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Dr. Thomas Silkstone #3
The Devil's Breath
Eighteenth-century anatomist Dr. Thomas Silkstone travels to the English countryside to unravel a tangled web of mystery, medicine, and murder--in this captivating new novel from Tessa Harris. . .
A man staggers out of his cottage into the streets of Oxfordshire, shattering an otherwise peaceful evening with the terrible sight of his body shaking and heaving, eyes wild with horror. Many of the villagers believe the Devil himself has entered Joseph Makepeace, the latest victim of a "great fog" that darkens the skies over England like a Biblical plague. When Joseph's son and daughter are found murdered--heads bashed in by a shovel--the town's worst suspicions are confirmed: Evil is abroad, and needs to be banished.
A brilliant man of science, Dr. Thomas Silkstone is not one to heed superstition. But when he arrives at the estate of the lovely widow Lady Lydia Farrell, he finds that it's not just her grain and livestock at risk. A shroud of mystery surrounds Lydia's lost child, who may still be alive in a workhouse. A natural disaster fills the skies with smoke and ash, clogging the lungs of all who breathe it in. And the grisly details of a father's crime compels Dr. Silkstone to look for answers beyond his medical books--between the Devil and the deep blue sea. . .
A man staggers out of his cottage into the streets of Oxfordshire, shattering an otherwise peaceful evening with the terrible sight of his body shaking and heaving, eyes wild with horror. Many of the villagers believe the Devil himself has entered Joseph Makepeace, the latest victim of a "great fog" that darkens the skies over England like a Biblical plague. When Joseph's son and daughter are found murdered--heads bashed in by a shovel--the town's worst suspicions are confirmed: Evil is abroad, and needs to be banished.
A brilliant man of science, Dr. Thomas Silkstone is not one to heed superstition. But when he arrives at the estate of the lovely widow Lady Lydia Farrell, he finds that it's not just her grain and livestock at risk. A shroud of mystery surrounds Lydia's lost child, who may still be alive in a workhouse. A natural disaster fills the skies with smoke and ash, clogging the lungs of all who breathe it in. And the grisly details of a father's crime compels Dr. Silkstone to look for answers beyond his medical books--between the Devil and the deep blue sea. . .
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2013
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About the author
Tessa Harris
21 books525 followersFrom the author's website:After studying History at Oxford University, I began my journalistic career on a newspaper in my home town of Louth, in Lincolnshire. I progressed onto a London newspaper, where I became women's editor. From there I moved to become a feature writer on Best magazine. After two years I was made editor of a regional arts and listings publication. This was followed by another two years as deputy editor on Heritage magazine. Motherhood meant a spell as a freelance, contributing to several national magazines, such as Country Homes & Interiors, Perfect Home and Woman's Journal, as well as newspapers such as The Times, The Telegraph and The Guardian. During this time I also worked as a literary publicist and for a documentary-making company. In 2005 I was made editor of Berkshire Life magazine.
In 2000 I won a European-wide screenplay writing competition run by the London Screenwriters' Workshop and the resulting screenplay was optioned by a film company. The script was set in 18th century London and my subsequent research led to the invention of Dr Thomas Silkstone, an American anatomist and the world's first forensic scientist.
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_...
Author Tessa Harris[5] also made him one of the main characters in her book The Dead Shall Not Rest which uses a fictional character Thomas Silkstone to examine the beginnings of forensic science, anatomy and surgery. The book, which is well referenced, emphasises the difficulty and need of anatomists of the time gaining access to bodies to dissect, and the illegal trade in dead bodies that eventuated due to this.
In 2000 I won a European-wide screenplay writing competition run by the London Screenwriters' Workshop and the resulting screenplay was optioned by a film company. The script was set in 18th century London and my subsequent research led to the invention of Dr Thomas Silkstone, an American anatomist and the world's first forensic scientist.
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_...
Author Tessa Harris[5] also made him one of the main characters in her book The Dead Shall Not Rest which uses a fictional character Thomas Silkstone to examine the beginnings of forensic science, anatomy and surgery. The book, which is well referenced, emphasises the difficulty and need of anatomists of the time gaining access to bodies to dissect, and the illegal trade in dead bodies that eventuated due to this.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
August 30, 2021
In this 3rd book in the 'Dr. Thomas Silkstone' series, a deadly fog spreads across England - and murders are committed in midst of the chaos. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
A burning fog drifts over England in summer 1783 sickening and killing those exposed.
