Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin (2007)

This is the first book to Serpents Tale, a gift from a colleague. Adelia, trained in medicine in Italy, but especially skilled in reading the dead, is sent by her king to England to help King Henry with some murdered children. This was a fascinating look at 12th century England. It was scary to see the belief in the healing power of religious artifacts. Mind over matter can only go so far. I was again amazed by the level of medical knowledge of Adelia. I also liked her companions Simon, a Jew, and Monsuer, a Moor. I was looking for the person I knew she was going to fall in love with, but I didn't recognize him till the very end.