Mistress of the Art of Death (Mistress of the Art of Death, #1)
by Ariana Franklin
Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin holds a well received rating of 3.95 out of 5, based on 27.3K reader ratings. First published in 2007. The book spans 384 pages.
About Mistress of the Art of Death
A chilling, mesmerizing novel that combines the best of modern forensic thrillers with the detail and drama of historical fiction. In medieval Cambridge, England, four children have been murdered. The crimes are immediately blamed on the town's Jewish community, taken as evidence that Jews sacrifice Christian children in blasphemous ceremonies. To save them from the rioting mob, the king places the Cambridge Jews under his protection and hides them in a castle fortress. King Henry II is no friend of the Jews-or anyone, really-but he is invested in their fate. Without the taxes received from Jewish merchants, his treasuries would go bankrupt. Hoping scientific investigation will exonerate the Jews, Henry calls on his cousin the King of Sicily-whose subjects include the best medical experts in Europe-and asks for his finest "master of the art of death," an early version of the medical examiner. The Italian doctor chosen for the task is a young prodigy from the University of Salerno. But her name is Adelia-the king has been sent a "mistress" of the art of death. Adelia and her companions-Simon, a Jew, and Mansur, a Moor-travel to England to unravel the mystery of the Cambridge murders, which turn out to be the work of a serial killer, most likely one who has been on Crusade with the king. In a backward and superstitious country like England, Adelia must conceal her true identity as a doctor in order to avoid accusations of witchcraft. Along the way, she is assisted by Sir Rowley Picot, one of the king's tax collectors, a man with a personal stake in the investigation. Rowley may be a needed friend, or the fiend for whom they are searching. As Adelia's investigation takes her into Cambridge's shadowy river paths and behind the closed doors of its churches and nunneries, the hunt intensifies and the killer prepares to strike again . .
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Ariana Franklin |
| Published | 2007 |
| Pages | 384 |
| Genres | Historical Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller |
| Average Rating | 3.95 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 27,332 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Mistress of the Art of Death?
Mistress of the Art of Death is categorized as Historical Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Fiction, Mystery & Thriller. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.
Is Mistress of the Art of Death worth reading?
Based on 27.3K reader ratings, Mistress of the Art of Death has an average score of 3.95 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Mistress of the Art of Death?
Mistress of the Art of Death has 384 pages.
Who wrote Mistress of the Art of Death?
Mistress of the Art of Death was written by Ariana Franklin. It was first published in 2007.
What is the ISBN for Mistress of the Art of Death?
The ISBN-13 for Mistress of the Art of Death is 9780399154140.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