Dr. Thomas Silkstone, a colonist transplanted to London, is in the country visiting his fiance Lady Lydia Farrell when the deadly fog hits. A scientist at heart, Silkstone studies the phenomenon and tries to devise treatments.
At the same time, Lady Lydia learns the son she thought died in infancy - now six years old - is still alive. Anxious to find her son, Lydia and Thomas set out to look for him.
Unfortunately, nefarious parties bent on controlling Lydia and choosing the heir to her estate are also on the trail of the boy.
Meanwhile, in the chaos of the deaths from 'fog disease' several murders occur. Victims include a married temptress;
A corrupt estate steward;
And a brother and sister accused of being possessed by the devil.
Reverend George Lightfoot, whose wife succumbs to the illness, is sure God's wrath is responsible and preaches fire and brimstone (there's a little too much of this for me).
Though the historical atmosphere and characters are interesting, and the saga of Lydia and her son is compelling, I became bored with the book. For me it doesn't measure up as a mystery story. I've grown accustomed to modern detective stories with scads of forensic evidence, and in this book the culprits are discovered as much by luck as anything else. To me this seems more like a historical novel than a historical mystery.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
March 11, 2014
Definitely my least favorite of the series so far. It was an interesting choice of historical setting, but it took so long to set that scene and get to the plot, I almost gave up. In addition, while the doctor is an enjoyable character, his love interest is a wuss. She shows little strength or depth at all, and it makes for a lopsided relationship. And yet, I would still read the next installment. Just from the library, not the bookstore.
April 28, 2014
"TESSA HARRIS HITS OUT OF THE PARK AGAIN!"
I can't say enough good things about the Dr. Thomas Silkstone stories. I downloaded this one without even reading the synopsis. Last year, I read Harris first book in this series and was blown away. I immediately downloaded the second one. Again, a great book. It's been about 6 months and I stumbled upon her latest book by accident. "The Devil's Breath" is outstanding. Dr. Thomas Silkstone continues to be a well-developed character. We get a good understanding of the leading edge of what would eventually become good medical practices (not guess work, superstition, bleeding, and/or forms of witchcraft) and the advent of forensic medicine. Plus the deadly catastrophic event which kills many people during this era is a little known natural disaster that reared its ugly head again in THIS millennium! That is the true villain here. You will be shocked and frightened because it can happen again!
(As an audio book, this work is enhanced by the incomparable narrator Simon Vance. He can make the active ingredients on the label of a can of AJAX sound enjoyable. Always a definite asset if you choose the audio format!)
I can't wait for book #4 in this series, due out in June in print form. Get on it, Audible - don't make YOUR Members wait too long for the audiobook! Tessa Harris has devoted fans who are ready to buy the next Dr. Silkstone book as soon as it is released! I hope this will be a 20+ book series!
I can't say enough good things about the Dr. Thomas Silkstone stories. I downloaded this one without even reading the synopsis. Last year, I read Harris first book in this series and was blown away. I immediately downloaded the second one. Again, a great book. It's been about 6 months and I stumbled upon her latest book by accident. "The Devil's Breath" is outstanding. Dr. Thomas Silkstone continues to be a well-developed character. We get a good understanding of the leading edge of what would eventually become good medical practices (not guess work, superstition, bleeding, and/or forms of witchcraft) and the advent of forensic medicine. Plus the deadly catastrophic event which kills many people during this era is a little known natural disaster that reared its ugly head again in THIS millennium! That is the true villain here. You will be shocked and frightened because it can happen again!
(As an audio book, this work is enhanced by the incomparable narrator Simon Vance. He can make the active ingredients on the label of a can of AJAX sound enjoyable. Always a definite asset if you choose the audio format!)
I can't wait for book #4 in this series, due out in June in print form. Get on it, Audible - don't make YOUR Members wait too long for the audiobook! Tessa Harris has devoted fans who are ready to buy the next Dr. Silkstone book as soon as it is released! I hope this will be a 20+ book series!
