Isaac of Girona #2. Issac and his daughter Raquel, his assistant, are summoned to the death beds of three young men, all supposedly unconnected—a Jewish baker’s son, a wealthy Catholic merchant’s son and a seminarian. On the face of things, they’re not likely to be connected, but Issac digs below the surface to figure out the common thread in their lives and eventually solves the murders. Again, a surprise ending for me, something I really relish and enjoy as they are quite rare for me. I like Issac and the colorful and interesting cast of regular characters—Bishop Berenguer, Issac’s very traditional and staunchly Jewish wife Judith; his daughter Rebecca, who has been disowned by Judith for marrying a Christian; his daughter Raquel who is a non-traditional woman and who is trained to act as his eyes, since he is blind; Issac’s fledgling apprentice Yusuf, an orphaned Moor whose family died in part during the civil war and in part during the Black Death. All wonderfully drawn characters that I suspect will grow and bloom as the series goes on.

In 1353 Girona, Spain, the sudden death of three healthy, but discontented youths stun the townsfolk. Aaron the Baker's son, Loren, the seminarian's son, and Marc the weaver's son all die in the same horrific way. Most of the local residents believe evil witchcraft killed the three lads. However, the blind Jewish physician Isaac thinks it is more likely that mortal happenings occurred. He strongly feels an unknown assailant poisoned the trio.

Hysteria grips the town as any female could now be accused of practicing witchcraft by people seeking retaliation. Isaac, accompanied by his apprentice Yusef and his daughter-assistant Raquel, races against time to prove that a devious and deadly con artist is behind the apparent devilish disease.

Fans of historical mysteries will know that Caroline Roe is the real deal with her latest Isaac who-done-it. The story line is filled with detail and action that paints a panorama of Medieval Spain, especially the Jewish quarter. The medical mystery is absolutely awesome, but it is the depth to all the characters that turn this into one of the best historical mystery entries. CURE FOR A CHARLATAN and CHRONICLES OF ISAAC OF GIRONA are first rate reads.

I like Caroline Roe's books very much and this is one of my favorite series.

Follows Remedy for Treason in The Chronicles of Isaac of Girona series, set in medieval Spain, main character a blind Jewish physician. "Should go instantly to the top of any Cadfael lover's list," says The Globe and Mail

Read All Book Reviews of "Cure for a Charlatan Isaac of Girona Bk 2"