The Serpent's Tale

By: Ariana Franklin

Narrated by: Kate Reading

The follow-up to Mistress of the Art of Death - in the national best-selling series hailed as "the medieval answer to Kay Scarpetta and the CSI detectives."

When King Henry II's mistress is found poisoned, suspicion falls on his estranged queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. The king orders Adelia Aguilar, expert in the science of death, to investigate - and hopefully stave off civil war. A reluctant Adelia finds herself once again in the company of Rowley Picot, the new Bishop of St. Albans...and her baby's father. Their discoveries into the crime are shocking - and omens of greater danger to come.

©2008 Ariana Franklin (P)2008 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A deliciously dark and effective concoction of historical fiction, suspense, romance, adventure and forensics." (Miami Herald)

"An irresistible novel." (New York Daily News)

"A brilliant tapestry of medieval life and death." (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

I agree…but

While I agree with the three reviews I read, I did not need the sex, but then I’m a prude.

loved it

Idc what other reviews have said, if Adelia was a little more whiny this book, it was within expectation of the situation, and there were definitely enough times when she was brassy as she was in the previous book. definitely plenty of laughs in this one. I liked it a lot

Delightful

I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one - The Mistress of the Art of Death - IMMENSELY. The author makes the time and the woman very believable. I am enjoying the Medieval medical information. I have often been grateful to be living in the 21st century with two painful conditions (arthritis and fibromyalgia). But the Mistress could have helped arthritic people then at least somewhat. I do have one negative thought - Kate Reading is a skilled reader, but Roslyn Landor's voice was spot on for a Miedeval story.

Fine mystery, good history lesson

The story is engrossing, the characters well drawn and the history enlightening. I could wish that Adelia was not so prone to wimping out emotionally, but I suppose that makes her complex. All in a very good listen. If you like British historical mysteries, you'll enjoy this.

Author really brings life to the plot.

The well researched 12th century England is wonderful and greatly detailed of lesser known facts. Story is riveting as always.

somewhat disappointed

the story itself is just okay...some parts of it were not believable, but the biggest downer for me was that Kate Reading as the narrator made me think that Kay Scarpetta was reading to me. If you have listened to Patricia Cornwell's books that star Kay Scarpetta then this will be odd for you to listen to. The voices of the male characters sound much like the mail characters in the Cornwell books and the voices of Ulf and Mansur sound like mice. sad. I really loved the first book in the series and will listen to the third one but I'm not impressed with the narration.

Great!

I highly recommend this page turner. I couldn't put it down. I can hardly wait to listen to the the next books in this delicious series.
The woman who read this book I amazing. I love her voices!

Not as good as her first

I have to say that I enjoyed this, but not as much as "Mistress in the Art of Death". The main character's relationships are less intense and less interesting than in "Mistress". I also found the mystery less interesting and a bit harder to follow. It's an enjoyable listen but didn't grab me. It's almost like the author was struggling to compete with her first book. Well-narrated.

mediocre following

I was disappointed in this second installment. Adelia is a strong female character in the first book, but in this one, she is reduced to whining, complaining, and is constantly fearful. The overall story is pretty fascinating,though, which made it worth it to get to the end. I am looking forward to the third in the series, and I hope that the strong yet socially awkward Adelia is back in full form.

Second in the series

Adelia's continued adventures. Love the characters in these books but also love the historical context. Read by someone different from the first book, which is always a bit of a jolt, but she was just as good. Highly recommend!