June 24, 2016
The Devil’s Breath is the third Silkstone read, and will probably be my last.
I came into the series hoping for historical mysteries, only to be given a BBC drama. I came to enjoy the books, to a certain extent, when I accepted this fact. However, I cannot say I enjoy them enough to see where things are going. I brought the first three books in a pack, telling myself I would buy the rest if I was truly engaged and wanted to see where things are going… as it stand, I doubt after reading a couple more books if I will even remember half of the details that I have been given in the first three stories.
For me, this third book felt a lot like the first. What I mean, is that the level of enjoyment decreased. The second book threatened a four star rating from me, but just missed out. I had hoped things would continue on the up, yet this book regressed.
As I’ve already stated, just like the first two books, I believe that it shouldn’t really be deemed a mystery. Of the first three books, this has the least mystery to it. The level of drama from the first two books has been multiplied, leaving us with a story where the mystery aspect seemed to be an afterthought. Even though it was obvious who was behind the crime, I still found this aspect of the book to be the most enjoyable (without it, I probably would have dropped my rating to two stars), yet it seemed rushed and shoved in after the drama.
I don’t think it helps matters that certain things that were said in book two seemed to be ignored to increase the drama. I could be recalling incorrectly, yet I do not believe such to be the case considering it has been mere days since my read of book two, yet it is as though certain things never happened. Things that were said are brushed aside so that the one specific breed of drama can continue. Specifically, the romantic breed of drama. The kind I care the least about.
I admit that we went to new places in the book, and I’m sure some people will love this. If you’re truly pulled into where the character’s stories are heading, then this will be a really pleasing book. However, I was awaiting an actual mystery. Thus, I was disappointed.
In short, the first three books were interesting to show me what I could expect from Tessa Harris, yet I will not be continuing on with the series. It simply isn’t what I had been hoping for.
I came into the series hoping for historical mysteries, only to be given a BBC drama. I came to enjoy the books, to a certain extent, when I accepted this fact. However, I cannot say I enjoy them enough to see where things are going. I brought the first three books in a pack, telling myself I would buy the rest if I was truly engaged and wanted to see where things are going… as it stand, I doubt after reading a couple more books if I will even remember half of the details that I have been given in the first three stories.
For me, this third book felt a lot like the first. What I mean, is that the level of enjoyment decreased. The second book threatened a four star rating from me, but just missed out. I had hoped things would continue on the up, yet this book regressed.
As I’ve already stated, just like the first two books, I believe that it shouldn’t really be deemed a mystery. Of the first three books, this has the least mystery to it. The level of drama from the first two books has been multiplied, leaving us with a story where the mystery aspect seemed to be an afterthought. Even though it was obvious who was behind the crime, I still found this aspect of the book to be the most enjoyable (without it, I probably would have dropped my rating to two stars), yet it seemed rushed and shoved in after the drama.
I don’t think it helps matters that certain things that were said in book two seemed to be ignored to increase the drama. I could be recalling incorrectly, yet I do not believe such to be the case considering it has been mere days since my read of book two, yet it is as though certain things never happened. Things that were said are brushed aside so that the one specific breed of drama can continue. Specifically, the romantic breed of drama. The kind I care the least about.
I admit that we went to new places in the book, and I’m sure some people will love this. If you’re truly pulled into where the character’s stories are heading, then this will be a really pleasing book. However, I was awaiting an actual mystery. Thus, I was disappointed.
In short, the first three books were interesting to show me what I could expect from Tessa Harris, yet I will not be continuing on with the series. It simply isn’t what I had been hoping for.
September 27, 2016
The Devil's Breath (Dr. Thomas Silkstone #3)
First, let me get my one complaint about this whole series out of the way. The female lead, Lady Lydia Farrell, makes me absolutely insane. She has NO backbone and somebody is always plotting against Silkstone to get at her one way or another. She always needs rescuing -- it is sort of like watching that old cartoon series with the Perils of Pauline where she's always being tied to railroad tracks and Dudley Doright has to rescue her.
Now -- after my Lydia Farrell rant -- I really enjoyed the story -- especially since the scenario is based on true events and places. I love how smart Silkstone is and how forward thinking he is -- he again -- is based on a real life person.
