctor and the lady.

Forensics before DNA, computers, etc....

Imagine a world without any of the basic medical tools we have today to diagnose and treat illness.Imagine having to use corpses of criminal for autopsies? Imagine the ignorance and superstition! As a nurse I always find these books fascinating. How did Physicians manage to treat their patients despite the lack of knowledge and lack of resources. How could murders ever be solved? It makes me thankful to live in the present century, and I find it fascinating to read (or listen in this case) to just how difficult everything was in those times.

And why is he interested in Lady Lydia?

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The summary of the story -- a period mystery, solved by a New World anatomist, some last minute twists and turns (I did not see the villain coming, the ending was great and unexpected) promises great things, BUT the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Liiiiike what exactly is the appeal of Lady Lydia? Why is he considered an Apprentice when he is already a university lecturer?