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Chronicles Of Isaac Of Girona #1
Le glaive de l'archange
317pages. poche. broché. Traduit de l'anglais par Guiod Jacques
Paperback
First published May 1, 1998
4 people are currently reading
884 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Roe
28 books20 followersCaroline 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 30, 2016
I picked this book upseveral years ago at my favorite used book store because historical mysteries are my favorite genre, and medieval Spain is a period I've never read about. I want to rush out and find the next several in the series!
Blind Jewish physician Isaac is a very appealing hero - wise, logical, compassionate and kind; the back cover made it sound like he was always ducking his wife's temper which made me think for some reason it would be more humorous or slapstick - not at all. He is also younger than I would have thought from the back cover and a vital man still in his prime; Judith is in the background for most of the book, and she is devout and rather rigid in her faith, but she is also a loving, passionate wife to Isaac and even though she cannot read and understand all of his intellectual studies and pursuits, she cares deeply for him and organizes their home and family and as the last touching scene shows, is vital to his happiness. Very refreshing and human, I thought...
At first I was awash in a sea of Spanish titles and a bit confused with the large cast of characters, but as with many of my favorite historical series (Brother Athelstan, Dame Frevisse, Prioress Eleanor, Matthew Shardlake), I've learned when the mystery is set among the great and powerful, it's best to sit back and be patient and the reader is well rewarded. True here, I am glad to say; after a slow start with the discovery of what at first appears to the body of a dead nun in the public baths and the subsequent launching of different aspects of a treasonous plot from several different points of view, the plot begins to coalesce around Isaac, his dear friend the Bishop of Girona and the royal family of Don Pedro, and the action just swept me along. I read most of the book in an afternoon during a looooong car trip.
If you're a fan of well-researched historical mysteries full of royal intrigues and treason, with a brilliant, rational and decent hero and a wonderful cast of supporting characters from all levels of a richly drawn, fascinating medieval society, and even a sweet dash of romance (doesn't deter from the plot at all, I promise - the star-crossed young lovers actually provide a bit of welcome levity), this exciting first in the series might appeal as much to you as it did to me. Recommended.
Blind Jewish physician Isaac is a very appealing hero - wise, logical, compassionate and kind; the back cover made it sound like he was always ducking his wife's temper which made me think for some reason it would be more humorous or slapstick - not at all. He is also younger than I would have thought from the back cover and a vital man still in his prime; Judith is in the background for most of the book, and she is devout and rather rigid in her faith, but she is also a loving, passionate wife to Isaac and even though she cannot read and understand all of his intellectual studies and pursuits, she cares deeply for him and organizes their home and family and as the last touching scene shows, is vital to his happiness. Very refreshing and human, I thought...
At first I was awash in a sea of Spanish titles and a bit confused with the large cast of characters, but as with many of my favorite historical series (Brother Athelstan, Dame Frevisse, Prioress Eleanor, Matthew Shardlake), I've learned when the mystery is set among the great and powerful, it's best to sit back and be patient and the reader is well rewarded. True here, I am glad to say; after a slow start with the discovery of what at first appears to the body of a dead nun in the public baths and the subsequent launching of different aspects of a treasonous plot from several different points of view, the plot begins to coalesce around Isaac, his dear friend the Bishop of Girona and the royal family of Don Pedro, and the action just swept me along. I read most of the book in an afternoon during a looooong car trip.
If you're a fan of well-researched historical mysteries full of royal intrigues and treason, with a brilliant, rational and decent hero and a wonderful cast of supporting characters from all levels of a richly drawn, fascinating medieval society, and even a sweet dash of romance (doesn't deter from the plot at all, I promise - the star-crossed young lovers actually provide a bit of welcome levity), this exciting first in the series might appeal as much to you as it did to me. Recommended.