Strange, mysterious events can produce mass hysteria. I can picture it happening today, especially in less 'modern' places. So, when a strange fog envelops the area and people become sick and die from exposure to it, people start going nuts. Silkstone has to manage to solve murders, analyze what is happening to the patients and try to find a way to treat the patients.
Of course, he also has somebody trying to end him -- because of Lydia (go figure). I'm about tired of that schtick. Either they need to clean up all of their obstacles or they need to go their separate ways.
First, let me get my one complaint about this whole series out of the way. The female lead, Lady Lydia Farrell, makes me absolutely insane. She has NO backbone and somebody is always plotting against Silkstone to get at her one way or another. She always needs rescuing -- it is sort of like watching that old cartoon series with the Perils of Pauline where she's always being tied to railroad tracks and Dudley Doright has to rescue her.
Now -- after my Lydia Farrell rant -- I really enjoyed the story -- especially since the scenario is based on true events and places. I love how smart Silkstone is and how forward thinking he is -- he again -- is based on a real life person.
Strange, mysterious events can produce mass hysteria. I can picture it happening today, especially in less 'modern' places. So, when a strange fog envelops the area and people become sick and die from exposure to it, people start going nuts. Silkstone has to manage to solve murders, analyze what is happening to the patients and try to find a way to treat the patients.
Of course, he also has somebody trying to end him -- because of Lydia (go figure). I'm about tired of that schtick. Either they need to clean up all of their obstacles or they need to go their separate ways.
August 31, 2014
Another book I really tried to like. There is a murder to solve but it didn't occur until halfway through the book and it never seemed to be an important part of the story. For some silly reason, I think if you write a murder mystery, the mystery should be the main plot and everything else be subplots. This book got it all backwards. By the end of the book, I really didn't care who the killer was or why. I cant give this book a good recommendation.
July 29, 2014
I'm done with this series. Too much work, too little reward.
October 24, 2022
This series of books is very good! Colonial times, mystery and anatomists with bodies in every book! Just my style! If you like mystery, medical and historical fiction then you should read this series!
January 5, 2014
Tessa Harris returns once again to bring us the third installment in her Dr. Thomas Silverstone mystery series! Tessa brings forward a mysterious incident from the past to enlighten her readers along with suspense surrounding an unknown suspect (or suspects as it may be) responsible for four murders that draws her Dr. Silverstone to the forefront in gathering clues to not only solve the murders but also provide an answer to the strange phenomena which surrounds their small town of Oxfordshire with only his wits and the resources surrounding him in 1783 England.
Thomas Silkstone a doctor in his own right, trained in America, although living in England these past nine years as apprentice to the renowned and highly respected anatomist Dr. Carruthers (who to Thomas’ great fortune had come to be not only his mentor but a very dear friend) was still looked upon as that “upstart doctor from the colonies” by all the locals. Considering that the events of late have also branded him with a reputation of using science to also solve murder cases that he unwittingly found himself embroiled in, to his credit not only performing post-mortems, but also searching out the clues as to the guilty party. Thomas, in preparing to leave London to visit the love of his life, the recently widowed Lady Lydia Farrell felt uneasiness come upon him that he could not explain. Thomas would not be deterred however, because he had made a promise and nothing would keep him from it. How soon he would find upon arriving at Boughton Hall the country estate of Lady Farrell, nestled in the small village of Oxfordshire that the events there would test all his training. While searching for clues to the missing child he has sworn to find, although feeling thwarted at every turn it is the sudden arrival of a mysterious acrid fog causing death and destruction to anything in its path; whether it be man, beast or vegetation; thick enough to block the light of day had settled in for a long stay. As Thomas attempts to try and alleviate the suffering and come up with an explanation the small shire also falls victim to two murders which once again becomes a call to action for the young anatomist to find the truth.
A returning cast of endearing characters make this an outstanding series to follow! Readers can’t help but be compelled to find out how the good Doctor will solve the cases at hand!
