The Anatomist's Apprentice (Dr. Thomas Silkstone Mysteries)
Registered by 
GoryDetails
of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 1/28/2015
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
GoryDetails of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 1/28/2015 This Book is Currently in the Wild!
2 journalers for this copy...
I got this fair-condition ex-library softcover from Better World Books, for another release copy.
I first read this book via an audiobook version from Audible.com, drawn to it because it was narrated by the marvelous Simon Vance. The book is centered on young Dr. Thomas Silkstone, a young American who's been living in England to study under the aging but brilliant Dr. Carruthers. (The prologue of the book pretty much names Silkstone as the world's first forensic scientist, and as I've read quite a bit about the history of forensics I got a little impatient at having so many different discoveries attributed to him! Still, it makes a neat premise for the books.)
The core of the story is the mysterious death of the not-very-nice Sir Edward Crick, whose sister winds up consulting Thomas about investigating the cause of his death - after her husband is accused of murdering him. (Since it's been some time since the murder by the time Silkstone sees the body, there are some nicely gruesome descriptions of the horribly decomposed corpse, not to mention the question of how much data can be gathered from a body in that condition.)
Silkstone faces class prejudice, the public's fear and anger over anatomists in general, and a more dangerous threat - once he gets into the investigation it seems that someone's desperate to stop him. Oh, and then there's his immediate attraction to young Lydia Farrell, whose husband he's trying to save...
Some nice twists and turns to the mystery, lots and lots of gritty period detail, and some interesting characters - a respectable start to a series.
I first read this book via an audiobook version from Audible.com, drawn to it because it was narrated by the marvelous Simon Vance. The book is centered on young Dr. Thomas Silkstone, a young American who's been living in England to study under the aging but brilliant Dr. Carruthers. (The prologue of the book pretty much names Silkstone as the world's first forensic scientist, and as I've read quite a bit about the history of forensics I got a little impatient at having so many different discoveries attributed to him! Still, it makes a neat premise for the books.)
The core of the story is the mysterious death of the not-very-nice Sir Edward Crick, whose sister winds up consulting Thomas about investigating the cause of his death - after her husband is accused of murdering him. (Since it's been some time since the murder by the time Silkstone sees the body, there are some nicely gruesome descriptions of the horribly decomposed corpse, not to mention the question of how much data can be gathered from a body in that condition.)
Silkstone faces class prejudice, the public's fear and anger over anatomists in general, and a more dangerous threat - once he gets into the investigation it seems that someone's desperate to stop him. Oh, and then there's his immediate attraction to young Lydia Farrell, whose husband he's trying to save...
Some nice twists and turns to the mystery, lots and lots of gritty period detail, and some interesting characters - a respectable start to a series.
I'm putting this book in the Medicine Chest bookbox. Hope someone enjoys it!
Looks like fun.
I wanted to like this book more than I did; it seemed contrived. The author wants to make sure we know that she knows far, far more about the era than her readers. I appreciate the several pages of definitions of obscure terms in the back: Gallimaufray as an assortment of motley things was interesting, but I did not need to be told what a salve was, or that a cutpurse was a violent mugger. (Actually I believe the author is in error there, cutpurses got their name from slitting your purse in a crowd, spilling its contents. Probably she meant 'highway man.')
Still, more red herrings than anyone in the 18th century could throw feverfew petals at, so a good mystery, although the body count was spectacular in the end.
I wanted to like this book more than I did; it seemed contrived. The author wants to make sure we know that she knows far, far more about the era than her readers. I appreciate the several pages of definitions of obscure terms in the back: Gallimaufray as an assortment of motley things was interesting, but I did not need to be told what a salve was, or that a cutpurse was a violent mugger. (Actually I believe the author is in error there, cutpurses got their name from slitting your purse in a crowd, spilling its contents. Probably she meant 'highway man.')
Still, more red herrings than anyone in the 18th century could throw feverfew petals at, so a good mystery, although the body count was spectacular in the end.
Journal Entry 4 by quietorchid at Dunn Bros. Downtown Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA on Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Released 8 yrs ago (10/20/2015 UTC) at Dunn Bros. Downtown Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Left on a table.
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Welcome to Bookcrossing, where Books roam freely! I hope you enjoy the book, and leave a journal entry so I can see where the book ended up. You can remain anonymous if you'd like, or join and follow the book's travels throughout the world. The site is free, secure, and non-spamming. Take a look around, and then go read!
P.S. If the book is too good to read and release, that's okay, you can keep it, just let me know that it's found a good home!