June 24, 2014
It is rewarding to read Caroline Roe at last. I was drawn to her books years ago. Several of these medical series volumes stood together, the covers uniquely gorgeous. It’s lucky I didn’t know they’re set in the 1300s. A medieval setting wouldn’t have appealed to me then. Revisiting my collection, I saw the author is Canadian, a pleasant surprise. My quest to fill in the few remaining volumes was quick and I tried “Remedy For Treason”.
Something within these stories, I like at once. Some readers struggle with numerous personages and political detail. I too prefer the perspective of one or two heroes, never opposing parties. I think the difference Caroline makes, follows Martha Brooks’ advice: “Never tell a story. Show a story”! If you plough through the early cast of characters, you settle soon on those who charm us. Isaac, Raquel, Rebecca, and the bishop are my favourites. There was no sense of the author explaining life in 1300s Spain. We see their world for ourselves as events churn along. If ever there is an example of subtle acclimatization done well, here it is. It is also my impression that historical fiction is done well, if it doesn’t feel old fashioned.
Isaac is a kind physician in Girona. His patients encompass neighbours, the bishop, and even their visiting king. He is a citizen of the Jewish quarter which has its own gate; a safety measure at times from a prejudiced city. However his daughter, Rebecca is married to a Christian and his best friend is the catholic bishop. His eyes have begun to fail and in a recent plague, his assistant died. His next daughter, Raquel is now his assistant every time they are called out. This novel becomes exceedingly adventurous and Raquel is hilarious in tough circumstances.
Something within these stories, I like at once. Some readers struggle with numerous personages and political detail. I too prefer the perspective of one or two heroes, never opposing parties. I think the difference Caroline makes, follows Martha Brooks’ advice: “Never tell a story. Show a story”! If you plough through the early cast of characters, you settle soon on those who charm us. Isaac, Raquel, Rebecca, and the bishop are my favourites. There was no sense of the author explaining life in 1300s Spain. We see their world for ourselves as events churn along. If ever there is an example of subtle acclimatization done well, here it is. It is also my impression that historical fiction is done well, if it doesn’t feel old fashioned.
Isaac is a kind physician in Girona. His patients encompass neighbours, the bishop, and even their visiting king. He is a citizen of the Jewish quarter which has its own gate; a safety measure at times from a prejudiced city. However his daughter, Rebecca is married to a Christian and his best friend is the catholic bishop. His eyes have begun to fail and in a recent plague, his assistant died. His next daughter, Raquel is now his assistant every time they are called out. This novel becomes exceedingly adventurous and Raquel is hilarious in tough circumstances.
December 31, 2024
A decent book but very short and with a less-than-exciting mystery. The scenes of old Catalan were great and I loved the characters but there was still something keeping me from really connecting with the book. Very reminiscent of the Cadfael books.
November 2, 2013
Review from Backchatting Books
"Remedy for Treason" is set in the small town of Girona, Spain in 1353. Isaac, the blind Jewish physician is asked by the Bishop of Girona to investigate why a nun died in the public baths. Along the way we meet his family and a young Moor (Yusef) with a very big secret. Medora Sales who writes under the pseudonym of Caroline Roe has a PhD in medieval history and this makes for a rich, evocative tale.
Isaac is a very intelligent if introspective man and this along with his strong moral compass make him a perfect investigator (in the eyes of the political Bishop of Girona). They very quickly determines that the woman who died isn’t really a nun because she still has her long red locks and no nuns have gone missing from the local nunnery. She is in fact one of the Queen’s attendants in disguise. No one seems to know exactly what she was doing or how she ended up dead in the baths but Isaac is suspects he has stumbled across a conspiracy to bring down the monarchy.
Although I enjoyed all the characters, I very quickly developed a soft spot for the cheeky Yusef. He has undergone significant hardship and tragedy in his short years. Others would have been crushed by it but he has emerged as a resourceful and determined boy. Watching him find his place in Isaac’s household was delightful.