Thomas Silkstone a doctor in his own right, trained in America, although living in England these past nine years as apprentice to the renowned and highly respected anatomist Dr. Carruthers (who to Thomas’ great fortune had come to be not only his mentor but a very dear friend) was still looked upon as that “upstart doctor from the colonies” by all the locals. Considering that the events of late have also branded him with a reputation of using science to also solve murder cases that he unwittingly found himself embroiled in, to his credit not only performing post-mortems, but also searching out the clues as to the guilty party. Thomas, in preparing to leave London to visit the love of his life, the recently widowed Lady Lydia Farrell felt uneasiness come upon him that he could not explain. Thomas would not be deterred however, because he had made a promise and nothing would keep him from it. How soon he would find upon arriving at Boughton Hall the country estate of Lady Farrell, nestled in the small village of Oxfordshire that the events there would test all his training. While searching for clues to the missing child he has sworn to find, although feeling thwarted at every turn it is the sudden arrival of a mysterious acrid fog causing death and destruction to anything in its path; whether it be man, beast or vegetation; thick enough to block the light of day had settled in for a long stay. As Thomas attempts to try and alleviate the suffering and come up with an explanation the small shire also falls victim to two murders which once again becomes a call to action for the young anatomist to find the truth.
A returning cast of endearing characters make this an outstanding series to follow! Readers can’t help but be compelled to find out how the good Doctor will solve the cases at hand!
April 6, 2014
Very disappointed. I had never read any of the series but such books should be able to stand on their own. I felt I was missing things.
The book started out as an exciting description of an historical disaster. I was hooked...but then the author introduces her story and it was like hitting a pothole. There didn't seem to be any connection between the two at first. It seemed to take forever for the story to connect with what was happening all over England. It just dragged.
I finally finished the book but I felt cheated of the tale with which the author started. I really wanted to read a fictionalized, but accurate, version of the disaster that started the book.
I was not expecting a romance though the writing was good, however, I cannot recommend this book to either readers of romances or readers of histories. They will both be disappointed.
The book started out as an exciting description of an historical disaster. I was hooked...but then the author introduces her story and it was like hitting a pothole. There didn't seem to be any connection between the two at first. It seemed to take forever for the story to connect with what was happening all over England. It just dragged.
I finally finished the book but I felt cheated of the tale with which the author started. I really wanted to read a fictionalized, but accurate, version of the disaster that started the book.
I was not expecting a romance though the writing was good, however, I cannot recommend this book to either readers of romances or readers of histories. They will both be disappointed.
September 4, 2015
Great historical mystery, highly recommend this series if you like reading about this era in England and enjoy the country manor and bustling London settings. Dr. Thomas Silkstone and Lady Lydia Farrell are thoroughly enjoyable characters and there is just enough of the history of science and medicine in these books to temper their rather soap-opera like romance.
In particular this book features a mysterious cloud of sulfur plaguing England and killing people and livestock: of course Dr. Silkstone can't really know what is causing it but his medical and scientific techniques I found very interesting. At times Lady Lydia can be just a bit too melancholy for me but in portions of this book she manages to overcome that and contribute a bit more to the plot than giving Dr. Silkstone someone to wring his hands over.
In particular this book features a mysterious cloud of sulfur plaguing England and killing people and livestock: of course Dr. Silkstone can't really know what is causing it but his medical and scientific techniques I found very interesting. At times Lady Lydia can be just a bit too melancholy for me but in portions of this book she manages to overcome that and contribute a bit more to the plot than giving Dr. Silkstone someone to wring his hands over.
March 29, 2018
Character development is definitely the authors weakness in this novel. Take Lydia - no depth with such a fluid character. The narrative made me cringe a little too hard. It's a shame really - the concept with historical background is intriguing but I don't think Harris put a lot of effort to use it. Research was obviously put into it but the text is quite reminiscent of essays I used to rush to hand in for a deadline. I didn't actually finish this book simply because I couldn't withstand Dr Silkstone's sloppy, badly built personality. Disappointed...
October 11, 2014
Oh, Doctor Silkstone! Must you be so gosh darn perfect? I liked this one very much, and the addition of the mysterious fog was very interesting and entertaining. But my goodness, this man makes my teeth hurt, he is just too good.
December 26, 2013
The whole journey was amazing and spooky. I would love to read the rest of the mysteries of Dr. Thomas Silkstone. This was the kind of writing that we all please to read.
December 8, 2014
I tried, but can't finish it. It's that insipid Lady Lydia character that just drives me right up the wall, Silkstone is wasted on her. This series is not for me.
