I requested this title on the recommendation of my mother who has been working her way through another of Clare's series. I'm very glad I did.

Whenever I read historical fiction, I have an apprehension about accuracy and the use of language that sounds false. In this book, I found nothing of concern. I enjoyed that it was an almost modern scenario transplanted to the new Stuart dynasty. By modern I mean this could have been an episode of Vera as it was 16th century. I'm very much looking forward to the next.

I am always looking for a new historical mystery series and, having read previous books by Alys Clare, I was looking forward to this new series. It didn't disappoint me. 1600's, England - I was hooked. Dr. Taverner has had to give up his life at sea and settles down to start his medical practice. The death of his sister's husband and his pairing with the coroner, Theophilis Davey give this story a great start and it continues to engage the reader. I hope that many of the central characters reappear in future mysteries as they are very well drawn - Black Carlotta, the healer, Judyth the midwife, and Davy, the coroner, I want to read more about them. My hope is that this is just the start of a long running series.

Alys Clare introduces the intrigue and murder of Jacobean England with Gabriel Taverner, newly established doctor, whose sister is suddenly widowed in a vicious murder. Multiple plot twists and believable characters. Read this historical mystery and be sure to pick up the next when it is published.

For some reason, I've found that often when a novel is set in the 1600's the characters bear about the same resemblance to lifelike human beings as characters in an unenthusiastic high school play. By the time the author has stamped them with the mold of "Elizabethan Character" – thee and ye and dost and old by forty and doublets and stomachers – most of the personality has been stamped out, and it becomes rather hard going to get through the book. <br /><br />Alys Clare overcame that obstacle beautifully. First person narrator Gabriel Taverner is a wonderful character, a life–long ship's surgeon who would still be mending sailors if not for the accident that destroyed his equilibrium. He's full of life, and feels contemporary. "Very slowly and quietly, I bent forward and banged my head several times on the gleaming surface of my oak table." I have my doubts about his abilities and commitment as a physician; he has picked up a great deal of unorthodox knowledge from the natives of a great many far-flung places, some of which runs counter to the current trends. Still, he seems to keep picking up books to hone his knowledge of "civilized" medicine, and keeps getting distracted – and when he needs to hie him off to investigate this or that or the other, he never seems to have any concern about his patients' care during his absence. <br /><br />One thing that's rather wonderful about him is a lovely obtuseness. He is the first-person narrator of the story, and his realizations and brainstorms are realistically handled in such a way to clue the reader in. He's a very good character; I hope he has better surroundings in another book.<br /><br />Something I kept wondering about, which I know very little more about than that it existed, is the code of sumptuary laws. I first discovered them when I was getting into Renaissance Faires, when it surprised me that if I wanted to be historically accurate I had to decide where in society my persona fell and dress accordingly, avoiding certain fabrics and certain colors. (From 1562: No Englishman other than the son and heir apparent of a knight, or he that hath yearly revenues of £20 or is worth in goods £200, shall wear silk in or upon his hat, cap, night cap, girdles, scabbard, hose, shoes, or spur-leathers, upon forfeiture of £10 for every day, and imprisonment by three months.) Yet Gabriel's sister wears the finest silk day in and day out.<br /><br />There were a handful of <i>off</i> words sprinkled throughout – I don't, for example, think that someone would refer to a man as being "broke", meaning penniless. (Then again, maybe they would – the adjective has a surprisingly long history. I wouldn't have thought it, and I think I'd avoid it because it doesn't sound right.) "Frenchie"; "get over it" – these were the ones I made note of. Borderline – and as such, enough to take me out of the story just a bit. <br /><br />There were moments when the author revealed a bit or a piece which seemed like they ought to have been mentioned earlier. It was sort of the opposite of Chekhov's gun, with a shot going off suddenly leaving me wondering how. The origin of the murder weapon, for example – which I won't spoil here – seemed frankly kind of stupid and, till then, not even hinted at, not something the reader could remotely guess at. <br /><br />It was a quick and easy and enjoyable read, but somewhat weak in areas. I enjoyed the writer's writing, but wish it had been more even and cohesive. There were excellent elements, but they were like beads on a long string, with thin bits in between. I'd like to try more of the series, in hopes of a stronger plot. <br /><br />The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.

