All
is fair in love and war, so the saying goes. For Adelia Aguilar,
the line between the two is about to get blurry when she is forced
into a situation that is anything but fair.

Adelia, the heroine of Ariana Franklin's bestseller MISTRESS OF THE
ART OF DEATH, is a Sicilian doctor specializing in autopsies. In
THE SERPENT'S TALE she finds herself again in the service of King
Henry II, who wants to know who murdered his mistress, Rosamund
Clifford. Rosamund “The Fair” was poisoned in the tower
in which she lived, surrounded by an imposing maze and tended to by
the insanely protective Dakers. Henry's queen, Eleanor of
Aquitaine, is suspected of having a hand in her death. If she did,
it may plunge the nation into violence and turmoil.

Adelia, along with her servant and constant traveling companion
Mansur, a Muslim castrato, is summoned to help determine if
Rosamund was indeed murdered. The last time the two worked for the
king, Adelia not only solved the crime but fell in love and became
pregnant. Accompanying them are her friend and housekeeper Gyltha
and young daughter Allie. The four are joined by the newly
appointed bishop of Saint Albans, Rowley Picot, former lover of
Adelia's and little Allie's father. When the group reaches
Rosamund's tower, they find her body decomposing yet still being
cared for by the deranged Dakers. Before Adelia can do much
investigation, the queen arrives, and Adelia and the others ---
including the bishop's men --- are taken prisoner. All are moved to
the convent at Godstow where, during an intense snowstorm, they are
cooped up together.

With plenty of time on her hands, Adelia pays close attention to
all the drama's major players. However, her efforts to solve the
crime are nearly thwarted as her feelings for Rowley, missing out
in the storm, almost get the better of her. When her daughter's
life is threatened, Adelia's instinct is to abandon the
investigation altogether. But her inquisitive mind won't let her
rest, and she knows Henry's demands will be enforced. So, with
bodies piling up and the possibility of not one but two crimes to
solve, Adelia continues to ferret out the truth of Rosamund's
death.

Just as in her previous novel, Franklin's story is great fun.
Adelia is part “CSI” investigator and part medieval
wise-woman --- and in this book motherhood adds a rich dimension to
her character. The author works in politics, religion, gender
issues, romance, mystery, violence, science, medicine and loyalty
to THE SERPENT'S TALE without it seeming overwritten or
overwrought. The pace is perhaps a bit slower than MISTRESS OF THE
ART OF DEATH, but it is still dynamic. Especially compelling is the
continuation of the exploration of ethnic identity and the roles of
women --- ideas that, though set in the 12th century, resonate
today.

With her tales of Adelia Aguilar, Franklin is taking historical
fiction in an interesting and sophisticated direction.