March 28, 2023
As the 3rd installment of this series, it was a terrific historical fictitious telling of the catastrophic Great Fog!
Also a grim reminder of the danger of ignorance.
While the 1st 2 novels were a bit slower, this one was so packed with angst, I almost. couldn't take it! Fans of late 18th century England will appreciate this!
I love how the author brings to life true events from late 1700's Europe.
Also a grim reminder of the danger of ignorance.
While the 1st 2 novels were a bit slower, this one was so packed with angst, I almost. couldn't take it! Fans of late 18th century England will appreciate this!
I love how the author brings to life true events from late 1700's Europe.
November 21, 2018
Another great book by Tessa Harris in the Dr. Silkstone series. I was totally unaware of the Icelandic volcano in the late 1780’s and how it devastated Europe, enveloping them with a sulfuric acid cloud. It was a clever use of a historic event. 3 books in the series read and enjoyed, three more to go!
May 22, 2020
It was a bit of a slow burn but the story is super fascinating especially knowing that it is based on a true story
January 18, 2021
I'm enjoying this series. I like how obscure historical stuff get brought into the picture. That's fun.
July 1, 2023
I am SO done with this tedious series.
Read three books in between
Read three books in between
June 14, 2021
The majority of this book had such an unrelenting miasma of evil and despair that it was difficult to read without being overwhelmed by it. Dr. Silkstone is back with the love of his life when a literal killer fog of acid descends on the country. As people, crops, plants, and animals die, raw and feral emotions take over. Then the murders begins. Lady Lydia's search for her son, stolen at birth hits a brick wall and her supposed guardian plots to eliminate Dr. Silkstone from her life out of spite and to control her estate. Historical details of the real killer fog are good and the mystery is good but yikes is the tone depressing.
February 24, 2015
Not the best
not as good as the first two. too much filling and not as much action. I got bored easy in this book
not as good as the first two. too much filling and not as much action. I got bored easy in this book
May 29, 2014
I really loved the first two books, but the love interest is such a whiner and has no backbone. Her annoying behaviors became distracting.
April 13, 2014
Interesting historical mystery & series. Standalone. Not my favorite in series, bogs down. Audiobook well narrated.
October 3, 2016
A two and a half actually. Not nearly as good as the last one and I think I'll take a break with this series.
April 7, 2021
judder: verb; (especially of something mechanical) shake and vibrate rapidly and with force.
"the steering wheel juddered in his hand"
judder: noun; an instance of rapid and forceful shaking and vibration.
"the car gave a judder"
You will need this definition if you are going to read the Doctor Thomas Silkstone series. I’m an English major and had to look it up when I first encountered it. No problem. It is always interesting to learn a new word. But it seems like the author, Tessa Harris, discovered this word while writing the first book and liked it so much, she wanted to play with it even more. She used it 25 times in her first six books. In Book 4 alone, she used it 11 times. It got to the point where each time I encountered it, it distracted me from the story. May I suggest occasional alternatives such as quiver, waver, shudder, shake, tremble, or quake?
I had just finished reading a series of books about the Civil War and I needed a break from an overload of war, death, scholarship, and military tactics. So, I turned to Harris’s Dr. Silkstone series to cleanse my reading palate.
I enjoyed the main character, Dr. Silkstone, very much. He is engaging, intelligent, and ahead of his time in terms of this profession. As an American in England towards of the end of the Revolutionary War, he is a fish out of water. The side characters are well drawn and interesting.
However, by the end of the fourth book, I had had enough of Silkstone’s love interest, Lady Lydia. She is tiny and frail, always in peril and needing rescue from the handsome and incredibly patient Silkstone. She falls apart, her emotions never in check, to any problem or threat. People could be dying on every side and Silkstone still has to choose his words carefully lest he upset her brittle equilibrium. Lydia certainly faces formidable challenges and dangers, but she never rises to meet them, always needing Silkstone to save her. Too many pages are devoted to Silkstone’s attempts to comfort and cosset her always shattered emotional state. I would have loved to see her grow from a fragile flower to a woman discovering her power. Six books into the series, this has yet to happen.
