Ariana Franklin (1933–2011)

This is the second time I have read this book. I'm glad I re-read it before continuing on in the series. A doctor of the dead seems very unusual for the time this book takes place. A female Dr. especially of the dead is almost impossible. It is a great story with great characters. It is also a great history lesson.

It was a bit more graphic (sex and violence ) then I expected, but it held my interest and the plot and characterization were good

A bit torn on this one. It is my 3rd mistress of the art of death book and I enjoy the series. The use of the Arthurian legend is very effective, and characters were all fun and interesting. I found the monks death inthe opening of the book especially moving…. The denouement/ solution was less satisfying to me… as a rapid change of heart by the one character seemed a bit of a stretch to me.
Still, all in all a great read

This mystery was too long and the love story was not an asset. The concern about plague was a bit out-of-sync since the black death was around 150 years away, though plagues did occur before. And the convolutions to get our heroine to England when Sicily has many tales to tell was way Anglo-centric for me.