Search - An Antidote for Avarice (Isaac of Girona, Bk 3)

Third in the Isaac of Girona historical mystery series set in 1534 Spain and featuring a blind Jewish physician and his family. In this book, Isaac has been ordered to accompany the Bishop to Tarragona, where he is attending a Council of Bishops. Since Judith, Isaac's wife, has a sister in Tarragona that she wishes to visit, she and Raquel, their daughter and Isaac's assistant, also accompany the retinue. Much adventure awaits them on the trip including the discovery of a badly beaten and tortured young man along the roadside. There is also news of a murdered Friar, and the party themselves being set upon by bandits. Steeped in political and religious intrigue and plots, I found that aspect of the book rather wearying at times and couldn't quite remember who was whom and what position they took on this or that issue. Despite that, I did figure out the mystery ahead of time. But I enjoy Isaac and his family and household and this book was a good entry in the series.

Girona, Spain, 1354. Blind physician Isaac of Girona is summoned to accompany the Bishop Berenguer to Tarragona for a Bishops' Council. But messengers from the Pope keep turning up dead--and Isaac soon finds himself embroiled in court intrigue and murder on the road to Tarragona.

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This second entry in the series adds to the texture by broadening the geographic scope -- a long road trip occupies a sizeable portion of the novel, and Roe admirably documents the journey's hazards and adventures. Readers will quickly note that some characters are more than they appear, but the plotting is clever enough to keep all but the sharpest guessers on their toes until very late in the game.

AN ANTIDOTE FOR AVARICE proves that Caroline Roe isn't a one-book wonder; instead, she's among the more talented historical novelists in mystery fiction, and this series looks to be developing strongly. Readers who have had enough of the Wars of the Roses and medieval English politics should find these novels a refreshing diversion.

Follows Cure for a Charlatan in The Chronicles of Isaac of Girona series, set in medieval Spain. "Should go instantly to the top of any Cadfael lover's list," says The Globe and Mail