If you are in the mood for fast action, then you really need to look elsewhere. The pace is leisurely and the mystery is interrupted by flashbacks, realistic religious tensions and Isaac’s domestic dramas. Isaac’s investigative technique involves questioning people, meditating on the information and carefully forming a hypothesis. With a book like this, the journey to the solution is far more important than the solution itself.
This is one series that I keep coming back to over the years. I think I have read this book and the others at least a dozen times as I love immersing myself in 14th century Spain.
"Remedy for Treason" is set in the small town of Girona, Spain in 1353. Isaac, the blind Jewish physician is asked by the Bishop of Girona to investigate why a nun died in the public baths. Along the way we meet his family and a young Moor (Yusef) with a very big secret. Medora Sales who writes under the pseudonym of Caroline Roe has a PhD in medieval history and this makes for a rich, evocative tale.
Isaac is a very intelligent if introspective man and this along with his strong moral compass make him a perfect investigator (in the eyes of the political Bishop of Girona). They very quickly determines that the woman who died isn’t really a nun because she still has her long red locks and no nuns have gone missing from the local nunnery. She is in fact one of the Queen’s attendants in disguise. No one seems to know exactly what she was doing or how she ended up dead in the baths but Isaac is suspects he has stumbled across a conspiracy to bring down the monarchy.
Although I enjoyed all the characters, I very quickly developed a soft spot for the cheeky Yusef. He has undergone significant hardship and tragedy in his short years. Others would have been crushed by it but he has emerged as a resourceful and determined boy. Watching him find his place in Isaac’s household was delightful.
If you are in the mood for fast action, then you really need to look elsewhere. The pace is leisurely and the mystery is interrupted by flashbacks, realistic religious tensions and Isaac’s domestic dramas. Isaac’s investigative technique involves questioning people, meditating on the information and carefully forming a hypothesis. With a book like this, the journey to the solution is far more important than the solution itself.
This is one series that I keep coming back to over the years. I think I have read this book and the others at least a dozen times as I love immersing myself in 14th century Spain.
February 7, 2015
I had read book #2 before #1, so this book really helped to set the setting.
The story takes place in 1353 in Medieval Europe.
It is quite complex, paced in a balanced manner, with very good development.
I love learning about the social history of the time especially and the details of the Jews (I am Jewish) in that area in Girona, relatively close to Barcelona.
I would give it a 4+ if I could and I highly recommend it.
The story takes place in 1353 in Medieval Europe.
It is quite complex, paced in a balanced manner, with very good development.
I love learning about the social history of the time especially and the details of the Jews (I am Jewish) in that area in Girona, relatively close to Barcelona.
I would give it a 4+ if I could and I highly recommend it.
August 25, 2009
The first (I think) of a series of books starring a blind Jewish physician and his Muslim apprentice in 14th century Spain. In addition to being engaging mysteries, these books, which are written by a medieval historian, provide a fascinating glimpse into medieval Spain.
April 18, 2023
1353-ieji, Ispanija, Žirona (Wikipedia sako, kad Cherona, bet nu nėr toks prastas miestas, kad taip vadinti). Ką tik atsitraukė maras, bet juodoji mirtis – ne vienintelis žudikas mieste. Užrakintoje pirtyje aptinkama baseine plūduriuojanti vienuolė perrėžta gerkle. Tai, kad ta vienuolė pasirodė esanti visai ne vienuolė, o karalienės patikėtinė, reikalą daro dar sudėtingesni. Praktiškai aklas gydytojas Izaokas nejučiomis įtraukiamas į intrigų, kurių tikslas – nuversti monarchą, sūkurį.
Žadėjo istorinį detektyvą, bet realiai pavadinčiau tai istoriniu nuotykiniu romanu. Taip, yra paslaptis, yra mirtys, mėšlingas žudikas, bet nelabai yra pačio tyrimo. Nemažai deus ex machina momentų, o vienas – išvis niekuo nepagrįstas ir taip ir paliktas nepaaiškintas.
Iš vienos pusės skystalas. Iš kitos – susiskaitė lengvai. Gal dar grįšiu prie serijos, kaip prie tų tokių poilsinių knygų. Trys iš penkių.
