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Relics Of The Dead (2009)

by Ariana Franklin(Favorite Author)

4.08 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0593062744 (ISBN13: 9780593062746)

languge

English

genre

Mystery & Thriller

publisher

Bantam

series

Mistress of the Art of Death

review 1: Even in the 1170s, King Arthur was a powerful mythic figure, hailed by both Welsh and English as the great predecessor leader whose legend would inspire them to new heights. An earthquake at the great abbey of Glastonbury, reputed to be the site of Camelot (along with a bunch of others) splits open the burial ground at a propitious time: three figures who have bodies to bury lower them deep into the fissure, which aftershocks close. A Welsh captive who heard of the event tells Henry II, who has the bodies disinterred, and calls in Adelia to determine if they could possibly by the bodies of King Arthur and Guinevere. They aren't, but the premise of the book is that Adelia finds the actual body of Arthur elsewhere near the abbey, along with Excalipur, which shines up very ni... morece indeed, and makes a nice present for the king whose efforts to establish a more modern legal system of courts and juries is continuing apace.Like all such historical mysteries, it is essentially silly in its premises, but not silly enough to undercut the pleasure of the story and the characters. Adelia and Rowley come to an agreement of sorts, Mansur remains rather a cipher, Glytha has her moments, but the rag tag bunch of the tithing in the forest have all the best lines.I'll remember the continuing effort of the author to publicize Henry II's accomplishments, and interesting personality, and try to wrest his reputation away from the Church, who just wants him to be seem as Becket's murderer. I'll remember the pretty interesting scenes at the courts, or assizes, at the end, and the grateful petitioner who gives Henry a little piglet in appreciation for the way his laws helped her family keep their property.
review 2: This is the third book I've read in the series. Adelia is a forensic doctor in the Mistress of the Art of Death series. It takes place in medieval 1176 in Glastonbury, where King Arthur's and Guinevere's remains are supposedly buried. Adelia is called upon by King Henry II to verify this find, as he wants to squash the belief that Arthur will come back to avenge the king and save the people. Other characters include Rowley (the bishop of St. Albans) who is the father of her 4 year old daughter, Mansur, Prior Geoffrey, Emma, Glytha, Ulf and a new character Roetger (who catches Adelia's eye.) The book is well researched with bits of humor and a lot of suspense. less

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Reviews (see all)

Cherry

This was such a good read! I didn't think three books into the series that they would still be this good, but they are! This book jumped a few years forward from where the second one ended, which was kind of nice because we got to see how Adelia grew as a mother and how she's made a life for herself and we get to see Allie grow up a bit! This was another intriguing mystery, actually there were a few mysteries in this one and none of them felt totally obvious. I had a hard time putting this book down it was so good. And with the way it ended I am definitely excited to read the next one and see if any of the things that were discussed actually happen!

Shellroxie

In this continuation of the story of “the mistress of the art of death” during her time in England, Henry II has to share the kingly limelight with the legend of King Arthur. This multifaceted mystery has been used to highlight the famous Glastonbury Abbey and to introduce the type of legal reforms going on in 12th century England. Adelia remains a conflicted, often self-contradictory, protagonist, but the author has also paid close attention to developing the supporting characters. This is an excellent summer read, which even educates the reader a bit.

tam

Kindle: $10.99

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