Title: A Murderous Procession
Author: Ariana Franklin
First published January 1, 2010
337 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780399156281 (ISBN10: 0399156283)
Rating: 4.13
Overview
In the year 1176, King Henry II entrusts his precious daughter Joanna to wed the king of Sicily. To ensure her safety during this dangerous journey, the king selects Adelia Aguilar, his trusted Mistress of the Art of Death, to accompany the princess.
However, the wedding procession is plagued by a series of gruesome murders, leaving Adelia and Rowley no choice but to investigate the matter. With the lives of the princess and Adelia in danger, they must uncover the true identity of the ruthless killer and put an end to their murderous procession.
About the Author
Diana Norman was a British writer who wrote under the name Ariana Franklin. She was a well-respected biographer and historical novelist with a background in journalism.
She lived in Hertfordshire, England, with her spouse, Barry Norman, who was a film critic. It’s worth noting that some of her books had different titles in the UK and the US.
For instance, The Death Maze was called The Serpent’s Tale in the US, Relics of the Dead was known as Grave Goods in the US, and The Assassin’s Prayer was published as A Murderous Procession in the US.
Editoral Review
A Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin is a thrilling historical mystery novel that takes readers on a journey through medieval Europe. First published on January 1, 2010, the book is the fourth in the Mistress of the Art of Death series and was completed by Diana Norman after Franklin’s death.
Ariana Franklin, who passed away in 2011, was a British writer who specialized in historical fiction and mystery novels. She was known for her meticulous research into the time periods she wrote about, and A Murderous Procession is no exception.
The novel is set in the 12th century and follows the story of Adelia Aguilar, a forensic pathologist who is summoned to accompany a royal procession from England to Italy. The journey is meant to secure the betrothal of King Henry’s daughter, Joanna, to the son of the Emperor of Sicily.
However, the trip takes a dangerous turn when members of the procession start turning up dead, and Adelia must use her skills to solve the murders before she becomes the next victim.
Franklin’s writing style is rich and immersive, transporting readers to a different time and place. Her attention to detail is impressive, and she brings the medieval world to life with vivid descriptions of the landscape, characters, and customs of the time.
The book is also notable for its strong female protagonist, Adelia, who defies gender roles and societal expectations to pursue her passion for science and justice.
The themes of power, politics, and religion are woven throughout the narrative, and Franklin does an excellent job of exploring the tensions between different groups during the Middle Ages. The book also touches on issues that are still relevant today, such as misogyny, xenophobia, and corruption.
The pacing of the novel is steady, and the plot is well-constructed, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. The supporting cast of characters is also well-developed, adding depth and complexity to the story.
Overall, A Murderous Procession is a compelling historical mystery novel that will satisfy fans of the genre. However, there are some weaknesses to the book.
The ending feels rushed and somewhat anticlimactic, and some of the plot points are a bit predictable. Additionally, while Adelia is a strong and interesting character, some of her actions and decisions feel unrealistic given the time period.
Despite these flaws, A Murderous Procession is a well-written and entertaining read that is sure to appeal to fans of historical fiction and mystery novels. It receives a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