Žadėjo istorinį detektyvą, bet realiai pavadinčiau tai istoriniu nuotykiniu romanu. Taip, yra paslaptis, yra mirtys, mėšlingas žudikas, bet nelabai yra pačio tyrimo. Nemažai deus ex machina momentų, o vienas – išvis niekuo nepagrįstas ir taip ir paliktas nepaaiškintas.
Iš vienos pusės skystalas. Iš kitos – susiskaitė lengvai. Gal dar grįšiu prie serijos, kaip prie tų tokių poilsinių knygų. Trys iš penkių.
September 11, 2023
Interesting mystery set in medieval Spain; the protagonist is a blind Jewish physician.
February 29, 2020
The Girona series of Caroline Roe is one of my favorites. This first book of the series is no exception. Meticulously researched, Girona of the 14th century comes alive with its myriad political intrigues and religious tensions. Isaac's Jewish family are worthy protagonists, and Ms. Roe's prose is fluid and unobtrusive. Wonderfully enjoyable.
April 5, 2020
This book has been on my TBR for many years and I've finally decided that I wanted to go through all of my medieval mysteries. I have many of those books lying around on my shelves and I thought that this book was going to introduce me to characters that I would love.
I do not like this book. There is no chance that I am going to pick up the second book in this series. I don't care for this author or her writing, and I especially hated the characters.
My dislike of this book came the moment that I started reading. We are introduced to Isaac, a Jewish physician who was treating his nephew (apprentice) in the last few moments before he died of plague. Now, I am a huge sucker for books that are set during this period in European history because you saw a lot going on. Yet, plague doesn't play that much of a role in this book outside of making Roe's Jewish physician look cool. Outside of this one chapter (which I believe was the prologue), Plague isn't exactly a hindrance to Isaac and the book magically pushes forward five years later to the year 1353.
Yet, the summary of the book which would have been approved by the author at some point, says that Isaac is struggling to save his patients from the plague while also trying to solve the mysterious murder of a young woman that had disguised herself as a nun.
Remember how I said that Isaac is a Jewish doctor? Outside of telling us that he's Jewish, the author doesn't seem to acknowledge his religion. He read as though he was a Christian and that really peeved me, especially since outside of some mentions of the Jewish faith, it seemed as though all other observances were largely ignored by the author.
One thing that seriously began to grind my nerves was Isaac's blindness and how his disability was handled. Now, this is a book set in the medieval ages. I get that the blind didn't have the aids that they have today, but outside of the author constantly telling us that he's blind, and that he is a blind doctor, we don't get to see how this disability affects Isaac. We are told of his amazing ability to smell things "... and leaving a strong scent behind her of musk, jasmine, and fear... the fear has died with her."
Getting to the mystery aspect of this case. We are introduced to our murder victim fairly early on in the book. She is a very high ranking noblewoman, and you can tell by Roe's constant shoving it into our face, that she is not the real victim and that she is in on a plot- which makes her one of the villains of this book. We are introduced to the real victim of this book who is a young noblewoman that is said to be Pedro's illegitimate daughter. It becomes really apparent that this girl's life is in danger because the murder victim has been assigned to giving the girl victim some kind of drug and to be smuggled out of the confines of the convent keeping her safe, and I suppose being forced to marry somebody or be murdered. Who knows? I haven't read that far because I stopped caring.
This book is told from the point of views of so many people that it is impossible for me to keep track of them. We get the POV of the blind Jewish doctor, then we jump to the POV of some bishop, then we go to the youngest daughter of Isaac's, then we jump back to Isaac, and then all of a sudden we are in the POV of the Queen of Spain and then the King of Spain, and then back to Isaac. We are also in the perspectives of other characters that I certainly do not care about because they all read the same.
