byAriana Franklin
This is the fourth book in the Mistress of the Art of Death series.
In this story, set in 1176, the King of England is sending his 11 year old sister to Palermo as a bride for the King of Sicily. Travelling with the entourage is Adriana, a trained doctor from Sicily and her Arab companion Mansur. Because English society does not accept female doctor's she has to pretend she is the assistant to the Arab.
The King of England has encouraged her support by keeping her daughter in England. Her daughter is the result of a liaison between Adriana and and English Bishop.
As they travel along mysterious deaths occur and some of the party plot against Adriana, in addition, an old enemy -- she killed his liver-- is travelliing with them and doing what he can to bring dissent against her and get her murdered. She and some of the group are captured and accused of being Cathars. They are imprisoned and on the verge of being burned at the stake, but are rescued by one of the king's officers.
The princess becomes ill with appendicitis, the English doctor is not able to save her. The Catholic Church forbids bloodletting and surgery. Adriana is forced to operate and saves the girls life.
As the book ends they all arrive in Palermo but Adriana's enemy is still after her but he is killed during an attack on her.
The historical setting for the story was interesting and included a lot of detail about life at that time. The plot kept you interested. I think I would like to read the first book in the series sometiime.
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