A Draught For A Dead Man

Chronicles Of Isaac Of Girona #6

by Caroline Roe

Blind Jewish physician Isaac of Girona journeys to northern Catalonia to attend a wedding and to heal an injured knight badly beaten in a mysterious attack, but the case becomes complicated by the murder of an innocent apprentice. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Medieval, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Spain, Fiction, Historical

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Caroline Medora Sale Roe AKA Medora Sale

As Medora Sale, Caroline Roe has written six police procedurals, including an Arthur Ellis Award winner. These books are set in and about Toronto and feature homicide detective John Sanders and architectural photographer Harriet Jeffries. As Caroline Roe, Medora used her PhD research on religious diversity in medieval times to re-create the character of the Bishop of Girona's Jewish physician, a 14th-century doctor with important patients and a nose for wrong-doing.

Medora is a past president of both Crime Writers of Canada and the international board of Sisters in Crime.

Series:
* Chronicles of Isaac of Girona

Reviews

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know why I started reading this series in the middle, and I have the feeling that if I had already been acquainted with Isaac and his household in Girona, it would have been easier to keep track of the characters in Perpignan. I was disappointed that the only way you could tell the family was Jewish was that they had biblical names and never ate ham. The mystery was convoluted but satisfying in the end.

[Marra · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Kelley Wickham-Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this 4.5 if possible, even a 5 within this series. I disagree with my respected other readers: the plot is not convoluted, but instead a good and puzzling mystery. I read it on and off over a few busy days and had no trouble following it, and this one had the best combination so far of characters (including all we've come to know and appreciate, plus a court setting for a Spanish princess with all its intrigue), plotting, specific historical contexts and advancement of threads from the overall series. I love seeing the natural exposition of daily life in the "call" (Jewish sector) through Isaac and Judith's family and the inclusion of details on what observations a blind man can in fact add to an investigation through both analysis and attention to his other senses. Those who can't wait to see Raquel and Daniel married are missing the enriching, deepening subplots of her parents' marriage (her mother is pregnant even as Raquel prepares for her marriage, a nice example of a loving, mature relationship) and that of Bonafilla and her sheltered life as it leads her into a possible rejection of her in marriage to David. One of or even the best I've read so far, and I only have two left in the series to read.

A list of characters at the beginning, grouped by occupation or affiliation, should help any who were confused or who had picked it up again after a delay--quick and easy.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, confusing to follow all the subplots the way this author typically constructs these books with many minor characters. I am not a patient person, so it does annoy. I still am invested in the lives of the blind physician, his daughter Raquel and his apprentice Yusuf. It is hard to give up the storyline, but one loses patience. Will Raquel and Daniel finally get the opportunity to marry? Not yet in this book. Away they go from Girona to Perpignan...with many near death and improbable experiences. I suppose I will look for the next book, but I can only stand just so much. One appreciates and admires the wisdom of Isaac, so...On we go, reading the next installment. Is all the melodrama necessary? I will try it out at library first before checking out.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first book in the series, Remedy for Treason, and liked it so I picked this up at the library. I'm afraid after stopping and starting several times I have just about given up trying to continue. It seems like the first quarter of the book just keeps going on and on about characters other than the ones (like Isaac) that brought me back to read another book in this series. I know backstory on the new characters for each particular story is important, but there was too much in this book.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to give this book a 4.5.

This series is excellent, and it definitely helps to read the series in order to learn about the main characters (especially, the Dr. Isaac of Girona, his wife, his daughter, his Muslim assistant, and the Bishop). The characters are developed quite well in the series and one learns a tremendous amount about the life in that area of the Iberian Peninsula in the mid 1300s, not just the Jewish community. As others have said, this one kept my attention even better than the previous one.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical mystery set in the mid 1500's in Spain. It is one of the Chronicles of Isaac of Girona, a blind Jewish physician of renown. He is drawn in a conspiracy involving an attempt to make money trading contraband and covering up their efforts. It involves murder, attempted murder, and efforts to cover things up.

[Georgene · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was difficult to keep track of all the characters because they all had Spanish or Jewish names which is something I'm not quite used to. Despite that, I enjoyed this book a lot and thought it was a good story.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as A Poultice for a Healer by the same author. Too disjointed, and so little plot is revealed at the beginning that it's hard to take an interest. The historical setting is still very natural and convincing.

[Roshni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced with new developments on each page - Isaac, Raquel, and Yusuf expertly untangle the complex webs of intrigue

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this one better than the last few. The story was good and the mystery interesting.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series gets better and better. I look forward to the last two entries.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: Isaac of Girona, a blind physician, travels to Catalonia to heal an injured man. There's danger.