All this jumping around has led to the author seemingly becoming confused with what was going on in her own book. At the end of one chapter, we learn from a panicked Canon Vicar that the young noblewoman/illegitimate princess and Isaac's daughter are nowhere to be found. Which, great... now we are getting to some action, but then the next chapter we are back in the convent from Isaac's daughter's point of view as she tends to her patient. I believe that what the author was going for was telling from her point of view what happened, but nothing happens at all. Because it was a filler scene written by an author that clearly was never told that filler scenes don't make for a good chapter.
Then we get to the point in the book where I chose to DNF. Isaac's wife is supposed to be seen as a formidable and strong woman. Yet, she's not. At all. She's poorly developed, racist as fuck, and is entirely ignorant. I get that this was the medieval ages, and that people's mindsets were entirely different- but a problematic character can learn and grow as the story goes along, and she has remained the same boring, nasty, and poorly developed character since the first page.
This is what happens after she finds out that her youngest daughter was taken from the convent where she was tending to the young noblewoman: "I told you to keep away from the nuns. Now look what has happened. My Raquel. My beautiful Raquel. She could have married a rich man, and been happy, and you took her to that place."
Like bitch, your fucking daughter is missing and instead of worrying about her and what is happening to her, you are referring to your daughter in the past tense as though she's already dead?
After that sentence, I set the book down. I couldn't continue reading this book. Not only is it very problematic with an author that doesn't bother doing the most simplest of research into the Jewish communities of medieval Europe, not even bothering to even look up the Jewish faith to have much more accurate representation in this book- but the book is boring as hell, with lacklustre writing and incredibly poor development.
I do have the second book in this series because I decided to pick it up as well. I have decided that I will not be continuing with this series. There are far better historical/medieval mysteries out there that are more deserving of my time than this trash.
I do not like this book. There is no chance that I am going to pick up the second book in this series. I don't care for this author or her writing, and I especially hated the characters.
My dislike of this book came the moment that I started reading. We are introduced to Isaac, a Jewish physician who was treating his nephew (apprentice) in the last few moments before he died of plague. Now, I am a huge sucker for books that are set during this period in European history because you saw a lot going on. Yet, plague doesn't play that much of a role in this book outside of making Roe's Jewish physician look cool. Outside of this one chapter (which I believe was the prologue), Plague isn't exactly a hindrance to Isaac and the book magically pushes forward five years later to the year 1353.
Yet, the summary of the book which would have been approved by the author at some point, says that Isaac is struggling to save his patients from the plague while also trying to solve the mysterious murder of a young woman that had disguised herself as a nun.
Remember how I said that Isaac is a Jewish doctor? Outside of telling us that he's Jewish, the author doesn't seem to acknowledge his religion. He read as though he was a Christian and that really peeved me, especially since outside of some mentions of the Jewish faith, it seemed as though all other observances were largely ignored by the author.
One thing that seriously began to grind my nerves was Isaac's blindness and how his disability was handled. Now, this is a book set in the medieval ages. I get that the blind didn't have the aids that they have today, but outside of the author constantly telling us that he's blind, and that he is a blind doctor, we don't get to see how this disability affects Isaac. We are told of his amazing ability to smell things "... and leaving a strong scent behind her of musk, jasmine, and fear... the fear has died with her."
Getting to the mystery aspect of this case. We are introduced to our murder victim fairly early on in the book. She is a very high ranking noblewoman, and you can tell by Roe's constant shoving it into our face, that she is not the real victim and that she is in on a plot- which makes her one of the villains of this book. We are introduced to the real victim of this book who is a young noblewoman that is said to be Pedro's illegitimate daughter. It becomes really apparent that this girl's life is in danger because the murder victim has been assigned to giving the girl victim some kind of drug and to be smuggled out of the confines of the convent keeping her safe, and I suppose being forced to marry somebody or be murdered. Who knows? I haven't read that far because I stopped caring.
