Death Series Books 1-4
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Book 1: 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 I 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...
Book 2: The Serpent's Tale
Ariana Franklin combines the best of modern forensic thrillers with the drama of historical
fiction in the enthralling second novel in the Mistress of the Art of Death series, featuring
medieval heroine Adelia Aguilar.
Rosamund Clifford, the mistress of King Henry II, has died an agonizing death by poison-and the
king's estranged queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, is the prime suspect. Henry suspects that Rosamund's
murder is probably the first move in Eleanor's long-simmering plot to overthrow him. If Eleanor is
guilty, the result could be civil war. The king must once again summon Adelia Aguilar, mistress of
the art of death, to uncover the truth.
Adelia is not happy to be called out of retirement. She has been living contentedly in the
countryside, caring for her infant daughter, Allie. But Henry's summons cannot be ignored, and
Adelia must again join forces with the king's trusted fixer, Rowley Picot, the Bishop of St. Albans,
who is also her baby's father.
Adelia and Rowley travel to the murdered courtesan's home, in a tower within a walled labyrinth-
a strange and sinister place from the outside, but far more so on the inside, where a bizarre and
gruesome discovery awaits them. But Adelia's investigation is cut short by the appearance of
Rosamund's rival: Queen Eleanor. Adelia, Rowley, and the other members of her small party are taken
captive by Eleanor's henchmen and held in the nunnery of Godstow, where Eleanor is holed up for the
winter with her band of mercenaries, awaiting the right moment to launch their rebellion.
Isolated and trapped inside the nunnery by the snow and cold, Adelia and Rowley watch as dead
bodies begin piling up. Adelia knows that there may be more than one killer at work, and she must
unveil their true identities before England is once again plunged into civil war...
Book 3: Grave Goods
Combining the best of modern forensic thrillers with the drama of medieval fiction, New York Times-
bestselling author Ariana Franklin returns with the third title in the Mistress of the Art of Death
series.
England, 1176. Beautiful, tranquil Glastonbury Abbey - one of England's holiest sites, and
believed by some to be King Arthur's sacred Isle of Avalon - has been burned almost to the ground.
The arsonist remains at large, but the fire has uncovered something even more shocking: two hidden
skeletons, a man and a woman. The skeletons' height and age send rumors flying - are the remains
those of Arthur and Guinevere?
King Henry II hopes so. Struggling to put down a rebellion in Wales, where the legend of Celtic
savior Arthur is particularly strong, Henry wants definitive proof that the bones are Arthur's.
If the rebels are sure that the Once and Future King will not be coming to their aid, Henry can
stamp out the insurgence for good. He calls on Adelia Aguilar, Mistress of the Art of Death, to
examine the bones.
Henry's summons comes not a moment too soon, for Adelia has worn out her welcome in Cambridge.
As word of her healing powers has spread, so have rumors of witchcraft. So Adelia and her household
ride to Glastonbury, where the investigation into the abbey fire will be overseen by the Church
authorities - in this case, the Bishop of St. Albans, who happens also to be the father of Adelia's
daughter.
Book 4: A Murderous Procession
In 1176, King Henry II sends his daughter Joanna to Palermo to marry his cousin, the king of Sicily.
Henry chooses Adelia Aguilar, his Mistress of the Art of Death, to travel with the princess and
safeguard her health. But when people in the wedding procession are murdered, Adelia and Rowley must
discover the killer's identity...and whether he is stalking the princess or Adelia herself.
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