The Anatomist’s Apprentice, A Dr. Thomas Silkstone Mystery by Tessa Harris

Historical Mystery

"The death of Sir Edward Crick has unleashed a torrent of gossip throughout Oxfordshire. No one mourns the dissolute young man--except his sister, Lady Lydia Farrell. When her husband comes under suspicion of murder, Lydia seeks expert help from Dr. Thomas Silkstone, a young anatomist from Philadelphia." (From Goodreads)

The premise sounds simple but the book is not.  In 1780’s England anatomist Dr. Thomas Silkstone is treading a new path in forensic pathology. He must use existing methods but also explore additional methods for finding the cause of Sir Edward Crick’s death.

If you want a quick run to a solution this book is not for you.  Each discovery leads to a new conclusion and that conclusion does not always hold up.  Dr. Silkstone travels between Warwick Axxizes and London several times in the course of the story.  Weeks and months go by while he tries to determine the cause of Sir Edward’s death.  During that time a whole cast of characters play across the pages.  The plot twists and turns leading up to a surprising conclusion. 

Tessa Harris did a great deal of historical research.  That research plays a big part in setting the stage for this book and future books in the series.  Reading The Anatomist’s Apprentice is part history, part mystery and even part romance.  A Glossary in the back of the book adds information on the historical facts contained in each chapter. 

The Anatomist’s Apprentice is a great start to a new historical mystery series.  I will be looking for the next books to be published.

Kensington Mysteries published The Anatomists Apprentice by Tessa Harris in 2012.