This book is told from the point of views of so many people that it is impossible for me to keep track of them. We get the POV of the blind Jewish doctor, then we jump to the POV of some bishop, then we go to the youngest daughter of Isaac's, then we jump back to Isaac, and then all of a sudden we are in the POV of the Queen of Spain and then the King of Spain, and then back to Isaac. We are also in the perspectives of other characters that I certainly do not care about because they all read the same.
All this jumping around has led to the author seemingly becoming confused with what was going on in her own book. At the end of one chapter, we learn from a panicked Canon Vicar that the young noblewoman/illegitimate princess and Isaac's daughter are nowhere to be found. Which, great... now we are getting to some action, but then the next chapter we are back in the convent from Isaac's daughter's point of view as she tends to her patient. I believe that what the author was going for was telling from her point of view what happened, but nothing happens at all. Because it was a filler scene written by an author that clearly was never told that filler scenes don't make for a good chapter.
Then we get to the point in the book where I chose to DNF. Isaac's wife is supposed to be seen as a formidable and strong woman. Yet, she's not. At all. She's poorly developed, racist as fuck, and is entirely ignorant. I get that this was the medieval ages, and that people's mindsets were entirely different- but a problematic character can learn and grow as the story goes along, and she has remained the same boring, nasty, and poorly developed character since the first page.
This is what happens after she finds out that her youngest daughter was taken from the convent where she was tending to the young noblewoman: "I told you to keep away from the nuns. Now look what has happened. My Raquel. My beautiful Raquel. She could have married a rich man, and been happy, and you took her to that place."
Like bitch, your fucking daughter is missing and instead of worrying about her and what is happening to her, you are referring to your daughter in the past tense as though she's already dead?
After that sentence, I set the book down. I couldn't continue reading this book. Not only is it very problematic with an author that doesn't bother doing the most simplest of research into the Jewish communities of medieval Europe, not even bothering to even look up the Jewish faith to have much more accurate representation in this book- but the book is boring as hell, with lacklustre writing and incredibly poor development.
I do have the second book in this series because I decided to pick it up as well. I have decided that I will not be continuing with this series. There are far better historical/medieval mysteries out there that are more deserving of my time than this trash.
March 20, 2008
Excellent premier volume de la série Chroniques d’Isaac de Gérone, cette entrée en matière donne vraiment envie de lire la suite des aventures et enquêtes d’Isaac le médecin. Le contexte historique est passionnant et bien reconstitué, ça change et dépayse, l’intrigue est bien développée, les personnages intéressants. À découvrir !
October 31, 2017
After reading all the reviews for this book (all of which gave it a much higher rating than I do,) I was expecting something far more erudite and historical. The evil characters hardly play any active role; once revealed, they are killed or leave the stage the story is built on. The good characters move about in a haze of either obliviousness or obtuseness until something occurs to shake them into taking notice of what is going on around them!
I cannot really believe that in mid-14th century Spain there were no political or social tensions between Jews, Christians and Muslims, but that is the way it is presented and the reader is supposed to buy it. It would be lovely to think that they were so enlightened at that time, but I'm afraid genuine history shows us that life was far more fraught than this book would have us believe!
As for the plot, it was vague in the extreme and by the time the murderer shows up, I frankly didn't care anymore! There is supposedly an uprising afoot to replace King Pedro with his brother, Don Fernando. Some discontented citizens are involved, sort of, there are plans to do away with the whole royal family, beginning with the kidnapping of the King's toddler son. The Queen never makes an appearance at all, so any conjectures as to her death are baseless. The King seems surrounded by incompetent, disloyal retainers...maybe there should be a rout of his personal guards! There are deaths, but they are mainly of people the world is well rid of, so no one is overly anxious to get to the root of the problems. There is a love story, but the male party is so clueless that one wonders what the female party could possibly see in him!
All-in-all, disappointing.
I cannot really believe that in mid-14th century Spain there were no political or social tensions between Jews, Christians and Muslims, but that is the way it is presented and the reader is supposed to buy it. It would be lovely to think that they were so enlightened at that time, but I'm afraid genuine history shows us that life was far more fraught than this book would have us believe!
