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)

This is a good series! I am enjoying them.

Well plotted. Intricate. The science is mostly accurate. Educational about the history of health care, and history in general. One can learn a bit about where we have come from in the way our society and culture works. Interesting. No, it's not a rip-roaring pace with terrifying chases, bombs going off in seconds, and conspiracy-laden plots. Nor is it a romance novel. What you get is a methodically plotted, interesting story that has some new information tossed in. There is a romance but it's rather superficial and no sex scenes. The novel is told in details. It requires listening. There are plenty of twists and turns, but none of them pop up out of the blue. It rather much feels like a real-life situation, where people are embroiled in a deep mystery. I have a degree in the biologic sciences and although there are a few details off, it is primarily accurate. If one has been exposed to any trauma situations, it will ring accurate. There is plenty of drama and action - it just unfolds at a slower pace. There is also a good amount of gore so if that bothers you, be prepared to use that 10-sec forward button. This is a good series.

Start to finish enthralling

I wasn’t sure if I would like another series because I
am very much a Kinsey Milhone fan, but this book was engrossing from start to finish. The forensic aspect added great detail, and Simon Vance was excellent at narration. My 12 yo daughter and I would listen in the car and she was late for school a few times so we could finish the chapter. I will def listen to the series.

Eye roll inducing

The reader is good but man that story was just too much. The whole damsel in distress thing is way over done and really must EVERYONE in the story be in love with her?
I semi-hate listened to the end to see if my guess was right about the plot (it was). If this really was a first novel then maybe we can forgive the author and hope she matures in her story telling.
Oh and finally, Pennsylvania isn’t in New England!

Great Performance!!!

Mr. Vance: He was exceptional, as usual!

Lady Lydia: The story was well worth reading; however, is it really possible for so much bad happen to just one person. I realize the time period, but she just asked to be abused by men.

Dr. Silkstone: His character was well written. The only problem was his falling in love with Lady Lydia. She definitely was not his match.

Love Storyline: Should have been left out. The story did not need it. A very dedicated physician would have done the same to solve the crime(s).

I am going to continue and read the next book. One can only hope Lady Lydia grows up if she is to continue as the love interest.

Liked the story but......

I liked the story premise but it's longer than it needs to be. I fast forward knowing I wouldn't miss much. The editor of this book should be ashamed. The other issue I had with the book is sooooo many plot twist. Why? The story could have ended in a nice bow, but it just goes on and on and on. Again, I loved the premise just to long.

Entertaining

The story is quite good and entertaining. I love Simon Vance-he is my very favorite narrator but his voice was not fitting to this story.
This was more of a light mystery. His voice needs a dark or a very complex and complicated one. Even though it had twists and turns and impossible for me to figure out, it just wasn’t a genius narrator like Simon Vance style.

I enjoyed this book very much.

I love this genre... historical fiction mysteries. If you do too, then I think you will enjoy this book. The narrator did a fabulous job with all the different characters 👏. The story line was very good, but somewhat predictable for a mystery. It was a good book to listen too and still get some things done, because it wasn't all captivating yet still enjoyable.

Great reader, good story

The reader’s various accents are very good and add to the good story without distracting from it.

Great.

Did not know what to expect but pleasantly surprised. A long journey with a lot of red herrings.

Complicated tale and surprising wrap up

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.