I enjoyed the mysteries, medical elements, history, and most of the characters. These books provided what I needed: light reading. But when I finish the sixth book, I won't get anymore in the series, mostly because I just don’t understand the practical and inexplicably devoted Silkstone’s attraction to such a fragile, clinging, distraught, high maintenance, damsel in perpetual distress.
"the steering wheel juddered in his hand"
judder: noun; an instance of rapid and forceful shaking and vibration.
"the car gave a judder"
You will need this definition if you are going to read the Doctor Thomas Silkstone series. I’m an English major and had to look it up when I first encountered it. No problem. It is always interesting to learn a new word. But it seems like the author, Tessa Harris, discovered this word while writing the first book and liked it so much, she wanted to play with it even more. She used it 25 times in her first six books. In Book 4 alone, she used it 11 times. It got to the point where each time I encountered it, it distracted me from the story. May I suggest occasional alternatives such as quiver, waver, shudder, shake, tremble, or quake?
I had just finished reading a series of books about the Civil War and I needed a break from an overload of war, death, scholarship, and military tactics. So, I turned to Harris’s Dr. Silkstone series to cleanse my reading palate.
I enjoyed the main character, Dr. Silkstone, very much. He is engaging, intelligent, and ahead of his time in terms of this profession. As an American in England towards of the end of the Revolutionary War, he is a fish out of water. The side characters are well drawn and interesting.
However, by the end of the fourth book, I had had enough of Silkstone’s love interest, Lady Lydia. She is tiny and frail, always in peril and needing rescue from the handsome and incredibly patient Silkstone. She falls apart, her emotions never in check, to any problem or threat. People could be dying on every side and Silkstone still has to choose his words carefully lest he upset her brittle equilibrium. Lydia certainly faces formidable challenges and dangers, but she never rises to meet them, always needing Silkstone to save her. Too many pages are devoted to Silkstone’s attempts to comfort and cosset her always shattered emotional state. I would have loved to see her grow from a fragile flower to a woman discovering her power. Six books into the series, this has yet to happen.
I enjoyed the mysteries, medical elements, history, and most of the characters. These books provided what I needed: light reading. But when I finish the sixth book, I won't get anymore in the series, mostly because I just don’t understand the practical and inexplicably devoted Silkstone’s attraction to such a fragile, clinging, distraught, high maintenance, damsel in perpetual distress.
February 4, 2021
Things get a little more soap-opera-y. I believe that it's in the last book we learn Lydia had a child with her first husband and she believed the child dead. But since her husband's death she has reason to believe he's alive and is searching actively for him with Thomas' help.
As with the last story, this one incorporates a very real historical happening - the deadly smog that hung over large parts of England for months. What the people didn't know because of more limited communication, is that it was caused by eruptions from an Icelandic volcano. Harris ties in both the physical toll it took - particularly on farmers and others who labored outdoor - as well as the emotional toll/trauma caused by the inability to control it, fully understand it, and deal with so many dying around them. It strikes a cord with the wearing of masks, the danger essential workers face, and the lack of control to fix it.
As with the last story, this one incorporates a very real historical happening - the deadly smog that hung over large parts of England for months. What the people didn't know because of more limited communication, is that it was caused by eruptions from an Icelandic volcano. Harris ties in both the physical toll it took - particularly on farmers and others who labored outdoor - as well as the emotional toll/trauma caused by the inability to control it, fully understand it, and deal with so many dying around them. It strikes a cord with the wearing of masks, the danger essential workers face, and the lack of control to fix it.
September 4, 2021
This third episode of the Silkstone series continues the narrative of the complicated lives of 18th century Brits figuring out the industrializing world while maintaining traditional lifestyles.
The sudden appearance of a poisonous acid fog over much of England threatens to destroy life throughout the country. Within that deadly environment, economic and social hijinks continue to derail the romantic plans of Dr. Silkstone as he employs early forensic techniques to unravel convoluted plots.
The deadly fog was a real event, caused by the eruption of a volcano in Iceland in 1783, that affected life throughout the world, creating climate change and food shortages that may have contributed to the unrest leading to the French Revolution. That is something rarely cited in French Revolution books I've read. Think about that environmental crisis... and consider what may be coming up for us in the next few years.