As for the plot, it was vague in the extreme and by the time the murderer shows up, I frankly didn't care anymore! There is supposedly an uprising afoot to replace King Pedro with his brother, Don Fernando. Some discontented citizens are involved, sort of, there are plans to do away with the whole royal family, beginning with the kidnapping of the King's toddler son. The Queen never makes an appearance at all, so any conjectures as to her death are baseless. The King seems surrounded by incompetent, disloyal retainers...maybe there should be a rout of his personal guards! There are deaths, but they are mainly of people the world is well rid of, so no one is overly anxious to get to the root of the problems. There is a love story, but the male party is so clueless that one wonders what the female party could possibly see in him!
All-in-all, disappointing.
February 15, 2019
This was a nice departure from what I have been reading lately. Well not a radical departure as it is a historical mystery, but it is the first I've read by an outsider. Caedfael, Owen Archer, Eleanor and Thomas and all the rest, while set apart in different ways, were all European. Isaac of Girona on the other hand is part of a society viewed with suspicion by the greater society around him. As a doctor, and a good one at that, he is instrumental to his town, but as a Jew he is viewed with suspicion even by those he is friends with. The bishop is his closest friend in this book and even he suspects Isaac of magic.
Like some other historical mysteries I've read, the mystery is rather weak. You can tell who the culprits are about a third of the way through. And if that was all this book had going for it I wouldn't have given it four stars. It's the characters, they live and breathe and feel like real people. Even Isaac who is supposed to be this wise sage is relatable in a way that I rarely find in a detective. Hopefully the second book will have a better mystery, but even without that as long as the character work stays up this will be a fun series.
Like some other historical mysteries I've read, the mystery is rather weak. You can tell who the culprits are about a third of the way through. And if that was all this book had going for it I wouldn't have given it four stars. It's the characters, they live and breathe and feel like real people. Even Isaac who is supposed to be this wise sage is relatable in a way that I rarely find in a detective. Hopefully the second book will have a better mystery, but even without that as long as the character work stays up this will be a fun series.
January 26, 2025
I was very excited to read this book. I love historical fiction. This book was not available in my public library, so I bought the book on Amazon. The background is inviting and makes you want to know more about the characters and their life. The characters in the story were hard for me to keep up with, especially since some are known by their royal name and some by their familiar name. Or both. I turned back often to the map and to the genealogical charts. The central character, Isaac, is definitely a man you would like to know. Even his family is filled with interesting people. The story, however, was hard for me to follow. The name of the book, Remedy For Treason, is intriguing. But I can't answer the basic question, "What WAS the remedy for treason?"
December 13, 2020
A story of court intrigue set in 1353 Spain. Detective is a blind Jewish doctor who lives in the Jewish quarter. I did not find the historical background to be convincing nor the treatment of the Jewish faith to be believable.
December 11, 2025
This book was not my favorite. The story had so much going on and so many characters, it was hard to follow. Finally, about mid-way I was able to make sense of it and the ending resolved nicely, but that's only 50% of a good story.
December 24, 2017
Disappointing though mildly interesting---about a blind Jewish doctor in the 14th century, his spunky daughter/student, and a plot against the king.
October 10, 2018
Very engaging, thoughtful, well plotted historical fiction set in 1300's Girona. Captures the politics, religion and way of life of several intersecting cultures in medieval Spain.
March 4, 2019
PROTAGONIST: Isaac the physician
SETTING:1350s Spain
SERIES: #1
RATING: 4.0
SETTING:1350s Spain
SERIES: #1
RATING: 4.0
December 6, 2020
Very good first in a series, fine introduction of characters and place. I look forward to the next one.
August 14, 2022
Blind physician Isaac of Girona is tasked with colving the murder of a royal lady-in-waiting.
Anthony Award Nominee for Best Paperback Original (1999).
Anthony Award Nominee for Best Paperback Original (1999).
