The Anatomist's Apprentice (Dr. Thomas Silkstone Mysteries)
Registered by 
GoryDetails
of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 2/1/2013
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
GoryDetails of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 2/1/2013 This Book is Currently in the Wild!
2 journalers for this 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. I got this fair-condition trade paperback from Better World Books. [I've also read the second book in the series, The Dead Shall Not Rest.]
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.
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 adding this to the Medicine Chest IV bookbox, which I'll be moving along soon. (See the forum thread here for the mailing order, and the bookbox journal for the lists of books taken and added.) Hope someone enjoys the book!
Taking from Medicine Chest IV Bookbox. Thanks for sharing!
I found some of the situations rather contrived, and wondered about the authenticity of the period - in some cases it sounded more like 19th century than 18th, but I'm far from being an expert!
In spite of these flaws, I couldn't put it down!
Dr. Silkstone was a sympathetic character, as was Lady Farrell. The unpleasant characters were unpleasant to an extreme. A real page-turner!
Some parts were, indeed, gruesome, and I'd never given much thought to how anatomists obtained bodies for study. Today you just fill out a form if you want someone to take you apart after you pass away, unless, of course, there's foul play suspected. But I digress.
I'll definitely look for the next book in the series, entitled The Dead shall Not Rest. It will be interesting to follow Dr. Silkstone's career.
In spite of these flaws, I couldn't put it down!
Dr. Silkstone was a sympathetic character, as was Lady Farrell. The unpleasant characters were unpleasant to an extreme. A real page-turner!
Some parts were, indeed, gruesome, and I'd never given much thought to how anatomists obtained bodies for study. Today you just fill out a form if you want someone to take you apart after you pass away, unless, of course, there's foul play suspected. But I digress.
I'll definitely look for the next book in the series, entitled The Dead shall Not Rest. It will be interesting to follow Dr. Silkstone's career.
Journal Entry 5 by 
eponine38
at LFL - Arlington St. in Medford, Massachusetts USA on Wednesday, December 31, 2014
eponine38 at LFL - Arlington St. in Medford, Massachusetts USA on Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Released 9 yrs ago (12/31/2014 UTC) at LFL - Arlington St. in Medford, Massachusetts USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Left in the Little Free Library at about 1:00. Hope someone will enjoy it!
Released for 2014 What's in a Name Challenge hosted by DragonGoddess, for the embedded "Tom".
Released for December 2014 Ultimate Challenge hosted by NancyNova. The theme this month is Person or People.
DEAR FINDER,
Welcome to BookCrossing!
Please make a journal entry so we know this book has found a new home.You don't need to join BookCrossing and you can remain completely anonymous. However, we encourage you to join so that you can follow this book's future travels. (You’ll receive an email anytime someone makes a journal entry). It's fun, free, and confidential. If you decide to join, consider listing eponine38 as referring you.
Take your time reading the book, and after you finish, please make another journal entry to record your thoughts about it. This book is now yours, and you can keep it if you choose, though we would love for you to share it. If you pass it along, please make a release note to let others know where you left it “in the wild”, or a journal entry if you gave/sent it to a known person.
I hope you enjoy the book!
Released for 2014 What's in a Name Challenge hosted by DragonGoddess, for the embedded "Tom".
Released for December 2014 Ultimate Challenge hosted by NancyNova. The theme this month is Person or People.
DEAR FINDER,
Welcome to BookCrossing!
Please make a journal entry so we know this book has found a new home.You don't need to join BookCrossing and you can remain completely anonymous. However, we encourage you to join so that you can follow this book's future travels. (You’ll receive an email anytime someone makes a journal entry). It's fun, free, and confidential. If you decide to join, consider listing eponine38 as referring you.
Take your time reading the book, and after you finish, please make another journal entry to record your thoughts about it. This book is now yours, and you can keep it if you choose, though we would love for you to share it. If you pass it along, please make a release note to let others know where you left it “in the wild”, or a journal entry if you gave/sent it to a known person.
I hope you enjoy the book!