Queen Elizabeth has just died, and Gabriel Taverner, former naval surgeon, hangs out his shingle on land in rural Devon. Not everyone seems happy to have a new physician in the village: unpleasant “gifts” show up on his doorstep. When a decomposed body is discovered at a nearby quay and the husband of Taverner’s beloved sister disappears, matters hit even closer to home.

Clare, known for two successful medieval mystery series, has here chosen the later setting of the reign of King James I. The doctor as a sort of precursor to forensic scientist is a familiar device; Taverner is teamed up with the local coroner in what looks to be an ongoing partnership. While there are some grisly descriptions and a body that hangs around unburied for far too long, this is not a stomach-turning forensic thriller. The focus is on character introduction and development, especially as this is the debut novel for a new series. Certain aspects of the plotting are telegraphed in ways that may mitigate the suspense, but the mystery element is competently handled and the setting convincing. Fans of character-centered mysteries will find much that appeals in this promising series debut by a well-established author.

Published in Historical Novels Review, Issue 79, February 2017

A Rustle of Silk by Alys Clare

‘A new forensic series set in Stuart England’ is the description of this book and that is exactly what it is. The premise of the book is that Dr Garbriel Taverner, a former ships doctor, has returned to Devon after completion of his medical studies in London with the aim of establishing a practice. From the outset of the book, Taverner meets with two mysteries; one is related to the discovery of a decomposing body on which he is asked to offer his medical opinion; and the second is the identity of the person who he believes views his position in the community as a threat.

We are also introduced to Taverner’s sister whose husband is involved in a business which imports luxurious silks – a business which involves his absence from home and consequently Taverner becomes concerned about his sister’s safety and happiness.

Clare has provided an exciting background to her novel, Stuart England and although the new king is mentioned, the story is not bogged down with lots of politics and intrigue. What it does do is paint a picture of the period. I was intrigued by the descriptions of Taverner’s studies into medicine and forensics and relished the beautiful descriptions of the luxurious silks which made it easy to picture the vivid colours, and the rich sheen of the fabrics.

This is not a complicated book but the development, the twists and turns of the plot, are well thought out and I was unable to work out ‘who dunnit’ before the end of the book. The characters are established well and I am left with a feeling of fondness for Gabriel and his sister. Obviously there are more books to come and I look forward to re-establishing my relationship with the characters already introduced and Stuart England.

This is not a gory, graphic murder mystery, but it is a good read which will suit many readers who prefer a more gentle kind of murder mystery.

I reviewed this book via NetGalley on my Kindle in return for an honest review.

... silk doesn't maketh the man!

An exciting new protagonist for solving murders and mysteries set in early Stuart England times of the 17th century! Dr Gabriel Taverner is a navy surgeon now turned doctor who hails from Devon. He is endeavouring to set up practice back near his childhood neighbourhood.
The people we meet are fascinating. These are not surface figures. That these characters have a depth that will add to this and future stories is obvious from the get go. Black Carlotta, a wise woman and healer, midwife Judyth Penwarden, the coroner Theophilus Davey, and the local vicar Jonathan Carew are my special likes.
A man has killed himself and the coroner Theophilus, fetches Gabriel to assist him. Something about the unknown dead man troubles Gabriel, but it's only sometime later that it becomes apparent that Gabriel was right to be troubled.
The dead man is his brother-in-law Jeromy Palfrey married to his sister Celia. And this is where everything turns on its tail and we find that Jeromy was a shallow supercilious man, agent for a wealthy silk merchant, one Nicolaus Quinlie. Although he supplies silk to the highest in the land, Quinlie is a vicious man of devious character and very few morals, up to his neck in all sorts of underhanded deals. Jeromy it seems was in thrall to Quinlie and complicit in some of Quinlie's more dubious dealings.
The tale goes on with believable intertwining coincidences, stretching from Plymouth to Venice and back, before coming to its quite complex conclusion, with some threads tied up tightly and more than a few left somewhat tantalizingly hanging. Relationships are forged with a nice easy touch by Clare. I definitely want to read more about this erstwhile, forward thinking doctor, Gabriel Taverner and his friends.

A NetGalley ARC

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