April 11, 2025
First in a medieval, medical mystery series. Great characters in a leisurely paced story of royal intrigue and betrayal.
November 29, 2011
Dans l'Espagne du XIVe siècle, Gérone accueille la deuxième plus importante communauté juive de toute la Catalogne. Le médecin juif Isaac y officie malgré un sérieux handicap il est aveugle. Respecté et reconnu, ce ne sont pourtant pas seulement ses talents de guérisseur qui font sa réputation. Observateur subtil de la nature humaine, assisté de sa femme Judith, de son jeune apprenti Yusuf et de sa charmante fille Raquel, il répond immanquablement présent lorsqu'il s'agit d'enquêter sur les crimes les plus épineux. Pendant l'été 1348, alors que le royaume d'Espagne est frappé par la peste, Isaac lutte pour sauver ses patients. Mais le fléau n'est pas la seule cause de décès. Une religieuse en fait un serviteur de la reine d'Aragon déguisé en nonne - meurt dans des bains publics. C'est alors que l'évêque de Gérone, un vieil ami d'Isaac, fait appel à ses talents pour sauver sa nièce d'une étrange blessure infectée. II lui demande également de l'aide pour tenter de disculper un jeune homme entraîné malgré lui dans un sombre complot contre Don Pedro, roi d'Aragon.
March 19, 2011
An interesting idea, hero and setting are hurt by a major case of 'first book in the series' syndrome.
I like Isaac and the members of his household, but the story jumps around too much and we get information that he doesn't, so it feels like I'm cheating when I pieced things together before he did. The jumping around between three story threads and a dozen characters in a book that's a little over two hundred pages really hurt it. I was expected to keep track of thinly developed characters, while the 'detective' spent too much time off stage.
Really wish the focus had stayed more on Isaac and the author had found a better way to give us information than wandering off.
A good lead character and an interesting bit of history, but otherwise an uneven book that has me feeling lukewarm about giving it another try.
I like Isaac and the members of his household, but the story jumps around too much and we get information that he doesn't, so it feels like I'm cheating when I pieced things together before he did. The jumping around between three story threads and a dozen characters in a book that's a little over two hundred pages really hurt it. I was expected to keep track of thinly developed characters, while the 'detective' spent too much time off stage.
Really wish the focus had stayed more on Isaac and the author had found a better way to give us information than wandering off.
A good lead character and an interesting bit of history, but otherwise an uneven book that has me feeling lukewarm about giving it another try.
May 12, 2014
The first line of the Synospsis should give you an idea of the historical accuracy to be expected: Girona, Spain 1353. In 1353, Girona was not part of Spain but of the Crown of Aragon. Not only that, but Spain did not even exist, with the peninsula beign divided into the Crown of Aragon, The Crown of Castilla, Navarra, the Califate of Cordoba and Portugal. But who cares about historical accuracy? Not this writer apparently.
August 25, 2015
First of her Isaac of Girona series. Isaac is a blind Jewish physician in 14th century Spain. I enjoyed this and would welcome another; I have to say it wasn't, I don't know, deep maybe? I did like the characters and the plot ticked along nicely, I can't quite say what I thought fell short, but it wasn't very short anyhow.
February 6, 2009
This excellent series, by Caroline Roe, is about a blind Jewish physician in medieval Spain. They are presented as mysteries, but as one Amazon.com reviewer mentioned, they are really more like historical novels than mysteries. I have enjoyed all of her books so far.
October 2, 2011
The mystery itself I'd only give 3 stars, but as historical fiction, the setting and characters were excellent. I was fascinated by the interplay of cultures in 14th century Spain. Well-written enough that I've read several others in the series - and want to read more!
December 31, 2015
What a fantastic first book to a series. I love that it is set in fourteenth century Spain and that the main character is a blind Jewish doctor. While the mystery was good, it was really the setting and the hero that made this such a good story for me.
May 3, 2008
A jewish doctor in pre-Isabella Spain...
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