A Murderous Procession: A Mistress of the Art of Death Novel

I read this book first, and it was great, but I would recommend reading the books in order. Very good writing, and if you enjoy historical fiction (where a good part of it is accurate, with just a few tweaks), then this series is for you. Back during the time of Henry II of England, in Sicily, there was a school of medicine, and women were allowed to attend and be doctors (yes, really). So it is an interesting plot to take someone from a learned area and plop them down into England, which at the time was pretty backwards. I have now read the first book in the series, and am thoroughly enjoying catching up.

I was a fan of this series from the beginning. “Mistress of the Art of Death” hooked me and I faithfully read each in this series of four books. I was saddened when I heard of Ariana Franklin’s death. It was a lost to the world of historical fiction. Also the ending of this book was too much of a cliff hanger. I wish that someone close to Ariana Franklin would pick up where she left off - like David Lagercrantz did for “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” series has done - or as many people have done with the character of Sherlock Holmes. SPOILER ALERT~~~ I can see a continuation where the O’Donnell steps into Rowley’s place (assuming that he has been injured too severely to live) and they return to England with more murders for Amelia to investigate. I guess at this point I will have to turn to fan fiction.

This is the 4th and final book in the Mistress of the Art of Death series. Adelia has settled into life in England and her young daughter is developing a talent for treating animals. She is most aggrieved when King Henry II demands that she accompany his daughter, Joanna, on her journey to her marriage to the King of Sicily. While she is glad to be able to finally journey to her home, she must leave her daughter behind in the care of Queen Eleanor. Joining her on this tour/pilgrimage is Mansur, and Rowley. Carried with them in disguise is the sword Excalibur. Adelia does not realize that along with the other pilgrims is a man seeking revenge against her. When the bodies begin piling up, implicating Adelia, she and her companions must figure out who the murderer is before it is too late. Adding to the humor of the story is Adelia's new maid, Boggart, who is foisted on her by the princess's ladies in waiting, and who is pregnant. Adelia continues her love/hate relationship with Rowley, and must work hard to protect Joanna's health along their journey. The story is filled with historical elements of the times, particularly the Cathars, who play a key role in the story. Sadly, this is the last of the series, due to the author's untimely death, and it does leave some things adrift at the end.

First Sentence: Between the parishes of Shepfold and Martlake in Somerset existed an area of no-man's-land and a lot of ill feeling.Dr. Adelia Aguilar is thrilled to learn Henry II wants to send her to accompany his daughter Joanna's wedding procession to her home of Sicily. Her feelings change to anger when she learns Henry is keeping Adelia's daughter in England to ensure Ariana's return. With them, and well concealed, will be Arthur's sword, Excaliaber, as a gift to the bridegroom. Danger a rises from an old foe out to steal the sword and looking for revenge against Adelia.There was a different feel to this book than those previous. Whereas before, Adelia seemed very much in control and strong, here she was in situations completely beyond her control and, at times, in great peril. While some readers might not care the change this wrought in the character, I liked that it showed her vulnerability and weaknesses, as well as the human failing that when the truth is too frightening to accept, it is denied.There is a progression in the lives of the characters with each book, which is important to me. Some readers have criticized the coup de foudre felt by the O'Donnell for Adelia. Having personally experienced it--although it didn't last--I didn't find it unrealistic. I did enjoy that we meet Adelia's parents in this book.As always with Franklin's book, I learn so much history. Henry's daughter, Joan, was known to me, but not in any detail nor her role in history. Of late, I've read more books that deal with the Cathers, and I find them fascinating. I certainly knew nothing of the history of Sicily and found it significant that she shows it to us at a turning point in its history.Perhaps I'm obtuse, but I did not figure out the identity taken by the villain until it was revealed. What I did not like, was the ending. It seems more authors are doing cliff-hanger endings and it's a trend I dearly hope will end almost immediately. Write a good book, I promise to read the next one without being tricked into so doing.I very much enjoyed the story and only the ending prevented my rating it as "excellent." For readers new to the series, I recommend starting at the beginning. For me, I am ready for the next book.A MURDEROUS PROCESSION (The Assassin's Prayer) (Hist. Mys-Adelia Aguilar-England/France/Italy-Middle Ages/1179) - VG+Franklin, Ariana - 4th in seriesG.P. Putnam's Sons, ©2010, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780399156281

Great characters, gripping plot packed full of historical detail. Took a while to get going, at least for me, but well worth staying with it, as it draws you in. I couldn't put it down it was the same with her other books for me, slow to start but builds tension really well. I love that it has a strong female main character. It was recommended to me, as I like historical fiction, and I wondered if I'd like it, I loved it.

I loved Diana Norman's Fitzempress Law and King of the Last Days which she wrote back in the 80s. They were set in the time of Henry 11 - a favourite period of mine - so I was delighted when I discovered her Adelia Agular series set in the same period but written under the pseudonym Ariana Franklin. Adelia is a Sicilian-trained doctor who is excellent at discovering how people have been murdered - yes, women could qualify as doctors back in the 12th century, in Sicily. She arrived in England in the first book, Mistress of the Art of Death, and Henry insists she stays. However, she has to pretend that her Saracen guardian is the doctor, she his interpreter because the English, particularly churchmen, would think her a witch. Over the years she has acquired a lover - who has become a senior churchman, a daughter, Allie, and some faithful friends/servants. In this, the fourth books, Adelia is "persuaded" by Henry to accompany his daughter, Joanna, to Sicily, where the child is to be married. Initially delighted to be going home, she is horrified when she discovers that her daughter is to remain in England - clearly a hostage for her return to England. Rowley, her lover, is also to accompany the princess but unknown to any of the other travellers there is one among them who intends to murder Adelia if he can and Franklin holds the tension beautifully and keeps the reader guessing as to who the killer is. She also beautifully realises what it must have been like travelling as part of a cavalcade that has knights, churchmen, servants, pampered ladies-in-waiting, all of whom have to be fed, watered, bedded. The deaths begin in fairly short order, and sickness and witch-hunting. Pretty well non-stop action! While this can be read on its own, give yourself a treat and read the other 3 novels first. Romance is never underplayed - but nor does it get in the way of the crimes, which is just how it should be!

abrupt ending, general sadness, a feeling of melancholy, an awareness of a dying idyl, maybe? impending doom? twilight of a glorious time? we are left, wondering about the immediate future, for our characters, and the more distant future, for we vaguely remember upheavals, wars, and other horrors, coming...ms franklin/norman died too soon...what did happen next?

The latest in the Adelia series takes some beating. I have loved everyone of the books in this series. A mixture of history, mystery, a poignant romance and a gripping plot , Adelia the female doctor of Sicily has to hide her role as a doctor in the England of Henry the Second otherwise the church would consider her a witch is compelled by Henry to go to Sicily to escort his daughter . Once again she and Rowley her lover have to solve yet more murders. The plot is pretty fictitious but historical background ie pretty accurate.If you are interested in this book start at the beginning of the series. The Mistress of the Art of Death and work your way through. It's worth it ,

I bought this 'relics of the dead' at the same time and read them both in four days I loved them so much! I have previously read 'death maze' in the same series and much preferred this book. I loved the fast paced nature of the story and truly felt that I was personally travelling through France with Adelia. At the end when I found out who the assassin turned out to be I couldn't beleive it so had to re-read some sections before realising I had missed some carefully placed great clues!