The sudden appearance of a poisonous acid fog over much of England threatens to destroy life throughout the country. Within that deadly environment, economic and social hijinks continue to derail the romantic plans of Dr. Silkstone as he employs early forensic techniques to unravel convoluted plots.
The deadly fog was a real event, caused by the eruption of a volcano in Iceland in 1783, that affected life throughout the world, creating climate change and food shortages that may have contributed to the unrest leading to the French Revolution. That is something rarely cited in French Revolution books I've read. Think about that environmental crisis... and consider what may be coming up for us in the next few years.
January 24, 2019
I might have understood more if I had read the two books that came before this, but the author provided enough backstory to fill in most blanks. It begins with an other-worldly scene of people becoming overwhelmed by a kind of fog. They are not only overwhelmed but they die. The fog creeps in and decimates the fields and everything it touches.
The solution to this strange occurrence in England in 1783 is left to Dr. Silkstone, an American visiting his English lady-love. His ingenious solution begins with determining just why people are dying and how to prevent it. Yet there are other deaths that aren't caused by the mysteriously sinister fog. He has to separate them and find out what happened. It's a tall order for someone that the English country rich aren't warming up to.
It's a heartwarming story with an unusual villain.
The solution to this strange occurrence in England in 1783 is left to Dr. Silkstone, an American visiting his English lady-love. His ingenious solution begins with determining just why people are dying and how to prevent it. Yet there are other deaths that aren't caused by the mysteriously sinister fog. He has to separate them and find out what happened. It's a tall order for someone that the English country rich aren't warming up to.
It's a heartwarming story with an unusual villain.
April 25, 2022
I like that these stories are based on actual events—and then embellished with a fictional retelling of some real small town class-struggles, packed with unreliable characters clinging to shaky systems of toxic belief amid a rather bleak life in the 18th century. And bleak it is. You can’t even see past the bleak atmosphere because of the acid rain and noxious fog that has descended upon the country. And of course, religion offers zero hope.
In the midst of the thick mist, Dr Silkstone needs to solve a set of mysterious deaths. He sets his scalpel to the task with his trusty sidekick, Franklin, the white lab rat (before lab rats were a thing, apparently). And he’s fallen hard for a Lady (with little foundation to their relationship, even though I think Thomas is a super decent guy and can understand why she’s fallen—just can’t see his motives exactly—other than she needs rescuing and she might be aesthetically beautiful, and these both appeal to him). And there are some complications here to do with Lydia’s lost son that they face together. That story line is interesting and works to give Lydia more of our sympathy, creating a touch of amicability in us for her. A touch.
It’s got some fairly good action and interesting bits about historical culture and systems of the day which are explored on several planes, though nothing gets overly complicated. In fact, it all seems a bit too easily resolved.
In reflection, I can’t help but want more from Lydia. Thomas is the star, obviously, but I think his choice in woman might be a tad more exotic or intelligent. Lydia is too easily swayed and discouraged and manipulated. She’s shown hints of having strength, but her character is really weak overall. Maybe that’s intentional, but just seems Thomas has more brains than to be with someone so intellectually dull. Who knows…
On to the next one, see what happens…
In the midst of the thick mist, Dr Silkstone needs to solve a set of mysterious deaths. He sets his scalpel to the task with his trusty sidekick, Franklin, the white lab rat (before lab rats were a thing, apparently). And he’s fallen hard for a Lady (with little foundation to their relationship, even though I think Thomas is a super decent guy and can understand why she’s fallen—just can’t see his motives exactly—other than she needs rescuing and she might be aesthetically beautiful, and these both appeal to him). And there are some complications here to do with Lydia’s lost son that they face together. That story line is interesting and works to give Lydia more of our sympathy, creating a touch of amicability in us for her. A touch.
It’s got some fairly good action and interesting bits about historical culture and systems of the day which are explored on several planes, though nothing gets overly complicated. In fact, it all seems a bit too easily resolved.
In reflection, I can’t help but want more from Lydia. Thomas is the star, obviously, but I think his choice in woman might be a tad more exotic or intelligent. Lydia is too easily swayed and discouraged and manipulated. She’s shown hints of having strength, but her character is really weak overall. Maybe that’s intentional, but just seems Thomas has more brains than to be with someone so intellectually dull. Who knows…
On to the next one, see what happens…
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