The Sheen on the Silk Author:Anne Perry New York Times bestselling novelist Anne Perry, the undisputed Queen of Victorian mysteries and the author of an acclaimed series set during World War I, now broadens her canvas with her first major stand-alone book--an epic historical novel set in thirteenth-century Constantinople, where a woman must live a lie in her quest to uncover the truth... more ».
Arriving in the ancient Byzantine city in the year 1273, Anna Zarides has only one mission: to prove the innocence of her twin brother, Justinian, who has been exiled to the desert for conspiring to kill Bessarion, a nobleman.
Disguising herself as a eunuch named Anastasius, Anna moves freely about in society, using her skills as a physician to maneuver close to the key players involved in her brother's fate. With her medical practice thriving, Anna crosses paths with Zoe Chrysaphes, a devious noblewoman with her own hidden agenda, and Giuiliano Dandolo, a ship's captain conflicted not only by his mixed Venetian-Byzantine heritage but by his growing feelings for Anastasius.
Trying to clear her brother's name, Anna learns more about Justinian's life and reputation--including his peculiar ties to Bessarion's beautiful widow and his possible role in a plot to overthrow the emperor. This leaves Anna with more questions than answer, and time is running out. For an even greater threat lies on the horizon: Another Crusade to capture the Holy Land is brewing, and leaders in Rome and Venice have set their sights on Constantinople for what is sure to be a brutal invasion. Anna's discoveries draw her inextricably closer to the dangers of the emperor's treacherous court--where it seems that no one is exactly who he or she appears to be.
Richly detailed and finely wrought, The Sheen on the Silk is a bold and brilliant work that affirms Anne Perry's talent as a master storyteller.« less
I have read all of Anne Perry's books and found them to be excellent reading material. She has not written a dull or tiresome book. Sheen on the Silk is a little long but it is an exiciting and adventureous book. Constantinople in 1273, a young women is forced to dress like a eunuch and goes to Constantinople to find out what happened to her twin brother and where he was sent after being accused as an accomplice in the murder of a noble. Thus begins the adventure and gives us the feel, sights and smeels of Constantinople in 1273, while Rome plots to invade in another "Crusade" that will destroy the city. Good Read!
I *love* Anne Perry's books; I think she's the best in the genre. However, I'm sad to report that, for the first time, I didn't finish one of her books, as much as I wanted to like it and was looking forward to it. A woman pretending to be a man, a eunuch no less, in 13th century Constantinople? What's not to like?? But it just never grabbed me like her stories usually do. Perhaps it was the long time frame covered, or perhaps I just don't care about Turkish politics -- but I'm happy to pass my copy along for someone else to try. ;)